Chapter VI — The Prince Seeks Manimekalai

Joy reigned in the peaceful grove. In the “streets of Kaveripatnam were confusion and. terror. An elephant of the royal stables had gone mad. He broke loose. The mahout wounded him in the face. But that only increased his fury. Wildly, he raged through the streets and bazaars of the city. The terrified people fled before him. The trainers yelled for help. The people screamed in fear. Up. in the sky, vultures followed the path of the mad brute. They followed in the train of - death. The frenzy of their desire made them

scream too. It was bedlam.

Word was brought to the gallant prince, Udhaya-kumaran. Without loss of time, he dashed off to the rescue. It was easy to track the elephant. He conquered’the beast. The trainers came up. They bound the animal, and led him away. There was peace in the streets once more. The prince mounted his. triumphal car, and drove through the streets. People lined the route. How they cheered the gallant youth! Great was their pride in the valour of their prince.

As he rode along, he glanced up at a balcony. There he saw his friend Ettikumaran_

He lay on a flowery couch, he touched the strings of his lute. He sang soft sad airs.

The prince called to him, “ What ails my friend? Why does he look so sad?”

Ettikumaran came down to speak with his friend. He praised him for his bravery and daring. He said, * As I sat here, Isaw Mani- mekalai» pass. She was going to the grove. Her beauty is wasting like a flower kept in too small a vase. I thought of the cruel fate of Kovalan, her father. My heart was torn with grief. My fingers strayed over the lute strings. I made sad discords. | Now you know the cause of my wretchedness.”

The prince was not downcast. ‘ Banish your sorrow. In afew moments I shall return, bringing with me the lovely Manimekalai.” He turned his chariot about, and galloped off. As the moon tears through _scudding clouds, so did the ardent young prince tear his way through the crowds. Inavery short space of time, he drew rein at the gates of the grove.

Manimekalai heard the sound of the chariot wheels. She turned to her guide in alarm. ‘It must be the Prince Udhaya- kumaran. Chitrapathi spoke of him. He has set his heart on me. What shall I do? Where can I go P”

At her words, Suthamathi started like a frightened peacock. She pushed Manimekalai into the crystal chamber. ‘ Bolt the door behind you,” she cried. Manimekalai shot the bolt home. She herself took up her stand some distance away.

The prince dismissed his attendants. He entered the grove alone. His eager eyes searched every alley and thicket and avenue. The shady grove was bright with the radiance of his beauty. It seemed that the sun had stepped from his chariot in the sky.