“NECESSITY”
(AN EASTERN TALE)
I
One day, when the three good sages,—Ulaya, Darnu, and Purana,—were sitting at the door of their common home, young Kassapa, the son of the Rajah Lichava, came up to them and sat down on the earth which was piled around the house but he did not speak. The young man’s cheeks were pale and his eyes, which had lost the glow of youth, seemed weary.
The old men looked one at another, and good Ulaya said:
“Listen, Kassapa, tell to us, the three sages, who wish you nothing but good, what is oppressing your soul. Ever since you lay in the cradle, fate has showered its gifts upon you and you look as downcast as the meanest slave of your father, poor Jebaka, who yesterday felt the heavy hand of your steward....”
“Yes, poor Jebaka showed us the welts on his back,” said stern Darnu and kindly Purana added:
“We wished to call them to your attention, good Kassapa.”
The young man did not allow him to finish. He jumped up from his seat and exclaimed with an impatience which he had never before displayed: