the specialist in food, disgustedly shook his head and refused to
eat. And when the king himself asked him why he would not eat
food that was sweet and savoury, he respectfully replied: "Your
Majesty, in this food there is the odour of smoke from a burning
corpse. Therefore, I do not wish to eat it, however sweet it may
be."

Then at the king's command all the rest smelt of it and declared it
the best of winter rice, and perfectly sweet. But the food-critic
held his nose and would not touch it. Now when the king reflected
and made a careful investigation, he learned from the
commissioners that the dish was made of rice grown near a village
crematory. Then he was greatly astonished and pleased, and said:
"Brahman, you are certainly a judge of food. Pray take something
else."

After dinner the king dismissed them to their rooms, and sent for
the most beautiful woman of his court. And at night he sent this
lovely creature, all adorned, to the second brother, the specialist in
women. She came with a servant of the king to his chamber, and
when she entered, she seemed to illuminate the room. But the
judge of women almost fainted, and stopping his nose with his left
hand, he said to his servants: "Take her away! If not, I shall die. A
goaty smell issues from her."

So the servants, in distress and astonishment, conducted her to the
king and told him what had happened. Then the king sent for the
specialist in women, and said: "Brahman, she has anointed herself
with sandal, camphor, and aloes, so that a delightful perfume
pervades her neighbourhood. How could this woman have a goaty