"'Then, my teacher, when to-morrow I go before my father, and he asks me my desires, what shall I make reply?'
"'Ask of him to bestow on you the rents of the bazaars and the produce or the royal gardens within the city gates.'
"'Of what benefit would such be to me?'
"'The greatest benefit, my son. For those who have money have power, of which truth I will give you an illustration:—
"'A timid doe in the forest, when it once sees a leopard, will fly, and hiding carefully, will not venture to stir out again for many days and nights; but on the other hand, retiring as it is by nature, it will, if a person constantly feed it, so far lose its timidity as to approach him and take from his hand. Therefore, my son, if you give presents often to the favourites and the advisers of the King, you will gain their confidence and their liking.'
"On the following day, when the Prince reached the palace, and his father asked him to name the province that he wished to govern, he answered thus:—
"'My brothers have all gone from you to distant parts of the world to guard over your vast possessions; let me then remain here to be your Majesty's attendant, and render you that care and assistance in sickness, in health, and in trouble, or any other trial, that affection can alone offer.'
"The old King was pleased, and granted unhesitatingly what he was asked.
"From that day forth Thanwara received the rents and profits of the bazaars and gardens, and took up his residence near the throne, in the white palace of his father.
"Gradually his winning manners, his deference to his elders, his many thoughtful and beautiful gifts, and, lastly, his own piety and learning, gained for him the first place in the hearts of those who were about the Court.