The Story of Sindura Gand Garur.

The Story of Sindura Gand Garur.In a certain village there lived a mother and her son. The boy tended goats in the forest. One day he found a spot of ground, where he thought rice would grow well. So he went home, and asked his mother to give him some seed to sow there. She said, “If you sow rice there it will all be destroyed. The elephants, or the wild jungle cattle, will eat it.” But he begged so hard that at length she gave him some seed rice, which he sowed on the small plot of ground in the jungle. It sprang up and grew luxuriantly. Every day he drove his goats there, and spent the long hours in driving the birds and insects away from his little farm.When the rice had grown to a good height the raja’s son with his companion came and set up a mark near by at which they shot with their bows and arrows. The orphan boy was asked to join them, which he did, and so accurate was his aim, that he hit the mark every time he shot. The raja’s son and his companion were astonished to see such good shooting, and they said, “The fatherless boy hits the mark every time.”The boy ran home to his mother weeping, and said, “Oh! mother, where is my father?” To keep him from grieving, she told a lie. “Your father,” she said, “has gone on a visit to his relations.”The next day after he had again shown great skill with the bow and arrow the raja’s son and his companion said, “The fatherless boy hits the mark every time.” Hearing this he again went home weeping, and said to his mother, “Oh! mother, where is my father?” She replied, “He has gone to visit his friends.” Every day the boy came crying to his mother asking where his father was, so at last she told him. She said, “Your father, child, was carried away on the horns of aGand Garur1.”The boy then said to his mother, “Prepare me some flour. I will go in search of him.” His mother tried to dissuade him, saying, “Where can you go in such a jungle as this?” He, however, insisted, and she prepared flour for him, and he set out.After travelling many hours he entered the primeval forest, and presently darkness came upon him. After a short time he came to the dwelling ofHuti2Budhi, and requested permission to pass the night there. This was accorded to him, and he lay down and fell asleep. During the night he was awakened by theHuti Budhieating his bow and arrows. He called out to her “Oh! old woman, What have you been nibbling at since evening?” TheHuti Budhireplied, “It is only some roasted grain, which I brought a while ago from the house of the Chief.”In a short time the nibbling sound was again heard, and he again enquired what she was eating. She returned the same answer as before. “Oh! my son, it is only roasted grain which the chief’s people gave me.” He did not know that all the time she was eating his bow and arrows.When morning dawned he requested her to give him his weapons, and on his attempting to string the bow it broke in his hands. TheHuti Budhihad eaten the heart out of the wood, and had left only the outer shell. He left her house planning revenge.During the day he had an iron bow and iron arrows made. All was iron like the arrow heads. In the evening he returned to sleep at theHuti Budhi’shouse.During the night he heard theHuti Budhitrying to nibble his bow and arrows.So he enquired what she was doing. The answer she gave was, “Do you think theHuti Budhican eat iron.”When morning dawned he demanded his bow and arrows, and received them uninjured, but the lower part of theHuti Budhi’sface was all swollen. She had been trying to eat the iron bow and arrows. Her lodger strung his bow, and having saluted her, went his way.As he journeyed he entered another unexplored forest in the midst of which he discovered a lake, to which all the birds and beasts resorted to quench their thirst. He obtained this information by an examination of its banks, on which he saw the footprints of the various beasts and birds. He now took some flour from his bag, and having moistened it with water made a hearty meal, and then sat down to wait for evening.As the sun went down the denizens of the forest began to come to the lake to drink. They came in quick succession, and as each made its appearance, he sang assurance to it, that he harboured no evil design against it.The quail led the way, and to it he sang,“Oh! quail, you need not fear to drink,I’ll not harm you, I you assure;But I will slay on this lake’s brink,Cruel Sindura Gand Garur.He sang in a similar strain to each bird as it came, naming it by its name.At length theGand Garuralighted on the edge of the lake to drink, and he at once drew his bow, and sent an arrow to its heart, for he had seen the dried and shrivelled corpse of his father still adhering to its horns. TheGand Garurbeing dead, he detached what