--- title: Opening, part 2 — Indian tales of the great ones among men, women,… · full text with trees description: Opening, part 2, «Indian tales of the great ones among men, women, and bird-people» by Cornelia Sorabji: the whole chapter, every sentence with its dependency tree and pragmatics. It begins: Then said Drona, “If you are my pupil, give me the fee due to a Master.” --- [Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg69647/2/) [home](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [corpora](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/) / [tales](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/) / [Indian tales of the great ones among m…](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg69647/) / Opening, part 2 # Opening, part 2 Opening, part 2 of «Indian tales of the great ones among men, women, and bird-people» by Cornelia Sorabji: the whole text, 170 sentences and 2536 words. The small number after every sentence leads to its own page with its syntax tree and pragmatics, parsed by Mova itself. Then said Drona, “If you are my pupil, give me the fee due to a Master.”[1](1/ "tree and pragmatics") “Most gladly,” said Ekalavya, a great joy in his face.[2](2/ "tree and pragmatics") “Ask what you will.[3](3/ "tree and pragmatics") I have nothing I would not give with all my heart.”[4](4/ "tree and pragmatics") “Is that true?” said Drona.[5](5/ "tree and pragmatics") “Well then, I ask the thumb of your right hand.”[6](6/ "tree and pragmatics") And Ekalavya, allowing no look of sadness to spoil his gift, cut off his thumb, without a word, and laid it at the feet of the Master-Archer.[7](7/ "tree and pragmatics") But Drona spurned it, and walked away.[8](8/ "tree and pragmatics") Then Ekalavya turned again to his shooting.[9](9/ "tree and pragmatics") But he found that, with the loss of his thumb, his skill had gone for ever.[10](10/ "tree and pragmatics") So were the great ones left without a rival.[11](11/ "tree and pragmatics") But in Heaven the Gods said, “Ekalavya is truly of the knightly caste: and men knew it not.”[12](12/ "tree and pragmatics") The Blue Bird and the Archer[13](13/ "tree and pragmatics") One day Drona, the Master-Archer, made trial of the skill of the princes his pupils.[14](14/ "tree and pragmatics") He had them all out before him together.[15](15/ "tree and pragmatics") “Take your bows and arrows,” said he, “and be ready to shoot, when I tell you, at the blue bird in yonder tree.”[16](16/ "tree and pragmatics") Prince Yudhisthira, being the eldest, was called first.[17](17/ "tree and pragmatics") “Be ready to shoot,” said Drona.[18](18/ "tree and pragmatics") “But tell me first what you see.[19](19/ "tree and pragmatics") Do you see the bird?”[20](20/ "tree and pragmatics") “Yes,” said Yudhisthira.[21](21/ "tree and pragmatics") “What else do you see?[22](22/ "tree and pragmatics") Myself, your brothers, or the tree?”[23](23/ "tree and pragmatics") “I see yourself, my brothers, the tree, and the bird.”[24](24/ "tree and pragmatics") Three times Drona asked this question, and three times was he thus answered.[25](25/ "tree and pragmatics") Then very sorrowfully he turned from Yudhisthira.[26](26/ "tree and pragmatics") Not by him was the bird to be shot.[27](27/ "tree and pragmatics") Prince after prince, he questioned on this wise; and all alike made answer: “I see you, my brothers, the tree, and the bird.”[28](28/ "tree and pragmatics") And now there was but one prince left, Arjun, the master’s favourite pupil.[29](29/ "tree and pragmatics") “Tell me, Arjun, with bow bent, what do you see?”[30](30/ "tree and pragmatics") “I see a bird.”[31](31/ "tree and pragmatics") “Do you not see myself, your brothers, the tree?”[32](32/ "tree and pragmatics") “I see the bird alone,” said Arjun, “not you, nor the tree, nor my brothers.”[33](33/ "tree and pragmatics") “Of what colour is the bird?”[34](34/ "tree and pragmatics") “I see only a bird’s head.”