'Dear boy, your nobility and your mastery over the senses fill me with pride. Blessing on you; I shall accept your share!' said the father, and he took the son's flour and gave it to the guest to eat.

The guest ate the third part of the flour also but he was still hungry! Thebrahmana, who lived on scattered grain, was confused. "While he was in distress, not knowing that to do, his daughter-in-law addressed him thus:

'Lord, I shall give my share too and gladly complete our efforts to feed this guest. I beg of you to accept it and bless me, your child, for, by that, I shall have eternal good as my reward.'

"The father-in-law was sad beyond mea- sure. 'O girl of spotless character pales and emaciated as you are from starvation, you propose to give your part of the food also to me, so that I may earn merit by giving it to this guest.