Note 6 — Tale II. (continued 3)

Indian tales often remind one of the frequent web of a dream in which one imagines oneself starting in pursuit of a particular object, but another and another fancy intervenes and the first purpose becomes altogether lost sight of. This was particularly observable in the tale entitled “How the Schimnu-Khan was slain,” in which, after many times intending it, Massang never goes back to thank his master at last. The present is a still more striking instance, in its consequence and repeated change of purport. In pursuing the mendicant’s life, the search for the man’s parents is forgotten; and the man and his wife are themselves lost sight of in the episode of the lamb.