Through the crackling silence of the burning ground King Vikramaditya carried the corpse once more, his lips sealed, his promise to the yogi unbroken. And Betaal, the spirit within, spoke into his ear: “A tale, O King, to shorten the road — but if you know the answer to my riddle and keep silent, your head will burst into a hundred pieces.”
And Betaal began. “In a village lived four brahmin brothers who went to far countries to study, and each returned the master of an astonishing science. ‘I can gather and join the scattered bones of any creature,’ said the first. ‘I can clothe the bones in flesh, skin and blood,’ said the second. ‘I can fill the finished body with breath and movement,’ said the third. ‘And I,’ said the fourth proudly, ‘can light the lamp of life itself.’
“Walking home together through a deep forest, they came upon the whitened bones of some great beast. ‘Here is our chance to show our powers!’ they cried. The first spoke his spell, and the bones rose and locked themselves into a mighty skeleton. The second spoke, and flesh and tawny skin flowed over it — and now it was plainly a lion, huge as a bull, lying as if asleep. The third gave the body breath, and its great sides began to rise and fall. Then the fourth, though the fangs and claws lay in full view before his eyes, would not lose his moment of glory. He spoke the spell of life. The lion woke, hungry from its long death — and in one terrible moment the four proud scholars met their end.”
“Tell me, King Vikram — of the four, who bears the blame for that disaster? Speak, if you know!” And Vikram answered: “The fourth. The first three built only a harmless shape, as a sculptor builds a statue — bones and skin can hurt no one, and until life came, all could still be undone. But the fourth saw the finished lion before him, fang and claw complete, and still, only to display his power, he set the danger loose. He who unleashes a peril owns its deed — and learning is no excuse where the eyes can plainly see.” “Well judged!” shrieked Betaal with glee. “But you spoke!” And he flew back to the ancient tree.