Part 31

Then a Bana (reading of the Buddhist Scriptures) having been appointed at the pansala near that village, all are going to the Bana. This woman says, "Owing to the fate which my parents have made for me there is also no hearing Bana [for me]."

Thereupon the Python says, "Haven't you bracelets and rings to put on as ornaments? Haven't you dresses? Wearing them and adorning [yourself] in a good manner, go with our parents," he said.

Then the woman says, "Other good caste (rate) women go, sending the men first. [335] It does not matter that I must go alone!"

Thereupon, still the Python says, "I am staying at home. Go with my parents," he said.

Then while the woman was going with her mother-in-law's party to hear Bana, the Python, having got hid, remained at the road on which she intended to go. At that time the Python having taken off his Python jacket and having placed it on the clothes-line in the enclosure (malu ane), went to hear the Bana [in the form of a Prince].

Thereupon, this woman having seen her husband who was going to the pansala, came home, and having taken the Python jacket which was placed on the clothes-line in the enclosure and put it [in the fire] on the hearth, the woman, too, went back to hear the Bana. Thereafter, the Python Prince having returned, when he looked for the Python jacket it had been put on the hearth [and burnt]. Thereupon he remained as a husband for that woman.

After that, when not much time had gone, telling her, and having prepared, they went to the house of his mother-in-law and father-in-law. Thereupon the six women who were brought at first for the Python, having said, "Ane! Our husband is coming," came in front [of him].

Then this younger woman, having said, "At first having said ye do not want him, how does the Prince who has come become yours now? He belongs only to me," began to quarrel [with them].

Then of those six women the eldest woman having longed for this Python Prince, said, "Father, seek for a Python for me, and give me it," and remained without eating and without drinking.

Thereupon, the man being unable to get rid [of the importunity] of that eldest daughter, calling men and having gone, and having set nets, when they were driving (elawana-kota) the middle of the forest a Python was caught in the net.

Having brought the Python, the father of the woman, having asked her and said he brought it as her husband, put it in the house (room) of the woman, and said, "There. Take charge of it."

Thereupon the woman having gone into the house, [after] shutting the door unfastened the sack in which was the Python. Then the Python seized the woman, and twisting around her, making fold after fold, began to eat her.

At that time, the father of the woman [hearing sounds] like throwing down coconuts in the corn store, like pouring water into the water jar, said two or three times, "Don't kill my daughter, Ade!" Then the Python, having completely swallowed the woman, remained [as though] unconscious.

On the following day, in the morning, the woman's parents having come and said, "Daughter, open the door," called her two or three times. Having called her, when they looked [for a reply] she did not speak.

Because of that, having broken [through] the wall near the door bolt, and opened the door, when they looked, the Python, having swallowed the woman, [336] remained [as though] unconscious. Thereupon, they drove away and sent off the Python.

North-central Province.

In the Katha Sarit Sagara (Tawney), vol. ii, p. 595, a dependant of King Vikramaditya became a python on eating a gourd which he found in a garden. He was restored to his former shape by means of a sternutatory which was made from the extract obtained from a plant.

In Chinese Nights' Entertainment (A. M. Fielde), p. 45, a man promised to give one of his three daughters in marriage to a serpent that seized him. The two elder ones refused; the youngest agreed to marry it. She lived with the snake in a palace. On her return one day with water from a distant spring after the well dried up she found the serpent dying of thirst, and plunged it in the water. The spell which bound it being thus neutralised it became a handsome man, with whom she continued to dwell happily.

In Folklore of the Santal Parganas (collected by Rev. Dr. Bodding), p. 255, a herd-boy who saw a girl throw off a dog skin that she wore, and bathe, afterwards insisted on marrying this dog. Each night she removed the skin and went out, until on one occasion he threw the skin into the fire, after which she retained her human form. A friend of his determined to imitate him, and married a bitch with the usual ceremonies; but on the way home she was so savage that he let her go, and he was laughed at so much that he hanged himself.

