CHAPTER IV.
TARA CHARAN.
The Poet Kalidas was supplied with flowers by a _Malini_ (flower-girl).
He, being a poor Brahmin, could not pay for the flowers, but in place of that he used to read some of his own verses to the _Malini_.

One day there bloomed in the _Malini's_ tank a lily of unparalleled beauty.
Plucking it, the _Malini_ offered it to Kalidas.

As a reward the poet read to her some verses from the _Megha Duta_ (Cloud Messenger).

That poem is an ocean of wit, but every one knows that its opening lines are tasteless.

The _Malini_ did not relish them, and being annoyed she rose to go.
The poet asked: "Oh! friend _Malini_, are you going ?" "Your verses have no flavour," replied the _Malini_.
"_Malini_! you will never reach heaven." "Why so ?" "There is a staircase to heaven.