[35](35/ "tree and pragmatics") “Then shoot,” said Drona joyfully; and even as he expected, as soon as the arrow sped from the bow, the bird was headless.[36](36/ "tree and pragmatics") Draupadi and the Great Game[37](37/ "tree and pragmatics") When Arjun grew to be a man, one of his first battles was against a King called Drupada.[38](38/ "tree and pragmatics") He and his four brothers, the Pandavas as they were called, put their soldiers in a ring round King Drupada’s fortress, and let no one pass out or go in.[39](39/ "tree and pragmatics") In a week all the King’s servants were dead: and the brothers marched into the palace and took all that they wanted of gold and emeralds, of horses and chariots.[40](40/ "tree and pragmatics") The lady Draupadi also, the King’s daughter, became theirs by the rules of war.[41](41/ "tree and pragmatics") And Draupadi lived happily with her mother-in-law and the princes.[42](42/ "tree and pragmatics") And all went well, till an enemy of the brothers, jealous of their happiness and their power, tempted Yudhisthira, the eldest of the five.[43](43/ "tree and pragmatics") He challenged him to a game of chance in which he put down all he possessed, to lose or win.[44](44/ "tree and pragmatics") And Yudhisthira lost.[45](45/ "tree and pragmatics") He lost his palace, his chariots and horses, and his whole kingdom.[46](46/ "tree and pragmatics") He lost his brothers and himself, and last of all he lost Draupadi also.[47](47/ "tree and pragmatics") Draupadi was the most beautiful of women, and Yudhisthira’s enemy was glad indeed when she was brought captive before him.[48](48/ "tree and pragmatics") But he was also afraid; for there was something so free in the spirit of Draupadi, that he knew it would not be well with the man who made her a slave.[49](49/ "tree and pragmatics") So, thinking it were wiser to be content with the kingdom and let Draupadi go--[50](50/ "tree and pragmatics") “Ask,” he said, “a boon, and it shall be granted.”[51](51/ "tree and pragmatics") “I ask then,” said Draupadi, “for the freedom of Yudhisthira.”[52](52/ "tree and pragmatics") “Granted,” said the enemy, for he did not dare break his word.[53](53/ "tree and pragmatics") But he marvelled that she did not ask for herself; so, “Ask again” he said.[54](54/ "tree and pragmatics") “And for the freedom of his brothers with their weapons and chariots of war.”[55](55/ "tree and pragmatics") “It is granted: but I give you a third boon.[56](56/ "tree and pragmatics") Will you not ask for your own freedom?”[57](57/ "tree and pragmatics") “By no means,” said Draupadi.[58](58/ "tree and pragmatics") “The Pandavas, armed and free, can conquer the world.[59](59/ "tree and pragmatics") It is they who will rescue me.[60](60/ "tree and pragmatics") They need owe nothing to a boon; nor, with the Pandavas free, need I either, any longer.”[61](61/ "tree and pragmatics") The Self-Blinding[62](62/ "tree and pragmatics") Everyone knows the name of Dhritarashtra, the uncle of the five great soldier-men, the Pandavas.[63](63/ "tree and pragmatics") Dhritarashtra was blind; and Dhritarashtra was alone in his blindness.[64](64/ "tree and pragmatics") And when Gandhari, his bride, saw the hurt of his loneliness--“Let me in to him behind his bars of darkness,” she said to the gods.[65](65/ "tree and pragmatics") And she bound her eyes tightly; and day and night were alike to her for ever.[66](66/ "tree and pragmatics") But Dhritarashtra was no more lonely in his night of sightlessness.[67](67/ "tree and pragmatics") The Story of the Maiden-Knight[68](68/ "tree and pragmatics") Drupada, the King of the Panchalas, had prayed for a son, that he might destroy his enemy the Master-Archer.[69](69/ "tree and pragmatics") But his wife was childless.[70](70/ "tree and pragmatics") Then as he still prayed and prayed, Shiva appeared to him and told him that he should have a son who should first be a daughter.[71](71/ "tree and pragmatics") And in due time a daughter was born to him.