The old woman grew very fond of Putraka, caring for him and waiting on
him as if he had been her own son. She was so anxious that he should be
happy that she became afraid he would become tired of living alone with
her. So she said to him one day: “My dear adopted son, you ought to
have a wife to keep you company. I know the very one for you, the only
one really worthy of you. She is a princess, and her name is Patala.
She is so very lovely that every man who sees her falls in love with
her and wants to carry her off. So she is most carefully guarded in the
top rooms of a great palace, as high as the summits of the loftiest
mountains.” When Putraka heard this he was all eagerness to see the
princess, and at once determined to go forth to seek her. He was more
than ever glad now that he had stolen the shoes, because he knew that
they would carry him even to the top of the highest mountains.
23. What qualities did the old woman show when she told Putraka about
the Princess?
24. What faults of character did the young king show when he decided at
once to leave the old woman who had been so good to him?