And the Brahmin made answer: “Behold, a god has sent me hither, and has told me to ask this boon.” And the King said: “Thy prayer is granted: thou didst ask for one eye, behold I will give thee both eyes.” And then the news spread quickly through the town that the King was about to give his eyes to a blind Brahmin, and the Commander-in-Chief and all the officials gathered together that they might turn the King from his purpose. And they said: “O great King, are there not other gifts which thou canst bestow upon this sightless Brahmin—money, jewels, elephants with cloth of gold? Why shouldst thou give to him that most precious of gifts, thy royal eyes?” And the King said: “Behold, I have taken this vow, and I should be sinful if I were to break it.” And the courtiers said: “O King, why doest thou this thing? Is it for Life, or Beauty or Strength?” The King answered: “It is for none of these things: it is for the joy of giving.” Then the King bid the Surgeon do his work. And when one of his eyes was taken out, he gave it to the Brahmin, and it remained fixed in his socket like a blue lotus flower in bloom. And the King said: “The eye that sees all things is greater than this eye,” and, being filled with ecstasy of joy, he gave the second eye. And after many days and much suffering, the King’s sight was restored to him—not the natural eyes which see the things around—but the eyes which see perfect and absolute Truth. And he reigned in righteousness and justice, and the people learnt of him pure wisdom. THE BULL THAT DEMANDED FAIR TREATMENT Long ago the Bodisat came to life as a Bull. Now, when he was yet a young calf, a certain Brahmin, after attending upon some devotees who were wont to give oxen to priests, received the bull. And he called it Nandi Visāla, and grew very fond of it, treating it like a son, and feeding it on gruel and rice. When the Bodisat grew up, he said to himself: “This Brahmin has brought me up with great care; and there’s no other ox in all the continent of India can drag the weight I can. What if I were to let the Brahmin know about my strength, and so in my turn provide sustenance for him!” And he said one day to the Brahmin: “Do you go now, Brahmin, to some Squire rich in cattle, and offer to bet him a thousand that your ox will move a hundred laden carts.” The Brahmin went to a rich farmer, and started a conversation thus: “Whose bullocks hereabout do you think the strongest?” “Such and such a man’s,” said the farmer, and then added: “But, of course, there are none in the whole country-side to touch my own!” “I have one ox,” said the Brahmin, “who is good to move a hundred carts, loads and all!” “Tush!” said the Squire. “Where in the world is such an ox?” “Just in my house!” said the Brahmin. “Then make a bet about it!” “All right! I bet you a thousand he can.”