“‘He is not the king,’ said the minister to the queen. ‘We must find the true Mukunda, wherever he may be.’
“In order to effect this, to every one whom the vizier addressed he uttered the two half-verses—
‘Far flies rumour with three pairs of ears,’
and
‘The beggar may rise to royal degree,’
but with no results. One evening, however, as he was walking home, deep in thought, a poor Brahmin clamoured for alms. The minister made no answer; but when the pauper continued his importunities, he said, sharply,—
‘Far flies rumour with three pairs of ears’;
to which the Brahmin promptly answered—
‘The man is an idiot, so have no fears.’
“Hearing this, the old man was arrested by his interest. He hastily continued—