let me return home." thus thought gangazara within himself, and very soon he was on his way back to his country. remembering the prophecy of his father he returned by the same way by which he went to benares ten years before. while thus retracing his steps he reached the ruined well where he had released the three brute kings and the goldsmith. at once the old recollections rushed into his mind, and he thought of the tiger to test his fidelity. only a moment passed, and the tiger-king came running before him carrying a large crown in his mouth, the glitter of the diamonds of which for a time outshone even the bright rays of the sun. he dropped the crown at his life-giver's feet, and, putting aside all his pride, humbled himself like a pet cat to the strokes of his protector, and began in the following words: "my life-giver! how is it that you have forgotten me, your poor servant, for such a long time? i am glad to find that i still occupy a corner in your mind. i can never forget the day when i owed my life to your lotus hands. i have several jewels with me of little value. this crown, being the best of all, i have brought here as a single ornament of great value, which you can carry with you and dispose of in your own country." gangazara looked at the crown, examined it over and over, counted and recounted the gems, and thought within himself that he would become the richest of men by separating the diamonds and gold, and selling them in his own country. he took leave of the tiger-king, and after his disappearance thought of the kings of serpents and rats, who came in their turn with their presents, and after the usual greetings and exchange of words took their leave.