FOLK-TALES OF INDIA. 243
Then (on his return with the piece of skin) one of his companions inquired, saying, " When you asked, what did you say ? " I said, " Hi ! " he replied. Said the other, " I'll e'en ask somewhat of him," and off he went. " Elder brother, give me a piece of meat." The hunter replied, " For thy speech thou shalt have a suitable piece of flesh," and then he gave utterance to the following gdtha:^
" Oh I • brother,' say you : in sooth a good word ! A * brother's ' a ' member ' all the world through. Not jointless thy words, connected they are, A joint is thy due, thee a joint will I give."
When he had ended his verse he picked up a joint of meat and gave it him. On his rejoining his friends a third companion asked, " What did you say on begging for a piece ? " "I said, * brother,' " he replied. " I'll go and ask him," said the other, and off he went. " Father, please give me a piece of venison." The hunter replied, "For the word you have used you shall receive a suitable piece of flesh." Then he spake the following gdtlia: —
" Oh I * father,' you say, like a son do you speak, It's a word that will go to the fond father's heart. Melikes well thy kind speech, most hearty it sounds : A heart it demands, so a heart you shall have."
With these words he picked up a heart with a fine piece of flesh attached to it and gave it him.
Then the fourth said to him who had just returned, " In making your request, how did you address the hunter ? " He replied, " I said, ' father.' " " I'll go and ask for a piece," said the other. To the trapper he said, * Friend, give me a piece of flesh." " For the word you have spoken," said the trapper, " you shall have a suitable piece." Then he gave utterance to the following gdtha: —
" Exists there a town where a man has no * friend,' That place I well ween is but a forest to him I
- Friend ' 's surely a word well suited to all,
Then take all thou see'st, thy friend gives thee all."
And when he had spoken this verse he said, " Come, sir, all this car-load of venison I'll take to your house." Then the trader-youth had the cart driven to his own abode and there unloaded it. He treated the hunter with hospitality and respect and let him be called
r2
