"I am Time," replied the figure, "and hold the Rajah's life, which
is now nearly over."
"Cannot anything be done to spare it?" asked the man.
"Yes, it can be spared by the sacrifice of another, and that one must
be your son."
"I will give not only my son's life, but the lives of all my family
and my own," replied the man; "but, if you want only my son, you may
have him."
Then he went and told his son, who said: "Gladly will I give my life,
for what is it in comparison with the life of a Rajah? Come, father,
take me soon that I may die."
Then the man led his son to the veiled figure, and said: "Here is my
son; he is willing to die."
Taking a knife, he was about to plunge it into his child when the
figure cried: "Enough! You have proved that you were willing not only
to give your son, but your whole family, and the Almighty is pleased
to spare the Rajah's life for another seven years."
Now the Rajah, who had heard every word of the interview, quickly
returned to the spot where he had first heard the voice, and there
awaited his servant's return.
"Well, what was the sound?" asked he, when he saw him.
"A man and a woman had quarrelled," replied the servant, "but I have
managed to reconcile them, and they have promised not to quarrel for
seven years."
Then the Rajah left him, and ordered him to appear at his Court the
following day.
Next day, when the Court was full, the Rajah addressed all his people,
and said: "I am resolved to give up my throne and all I possess to
this man; for last night, unknown to me, he was willing to give up,
not only his son's life but his own, and the lives of all his family,
in order to save mine, and for my sake."
The poor servant was deeply touched and astonished at the turn matters
had so unexpectedly taken, but the Rajah was firm in his resolve,
and left his throne and his kingdom.
The servant then became Rajah, and ruled wisely and well to the end
of his days.