



          In India in the time of legend, there lived a king with many 
     wives, but not one child. Morning and evening for eighteen years, he 
     faced the sacred fire and prayed for children. 
          Finally a shining goddess rose from the flames. "I am Savitri, 
     daughter of the sun," she said. "By your prayers, you have won a 
     daughter." 
          Within a year, the King and his favorite wife had a daughter. He 
     named her Savitri, after the goddess. 
          Beauty and intelligence were Savitri's, and eyes that shone like 
     the sun. So splendid was she that people thought she herself was a 
     goddess. Yet, when the time came for her to marry, no man asked for 
     her. 
          Her father said, "Weak men turn away from radiance like yours. Go 
     out, Savitri, and find a man worthy of you. Then I will arrange the 
     marriage." 




