"
"My friend," returned the Money-lender piously, "riches come from
Ram--ask _him_."
"Thank you, I will!" replied the simple Farmer; so he prepared three
girdle-cakes to last him on the journey, and set out to find Ram.
First he met a Brahman, and to him he gave a cake, asking him to point
out the road to Ram; but the Brahman only took the cake, and went on
his way without a word. Next the Farmer met a yogi, or devotee, and to
him he gave a cake, without receiving any help in return. At last
he came upon a poor man sitting under a tree, and finding out he was
hungry the kindly Farmer gave him his last cake, and, sitting down to
rest beside him, entered into conversation.
"And where are you going?" asked the poor man, at length.
"Oh, I have a long journey before me, for I am going to find Ram!"
replied the Farmer. "I don't suppose you could tell me which way to
go?"
"Perhaps I can," said the poor man, smiling, "for _I_ am Ram! What do
you want of me?"
Then the Farmer told the whole story, and Ram, taking pity on him,
gave him a conch-shell, and showed him how to blow it in a particular
way, saying: "Remember! whatever you wish for, you have only to blow
the conch that way, and your wish will be fulfilled.
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