Chapter 9 The Hermit And The Beasts

Once upon a time there lived a hermit among the green mountains.He was a man of pure spirit and a good conscience.All the beasts of the earth and all the birds of the air came to him in pairs, and he spoke to them.They listened to him with complete obedience, and they crowded round, and would not leave till it was dark; when it was dark he sent them away, entrusting them with his blessing to the wind and the forest. One night, when the hermit was talking about love, a leopard raised its head and said to the hermit, "You tell us about love, sir, please tell us, where is your mate?" The hermit said, "I have no mate." ."

Then there was an astonishing uproar among the birds and beasts, and they began to chirp and talk among themselves: "How can he tell us about love and marriage when he doesn't know anything about it himself?" They quietly Contemptuously, he walked away, leaving the hermit alone. That night the hermit fell face down on the mat, and then began to beat his breast and cry bitterly. The Hermit And The Beasts Once there lived among the green hills a hermit. He was pure of spirit and white of heart. And all the animals of the land and all the fowls of the air came to him in pairs and he spoke unto them. They heard him gladly, and they would gather near unto him, and would not go until nightfall, when he would send them away, entrusting them to the wind and the woods with his blessing.

Upon an evening as he was speaking of love, a leopard raised her head and said to the hermit, "You speak to us of loving. Tell us, Sir, where is your mate?" And the hermit said, "I have no mate." Then a great cry of surprise rose from the company of beasts and fowls, and they began to say among themselves, "How can he tell us of loving and mating when he himself knows naught of them?" And quietly and in distain they left him alone . That night the hermit lay upon his mat with his face earthward, and he wept bitterly and beat his hands upon his breast.