66697602-The-Ramayana-R-K-Narayan

ack of a horse, another young man picked her up; but
instead of setting her down after the rescue, he journeyed on
with her in his arms. Another went along brooding and
reflecting as he gazed on his beloved. Couples who had had
a quarrel over some detail of the arrangements for this
journey walked side by side without speaking, the woman
not caring to wear a flower in her hair, but only a frown on her
face, yet close enough to each other to avoid separation.
One youth who was not spoken to but was agitated by the
messages conveyed by the eloquent eyes of a damsel said,
“You won’t speak? But surely, when you cross the river, you’ll
want my strong arms to carry you, and how shall I know if you
don’t speak to me? I know that you object only to speech, not
to my touch, inevitable you’ll need that when we come to the
river’s edge.”
Camels bearing enormous loads went along with parched
throats until they could find the bitter margosa leaves—since
they avoid tender greenery—and were thirsty again after
chewing them, like men who look only for wine to quench
their thirst, which again produces more thirst. Sturdy menfolk
bore on their shoulders gifts and supplies for the journey.
Brahmins who practised austerities followed, remaining
aloof, afraid alike to walk amongst the elephants, for fear of
being jostled, and in the areas where there were women,
who might distract their inner vision. Some hopped along
lightly on their toes, in order not to trample on any live