"It is said," thus began Isa Dás, "that once upon a time there were three caskets placed in a palace, and proclamation was made that he who should choose the right one would find in it a beautiful picture, which should give him a right to possess great wealth, and all that his heart most desired. Men would be partly guided in their choice by an inscription on the outside of each box. The first casket was of gold, and on it was written, 'Who chooseth me shall have what many men desire.' The second was of silver, and the inscription on it was this, 'Who chooseth me shall have what he deserves.' The third was of lead, and on it appeared, 'Who chooseth me must give and hazard all he hath.' Had you been there, O Natthu! of the three which would you have chosen?" "Surely the gold one!" cried Natthu, who was miserly, and whose chief joy in life was to hoard up his gains. "Who would take silver if gold were near; as for lead, no one would touch it. Besides, the inscription showed plainly what choice should be made; what do many desire but riches,—houses, riches, rich clothes, jewels, and bags of rupees!" "In short, the goods of this world," said the Christian. "But perhaps a Jogi would have chosen the silver box," observed the oilman, "for what with his pilgrimages and his fastings, his long contemplations and austerities, he gathers together such a stock of merits, that he thinks nothing too good for his deserts." "A Jogi, and many a Brahmin would certainly be likely to choose the silver casket," said Isa Dás. "But none would have chosen the leaden one!" exclaimed the oilman. "No one in his senses will agree to 'give and hazard all that he hath!'" "The story goes that each of the caskets was chosen by some one," said Isa Dás. "The first man who came, like yourself, chose that which was bright to the eye, and which promised present profit." "And was not the beautiful picture inside?" asked the oilman. "Within was a skull," replied Isa Dás gravely. "The meaning of this is, that earthly joys are but for a moment, the fashion of the world passeth away, and the possessor of rank and riches is soon himself the property of death." Little did Natthu know how soon the doctor's words would in part apply to himself! He had indeed chosen the casket of gold, and was hoarding up, pice by pice, anna by anna, what he thought would be a provision for him for many a year to come. Without, however, dwelling on the lesson intended for his profit, he proceeded to inquire, "What did the silver casket contain?" "The likeness of a grinning idiot; and the meaning of this was, as we read in the wise king's sayings, 'He who trusteth his own heart is a fool' (Prov. xxviii. 26). If we, whose best deeds are full of sin, seek for reward instead of forgiveness, what are we but rebels, who in their king's presence come boldly forth and claim a dress of honour, instead of falling on their faces and begging for mercy!'"