husband of your choice. Choose whatever boon you will from me."

The girl worshipped the gracious god and chose her boon: "O
blessed one, my father has no son. May he have a hundred.
Otherwise his childless life would end when I am gone."

And the god spoke again from the sky: "O faithful wife, your
father shall have a hundred sons. But choose another boon. A
woman faithful as you are deserves more than the little thing you
asked."

Then she said: "O god, if I have won your favour, may this my
husband live and always be a good man."

The invisible Shiva spoke from the sky: "So be it. Your husband
shall be made alive and well. He shall be a good man, and King
Hero-banner shall be pleased with him."

Then the thief arose at once, alive and well. And the merchant
Jewel was overjoyed and astonished. He took Pearl and the thief,
his son-in-law, went home with his rejoicing relatives, and made a
feast great as his own delight, in honour of the sons he was to
have.

And the king was pleased when he learned the story, and in
recognition of the stupendous courage of the thief, he appointed
him general at once. The thief reformed, married the merchant's
daughter, and lived happily with her, devoted to virtue.