“A farmer,” said Maitraya.
“ ‘The locusts spread through the land, and there is no ooze of dew, nor any rain. The crops have failed; and nevertheless, the tax-gatherer! He fails not with his visits! Meditate a little on the tax-gatherer, O King.’ ”
The Saddhu: “ ‘Aye, meditate!’ ”
“A camel-driver,” said Maitraya.
“ ‘O King, they wait beside the mother-camel for the unborn calf. They take from us in taxes at the frontier more than the freight is worth. We fetch and carry, but the profit of the labor goeth to the rich. Our very tents are worn until the women can no longer patch them.’ ”
The Saddhu: “ ‘Live in caves, O brother of the wind!’ ”
“The shoemaker,” said Maitraya.
“ ‘And the owner of goats charges twice as much as formerly for goatskins!’ ”
“The goatherd.”
“ ‘Maybe. But he pays me less than half of what is right for herding them!’ ”