stake myself, and then I think I shall have won through my utter
defeat.



XXX

A smile of mirth spread over the sky when you dressed my heart in
rags and sent her forth into the road to beg.

She went from door to door, and many a time when her bowl was
nearly full she was robbed.

At the end of the weary day she came to your palace gate holding
up her pitiful bowl, and you came and took her hand and seated
her beside you on your throne.



XXXI

"Who among you will take up the duty of feeding the hungry?"
Lord Buddha asked his followers when famine raged at Shravasti.

Ratnâkar, the banker, hung his head and said, "Much more is
needed than all my wealth to feed the hungry."

Jaysen, the chief of the King's army, said, "I would gladly give
my life's blood, but there is not enough food in my house."