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101.A POUND OF FLOUR
The father's distress increased. 'Child!' he
exclaimed, 'old men can stand starvation.
Youth's hunger is severe. I am not able to
find it in my heart to accept what you say.'
The son insisted: 'it is the duty of the son
to look after his father in his declining
years. The son is not different from the
father. Is it not said that the father is born
afresh in his son? My share of the flour is
yours in truth. I beg of you to accept what
I give and feed this hungry guest.' 'Dear
boy, your nobility and your mastery over
the senses fill me with pride. Blessing on
you. I shall accept your share!' said the
father, and he took the son's flour and
gave it to the guest to eat. The guest ate
the third part of the flour also but he was
still hungry! The brahmana, who lived on
scattered grain, was confused. While he
was in distress, not knowing that to do, his
daughter-in-law addressed him thus:
'Lord, I shall give my share too and gladly
complete our efforts to feed this guest. I
beg of you to accept it and bless me, your
child, for, by that, I shall have eternal
good as my reward.' The father-in-law
was sad beyond measure. 'O girl of
spotless character, pale and emaciated as
you are from starvation, you propose to
give your part of the food also to me, so
that I may earn merit by giving it to this
guest.
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