Vedantic Tales: The Discipleship of
Sri Nag , The Cobra

'A vegetarian diet!' the sadhu exclaimed. 'But your skin? How did it become tattered like that?' 'I don't know, sir,' Sri Nag truthfully replied. 'Perhaps just wear and tear.'

There was a rustling in the grass. Akhu and his colleagues stood there in a row, listening. 'He let the village boys beat him,' Akhu said. 'I saw it with my own eyes. It was a terrible sight, sir; they nearly... '

The sadhu raised his hand to silence Akhu. 'Is this true?' he asked Sri Nag.

'Boys?' Sri Nag said, searching back in his memory. He had long since forgotten the mistreatment he had endured at the hands of the village bullies. No lingering prod of resentment brought that memory into focus. He now only dimly recalled the incident. 'Yes, sir,' he said. 'I think Akhu speaks truly. There were some boys. But they were just boys, and boys will have their sport.'

'Their sport!' the sadhu exclaimed. 'And you let them nearly kill you! What a shame! Has your brain turned to mush?' His voice and face were stern, but he was looking at his disciple with love.

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