At p. 227 there is an account of a caterpillar boy who at night took off his outer skin and went to dance. The Princess who had selected and married him burnt his skin one night, and he retained his Prince's form afterwards.

NO. 164

THE KABARAGOYA AND THE WIDOW

In a certain country, to the house of a widow woman a Kabaragoya [337] continually comes. While time is going, the Kabaragoya, trusting the old woman, having come to the house dwells there.

After much time went by, the Kabaragoya being like a son told the widow woman to find and give him a woman (wife).

At that time, "Son, look at the manner of our house; besides that, to a Kabaragoya who will give a Kabaragoyi (female Kabaragoya)?" the widow asked.

And the Kabaragoya having heard that speech, that very day night entreated that his house should be like a royal palace. On the following day morning, at the time when he looked the house was particoloured (wisituruwa) like a royal palace.

The Kabaragoya that day also told her to seek and give him a woman. And the widow after that went to seek a woman in marriage for the Kabaragoya.

There were seven Princesses of the King of that country who had come of age. The widow having gone near (kara) the King (raju), when she told him the matter he told her to take a person who was willing. And the widow having gone near the royal daughters, asked, "There is an only Kabaragoya of mine; is anyone willing to be married to it?"

Six out of the seven royal daughters having said, "Are we also female Kabaragoyas to go with Kabaragoyas?" scolded and struck her; the young royal Princess who was the last, said, "Mother, I will go."

At that time having come summoning the royal Princess, she married and gave her to the Kabaragoya.

After a little time went thus, for the purpose of the occasion of a certain feast the King [338] sent a letter to the Kabaragoya and his royal daughter, [inviting them to it]. Thereupon the royal Princess having said, "Ane! How shall I go with this Kabaragoya, without shame?" While she is grieving, the Kabaragoya went to a certain rock cave, and having taken off and put there the Kabaragoya jacket, and decorated himself [in the form of a Prince], with royal ornaments, returned. At that time the royal daughter also, much pleased, went to the royal palace.

After that, this Prince, wearing royal ornaments, remained in the appearance of a Prince.

Uva Province.

In Kaffir Folk-Tales (Theal), p. 38, a girl chose a crocodile as her husband. When at his request she licked his face he cast off the crocodile skin, and became a man. In a note (p. 209) the author states that he had been bewitched by his enemies.

NO. 165

THE FROG JACKET

In a certain country, at a house there was a very wealthy nobleman (sitana), but he had no children. Having seen that the men of the country are giving their children in diga [marriage] he was much grieved.

While he is thus, one day at the time when he went to the rice field, having said, "Father," a certain female Frog fell weeping at the edge of his foot; and the nobleman having brought this female Frog home, nourished it.

One day, having started on a journey, and tied up a bundle of cooked rice, and in the midst of it having put several rings, at the time when he was going along the path taking the bundle of cooked rice it became night while [he was] near a house, and he went there for the resting-place.

At that house there was a young man. In the evening having unfastened the bundle of cooked rice, at the time when he was eating the rice he met with the rings, and having said, "Ane! My daughter's rings have fallen into the bundle of cooked rice," he showed them to the house people.

Thereupon the house persons asked, "Is there a daughter?"

"Yes, an only daughter of mine," he said.

"There is an only male child of mine, also. Will you give your daughter to him?" the house-wife asked.

The nobleman having said, "It is good," [after] fixing a day came away.

On the appointed day, to look at the young woman the young man and his two parents came. At the time when they asked the nobleman, "Where is the daughter?" he said, "To-day she went with her grandfather."

Having said, "If so, on such and such a day we will come to summon her to go," they went away.

On that day, at the time when the young man and his two parents came he showed them his female Frog. After that, the young man's two parents were not satisfied, but the young man being satisfied, summoning the female Frog they went away.

After a little time went by, they were to go to a [wedding] festival house. While the young man was in sorrow thinking of it, this female Frog took off her frog jacket [and thereupon became a young woman]. After that they went to the festival house. During the time afterwards, these two according to the usual custom dwelt excellently [together].

Uva Province.

