I had gone a-begging from door to door in the village path, when thy golden
chariot appeared in the distance like a gorgeous dream and I wondered who was
this King of all kings!
My hopes rose high and methought my evil days were at an end, and I stood waiting
for alms to be given unasked and for wealth scattered on all sides in the dust.
The chariot stopped where I stood. Thy glance fell on me and thou camest down
with a smile. I felt that the luck of my life had come at last. Then of a sudden
thou didst hold out thy right hand and say `What hast thou to give to me?'
Ah, what a kingly jest was it to open thy palm to a beggar to beg! I was confused
and stood undecided, and then from my wallet I slowly took out the least little
grain of corn and gave it to thee.
But how great my surprise when at the day's end I emptied my bag on the floor to
find a least little gram of gold among the poor heap. I bitterly wept and wished
that I had had the heart to give thee my all.
