Upbringing of Children

ecognised my blood and that my fatherly love and affection had
sprung up for the child.
“I asked my wife, "Whose daughter is this? She is really charming!"
“My wife told me all about her. I could not control myself and eagerly
took my daughter in my arms. Her mother told her that I was her father.
She immediately began displaying her love for me, and lovingly called
me, “My father! My father!”
“At those moments I felt an indescribable fatherly pleasure by
embracing her while she put her arms around my neck.
“Days and weeks went by in this manner, and the child remained with
us, free from any worry or discomfort. But at times when she caught my
attention such thoughts came to my mind, that I shall have to be a
father-in-law, by giving her off to someone in marriage. I shall have to
bear the insult, that my daughter will be someone's wife. How shall I be
able to face the people? All my honour and pride will be ruined. These
thoughts took hold of my mind and tortured me continuously.
“Ultimately these thoughts aroused my pride and provoked my hardheartedness,
and made me devoid of any patience. Thus I firmly
decided to do away with this stigma of shame and humiliation for me
and my ancestors. I decided to bury the girl alive.
“I then asked my wife to get the girl ready as I planned to take her to a
feast with me. My wife gave her a bath, clad her in pretty clothes and
made her ready to go with me.
“The little girl was bubbling with happiness, thinking that she was
accompanying her father on a happy occasion. I set off with her
towards the jungle. The child was going with me leaping with joy and
pleasure, holding my hand here, getting ahead of me there, prattling to
me with squeaks of innocent gaiety and laughter. But I had become
blind to see and enjoy these innocent acts and was impatient to get rid
of her as soon as possible. The child was absolutely unaware of my
sinister intention and followed me merrily.
“I finally stopped at a place which I cannot remember now, and started
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