Then the Fakir went on his way, and the King came home and gave one
sweetmeat to each of his two wives. After some time two sons were born
to the King. Then what did the King do but place those two sons in an
underground room, which he had built in the earth.
Some time passed, and one day the Fakir appeared, and said, "King!
bring me that son of yours!"
What did the King do but bring two slave-girls' sons and present them
to the Fakir. While the Fakir was sitting there the King's sons were
sitting down below in their cellar eating their food. Just then a
hungry ant had carried away a grain of rice from their food, and was
going along with it to her children. Another stronger ant came up and
attacked her in order to get this grain of rice. The first ant said,
"O ant, why do you drag this away from me? I have long been lame in my
feet, and I have got just one grain, and am carrying it to my
children. The King's sons are sitting in the cellar eating their food;
you go and fetch a grain from there; why should you take mine from
me?" On this the second ant let go and did not rob the first, but went
off to where the King's sons were eating their food.
On hearing this the Fakir said, "King! these are not your sons; go and
bring those children who are eating their food in the cellar."
Then the King went and brought his own sons. The Fakir chose the
eldest son and took him away, and set off with him on his journey.
When he got home he told the King's son to go out to gather fuel.
So the King's son went out to gather cow-dung, and when he had
collected some he brought it in.
Then the Fakir looked at the King's son and put on a great pot, and
said, "Come round here, my pupil."