SON OF VAAYU

"Oh Vaanara warriors!" he said, "much have I heard from Sugreeva of your prowess. Your strength and your enterprise are beyond dispute. We should fulfil this task. We cannot re turn to Kishkindha without seeing Seeta. That is certain. It is better for us to end our lives here than to be slain in disgrace by the king. Therefore, tell me, one by one, the longest jump you have the strength and courage to attempt.

Gaja said modestly, "I can jump ten yojanas." Gavaaksha said: "I can do twenty." Another Vaanara leader claimed he could do thirty.

And so each improved on the figure of the other. At last Jaambavaan, the oldest of the warriors, spoke:

"I am now old and infirm. Yet I would gladly spend myself to fulfil our king's command. But what will mere devotion avail if not seconded by strength? I think I can manage ninety yojanas, but this is not enough to cross the sea and reach Lanka. I can only regret my lost youth."

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