17.  Which of these things would you rather have had?

18.  What lesson do you learn from what the men said about the things on the ground?

CHAPTER X

When Putraka heard the wonders which, could be done with what he had thought not worth having, he determined to get possession of the three treasures for himself; not considering that it would he very wrong to take what did not belong to him.  “It seems a pity to fight,” he said, “why don’t you race for the things, and let whichever wins the race have them?  That banyan tree over there would make a good winning post and I will be the umpire.”

Instead of guessing what Putraka had in his mind, the brothers, who were very simple fellows, said at once:  “All right.  We won’t fight, we’ll race instead, and you can give us the start.”  Putraka agreed, and directly they were off he lost not a moment, but picked up the bowl and the staff, put on the shoes, and flew straight up into the air with the treasures.  When the brothers came back, disputing about which of them had won, there was not a sign of Putraka, the bowl, the stick, or the shoes.  They guessed at once what had happened; and after staring up in the air for a long time, they went home, feeling very much enraged with the man who had cheated them, and ashamed of having been so stupid as to trust him.

19.  What do you think of Putraka’s behaviour in this matter?

20.  If you could have had one of the three things Putraka stole, which would you have chosen?

CHAPTER XI

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?