THE OLIVE FAIRY BOOK - online childrens book

A Collection of Illustrated classic fairy tales for children by Andrew Lang

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THE FIVE WISE WORDS OF THE GURU 177
Feeling much ashamed of himself for having forgotten his errand, he jumped up and hurried out to meet his master, who reined up his horse, and seemed very surprised (as indeed he was) to see him. At that moment there arrived the officer of the guard carrying his parcel. He saluted the rajah gravely, and, dismounting, laid the bundle in the road and began to undo the wrappings, whilst the rajah watched him with wonder and interest. When the last string was undone, and the head of his brother was displayed to his view, the rajah sprang from his horse and caught the soldier by the arm. As soon as he could speak he questioned the man as to what had occurred, and little by little a dark suspicion darted through him. Then, briefly telling the soldier that he had done well, the rajah drew Earn Singh to one side, and in a few minutes learned from him how, in attending to the guru's counsel, he had delayed to do the king's message. In the end the rajah found from some papers the proofs of his dead brother's treachery; and Earn Singh established his innocence and integrity. He continued to serve the rajah for many years with unswerving fidelity ; and married a maiden of his own rank in life, with whom he lived happily; dying at last honoured and loved by all men. Sons were born to him ; and, in time, to them also he taught the five wise sayings of the old guru.
[A Punjabi story.]
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