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

252 spent in contemplation, "My lord, it is not for me to decide a case of so much importance. I pray you, take it into your own hands, or place it in those of your learned coun- cillors, who are so eminently conversant with the manner of judging such matters." But the king said he was deter- mined that the parrot should decide the case. The parrot then asked Crustna Josey which was his son, and he pointed to the Zotinge. The same question was put to the rest of Crustna's family, and they each and all indicated the same individual. The parrot next questioned the Zotinge on different points, but he met them all in a satisfactory manner, so that, except to the parrot, the case seemed to be as far from being settled as ever. The parrot, however, was at no loss to discover the cheat. He ordered a zauree* to be brought, which being done, he said, "If you both desire justice to be impartially administered, you will consent to the test I now prescribe. The real son alone will be able to enter into the zauree, and make his exit by the spout. The one who fails to do so is undoubtedly the cheat." The parrot addressed himself first to the real Moodgul, who said, "Is it possible for any human being to enter into so small a vessel?—it cannot be done by mortal means." The false Moodgul on this came forward, and said to the king, "O king, I am able to enter the zauree and to come out through the spout." "Are you?" said the parrot; "then hasten and do it." The Zotinge at once performed the feat, to the great astonishment of all. The parrot then called Crustna Josey, and asked him if he could now identify his son. The brahmin, greatly perplexed, said he could not be certain. The parrot enquired of him if he had not a Borre tree on his premises, that was occupied by a demon spirit. The brahmin replied that there was such a tree, on which a Zotinge had dwelt, but that he had not seen anything of him for the last three months. The parrot then said to the king, "May it please

• A particular drinking-vessel, with a spout and a long neck.