hungry and thirsty as he was, he followed on foot the king who
rode a swift horse.

And when the king saw him following, he spoke lovingly: "My
good man, do you perhaps know the way we came?"

And the pilgrim bowed low and said: "I know, your Majesty. But
first rest yourself a moment. The blazing sun, the middle jewel in
the girdle of heaven's bride, is terribly hot." Then the king said
eagerly: "See if there is water anywhere."

And the pilgrim agreed and climbed a high tree and looked around.
And he saw a river and climbed down and took the king to it. He
unsaddled the horse, gave him water and grass, and let him rest.
And when the king had bathed, the pilgrim took two fine mangoes
from his skirt, washed them and gave them to the king.

"Where did you get these?" asked the king, and the pilgrim bowed
and said: "Your Majesty, I have lived on such food for ten years.
While I was serving your Majesty, I had to live like a monk." And
the king said: "What can I say? You deserve your name of Good."
And he was filled with pity and shame, and thought: "A curse on
kings, who do not know whether their servants are happy or not!
And a curse of their attendants, who do not tell them this and
that!" And when the pilgrim insisted, the king was prevailed on to
take the two mangoes. He rested there with the pilgrim and ate the
mangoes and drank water with the pilgrim, who was accustomed
to eat mangoes and drink water.

Then the pilgrim saddled the horse and went ahead to show the