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

271 boldly and fearlessly addressed. “Well, Josey-bawa,” said he, “be so kind as to inform me whether there is any good conquest in store for our court for the present year.” The Josey could not help smiling at the youth’s mode of expression, and the subject of his address. He replied, “I can tell you what you desire to know, but you must first let me have some duxina.”* “You may depend on me,” replied the child; “I will give it to you, and, what is more, from this day forward you must not go from door to door.” At this speech the Josey laughed heartily, and said, “O prince of boys!—an opportunity of achieving a great and splendid victory lies before you, and one which only you are destined to obtain.” No sooner did these words fall from the Josey’s lips than Shalivahan, much pleased with it, presented him with an earthen pot. The poor Josey accepted the proffered gift without any demur, and took it to his lodgings, where, having placed the pot on the ground, he was agreeably surprised to find it converted into pure gold! This miraculous occurrence convinced him that there was some unusual and important faculty attach- ing to the boy who had presented him with it,—in short, the Josey believed him to belong to a superior or divine order of beings. Shalivahan was not over fond of study, nor eager for learning, but he was possessed of so excellent a memory that anything he had once read he could repeat by heart. He could also successfully perform what he had but once before seen done. His grasp of memory and the quickness of his apprehension were among his most remarkable characteristics, and they secured for him the well-merited praise of all who knew him. In a distant country lived a wealthy merchant called Dhunnanjye, who had three sons, all well educated and great proficients in their business. This merchant was also a man of great tact and experience, but he was so old and

• Money or presents.