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

43 diately ordered to be placed on the board, and the actress sat down to it with much glee. The first dish that was served up was the one containing the supposed parrot, which she ate with much gusto and appetite, chewing every bone with great vehemence, under the impression that they were those of her bitterest enemy,—the one who had brought so much ridicule upon her; and every time this conviction flashed across her mind she renewed her attack on the savoury dish, flavoured more pungently by her own spirit of hatred and revenge, little thinking that the object of her attack was far beyond her reach, and was perhaps even then exulting at the trick he had played upon her, and of which as yet the cook was alone cognisant. We will leave the actress, however, to her meal, and return to the parrot. He did not stop in his flight, which he had been enabled to accomplish by the aid of Veytal, until he had reached a haven of security. He thanked God for his mercy, and for recalling to his mind the existence of Veytal at that critical moment, whereby alone he had been enabled to effect his escape from the perilous situation in which he had so recently been placed. His denuded feathers had been restored, and he reflected with gratification on the distance he had placed between himself and the cruel wretch who would have deprived him of his life. The place where he had taken refuge was a temple, dedicated to the goddess Kallika, a renowned and sacred place, the scenery around which was most enchantingly beautiful. It was situated out of the town, and a large smooth lake was hard by, which reflected in a thousand fanciful shapes the clustering trees of every size and description that grew on its banks, loaded with the fruits of autumn.