NO. 166

THE FOUR-FACED KING AND THE TURTLE

At a certain city there was a King with four faces. The King thought he must take the city called Ibbawa. [339] For ten million lakhs (a billion) of turtles who are in that Ibbawa city, the Chief is the Turtle King.

To kill the Turtle King and seize the city this Four-faced King went, taking many troops, and taking his sword. Having gone there, after having surrounded Ibbawa city, and set guards (raekala), he sent a letter to the Turtle King: "What is it? Wilt thou give thy city to us? If not, wilt thou fight?"

Thereupon the Turtle King says, "For thy having thy four faces we are not afraid. What of thy four faces! We are dwelling with iron dishes both above and below us. Shouldst thou shoot at us and strike us, no harm will befall us."

Afterwards the Four-faced King, having said, "Ha! If so, let us fight," began to fight.

The Turtle King says to the other turtles, "Do ye decorate yourselves to go to battle." He gave notice to the whole of the turtles.

The Four-faced King having ascertained that the turtles were being decorated for the battle, the King became afraid, and thought of going back. Because the King at first had not seen the turtles, although the Turtle King was about a yojana (perhaps sixteen miles) high and broad, and since it was the royal city, he says, "We did not come for the war, O Turtle King. I came to ask to marry Your Majesty's daughter to my son, Prince Kimbiya."

After that, the Turtle King thinks, "At no time were men able to be tied [in marriage] to us. Because of it, we must give our daughter Gal-ibbi (Tortoise)." Having said [this] he was satisfied. So the Four-faced King and the King's army entered Ibbawa city.

Well then, the Turtle King having given quarters to the army and the Four-faced King, made ready food. Because before that the turtles were not accustomed to give food and drink to men, having brought putrid birds (kunu sakunu) that turtles eat and drink, they gave them to all.

After that, the Four-faced King says, "We do not eat this food."

Then the turtles ask, "If so, O Four-faced King, what do you eat?"

Thereupon the Four-faced King said, "We eat rice and curry."

Then because the Turtle King receives the thing he wished for, having created very suitable food he gave it to the Four-faced King and the army.

After that, the Turtle King and the Four-faced King having spoken [about it], appointed the [wedding] festival for the seventh day from to-day.

The Four-faced King and the army having come to [their own] city, say, "We will not summon a [bride in] marriage from those turtles." Having said it, they remained without going to Ibbawa city.

This Turtle King, after seven days passed, says to the other turtles, "Having said that they will take a [bride in] marriage from us, they treated us with contempt. Because of it, let us go to fight with the Four-faced King."

Well then, the Turtle King, having come with the ten million lakhs of turtles, [after] setting guards round the city of the Four-faced King, says to the Four-faced King, "Will you fight with us, or take the marriage that was first spoken of?"

After that, the Four-faced King began to fight with the Turtle King. Having fought for seven days, the Four-faced King having been defeated, and the city people also being killed, the Turtle King got the sovereignty of the city. Having spared only the son of the Four-faced King, Prince Kimbiya, to that Prince he gave Gal-Ibbi, the daughter of the Turtle King. Beginning from that time, the Turtle King exercised the sovereignty over both cities.

Having summoned Gal-Ibbi [in marriage] seven Princes were begotten by Prince Kimbiya. The seven persons after they became big and great ascertaining that they were born from the womb of the tortoise, the mother of each of them, through shame ripping open (lit., splitting) each other, the whole seven died.

North-western Province.

NO. 167

THE STORY OF THE COBRA AND THE PRINCE

In a country, during the time when a Prince is causing cattle to graze, the cattle having borne [calves] he goes to take milk in the morning every day, it is said.

While he was going one day, at the time when he was bringing milk having met with a Nagaya and a female Cobra, [340] the Nagaya said, "Will you bring and give me every day, morning by morning, one leaf-cup of milk?" [341] he asked. The Prince said, "I will bring and give it."

When he was bringing and giving it no long time, one day when he was taking the milk on that day the Nagaya was not [there]; the female Cobra and a Rat-snake were [there]. Well then, at his hand the female Cobra asked for the leaf-cup of milk. The Prince did not give it; he poured the milk into an ant-hill.