[72](72/ "tree and pragmatics") But the Queen said, “She is a son;” and so great was her faith that she prevailed on the King to proclaim the child a son, and to perform the son-ceremonies.[73](73/ "tree and pragmatics") And the child was called Shikhandi.[74](74/ "tree and pragmatics") And she grew strong and beautiful: but was seen of none save her parents and her faithful nurse.[75](75/ "tree and pragmatics") All too soon it was time for her to be married.[76](76/ "tree and pragmatics") And again by the advice of the Queen, they sought for her the most beautiful princess in all India.[77](77/ "tree and pragmatics") “We must believe the word of the gods,” said the Queen.[78](78/ "tree and pragmatics") But at last the secret was known, and the King whose daughter was sought in marriage was very angry.[79](79/ "tree and pragmatics") “I have”, he said, “been insulted;” and he prepared to make war on the Panchalas.[80](80/ "tree and pragmatics") And Shikhandi’s father felt that he had done wrong, and had been deceitful: and he was afraid.[81](81/ "tree and pragmatics") But Shikhandi’s mother said, “We only relied on the word of the gods.[82](82/ "tree and pragmatics") Be unafraid as I am unafraid: and prepare to defend the kingdom.[83](83/ "tree and pragmatics") She shall be a son.”[84](84/ "tree and pragmatics") And Shikhandi, sad at heart that she was the cause of all this trouble, wandered forth to lose herself.[85](85/ "tree and pragmatics") “If I am not here any longer, the King and my father will make peace,” was what she said in her heart.[86](86/ "tree and pragmatics") And, wandering, she came to a great forest, and to a great house the doors of which were open.[87](87/ "tree and pragmatics") And the house smelt of smoke and incense, and yet no one was there: and it seemed to have a host, and yet was hostless.[88](88/ "tree and pragmatics") And Shikhandi sat down in the house, and brooded, heeding not time nor self, in her great desire to save her people.[89](89/ "tree and pragmatics") And to her presently came the kind Yakshas, whose the palace was, and he asked her what she wished.[90](90/ "tree and pragmatics") “Make me a man,” said she, “a perfect man.[91](91/ "tree and pragmatics") My father is about to be destroyed: and if I were a man this would not happen.[92](92/ "tree and pragmatics") Make me, oh, Yakshas! a man: and let me keep that manhood till my father is saved.”[93](93/ "tree and pragmatics") And the Yakshas was moved with pity: and gave her his manhood and his mighty form, till she should fulfil her object.[94](94/ "tree and pragmatics") So she went forth a warrior, in the form of Sthuna, the Yakshas.[95](95/ "tree and pragmatics") And the King of Wealth, coming that way, found Sthuna the woman sitting alone in the palace: and between laughter and disgust--“You shall remain a woman,” he said.[96](96/ "tree and pragmatics") But later he was sorry, and he added--“Till Shikhandi’s death.”[97](97/ "tree and pragmatics") So was fulfilled the promise of Shiva--“She shall be first a daughter: and then a son, Shikhandi, Maiden-Knight.”[98](98/ "tree and pragmatics") And the mother of Shikhandi was full of a great gladness, that she had believed the word of the gods.[99](99/ "tree and pragmatics") The Way of Friendship[100](100/ "tree and pragmatics") Simple is the way of friendship.[101](101/ "tree and pragmatics") Make a fire of two sticks, or twenty, or two hundred--any number will do: and if you walk round the fire sunwise, with that one whom you would have for a friend, the gods themselves will not take back the gift.[102](102/ "tree and pragmatics") And this was the lesson which Drona tried to teach King Drupada.[103](103/ "tree and pragmatics") Drona was the Master-Archer as we know, and Drupada was King of the Panchalas.[104](104/ "tree and pragmatics") Now Drupada was not worthy of friendship, for he did not believe that two sticks would do for the lighting of the Fire of Friendship.