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

254

may have received from your erring and mistaken relatives.” Being thus persuaded by the parrot, Moodgul consented to return to his father’s house with his family. It afforded the brahmin, Crustna Josey, no small amount of pleasure to fold once more in his arms, in his own house, his only son, whom he dearly loved. He even went the length of soliciting his son’s pardon for what he had done against him, and so did the rest of them. “O my son!” said the father, “I cannot imagine what charm the Zotinge could have put upon me and my family! I repent most sincerely of my conduct towards you, and I trust you will, when you consider the circumstances under which we were placed, extend to us your forgiveness.” He continued in this strain for a considerable time, and adduced instances where such impositions had been successfully practised, until at length his son’s heart was softened. “O most revered father!” said Moodgul, “I am now fully sensible of the nature of the occurrence, and I feel how wrong I have been in my expressions of anger against you and the rest of those near and dear to me. I can see now how matters stood, and am not at all surprised that you should have acted in the manner you did. I have no reason to complain of you. Pardon me, I entreat you!” They were thus once more united in the bonds of affection, and the brahmin, embracing his son, shed tears of joy. The ceremony of investing Moodgul’s son with the sacred thread was cele- brated with great pomp and joy, and they continued to live in peace and good fellowship during the remainder of their lives.