On and on flew Putraka, full of eager delight in the new power of
flight. How he loved rushing through the air, cleaving it like a bird
on the wing! All he wanted to make him perfectly happy was someone to
enjoy his new powers with him. Presently he found himself above a
beautiful city with towers and pinnacles and minarets gleaming in the
sunshine. “Ah!” he thought, “that is the place for me. I will go down
there, and see if I can find a nice house to live in, and some people
to make friends with, who will not try to kill me or to cheat me, but
love me and be grateful to me for any kindness I show them.”
As Putraka was hovering in the air above the town to which he had taken
such a fancy, he noticed a little house which rather pleased him; for
though it was poor-looking, there was something cheerful and home-like
about it. Down he sped and alighted at the door. Only one poor old
woman lived in the house, and when Putraka knocked and asked if he
might come in, she said “Yes” at once. He gave her some money, and told
her he would like to live with her, if she would let him do so. She was
only too glad to consent, for she was very lonely; and the two lived
happily together for a long time.
21. Do you think that if Putraka had flown home on his wonderful shoes,
taking his staff and bowl with him, his, father and uncles would still
have tried to kill him?
22. How could Putraka have prevented them from doing him harm if he had
returned to his home?