The stars in the sky were winking their eyes. The crescent moon was making its procession, like a silver boat floating upon the blue sea. The wind was fierce. The sea roared; the waves stretched out their arms, trying to pull those standing on the shore into its embrace.

“Why are you standing there? Quickly wash off the mud! We must go home at once. Otherwise, I won’t get any supper tonight. My sister-in-law will tip over the rice pot!” said Poonguzhali.

“Is the sea very deep here?” asked Vandiyathevan.

“I’ve never seen a coward like you. There’s no depth here for a long distance. Even if you walk far into the sea, the water will only reach your waist. That’s why the lighthouse must burn every night!”

Vandiyathevan hesitated, then stepped into the water. He washed off the mud, cleaned his hands and feet, and climbed back onto the shore. A little distance away, he saw the physician’s son riding his horse towards them. Vandiyathevan’s own horse was beside him.

“Oh no! My horse is about to step into the mud!” cried Vandiyathevan.

“It won’t. Horses are wiser than men!” said Poonguzhali.

“But there’s a man on one of the horses! He’s pulling my horse along with him!”

“That’s a bit dangerous! Run and warn him!”

“Stop! Stop!” shouted Vandiyathevan as he ran and managed to halt them.

Poonguzhali soon joined them. The three of them walked towards the lighthouse.

“You could ride your horse, you know,” said Poonguzhali.

“No; I’ll walk with you.” Poonguzhali went near the horse and gently stroked its face. The horse, as if delighted by her touch, shivered its body and neighed softly.

“It seems my horse has taken a liking to you! That is very good.”

“In what way is it good?”

“I must go to Lanka. I was thinking I could entrust this horse to you before I leave. Will you take care of it?”

“Oh! I will take care of it. All animals quickly become fond of me. Only humans dislike me at first sight.”

“Why do you say that? Sendhan Amudhan cares for you…”

“My affection too is only for animals; I do not like to see humans!”

“What have humans done to you?”

“Humans are wicked. Lies and deceit are their only business!”

“You mustn’t speak so of everyone. Sendhan Amudhan is a good man. Look, here comes the physician’s son—he is a very good man…”

“How about you?”

“I am a good man too. But I shouldn’t boast of my own virtues, should I?”

“Why have you both come here?”

“The Emperor is unwell, is he not? Some rare herbs are needed to cure his illness. It is said that such rare herbs are found in this forest. That is why the physician’s son and I have come…”

“Just now you said you must go to Lanka?”

“The herbs that cannot be found here must be brought from Lanka. Isn’t the Sanjeevani mountain, which Hanuman brought, still said