

          Next morning, Vikram got up even earlier than King Karan and went 
     to the palace kitchen. He made a paste of curry spices and rubbed it 
     all over himself. Then he hurried to the hermit's hut. 
          The hermit was so near-sighted and so hungry, he didn't even see 
     it wasn't King Karan. "Why, King, you're early today!" he said, as he 
     welcomed Vikram in. 
          Then he quickly got to work, frying Vikram in the huge pan and 
     making a good breakfast of him. And his breakfast was better than 
     ever, because of the curry spices. 
          When he had brought Vikram back to life, he said, "My, my, King, 
     you must tell me how you tasted so delicious this morning!" 
          Vikram told the hermit about the spices. Then he said, "I will 
     curry myself every morning, if you do me a favor." 
          "Anything, anything!" said the hermit. 
          "I am tired of carrying a hundred pounds of gold down the 
     mountain each day," said Vikram. "Give me the magic coat, so I can 
     keep it at the palace and shake it out down there." 
          The hermit agreed. Vikram left with the coat, but hid outside the 
     window. 