At the time when the Nagaya came from the journey on which he went, the female Cobra says, "The Prince having come, not giving the milk went away." When she said this, the Nagaya having become angry went to the house at which the Prince stays, and remained at the corner of the mat on which the Prince sleeps.

While it is [there] the Prince says [aloud to himself], "Now for a long time I was going and giving milk to a Nagaya and a female Cobra. To-day I went, taking the milk. When I was going the Nagaya was not [there]. Because the female Cobra and a Rat-snake were on the ant-hill, the female Cobra asked me for the milk. Not giving it I came home, having poured it into an ant-hill."

The Nagaya having become angry regarding it, came back, and having bitten and killed the female Cobra, heaped her up. On the following morning, at the time when the Prince took the milk only the Nagaya was [there]; the female Cobra was killed.

Further, the Nagaya says to the Prince, "Lie down there."

The Prince without lying down began to run away. At the time when the Nagaya was going chasing after him the Prince fell. The Cobra having mounted on his breast, [said], "Do you without fear extend your tongue."

The Prince afterwards in fear stretched out his tongue. On his tongue the Nagaya with the Nagaya's tongue wrote letters. "Having heard all kinds of creatures talk you will understand them. Do not tell it to anyone," [he said]. Afterwards the Nagaya died. He burnt up the Nagaya.

The Prince having come home, while he is [there], when the Prince's wife is coming out from the house small red ants (kumbiyo) say, "A woman like the boards of this door, having trampled [on us] on going and coming, kills us," they said. The Prince having understood it, laughed.

When his wife in various ways was asking, "Why did you laugh?" anger having come to him [he determined to burn himself on a funeral pyre, so] he said, "You in the morning having cooked food and apportioned it to me too, eat you also."

Having eaten it, at the time when they are going, taking an axe, and a [water] gourd, and fire, two pigs having been digging and digging at a tank a pig says, "That Prince to-day will die."

The [other] pig says, "The Prince will not die. Having constructed a funeral pyre (saeyak), the Prince will mount on it. Water-thirst having come, he will tell his wife to bring water," it said. "She having gone, when she is bringing the water she will slip and fall and will die," it said.

He having constructed the funeral pyre, when the Prince mounted on it a water-thirst came. He told his wife to bring water. She went [to the tank for it], and having gone slipping through the amount of the weight, she fell in the water and died. Having put his wife on the pyre and burnt her, afterwards he went home.

North-western Province.

This story affords an illustration of a common belief in Ceylon, that cobras sometimes pair with rat-snakes. The Prince is evidently thought to have acted in a becoming manner in refusing to give the milk to the female cobra when she was improperly associating with the rat-snake during the absence of her mate.

Regarding the drinking of milk by cobras, mention is made in the Jataka story No. 146 (vol. i, p. 311) of an offering of milk, among other things, made to Nagas. Dr. Chalmers Mitchell, F.R.S., the Secretary to the Zoological Society, has been good enough to reply as follows to my inquiry regarding the drinking of milk by cobras:--"I have not myself seen Cobras drinking milk, but I am sure that they will do so, and I see no reason to doubt it, as certainly many other snakes will drink milk."

In Cinq Cents Contes et Apologues (Chavannes), vol. i, p. 382, there is a story the first part of which is a variant of this one, the latter part being a variant of the tale which follows. The daughter of a Naga King was beaten by a cow-herd, and complained to her father that the King of the country had done it. The Naga went at night as a snake, and while under the King's bed heard him tell the Queen that he had saved the girl from the cow-herd. Next day the Naga appeared before the King, offered to fulfil any wish of the King's, and at his request gave him the power of understanding the speech of all animals, informing him that he must be careful to let no one know of it (or, as the translator added in a note, the penalty would be death).

