CHAPTER VI.

THE FOUR SIMPLE BRAHMANS.

Nasreddin I. 263

[ As a sort of supplement to the sayings anddoings of the silly son, the following highlydiverting Indian tale is here inserted, from theAbbé Dubois' French rendering of the Tamil bois, 453original, appended, with others, to his selectionsfrom the Panchatantra. The story is known inthe north as well as in the south of India: inthe Panjábi version there are, however, but threenoodle- heroes. It will be seen that the thirdBráhman's tale is another of the numerous silentcouple class, and it may possibly be the originalform.]

Introduction.

Na certain district, proclamation hadbeen made of a Samaradanambeing about to be held.' FourBráhmans, from different villages,going thither, fell in upon the road, and, find-ing that they were all upon the same errand,they agreed to proceed in company.

A

A Samaradanam is one of the public festivalsgiven by pious people, and sometimes by thosein power, to the Bráhmans, who on such occa-sions assemble in great numbers from all quarters.