[105](105/ "tree and pragmatics") “They must be two hundred,” said Drupada, “and of the most costly wood.”[106](106/ "tree and pragmatics") And Drona was sad: for he was a poor man, and two sticks gathered in a wood were all that he could bring to the lighting.[107](107/ "tree and pragmatics") “And you will bring one of the two,” he had said to Drupada; “for all that matters is that we should bring the same.”[108](108/ "tree and pragmatics") But Drupada shook his head.[109](109/ "tree and pragmatics") And Drona journeyed to a far country, and for many years the River of Time flowed between him and the man whom he wanted for friend.[110](110/ "tree and pragmatics") And at last they were once again on the same bank of the river.[111](111/ "tree and pragmatics") And Drona’s pupils, Arjun and his brother princes, took Drupada captive and brought him to Drona.[112](112/ "tree and pragmatics") And Drona said: “I will teach Drupada the way of friendship.[113](113/ "tree and pragmatics") Since my two sticks, to one of which he is welcome, will not do for the lighting of the fire, he shall give me half his two hundred sticks of the costliest wood.”[114](114/ "tree and pragmatics") And of all Drupada’s riches--treasure of gold and emeralds and diamonds and pearls, strings of camels and horses and elephants, chariots of war and houses and slaves--he made two equal parts; and one part he gave to Drupada and one part he kept for himself, that he might begin the teaching of the way of friendship to the man who was not worthy to learn the way.[115](115/ "tree and pragmatics") Sibi Rana and the Grey Dove[116](116/ "tree and pragmatics") Long and long ago there lived a King called Sibi Rana.[117](117/ "tree and pragmatics") He was known to all the world as a man who protected the weak, but who yet did not withhold that which might belong to the strong.[118](118/ "tree and pragmatics") So nearly perfect was he that the gods asked the greatest God to test his goodness.[119](119/ "tree and pragmatics") And this was the way of the testing.[120](120/ "tree and pragmatics") One day as the King sat in his great Hall of Justice, there came in at the window a poor frightened grey dove, nearly spent with flight, and flew straight against the heart of the King.[121](121/ "tree and pragmatics") Looking up, the King saw an eagle in pursuit, and without a moment’s hesitation he opened his white robes to shelter the dove.[122](122/ "tree and pragmatics") The eagle turned its piercing eye upon the King.[123](123/ "tree and pragmatics") “So this, then, is your justice,” he said.[124](124/ "tree and pragmatics") “You rob me of my food.”[125](125/ "tree and pragmatics") “Nay,” said the King, “on the contrary, food equal in weight to the bird shall be given to you.”[126](126/ "tree and pragmatics") “Whatever food I desire?”[127](127/ "tree and pragmatics") “Yes, whatever you desire.”[128](128/ "tree and pragmatics") “But if I desire your own flesh?”[129](129/ "tree and pragmatics") “My flesh shall be given,” said the King.[130](130/ "tree and pragmatics") “Then I wish the weight of the bird to be taken from your right side, and in the presence of the Queen and your small son,” demanded the eagle.[131](131/ "tree and pragmatics") “Beseech the Queen to come hither,” said the King, “with my son.”[132](132/ "tree and pragmatics") And to the horror of all the Court, the scales were brought; and in the presence of the Queen they prepared to slice off the weight of the bird from the King’s right side.[133](133/ "tree and pragmatics") The King sat steadfast: but alas! the bird seemed to grow heavier, with each fresh gift of the King’s flesh.[134](134/ "tree and pragmatics") And the eagle watched from the foot of the throne: and the eagle laughed aloud.[135](135/ "tree and pragmatics") Then from the left eye of the King fell a single tear.[136](136/ "tree and pragmatics") “Stay,” said the eagle, “I want no unwilling sacrifice.”[137](137/ "tree and pragmatics") “Nay, but,” said the King, “willing enough is this.