The Wanderings of Vicram Maharajah

To do this, kings, princes, and nobles innumerable had striven, but striven in vain.

Some never got past the first sharp hedge of bayonets; others, more fortunate, surmounted the second hedge, the third, or the fourth, or fifth, or even the sixth, but there they perished miserably, being unable to climb the seventh. None had ever succeeded in entering the garden.

Now in the palace of Vicram Maharajah there lived an old wizard, as powerful as he was wise, who much loved the king and his vizier. One day he said to Vicram Maharajah, "Sire, I have given you much wisdom in our years together. Now as a parting gift, since I can tell my days are coming to an end, ask of me what you will and it shall be yours - riches, power, beauty, long life, health, happiness - choose what you will have."

Now it happened that near the palace there lived the son of a carpenter who was very cunning. For a long time he had been coming to where the wizard taught the Maharajah and hid close behind so he could overhear all their conversations and become very wise himself. No sooner, therefore, did he hear the wizard's offer to Vicram Maharajah, than he determined to return again when the king did, and find out the secret of the promised gift, whatever it may be.

When Vicram Maharajah returned to the palace, he consulted his vizier and friend Butti as to what he should ask for. "I have more than enough riches," he said, "and as king, I have enough power. For the rest of it I'd just as soon take my chances with other men, which makes me at a loss to know what to choose."

Butti said, "Is there any supernatural power you desire at all? If so, ask for that."

"As a matter of fact," replied the Maharajah, "it has always been a great desire of mine to have the power to leave my body and translate my soul and sense into some other body, either of man or animal. I would rather be able to do that than anything else.