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TALES OF THE PUNJAB

They waited until the oven grew cold, and then opened it, when not a trace of the Snake-woman was to be seen, only a tiny heap of ashes, out of which the Jôgi took a small round stone, and gave it to the King, saying, ‘This is the real essence of the Snake-woman, and whatever you touch with it will turn to gold.’

But King Ali Mardan said such a treasure was more than any man’s life was worth, since it must bring envy and battle and murder to its possessor; so when he went to Attock he threw the magical Snake-stone into the river, lest it should bring strife into the world.

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