[138](138/ "tree and pragmatics") My left eye but weeps because to the right side of the King alone is it given to protect the weak and defenceless.”[139](139/ "tree and pragmatics") Upon which, says the old story, the miracle happened.[140](140/ "tree and pragmatics") For even the eagle saw the beauty of giving: and he flew away hungry to his mountains, and neither was the King really hurt, nor the dove without a home.[141](141/ "tree and pragmatics") The Crow and the Bell of Justice[142](142/ "tree and pragmatics") This story is told of one Anangapal, who ruled in Delhi, and who loved justice.[143](143/ "tree and pragmatics") He caused two great lions of stone to be placed near his palace gates, where all could see them.[144](144/ "tree and pragmatics") A bell hung from the bar between the lions.[145](145/ "tree and pragmatics") Whoever struck that bell claimed justice, and got justice of Anangapal the King.[146](146/ "tree and pragmatics") One day a crow swung in the breeze on the tongue of the bell, and the cry for justice clanged forth, reaching the ear of the King.[147](147/ "tree and pragmatics") “Who strikes the bell?” he asked.[148](148/ "tree and pragmatics") “My lord, it is a crow.”[149](149/ "tree and pragmatics") “Let justice be done,” said Anangapal.[150](150/ "tree and pragmatics") “What asks the crow?”[151](151/ "tree and pragmatics") But no one could tell.[152](152/ "tree and pragmatics") So the King himself read the message.[153](153/ "tree and pragmatics") “The crow strikes my bell, between the mouths of my stone lions.[154](154/ "tree and pragmatics") See you not?[155](155/ "tree and pragmatics") The crow came as is its habit, to pick morsels of food out of the mouth of the lion.[156](156/ "tree and pragmatics") And the lions were not lions.[157](157/ "tree and pragmatics") I deceived the crow.[158](158/ "tree and pragmatics") Let a sheep be killed: and place some meat in the lions’ mouths, that the crow may find its meal.”[159](159/ "tree and pragmatics") So did even the least of his subjects get justice and bounty at the hands of Anangapal the Just.[160](160/ "tree and pragmatics") Raziya, Queen of Delhi[161](161/ "tree and pragmatics") Raziya was the daughter of Altamish, one of the Moghul slave-kings of Delhi who lived in the thirteenth century.[162](162/ "tree and pragmatics") She is the only woman besides our own Queen Victoria who has ruled Delhi.[163](163/ "tree and pragmatics") Altamish had sons also; but when he was dying he said: “You will find no one better fitted to rule the kingdom than my daughter Raziya.”[164](164/ "tree and pragmatics") And after his nobles had suffered for some time the cruelty and injustice of Raziya’s half-brother, they began to see that the King was right.[165](165/ "tree and pragmatics") And Raziya herself helped them.[166](166/ "tree and pragmatics") The King had given order that anyone who had a petition to make should appear at the great Mosque in Delhi, on a Friday morning, wearing a coloured garment, and his petition would be heard forthwith.[167](167/ "tree and pragmatics") Now, on a Friday morning when all the men worshippers, in their beautiful white garments, had assembled at the Mosque for the weekly prayer, Raziya made herself brave to go among them dressed in a veil of the Prophet’s green--a figure whom none could miss.[168](168/ "tree and pragmatics") And the people remembered the custom of the good King who had denied a hearing to no one; and they said: “The King’s daughter is herself to-day a beggar.”[169](169/ "tree and pragmatics") So they listened, making it easy for Raziya to speak.[170](170/ "tree and pragmatics") - ← previous: [Opening, part 1](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg69647/1/) - next →: [Opening, part 3](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg69647/3/) - ↑ back to [Indian tales of the great ones among men, women, and bird-people](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg69647/)