Page:Tales of the Punjab.pdf/260

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HOW RAJA RASALU WENT OUT INTO THE WORLD

OUNG Rasalu lived on, far from the light of day, for eleven long years, growing tall and strong, yet contented to remain playing with his colt and talking to his parrot ; but when the twelfth year began, the lad’s heart leapt up with desire for change, and he loved to listen to the sounds of life which came to him in his palace- prison from the outside world.

‘I must go and see where the voices come from!’ he said ; and when his nurses told him he must not go for one year more, he only laughed aloud, saying, ‘Nay! I stay no longer here for any man!’

Then he saddled his horse Bhaunr Iraqi, put on his shining ariour, and rode forth into the world ; but—mindful of what his nurses had often told him— when he came to the river, he dismounted, and going into the water, washed himself and his clothes.

Then, clean of rainment, fair of face, and brave of heart, he rode on his way until he reached his father’s city. There he sat down to rest a while by a well.

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