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

210
perhaps gain some information which would enable him to
find her. Charoo sincerely thanked the hermit, and after-
receiving his blessing, set out again towards Himonchul.
When he arrived at the summit of the hill, he did not
pause until he had reached the Vur tree occupied by the
royal birds. He was again received by them as before,
with welcome and kind regard ; they addressed him as an
old friend and acquaintance. The disconsolate Charoo,
after the usual salutations and a due acknowledgment of
their invaluable aid and kind solicitude, informed them of
all that had occurred to him since he had been last with
them, and dwelt long on the painful loss of his beautiful
and much-loved wife. The birds deeply sympathised with
him, and desired him to moderate his grief, offering at the
same time every assistance in their power to lessen the
weight of his affliction. They voluntarily offered to
transport him to the Chitrakoot mountain, and said that
they would wait his convenience and pleasure in bringing
him back. Charoo was highly pleased, and in some degree
restored to composure by so much civility and kindness,
and he unfeignedly thanked them, in suitable terms.
“ The following day, one of the birds went as usual for
their food, taking with him the widowed Charoo, whom he
conveyed safely to Chitrakoot, and before leaving him asked
him whether he wished to return that day, or to remain on
the mountain, so that he might call for him on his way
home if necessary. Charoo replied that he did not know
when he would be ready to return. ‘I fear, however,’
said he, ‘that when I wish to do so I shall be unable to
find you.’ The bird told him not to be apprehensive on
that account, for that they called there about noon every
day, on their way to and from the celestial regions, and that
when he felt inclined to return he need only come and wait
there, and he would surely meet with one or other of them.
Charoo thanked the friendly bird, and after having taken
leave of him, proceeded to the town. He went into the
same street in which he had exchanged the merchants'