remained of his parent’s body from its horns, and taking it in his arms pressed it to his bosom and wept bitterly.As he wept,BidiandBidhatidescended from the sky and asked him the reason of his sorrow. So he told them all. Theyspoke words of comfort to him, and said, “Dip your gamcha cloth in the lake, and cover the corpse with it. And don’t you cry, rather bathe and cook some food. And do not cook for one only, but prepare portions for two. And when the food is ready, you partake of one portion, and set the other aside. Then tap your father on the back and say,‘Rise father,hereis your food.’” He did as his kind friends bade him, and the dead came to life again. The father sat up and said, “Oh! my son, what a lengthened sleep I have had.” The son replied, “A sleep? you must be demented, you were pierced through by the horns of theGand Garur, and your dried carcase was adhering to them. See I have killed it. It is lying here.BidiandBidhatiinstructed me how to proceed, and I have brought you to life again.So they returned joyfully home singing the praises ofBidiandBidhati.1A mythical bird which figures largely in Indian folk lore.2Huti is the name given by Santals to a certain timber boring insect. Budhi is an old woman.The Tiger and Ulta’s Mother.A tiger cub was in the habit of playing under the shade of a certain tree, in which was a crane’s nest with a young one in it. The parent cranes brought frogs and lizards to their young one, and what it could not eat it used to throw down to the young tiger, and in this way the two became greatly attached to each other. After a time the tigress died, and left the cub alone in the world. The young crane felt much pity for its afflicted friend, and could not bear the thought of itself being in a better position. So one day it said to the tiger, “Let us kill my mother.” The tiger replied, “Just as you please. I cannot say do it, nor can I say do not do it.” When the mother crane came to give its young one food, the latter set upon her and killed her. The friendship between the two increased so that they could not be separated from each other. Day and night they spent in each other’s society.After a time the two said, “Come let us make a garden, and plant in it turmeric.” So they prepared a piece of ground, and the crane brought roots of turmeric from a distance. They then discussed the matter as to which part of the crop each would take. The crane said to the tiger, “You, my brother, choose first.” The tiger said, “If I must speak first, I will take the leaves.” Then, said the crane, “I will take the roots.” Having settled this point to their satisfaction, they began to plant. The tiger dug holes, and the crane put in the roots, and covered them over with earth.A year passed, and they again said to each other, “Which of us will take the roots, and which the leaves?” The tiger said, “I will take the leaves.” The crane replied, “I will take the roots.” So they began to dig up the plants, and cutting the leaves from the roots, placed each by themselves. The tiger collected an immense bulk of leaves, and the cranea large heap of roots. This done each surveyed the other’s portion. That of the crane was of a beautiful, reddish tinge, and excited the envy of the tiger, who said to the crane, “Give me half of yours, and I will give you half of mine.” The crane refused, saying, “I will not share with you. Why did you at first chose the leaves? I gave you your choice.” The tiger insisted, but the crane was obdurate, and before long they were quarrelling as if they had been lifelong enemies. The crane seeing it was being worsted in the wrangle, flew in the face of the tiger, and pecked its eyes, so that it became blind. It then flew away, and left the tiger lamenting its sad fate. Having lost its sight it could not find its way about, so remained there weeping.One day, hearing the voice of a man near by, the tigercalled out, “Oh! man, are you a doctor?” The manstupefiedwith fear stared at the tiger, and gave no reply. The tiger again said, “Oh! man, why do you not reply to my question? Although you are a human being, have you no pity?” The man then said, “Oh! renowned hero, what did you ask me? I am terror stricken, so did not reply. You may devour me.” The tiger replied, “If I had wished to kill you, I could have done so, but I mean you no harm.” The tiger again asked the man if he possessed a knowledge of medicine, but he replied, “I do not.” The tiger then asked, “Is there one amongst you who does know?” The man replied, “Yes.” The tiger enquired, “Who is he?” The man said, “There is a certain widow with two sons, the name of one of whom is Ulta, who possesses a knowledge of medicine, she will be able to cure you.” Having given the tiger this information the man went away.The tiger went to the