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

247 valued at no less a sum than one hundred and twenty-five thousand rupees. The king said it was too much by far to ask for so small a bird, and that he could not comprehend the meaning of pricing it so enormously high, unless indeed it was possessed of some great and rare qualities. The parrot hereupon said to the king, “Do not doubt my wis- dom ;—buy me of the brahmin, and pay him what he asks. Then demand of me anything you would wish to know, and I will answer you.” The parrot’s language pleased Gopi- chund so much that he instantly ordered the money to be paid down, and took immediate possession of the intelligent bird. The brahmin, as soon as he had received his money, took leave of the parrot in the most affectionate manner, and departed for Oojein, to communicate his news to the minister. Having reached the city he went straight to his residence, and entered at once into a recital of Vickrama- detea’s adventures, concluding by informing him of his present form and location. The minister was exceedingly glad to hear that the search after his master had proved success- ful, and sincerely grieved to think of all he had suffered and was likely to suffer. He thanked Somedut for his exertions, and requested him not to divulge the circumstance of the king’s being found to any one, nor to allow a single person to suspect that he possessed so much money, lest some misfortune should befal him. He begged him above all things to be punctual in joining him at a time and place which they appointed. Somedut then took his leave, and went to his own home, where his family received him with great joy. King Gopichund kept the parrot in a magnificent cage, richly studded with diamonds and other precious stones, and took great pleasure in listening to the amusing tales which from time to time it recounted for the monarch’s amusement. Gopichund’s subjects were happy, contented, and religi- ously inclined ; they were peaceful among themselves, and