विक्रम चरित (उज्जैन सम्राट् विक्रमादित्य - पराक्रम, न्याय एवं ३२ पुतलियों की कथा सटीक)

the birds, but lay himself down to recruit his wearied frame. He spent the night in reflecting on the past and in devising plans for the future, and at early dawn he rose to look about for the birds. As noon approached, the heat became intense, and he sat down under the tree to refresh himself. While seated there, happening to cast his eyes upward, he saw one of the feathery tribe descending from a great height, and at length it alighted upon the very bough under which he was seated, but still at a great distance from him. Charoo arose and approached nearer, regretting much that he could not converse with the bird. He was still proceed- ing towards it, when he heard a loud voice, resembling that of a human being, enquiring if there was any guest to join them in their mid-day meal. Our traveller answered immediately. 'Yes,' said he, 'I am here, a stranger in this place.' The old goose, hearing this reply, immediately sent off one of her goslings, who flew towards Charoo and invited him to honour their dwelling with his presence. Charoo consented at once, whereupon the gosling raised him from the ground and took him up to one of the furthermost boughs of the Vur tree. The other birds seemed exceedingly pleased, and received Charoo very courteously. The old bird addressed him, saying; 'We are to day highly favored by the Almighty in providing us with a guest.' The whole of them then entered into familiar discourse, soon after which the birds set before Charoo his share of the celestial fruit, being the sixth portion. They desired him to eat without ceremony, telling him they had not the power to procure for him any other dainty. Charoo, as he had been instructed by the hermit, showed no inclination to eat, and the birds, perceiving it, said, 'We beg you will be kind enough to honor us by partaking of our food. We have offered you all we possess.' Charoo was moved by their affectionate solicitude, and could no longer remain silent, so, addressing himself to them, he said, 'It has pleased God to bring me here in the character of a guest. I am a stranger, and feel grateful for the kindness you have shown