Just what the young king hoped came to pass. Wherever the Brahmans went
they talked about the country they came from and the wonderful young
king who ruled over it. Putraka’s father and uncles, who were after all
not so very far off, heard the stories about him, and asked the
Brahmans many questions. The answers made them very eager to see
Putraka, but they did not at first realize that he was closely related
to them. Only when they heard the name of his mother did they guess the
truth. Putraka’s father knew, when he deserted his wife, that God was
going to give her a child soon; which made it even more wicked of him
to leave her. Now, however, he forgot all about that, only thinking how
he could make as much use as possible of the son who had become a king.
He wanted to go back at once alone, but the uncles were not going to
allow that. They meant to get all they could out of Putraka too; and
the three selfish men, who were now quite old, set off together for the
land they had left so long ago.
They arrived safely, and made their way to the palace, where they were
received, with great rejoicings. None of the wives said a word of
reproach to the husbands who had deserted them; and as for Putraka, he
was so overjoyed at having his father back, that he gave him a
beautiful house to live in and a great deal of money. He was very good
to his uncles too, and felt that he had now really nothing left to wish
for.
9. Do you think Putraka showed strength or weakness of character in the
way he received the travellers?
10. How do you think the king ought to have behaved to his father and
uncles?