“After a while, his preceptor returned from his journey.  And his preceptor having learnt all that had happened, became well-pleased and, addressing Utanka, said, ’Utanka, my child, what favour shall I bestow on thee?  I have been served by thee duly; therefore hath our friendship for each other increased.  I therefore grant thee leave to depart.  Go thou, and let thy wishes be accomplished!’

“Utanka, thus addressed, replied, saying, “Let me do something that you wish, for it hath been said, ’He who bestoweth instruction contrary to usage and he who receiveth it contrary to usage, one of the two dieth, and enmity springeth up between the two.—­I, therefore, who have received thy leave to depart, am desirous of bringing thee some honorarium due to a preceptor.  His master, upon hearing this, replied, ’Utanka, my child, wait a while.’  Sometime after, Utanka again addressed his preceptor, saying, ‘Command me to bring that for honorarium, which you desire.’  And his preceptor then said, ’My dear Utanka, thou hast often told me of your desire to bring something by way of acknowledgment for the instruction thou hast received.  Go then in and ask thy mistress what thou art to bring.  And bring thou that which she directs.’  And thus directed by his preceptor Utanka addressed his preceptress, saying, ’Madam, I have obtained my master’s leave to go home, and I am desirous of bringing something agreeable to thee as honorarium for the instruction I have received, in order that I may not depart as his debtor.  Therefore, please command me what I am to bring.’  Thus addressed, his preceptress replied, ’Go unto King Paushya and beg of him the pair of ear-rings worn by his Queen, and bring them hither.  The fourth day hence is a sacred day when I wish to appear before the Brahmanas (who may dine at my house) decked with these ear-rings.  Then accomplish this, O Utanka!  If thou shouldst succeed, good fortune shall attend thee; if not, what good canst thou expect?’

“Utanka thus commanded, took his departure.  And as he was passing along the road he saw a bull of extraordinary size and a man of uncommon stature mounted thereon.  And that man addressed Utanka and said, ’Eat thou of the dung of this bull.’  Utanka, however, was unwilling to comply.  The man said again, ’O Utanka, eat of it without scrutiny.  Thy master ate of it before.’  And Utanka signified his assent and ate of the dung and drank of the urine of that bull, and rose respectfully, and washing his hands and mouth went to where King Paushya was.

’On arriving at the palace, Utanka saw Paushya seated (on his throne).  And approaching him Utanka saluted the monarch by pronouncing blessings and said, ‘I am come as a petitioner to thee.’  And King Paushya, having returned Utanka’s salutations, said, ‘Sir, what shall I do for thee?’ And Utanka said, ’I came to beg of thee a pair of ear-rings as a present to my preceptor.  It behoveth thee to give me the ear-rings worn by the Queen.’