house of Ulta’s mother, and hid himself behind a hedge. He said within himself, “When I hear any one call Ulta then I will go forward.” Shortly after the tiger arrived Ulta’s mother called Ulta,“Ulta, come to yoursupper.” Then the tiger ran hastily forward, and cried, “Oh! Ulta’s mother, Oh! Ulta’s mother.” But she was afraid, and exclaimed, “This tiger has done for us to-day.” The tiger said to the woman, “Do you know medicine?” She replied, “Yes, Wait till I bring it.” So hastily running out she said to her neighbours, “A tiger has come to my house. He is blind, and wishes me to cure his blindness.” The neighbours said to her, “Give him some of the juice of the Akauna1tree. It will increase his blindness.” So she quickly brought Akauna juice, and giving it to the tiger, said, “Go to some dense jungle and apply it to your eyes. Do not apply it here, or it will have no effect. Take it away. We are about to sit down to supper, and then my children will go to sleep. The medicine will cause you pain at first, but it will effect a complete cure.”The tiger hurried away to the jungle, and poured the akauna juice into his eyes. The pain it caused was as if his eyeballs were being torn out. He tossed himself about in agony, and at last struck his head against a tree. In a short time, his blindness was gone. He could see everything plainly, and was delighted beyond expression.One day several traders were passing along a pathway through the jungle in which the tiger hunted. He was lying concealed watching for prey, and when the traders were passing he jumped out upon them. Seeing the tiger they fled, and left behind them their silver, and gold, and brass vessels. The tiger collected all and carried them to Ulta’s mother’s house, and presenting them to her said, “All this I give to you, for through you I have again seen the earth. Had it not been for you, who knows whether I should ever have been cured or not.” Ulta’s mother was delighted with the generosity of the tiger. He had made her rich at once. But she was anxious togetrid of him, and said “Go away. May you always find a living somewhere.” So the tiger returned to the jungle again.Sometime afterwards the tiger was minded to take a wife, and sought his old friend Ulta’s mother. On arriving at her house he called out, “Oh! Ulta’s mother, where are you? Are you in your house?” She replied, “Who are you?” The tiger answered, “It is I, the forest hero. You cured my blindness.” So Ulta’s mother came out of her house, and said, “Wherefore, Sir, have you come here?” “I wish you,” replied the tiger, “to find a bride for me.” Ulta’s mother said, “Come to-morrow and I will tell you. Do not stay to-day.” So the tiger left.Ulta’s mother then went to her neighbours and said, “The tiger has put me in a great difficulty. He wishes me to find a bride for him.” They said to her,“Is he not blind?” She replied, “No. He sees now, and it is that, which distresses me. What can I do?” They said, “Get a bag, and order him to go into it, and then tie up the mouth tightly, and tell him to remain still. Say to him, If you move, or make a noise, I will not seek a bride for you. And when you have him tied securely in the bag, call us.” The next day the tiger appeared, and Ulta’s mother told him to get into the bag, and allow her to tie it. So he went in, and she tied the bag’s mouth, and said, “You must not move, lie still, or I shall not be your go-between.” Having secured him, Ulta’s mother called her neighbours, who came armed with clubs, and began to beat the helpless animal. He called out, “Oh! Ulta’s mother, what are you doing?” She said, “Keep quiet. They are beating the marriage drums. Lie still a little longer.” The tiger remained motionless, while they continued to beat him. At length they said, “He must be dead now, let us throw him out.” So they carried him to a river, and having thrown him in, returned home.The current bore the tiger far down the river, but at length he stranded in a cove. A short time afterwards a tigress came down to the river to drink and seeing the bag, and thinking it might contain something edible she seized it and draggedit up on to the bank. The tigress then cut the bag open with her teeth, and the tiger sprang out, exclaiming, “Of a truth she has given me a bride. Ulta’s mother has done me a good turn, and I shall remember her as long as I live.” The tiger and the tigress being of one mind on the subject agreed never to separate.One day the two tigers said “Come let us go and pay a visit to Ulta’s mother, who has proved so helpful to us. As we cannot go empty handed, let us rob some one to get money to take with us.” So they went and lay in wait near a path which passed through the forest in which they lived. Presently a party of merchants came up, and the tigers with a