The Acrobat's Daughter : หน้า 24/114

His mother and father asked him, "Son, what is wrong with you?" The son replied, "If I can have that acrobat's daughter, I shall live; if I cannot have her, I shall die right here." Said his mother and father, "Do not act in this way. We will bring you another maiden, our equal in birth and wealth." But he made the same reply as before and remained lying in bed. His father argued with him at length but was unable to make him see things in a better light. Finally he sent for his son's friend, gave him a thousand pieces of money, and sent him off, saying to him, "Tell the acrobat to take this money and give his daughter to my son." "I will not give my daughter for money," replied the acrobat, "but if it be true that he cannot live without my daughter, then let him travel about with us; if he will do this, I will give him my daughter." The mother and father communicated this information to their son. The son immediately said, "Of course I will travel about with them." His mother and father begged him not to do so, but he paid no attention to anything they said, and went and joined the acrobats. The acrobat gave him his daughter in marriage, and traveled about with him through villages, market-towns, and royal cities, giving exhibitions everywhere. 22 *Millionaire Heirs*