Note 10 — Chapter LVII

So by this artifice Ála was made to supply every day the necessary expenses, for the period of a fortnight, and in the meanwhile Makarakaṭí10 and Sundarí began to think; “Why this is a very wishing-stone which he has got hold of in the form of an ape, which gives every day a hundred dínárs; if he would only give it us, all our desires would be accomplished.” Having thus debated in private with her mother, Sundarí said to that Íśvaravarman, when he was sitting at his ease after dinner,—“If you really are well pleased with me, give me Ála.” But when Íśvaravarman heard that, he answered laughingly, “He is my father’s all in the world, and it is not proper to give him away.” When he said this, Sundarí said to him again, “Give him me and I will give you five crores.” Thereupon Íśvaravarman said with an air of decision, “If you were to give me all your property, or indeed this city, it would not do to give him you, much less for your crores.” When Sundarí heard this, she said, “I will give you all I possess; but give me this ape, otherwise my mother will be angry with me.” And thereupon she clung to Íśvaravarman’s feet. Then Arthadatta and the others said, “Give it her, happen what will.” Then Íśvaravarman promised to give it her, and he spent the day with the delighted Sundarí. And the next day he gave to Sundarí, at her earnest entreaties, that ape, which had in secret been made to swallow two thousand dínárs, and he immediately took by way of payment all the wealth in her house, and went off quickly to Svarṇadvípa to trade.