entered a town, and believing it to be the same as that which their brother had spoken of, they commenced crying at the top of their voices: "Here are twelve bags of the best charcoal, to be sold for as many bags of equal size filled with rupees." This was enough to overwhelm them with the ridicule of the people whose houses they passed, and the latter, forming a crowd around them, began to shower abuse upon them and cast handfuls of dust at them. When they vociferously demanded to know what all this meant, they were well thrashed with shoes, and thrust out of the town.
Thus ended their enterprise, and crestfallen they returned home. But what was home to them who were now houseless? On meeting their wives, they beat their heads and breasts with their hands, and told them their doleful story. Loud lamentations were uttered by the six families, bereft of shelter over their heads and of all their other possessions that they had by their own hands turned into ashes. To make the best of so unfortunate a position, they built temporary sheds thatched with palmyra leaves, and engaged themselves as day labourers to the solvent farmers of their village. Their attitude towards Khoodeh was changed. Though deep hatred rankled in their hearts, they could not any longer dream of molesting him, for they knew that he was far above them in wealth and wisdom. It was to their interest, under the circumstances, to gain his favour, and, sycophants that they were, they constantly approached him to curry favour. He was liberal minded, and not only did he forget the ill usage he had received from them, but opened his purse-strings for their relief. In short, after heaping coals of fire on their heads, he brought them, if not to love him—for love was foreign to their nature—at least to look up to him with respect and awe.
Khoodeh, rich beyond his expectations, married a good wife, and entered into speculations which soon made him the wealthiest man in his country. Secure in his high position, he invited his brothers to come and live with him. They
