So now, the king immediately sent for his sages and asked about this golden, precious and very rare deer. And his wise men replied in the affirmative: "Yes, there is such an animal." But they didn't know where the deer lived. So the king ordered a richly decorated elephant and told the herald, "Take the elephant and a thousand pieces of money and go to all parts of the city. Proclaim that whoever can bring me news of a golden deer shall get both the elephant and the money as a reward." Now you know who the boss is, right? He immediately spent all this money for his wife. At that time, maybe she was already old. But maybe her power as she got older was even stronger.

So the herald mounted a white horse and rode through the city proclaiming aloud the king's order. The merchant's son, who had just entered Benares, heard the news and went up to the herald, saying, "I can bring the king news of the golden deer that he seeks. Take me to him." And the herald took the merchant's son to the palace and requested an audience, saying, "Sir, this man says he knows where a golden deer can be found." So the king was very delighted and asked the merchant's son to bring him there.

Then the king took a very large troop of soldiers and the informer, and set out for the forest where the golden deer dwelled. When they arrived, the merchant's son said, "Sir, within that clump of flowering mango trees dwells the golden deer that you seek." So the king told his men, "Surround the grove and keep your bows and arrows ready. On no account should you let the deer escape." And the king rode a horse himself to go and capture the deer just for his beloved wife. Now can you see what it's like to be a king, and what for? (Master and everyone laugh.)

The deer, who had been resting under the shade of a tree, heard the noise and was instantly alerted. He rose to his feet and saw the king standing at a distance with the merchant's son and a group of courtiers. He thought to himself, "I shall be safe where the king is, so I shall go to him." That's what the golden deer thought, so he ran to where the king was. Swift as the wind, he ran toward the king. But the king immediately raised his arrow and prepared to shoot. Because he thought that if the deer was wounded in the leg or something, it would be easier to capture him. But the deer called out very loudly, saying, "Great King, stand still. Please do not let your arrow fly."

The king was very astounded by the clear ringing tones of the deer's voice, and he dropped his arrow and bow. The soldiers and other people also crowded around in amazement, for none had ever heard a deer talk in human language before. So the deer went up to the king and asked him in a voice that was as sweet as honey: "Who brought the news to you, oh King, that I was to be found here?"

So the king pointed to the merchant's son and said, "He did." The deer then turned his head to the traitor and said very sadly, "It would have been better to pull a wooden log out of the river than to rescue such a person as you." So he scolded the betrayer. The king was very surprised and asked the deer, "What wrong has he done to you?" And the deer replied, "Your Majesty, I saved this man's life when he was drowning and brought him to safety and nursed him for three days and three nights back to life. And I told him not to tell anyone where I was to be found, and he promised me thus. Now, because of his ungrateful act, I am in danger." It was because he loved gold and money that the merchant's son sold out his rescuer.

On hearing this, the king became extremely angry. He turned to the merchant's son and said, "You have repaid a merciful deed with base treachery. For this, you shall die." So he raised his bow and arrow and held it ready to shoot the traitor. But the merchant's son was very afraid and trembling in every limb. He fell on his knees and begged for mercy.

Seeing his plight, the deer was moved with pity and said to the king, "Please let him go. Do not have the blood of this wretched being on your conscience. Give him the money that you promised him, and send him away." The king hesitated for a while but finally listened to the deer's plea for mercy. And he said to the merchant's son, "You owe your life twice over to this noble deer." Then he said to him, "Depart from here at once, and never return to my kingdom again or you shall be executed." The merchant's son straight away took to his heels and vanished into the depths of the forest, never to be seen again.

Turning to the king, the deer, who was not only noble but wise said, "Great King, the cry of jackals and birds is easily understood. But the words from man are often full of guile. You may think that a man is your friend but you will find that he has betrayed you." The king marveled at the wisdom and intelligence of the deer and decided to grant him a boon. "Tell me what you wish, Golden Deer. And it shall be yours. Whatever you wish, even if I lose my kingdom for it, I will grant to you."

The deer thought carefully and said, "The boon I ask, great King, is that all the animals in your kingdom will be forever free from danger." The king was moved by the compassion of this golden deer and consented. And he made a proclamation that whoever harmed any animal in his kingdom would be punished severely, from that day forward. So the king and the golden deer returned to Benares, and Queen Kama was overjoyed to behold the handsome deer with the coat of gold that she had seen in her dream. She listened with delight while the deer spoke to her in a human voice that sounded like the tinkling of a silver bell.

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