When the King afterwards laughed on hearing the talk of some butterflies about their food, the Queen vainly asked the reason. After this occurred three times the Queen threatened to kill herself. The Naga, to save the King, by its magic power caused hundreds of sheep to cross a river in his presence. When the ram refused to return for a ewe she threatened to commit suicide, and reminded him that the King was about to lose his life because of his wife. The ram replied that the King was a fool to perish for the sake of his wife, and that the ewe might die, he had others. The King reflected that he had less wisdom than the ram, and when his wife again threatened to kill herself told her that she was free to do so; he had many wives and did not need her.

In Folklore of the Santal Parganas (collected by Rev. Dr. Bodding), p. 394, a cow-herd who had relieved a Bonga (deity) of a heavy stone which had been placed on him, received from him the power to understand the language of ants. To give him this knowledge the Bonga merely blew into his ear. One day, when the man laughed heartily on hearing two ants abuse each other over a grain of rice, his wife insisted on being told the cause. On his telling her he lost the power conferred on him.

NO. 168

THE ANT STORY

At a city there is a King who knows the Ant language. At the time when the King and his Queen, both of them, are continuing to eat sugar-cane, a male Red Ant (kumbiya) and the Ant's wife having said, "Let us go to eat sugar-cane," went to the place where the two persons are eating it.

Thereupon, the male Ant says, "Ane! Bolan, the things that women eat I cannot eat. Do you eat them. I will eat the things that the King is eating," the male Ant said to the Ant-wife. She having said, "It is good," out of the refuse which the King and Queen having eaten and eaten throw down, the male Ant eats the refuse which the King throws down, and the female Ant eats the refuse which the Queen throws down.

Then the male Ant's belly being filled, he spoke to the Ant-wife, and said, "Now then, let us go." Then she says, "It is insufficient for me yet." Thereupon the male Ant says, "In any case women would be gluttonous; their bellies are large," he said.

The King, understanding it, laughed. These two filling their bellies went away. Thereupon the Queen asks the King, "What did you laugh at? Please tell me," she asks. The King does not tell her. Well then, every day she asks.

The King, being unable to get rid of it, went away into the midst of a forest. Having gone [there], while he was walking and walking in the forest, Sakra, having seen that this King is walking about hungry, creates five hundred Grey Monkeys (Semnopithecus) in the forest, plucking and plucking Mora [342] [fruit]. The party are eating [the fruits].

A female Monkey having said, "I don't want those things," quarrelled with the male Monkey. "If so, what shall I give thee?" the male Monkey asked.

Having seen that there is a large Mora fruit at the end of the branch, she says, "Pluck that and give me it (dinan)."

"One cannot go there to pluck that; eat thou these," the male Monkey said. The female Monkey said, "I will not."

Thereupon the male Monkey says, "If five hundred are able to eat these, why canst thou not eat them?" Having said it, the male Monkey, taking a stick, beats her well. Then the female Monkey, weeping and weeping, was saying, "I will eat these."

The King having been looking on at this quarrel, thinks, "These irrational animals are not afraid of their wives." Thinking, "Why am I in this fear?" he came to the King's palace [after] breaking a stick.

At the very time when he was coming, the Queen said, "Tell me what it was you laughed at that day."

Thereupon, at the time when the King, holding the Queen's hair-knot, was beating her, saying and saying, "Will you ask me again?" the Queen began to cry, saying and saying, "Ane! Lord, I will not ask again." Thereupon the King remained [there] quietly.

North-western Province.

In The Jataka, No. 386 (vol. iii, p. 175), a Naga King gave a King of Benares a spell which enabled him to understand all sounds. One day he heard ants conversing regarding the food that had fallen on the ground; on another occasion he heard flies talking; on a third he overheard more ant talk. As he laughed each time, the Queen pestered him about it and wanted to know the spell, to give which the Naga had warned him would ensure his instant death. When he was about to yield, Sakra saved him by advising him to beat his wife as the usual preliminary before repeating the spell to her; this effectually checked her curiosity.

NO. 169

THE GAMARALA AND THE COCK

In a certain country a Gamarala was continually quarrelling with his wife. In the Gamarala a disposition was manifested for ascertaining the motives of others.