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fourth Minister: I agree with you.
[The guard enters with Prince Siddhartha, who has a white swan in
his arms. Siddhartha bows to the King]

King: Siddhartha, Dev Datt says that you’ve taken his swan. Is that
Not to be republished
the swan which you took from him?

siddhartha: Your Highness, Dev Datt has complained about this
swan, but it is not his swan. It’s mine.
©KTBS
dev datt: No, Your Highness, it is not his. It is mine. I shot it with
an arrow. Siddhartha is telling a lie.
King: Be calm, Dev Datt. You say that the swan is yours because
you shot it. Is that right?

dev datt: Yes, sir, that’s quite right.

King: What do you say, Siddhartha? Why do you say that the swan
is yours?

siddhartha: Your Majesty, Dev Datt shot this swan but I saved its
life. That’s why it’s mine.
Ministers: Hear! Hear!

King: Listen, Siddhartha. A kshatriya can’t give up what he has
shot. Do you agree with me?
siddhartha: Yes, I do, sir, but a kshatriya can’t give up a suppliant
either. This swan came to me for protection. I can’t give
it up.

dev datt: Your Highness, this is injustice. I shot the swan, so it’s
mine.
King: Well, boys, I’m puzzled. It’s a strange case. I don’t know how
to decide it. [to the Chief Minister] Can you help me?

chief Ministr: I’ll try, Your Highness.
King: Very well, then. Please go ahead.

chief Minister: Prince Siddhartha and Prince Dev Datt, please listen
to me. Prince Dev Datt says that the swan is his
because he had shot it, and Prince Siddhartha says
that it is his because he saved its life. Am I right?

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