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flesh! I am not concerned with your vow. I don't claim to understand this talk of religion, but if you honestly believe in it, why don't you act upon your principle instead of merely philosophizing on it? You can offer me your flesh instead of the dove's! That will be equally welcome."
A cry of horror rang through the assembly. The sky was overcast; as if afraid to see the gruesome sight that would be revealed before him, the Sun hid his face behind the clouds.
Raja Meghrath commanded that weighing scales be brought into the hall. The unfortunate dove was placed in one pan and then before the horrified eyes of all, the Raja cut off slice after slice of live flesh from his thigh and laid it in the other pan. But the scales showed no perceptible change:
The Raja was surprised. “Could there be some foul play?" he wondered. His thigh was bleeding profusely, the pile of slices was growing higher, yet the scales moved not by a jot or a tittle; and then to the consternation of .all, the Raja lowered himself bodily into the scale! How could a human life, a Raja's life, be offered to purchase the life of a dove? There was definitely some fraud. Cries of protests were heard from every corner of the hall.
"Perhaps, there is some fraud," agreed the Raja, seated in the scale. "But that does not liberate me from the pledge of protection I gave to the bird.
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