That (methinks) is a child of mine.”
To which the Pawang immediately replied:—
“Chop the young bamboo-shoots as fine as you can,
If you wish to stupefy the fish in the main stream.
In good sooth I have crossed the stream,
For great was my desire to come hither.”
And the bearer of the Rice-child added—doubtless on the Rice-child’s behalf:—
“This measure is not a measure filled with pepper,
But a measure filled with rice-husks.
My coming is not merely fortuitous,