विक्रम चरित (उज्जैन सम्राट् विक्रमादित्य - पराक्रम, न्याय एवं ३२ पुतलियों की कथा सटीक)

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returned to his own territory, loaded with presents and
proofs of the estimation in which he was held by all. There,
surrounded by everything that could render a monarch
happy, and in the enjoyment of the blessings of peace, he
continued to reign for a series of years, until he had run
the course allotted to him here below.”
The parrot, having finished the tale, leaped into an
opening in the wall and disappeared, followed by the
wondering gaze of all those assembled in the room, who had
been, as may well be supposed, attentive listeners to the
whole story.
We must now refresh the memory of our readers, and
ask them to go back with us to where we left King Vickra-
madetea, in the guise of a brahmin, with the Princess
Pudmavuntty. King Vickramadetea, it will be remembered,
was engaged in negociating for the hand of Pudmavuntty
on behalf of Prince Duntsain, and had in some degree
succeeded. It only remained for him to get over the
condition attached by the princess of her acquiescence with
his project, which was to make her laugh and speak four
different times successively ; and it was to effect this that
Vickramadetea had called in the aid of the spirit Veytal,
who, under the assumed form of a parrot, entered upon the
tale just related. They were yet engaged in praising the
parrot, who had helped them to wile away the heavy hours
of night with his interesting story, and wondering at the
unlooked-for depth of understanding and grasp of thought
(if we may so say) displayed by this tiny creature, when a
Shaloonky,* represented in a painting on the wall of the
princess’ apartment, became animated, and took her seat
upon a chowrung before them. Who this Shaloonky was,
and the purport of her visit, shall form the subject of another
chapter.
* A bird, Gracula religiosa.
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