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

200 me. Your condescension emboldens me to prefer a request which I would otherwise have never ventured to do. I will explain to you first why I have travelled so far, and then tell you what it is I desire of you.' He then told them in detail every circumstance with which it was necessary for him to acquaint them, and concluded by requesting that they would be kind enough to take him to the Chitrakoot mountain and afterwards bring him back to their abode. The birds readily consented to do so, and assured Charoo that they would do all in their power to promote his designs, what he had already asked them being a mere trifle. After this, Charoo desired them to proceed with their meal, and he himself fell to heartily. On the following day the royal bird directed the one whose duty it was to go that day for their daily allowance of fruit, to take up Charoo to the mountain of Chitrakoot, and to bring him back again, if he wished to return that day, or whenever he liked. The bird accordingly, with Charoo sitting on his back, flew away with incredible speed, and soon conveyed him to the top of the mountain. At parting, the bird told him he would return that way with the fruits at noon, and that until then he might walk into the town and inspect the novelties there to be seen. 'You must return to this place by that time,' continued the bird, 'and if I am not here, wait awhile for me, as this is the spot we daily frequent.' Charoo thanked the bird, and then directed his steps towards the gate of the city, on entering which he observed a great many men in various attitudes,—some were seated, others lying, and some standing on their feet, but all appeared to have lost the power of motion. He approached several, and found them all inanimate,—they could neither move nor utter a word. Charoo passed through several of the streets, and saw that in the shops, which were open, men were apparently busily engaged in counting money, and filling up bags with it, while others were in the act of locking up chests, but all in the same fixed attitude, without a single sign of life or motion. Charoo then amused himself by changing the