In conclusion, I would earnestly ask the reader to join in a prayer that the time may speedily come when such childish tales as "THE MIRROR AND THE BRACELET" may be as little needed in India as in our own favoured land. It is possible that the earnestness of the prayer may be increased by the glimpse given in the following pages of the degrading thraldom in which millions of our fellow-creatures, our fellow-subjects, are held by Satan, the father of lies! A. L. O. E., _Hon. Missionary of Batála, Punjab._ CONTENTS. [Illustration] THE MIRROR AND THE BRACELET CHAPTER I. THE TIGER CHAPTER II. THE ROYAL GIFTS CHAPTER III. THE TYRANT AND SLAVE CHAPTER IV. THE JANEO CHAPTER V. THE MESSENGER CHAPTER VI. WILD DREAMS CHAPTER VII. ON PILGRIMAGE CHAPTER VIII. THE WARNING CHAPTER IX. HEALING CHAPTER X. THE SACRIFICE OF PRIDE CHAPTER XI. THE PARABLE EXPLAINED GORU NANAK KABIR A SON OF HEALING CHAPTER I. THE DOCTOR'S CHARMS CHAPTER II. THE BALLOON CHAPTER III. THE THREE CASKETS CHAPTER IV. KILLING WITH KINDNESS CHAPTER V. DYING FOR A FRIEND CHAPTER VI. HELP IN NEED CHAPTER VII. DOING HIS DUTY CHAPTER VIII. A LITTLE LAMP CHAPTER IX. GANESH THE MILKMAN CHAPTER X. AN ACCEPTABLE OFFERING CHAPTER XI. THE WILD ELEPHANT CHAPTER XII. TWO MARRIAGES NOTE ON HURDWAN FAIR THE MIRROR AND THE BRACELET. [Illustration] CHAPTER I. THE TIGER. HEAR ye the story of the adventures and misfortunes of Bandhu. O Hindu reader! Perhaps you will find that he is one well-known unto you. The mother of Bandhu went on a pilgrimage, and took her son with her. He was then seven years of age. The pilgrimage was a long one, the woman was poor; the flour which she carried with her was little for one, and quite insufficient for two. Bandhu fell grievously sick; sores spread over his body; he had no strength to walk. His mother lifted him up, and carried him a short distance; but she was tired, hungry, and sad, and soon laid him down on the ground. Bandhu grew worse and worse; he moaned aloud in his pain; then his senses left him, and he lay on the earth as one dead. The mother wailed aloud and cried, "What an unlucky day is this! What wretch's face did I happen to see early this morning? Hae! Hae! What shall I do? If I stay here, I shall perish with hunger, or some wild beast will devour me! The boy is dying; I cannot save him; why should I perish with him?"