66697602-The-Ramayana-R-K-Narayan

not budge. It was no time to call up an attendant, and so he
pushed a foot-stool beside her and lowered himself onto it.
After a great deal of cajoling, she announced: “Swear to me,
by all that is holy, that you will grant me what I ask for;
otherwise let me die in peace.”
“I have never said no to you. You shall have whatever you
want.”
“Will you swear by Rama?” she asked.
He evaded a direct answer, as he felt uneasy at the
mention of Rama’s name. “Tell me what you want,” he said
clearly.
“You offered me two boons long ago. You may have
forgotten it, but I haven’t. May I mention it now?” Now she
had sat up, and it was less irksome to communicate with
her. He tried to reach out and touch her, but she pushed his
hand off. “On that battlefield when you went to the rescue of
Indra and fainted, do you remember who revived you?”
“Yes,” he said. “How can I forget it? I have lived to see this
day because I was revived, otherwise that evening any
chariot wheel could have rolled over me.”
“Great memory you possess. I am glad you remember that
far. And do you remember also who nearly gave her life to
nurse and revive you?”
“Yes.”
“What did you promise her in return?”