66697602-The-Ramayana-R-K-Narayan

sing me a song.”
Kooni said sharply, “Do you know that beauty and youth
are your only source of strength? And you owe your position
as the queen of a world conqueror to your beauty?”
“Do I?” asked Kaikeyi, still in a playful mood.
“But both beauty and youth are like a wild stream, which,
while rushing down the mountainside, crushing flowers and
leaves, holds you in a spell. But how long does it last? Very
soon it passes, and in its place you have only the sandy
bed… . It’s only a question of time. When you are old and the
cheeks sag, you will be a nobody, pushed aside with the
back of your lover’s hand. You will be at other people’s
mercy.”
“Bring that mirror, let me see why you speak thus. Have I
grown old today?” And she laughed.
“Not old, but smug, and running into danger. Doom hangs
over your head.”
Now Kaikeyi felt disturbed. “If you cannot talk plainly, go
away; and come later. You are somehow bent upon irritating
me today.”
“Don’t waste your youth and beauty, which hold your
husband in a spell. Before that’s lost, get your husband to
help you and save yourself. Get up and act before it’s too
late.” Kaikeyi now sat up anxiously. Satisfied with the effect
of her remarks, Kooni declared, “The King has cheated you.