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you succeed. I know that one day you will leave all your wealth and privileges behind in order to seek the Way. Only, please, my husband,<br />

do not leave me just now. I need you.”<br />

Siddhartha raised Yasodhara’s chin and looked into her eyes, “No, no, I won’t leave you now. Only when, when…”<br />

Yasodhara placed her hand over Siddhartha’s mouth. “Siddhartha, please say no more. I want to ask you something—if you were to<br />

have a child with me, would you want it to be a boy or a girl?”<br />

Siddhartha was startled. He looked carefully at Yasodhara. “What are you saying, Gopa? Do you mean, can you be…”<br />

Yasodhara nodded. She pointed to her belly and said, “I am so happy to be carrying the fruit of our love. I want it to be a boy who<br />

looks just like you, with your intelligence and kind virtue.”<br />

Siddhartha put his arms around Yasodhara and held her close. In the midst of his great joy, he felt the seeds of worry. Still, he smiled<br />

and said, “I will be just as happy if it is a boy or a girl, just so long as the baby has your compassion and wisdom. Gopa, have you t<strong>old</strong><br />

Mother?”<br />

“You are the only one I have t<strong>old</strong>. This evening, I will go to the main palace and tell Queen Gotami. At the same time, I will ask her<br />

advice on how best to care for our unborn child. Tomorrow I will go tell my own mother, Queen Pamita. I’m sure everyone will be very<br />

happy.”<br />

Siddhartha nodded. He knew that his mother would pass the news on to his father as soon as she learned of it. The king would be<br />

overjoyed and would no doubt organize a great banquet to celebrate. Siddhartha felt the ties that bound him to life in the palace tightening.

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