XVII.

LIGHT MAKES PROSPERITY.

Best Short Stories, I, 2781

There is a Tamil proverb dipam lakshmikaram,meaning," light makes prosperity," and the fol-lowing story is related to explain it:-

In the town of Govindapâthî there lived amerchant named Pasupati S'etti, who had a son anda daughter. The son's name was Vinîta and thedaughter's Garvî, and while still playmates theymade a mutual vow, that in case they ever had chil-dren that could be married to each other, they wouldcertainly see that this was done. Garvî grew up tomarry a very rich merchant, and gave birth in duecourse to three daughters, the last of whom wasnamed Sungunî. Vinîta, too, had three sons.Before, however, this brother and sister could fulfiltheir vow an event happened which threw a gloomover all their expectations.

Pasupati Setti died, and his creditors-- for he hadmany— grew troublesome. All his property had tobe sold to clear his debts, and in a month or twoafter his father's death Vinîta was reduced to the