Leaving others, young Sukanya played about in the grove. Deep in the grove, she saw the ant-hill. She went near it. She saw the two holes. Out of curiosity she peeped into them. She saw something like glow - worms inside. She picked a long thorn and thrust it into those holes. At once sheheard a cry of pain. Shocked as she was, she ran to her father's side.

Very soon, however, the King and all his party got a severe pain in the stomach. They could not bear it. They could not walk or sit or even stand! The King at onceknew what might have happened.

He asked his followers: "Did any one of you go near the ant hill? A great Rishi is doing tapas there!"

While others said 'No', Sukanya, with worry on her face, said: "Dear Father, I saw two glow-worms in the holes of the ant-hill. I tried to get them out with a thorn. They did not come out, but I heard something like a shriek inside. So I ran away!"

"You naughty girl! Why did you do that? The Rishi's curse is now upon us all. Come, let us fall at his feet!"