Chapter 10 - Advice
Leaves of Bodhi tree floated according to the wind direction continuously. Under the tree a man was sweeping fallen Bodhi leaves orderly.
"Devotee, come here" sound of old person sounded and directed to the person was sweeping. After was hearing the sound man looked at the source of the sound. After identifying the person who made sound that man said, "Okay, great thero" and quickly stopped work he was doing while placing broom on the ground. After that went near to the great thero and worshipped him.
"May have blessings of triple gems" Grand thero gave blessings for that man. Then man stood up and looked at grand thero with reverently.
"Devotee, I heard some story from some people. I want to know if it is true or false. You must tell me truth "Grand thero asked from the man stiff voice.
"Grand thero, tell me what you want to know? I will tell truth "man said with scared expression.
"I heard people saying some bad words about devote Migara. Also I heard them even rejecting to make associations with him. Is that true?" Great thero asked with a cold voice.
"Yes, Great Thero. It is true." The man said humbly.
"Why is that?" Great thero asked curiously.
"Because the baby girl was bought from the capital by the master. Master said that is her child. But he never discloses the mother of that child. So everyone suspects the mother of the child may be from low class or a prostitute. So people are displeased with the action of the master." The man said calmly.
"Why are they displeased?" Great thero asked.
"Great thero, that child is a result of an illicit affair! If not why master does not mention the mother of the child? How could we accept that kind of child? We are living in honor life. How could we accept this kind of dishonor act?" the man said exclaimed.
"What is there to be displeased? Is a child of a prostitute dishonorable existence? Then what about great doctor Jeewaka? Isn't he a child of a prostitute? Didn't he treat Lord Buddha for diseases? Even kings and counts also did not receive his treatments. Then, is he dishonorable existence?" Great thero started to criticize the behavior of people in the area and man heard all criticism while lowering his head.
"Listen devote, Lord Buddha said the status of the person is not decided by his or her birth. Works that a person does, behavior of the person decide the status of the person. So now tell me who now dishonorable people are?" Great thero asked the man sarcastically.
"Great thero… Great thero … it is…" the man started to stammer.
"Oh! Now you can't tell. Tell what I told you to others. Go ask forgiveness from devote Migara." Great thero advised to man. After hearing that man said, "Yes… yes…I am going Great Thero "and ran away while worshipping Great Thero again.
Great Thero looked at the departing man with indifference in moment and walked in the direction of the Bodhi tree.
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It was several days since Neela started to work as a nanny in Migara's house. During her work time, she took care of Mantha carefully and tried to keep the baby girl happily. Baby Mantha was easily accustomed to Neela and became close to her. While taking care of the baby girl Neela told different stories to make sleep this girl. After hearing these stories even Sumana was liked Neela.
While working as a nanny she did not forget the job she came here. While interacting with the children she tried to find similarities between the baby girl and Migara carefully. Also, she asked about routine, behaviors, friends, likes and dislikes of Migara from other workers while was not making doubt in other minds. While collecting information she found any member or worker had no clear idea about the departure of the master before the day of first day of every six months' capital. Also, she found that Migara stated that there may be no need to go capital again like before for a long time after he came from the capital this time.
Not only had that she tried to observe behavior of master after getting news of search party regarding missing princess. But she found there was no sliced change of behavior in the master and she wondered about that. But after careful consideration of the information, she found there should be some secret regarding the baby girl of Migara. So she quickly delivered this information and her conclusion to lady Miththa.
After looking at this information Miththa said, "Nanny, deliver news to cousin's house immediately saying that 'Baby girl of master Migara maybe the princess they looking for '. Quickly prepare for that" and a messenger left from count( nobleman) house immediately to the direction of east .