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Story of King Vikrama as a parrot
79
Simile of the three skulls, illustrating discretion 10
A certain king of yore caused his wise men to make the test of the three skulls, that had been brought by a stranger from another land. On that occasion, a thread put into the ear of one of the skulls came out of its mouth: the price of that skull was a farthing (kaparda), because it would blab what it had heard. Again, a thread put into the ear of the second skull came out at the other ear: the price of that skull was a lakh, because it forgot what it had heard. But the thread inserted into the ear of the third skull went straight down its throat: that skull was priceless, because what it heard remained in its heart. Conforming with this, O queen, who, that has ears and hears reference to another's guilt, does not become discreet in mind?' (238).
Story of King Vikrama as a parrot, continued
Kamalāvati's soul was so delighted with the parrot's discourse, that she promised to live and die with him. But the wise parrot answered: Say not so, beloved wife of a king! Of what account am I, a wee animal, beside thee, beloved of King Vikrama?' The queen said: 'My eye tells me that my beloved has returned, but my mind says not; I shall devise some means to dismiss the king. But you, as a husband, shall afford me delight, that do I here declare.' The king-parrot then realized that his science had been of profit to him, for how else could he have tested the heart of the queen? (245).
Next, the queen asked the parrot to instruct her on the
20 This is named trikapalipariksaņam, for which see the citations in note 81 on p. 36 of the above-mentioned translation. See also Hertel, Das Pañcatantra, p. 46.
