[1] Kalavaeddā (Paradoxurus musanga). [↑]
STORIES OF THE WESTERN PROVINCE AND SOUTHERN INDIA
No. 225
The Wax Horse[1]
In a certain country a son was born to a certain King, it is said. Having caused Brāhmaṇas to be brought to write this Prince’s horoscope, at the time when they handed it over, after they gave information to the King that when the Prince arrived at maturity he was to leave the country and go away, the King, for the Prince to be most thoroughly guarded, caused a room on an upper story to be made [for his occupation], it is said.
This infant Prince having become somewhat big, being suitable for game amusements and the like, during the time while he was passing the days he saw in the street a Wax Horse that [persons] brought to sell; and having told his father the King to take and give him it, at the time when he considered it his father the King paid the price, and taking the horse gave it to his son, it is said. This horse, furnished with two wings, was one possessing the ability to fly in the sky.
After he had got this horse for a little time, when the Prince became big to a certain extent, not concealing it from anyone whatever, by the help of the Wax Horse he went to fly. Well then, the saying, too, of the soothsayer-Brāhmaṇa became true.