ust seek help from my teacher
Root, who is a thorough rogue." And so the day slowly passed.

The next morning he went to his teacher Root, and found him with his
constant friend Moon. He drew near, bowed, and told his desire. And the
teacher laughed and promised to help him.

So that wonderful rogue put a magic pill in his mouth, and thus changed
himself into an old Brahman. He put a second pill into Master-mind's
mouth, which changed him into a lovely girl. Then that prince of rogues
took him to the king and said: "O King, this maiden has come a long
distance to marry my only son. But my son has gone away, and I am going
to look for him. Please keep the girl. For you are a protector to be
trusted while I am looking for my son."

The king was afraid of a curse, so he promised to do it. And summoning
his daughter, he said: "Daughter, keep this maiden in your chamber, and
let her live with you." So the girl took the Brahman youth Master-mind
in his girl form to her own apartments.

When Root had gone away, Master-mind in his girl form lived with his
beloved, and in a few days came to know her in an intimate and loving
way, as girl friends do. Then when he saw that she was pining away and
tossing on her couch, he asked the princess one evening: "My dear girl,
why do you grow pale and thin day by day, grieving as if separated from
your love? Tell me. Why not trust a loving, innocent girl like me? If
you will not tell me, I shall starve myself."

And the princess trusted him and said after a little hesitation: "My
dear girl, why should I not trust you? Listen. I will tell you. One day
I went to the spring festival in the garden. There I saw a handsome
Brahman youth, fair as the moon but not so cold, the sight of whom
kindled my love. For he adorned the garden as the spring-time does.
While my eager eyes were feasting on his face, a great mad elephant
that had broken his chain came charging and thundering past like a
black cloud in the dry season. My servants scattered in terror, and I
was helpless. But the Brahman youth took me in his arms and carried me
far away. I seemed to be in a sandal bath, in a stream of nectar. I
cannot tell how I felt as I touched him. Presently my servants gathered
around, and I was brought here helpless. I felt as if I had fallen from
heaven to earth. From that day I see in my thoughts my dear preserver
beside me. I embrace him in my dreams. What need of more words? I wear
away the time, thin