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

202 rendezvous, and awaited the coming of the bird. While there, as he cast his eyes around, he could not help admiring the beauty and grandeur of the scenery in and around that noble city, and it sent a pang of sorrow though his heart to think that so many of the good things of this world should lie in such profusion without a single creature being permitted to partake of the enjoyments which they afforded. "The royal bird arrived at the appointed time, and having rested a short space, he bade Charoo prepare for his journey. In a few minutes he had transported him to the top of the mountain from whence they had set out. The other birds expressed much joy at his return, and, as usual, appor- tioned the fruit into seven shares, one of which they again offered to Charoo, and desired him to partake of it. They waited until he had commenced, and then they all followed his example. It was really a source of much pleasure to Charoo to reside with these intelligent birds, who showed such love and esteem for him, and he passed that day very pleasantly in their society. The old bird enquired of Charoo whether he had completed his mission, to which the latter replied very cheerfully that he had, and thanked them again for their aid. The birds then informed him of the advan- tages he would derive from having partaken of celestial fruit, —that it had the property of preventing sickness of every description, so that he would never more fall sick or suffer even the slightest indisposition,—nor could any beast, reptile, bird, or any of the creatures that injure man, have power to hurt him,—in short, that he had been inmortalised by eating of the fruit. Charoo rejoiced at having fallen into the company of these celestial birds, and he was strangely delighted to hear that he would never die. He was profuse in his thanks, and having made as suitable a return in words as he could for the invaluable boon and kind favors granted to him, he requested permission to depart. The old bird was greatly averse to parting with his guest so soon, and regretted it exceedingly; he therefore begged of him to stay a little longer, and to partake of a