LESSON XXXIV.
THE FAIR VOYAGER.
(Continued.)
As the parents of Ina came near their home, they saw, to their inexpressible grief, Nana the thief careering along the sky decked out in the ornaments in which they had taken such pride. When they learned from poor tearful Ina that she had allowed the thief to persuade her to permit his donning the decorations their anger was furious. The mother seized a branch and beat Ina severely, and then the father also took a branch and continued the castigation. A strange spirit now took possession of Ina, and as if under inspiration she sang—
“Untouched and holy has my body been,
I pass to Sacred Island as its queen.”
Then she left her astonished parents, and, walking as if in a dream, sauntered down to the sea-shore. There she saw a little fish, and knowing that all fish were subjects of Tini the King of Sacred Isle, said to the fish, “Will you bear me on your back to my royal husband?” The little fish signified its consent by swimming in close to her and touching her feet with its mouth. Ina got on the back of the fish, but when it was only half-way to the reef it turned
