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

251 his case to him, who, he doubted not, would enable him to regain his position in his father's household. Before he left the house, the Zotinge went to Moodgul's mother, and said, " It is always the object of the impostors from Benares, good mother, to obtain something from those on whom they practise their deceptions ; give this fellow, therefore, some undressed rice." The mother was in high spirits and good humour in consequence of the approaching festivity, so she went immediately, at the desire of her son, and brought a small quantity of rice to the supposed cheat, who, however, resented the insult by spurning it away ; he then quitted the house and bent his steps towards the king's palace. When he arrived there, he represented to his majesty the actual state of affairs, with all necessary particulars, and demanded that justice should be done him. The king was greatly surprised at the representations made to him, and having sent for Crustna Josey, asked him what he meant by denying all knowledge of his son, after his return from the pilgrimage, even although the expedition had been undertaken contrary to his express commands, which did not in the least alter the case. " My lord," said Crustna Josey, "your majesty no doubt knows that I have but one son, and that son is now at home. The person now before your majesty I do not recollect having ever before seen, and I am at a loss to know on what ground he claims relation- ship with me. I beg your majesty will be pleased to send for my son, if you disbelieve my assertions." The king immediately ordered the son to be brought before him, and when he arrived the king observed such an exact resemblance between the two, in their make, features, complexion, size, and everything else, that he and the whole court were greatly embarrassed, and could not arrive at a satisfactory or conclusive opinion on the matter. In this strait the king bethought him of his clever parrot, who, he said, might possibly be able to solve the mystery. The parrot was accordingly brought into court and the case having been laid before him, he replied, after some time