murdered the Brahman? the snake, or the hawk, or the woman who
gave him the food, or her husband? This was discussed in the
presence of the god of death, but they could not decide. Therefore,
O King, do you say. Who killed the Brahman? Remember the
curse, if you know and do not tell the truth."

Then the king broke silence and said: "Who did the murder? The
snake cannot be blamed, because he was being eaten by his enemy
and could not help himself. The hawk was hungry and saw
nothing. He was not to blame. And how can you blame either or
both of the charitable people who gave food to a guest who arrived
unexpectedly? They were quite virtuous, and cannot be blamed. I
should say that the dead man himself was to blame, for he dared to
accuse one of the others."

When the goblin heard this, he jumped from the king's shoulder
and escaped to the sissoo tree. And the king ran after him again,
determined to catch him.


THIRTEENTH GOBLIN

The Girl who showed Great Devotion to the Thief. Did he weep or
laugh?

Then the king went back to the sissoo tree, put the goblin on his
shoulder, and started. And as he walked along, the goblin said to
him: "O King, I will tell you another story. Listen."