ng in the palace courtyard, near a tank, where
the Rajah's people used to bathe, and the first Ranee said to Surya
Bai, "What pretty jewels you have, sister; let me try them on for a
minute, and see how I look in them."

The old woman was standing beside Surya Bai, and she whispered to her,
"Do not lend her your jewels."

"Hush, you silly old woman," answered she. "What harm will it do?" and
she gave the Ranee her jewels.

Then the Ranee said, "How pretty all your things are! Do you not think
they look well even on me! Let us come down to the tank; it is as
clear as glass, and we can see ourselves reflected in it, and how
these jewels will shine in the clear water!"

The old woman, hearing this, was much alarmed, and begged Surya Bai
not to venture near the tank, but she said, "I bid you be silent; I
will not distrust my sister." And she went down to the tank. Then,
when no one was near, and they were both leaning over, looking at
their reflections in the water, the first Ranee pushed Surya Bai into
the tank, who, sinking under the water, was drowned; and from the
place where her body fell there sprang up a bright golden sunflower.

The Rajah shortly afterward inquired where Surya Bai was, but nowhere
could she be found. Then, very angry, he came to the first Ranee and
said, "Tell me where the child is. You have made away with her."

But she answered, "You do me wrong; I know nothing of her. Doubtless
that old woman whom you allowed to be always with her, has done her
some harm." So the Rajah ordered the poor old woman to be thrown into
prison.

He tried to forget Surya Bai and all her pretty ways, but it was no
good. Wherever he went he saw her face. Whatever he heard, he still
listened for her voice. Every day he grew more miserable; he would not
eat or drink; and as for the other Ranee, he could not bear to speak
to her. All his people said, "He will surely die."

When matters were in this state, the Rajah one day wandered to the
edge of the tank, and bending over the parapet, looked into the water.
Then he was surprised to see, growing out of the tank close beside him
a stately golden flower; and as he watched it, the sunflower gently
bent its head and leaned down toward him. The Rajah's heart was
softened, and he kissed its leaves and murmured, "This flower reminds
me of my lost wife. I love it, it is fair and gentle as she used to
be." And every day he would go down to the tank and sit and watch the
flow