loud roar sprang from their ambush on to the road. The merchants seeing them, fled, and left behind them all their property in money and cloth. Those they carried to Ulta’s mother. When she saw the tigers approaching her throat became dry through terror.Before entering the court-yard they called out to Ulta’s mother announcing their approach. Ulta’s mother addressed the tiger thus, “Why do you come here frightening one in this way?” The tiger replied, “There is no fear. It is I who am afraid of you. Why should you dread my coming? It was you who found this partner for me. Do you not yet know me?” Ulta’s mother replied, “What can you do Sir? Do you not remember that we give and receive gifts on the Karam festival day? On the days for giving and receiving, we give and receive. Now, that you are happily wedded, may you live in peace and comfort; but do not come here again.”The tiger then gave Ulta’s mother a large amount of money and much cloth, after which the two tigers took their leave, and Ulta’s mother entered her house loaded with rupees and clothing.1Calotropis gigantea, R. Br.The Greatest Cheat of Seven.A great cheat married the cheating sister of seven cheats. One day his father-in-law and seven brothers-in-law came on a visit to his house. After conversing with them for a little, he invited them to accompany him to the river to bathe. He carried a fishing rod with him, and on arriving at the river cast his line into a pool, saying, “Now, fish, if you do not instantly repair to my house, I shall not be able to speak well of you.” This he said to deceive the others, as before leaving home he had given a fish to his wife telling her to prepare it for dinner. When seated at table he said to his guests,“the fish we are now eating is the one I, in your presence, ordered to proceed from the river to my house this forenoon.” They were greatly astonished at the wonderful properties possessed by the fishing rod, and expressed a desire to purchase it, and offered to pay five rupees for it. He accepted their offer, and they carried the wonderful fishing rod home with them.Next day they arranged to goa-fishing. They cast the line into a pool as they had seen the cheat do, and said, “Now fish, if you do not repair at once to our home we shall not be able to speak well of you.” Having bathed they returned home, and asked to see the fish. Their wives said, “What fish? You gave us no fish. We have seen no fish. Where did you throw it down?” They now knew that their sister’s husband was a cheat, so they decided to go and charge him with having deceived them.The cheat had notice of their coming, and quickly taking his dog with him went to hunt. He caught a hare and bringing it home gave it to his wife, and said, “When we reach the end of the street on our way home from hunting, you make the dog stand near the house with the dead hare in his mouth.”He invited his visitors to accompany him for an hour’s hunting, saying, “Come, let us go and kill a hare for dinner.” So they went to the jungle, and presently started a hare. The cheat threw a stone at his dog, and frightened it so that it ran home. He called after it, “If you do not catch and take that hare home, it will not be well for you.” He then said to his friends, “Come, let us return, we will find the dog there with the hare before us.” They replied, “We doubt it much.” “There is no mistake about it,” he said, “We are certain to find both dog and hare.” On reaching home they found the dog standing waiting for them with a hare in his mouth.His brothers-in-law were astonished beyond measure at the sagacity of the dog, and they said, “Sell this dog to us, we will pay a good price for it.” He demanded ten rupees, which they gladly paid. So they returned home, and said nothing to him about his having cheated them in the matter of the fishing rod.One day, taking the dog with them, they went to hunt. It caught five hares, and its masters were greatly delighted with its performance.After this the cheat’s house was accidentally burnt, and he gathering the ashes together, set out for the bazaar, there to sell them. On the wayhefell in with a party of merchants who had a large bag full of silver with them. They enquired what his bag contained, to which he replied, “Gold.” They agreed to pass the night in the same encampment, so having partaken of their evening meal, they lay down to sleep. At midnight the merchants rose, and exchanged the bags, and then lay down again. The cheat saw them, and chuckled within himself. In the morning the merchants made haste to leave, as they feared the cheat might find out the theft of his bag. The cheat asked them before they left to help him to lift his bag on to his bullock’s back, saying, “It was to receive assistance fromyou that I encamped here last night.” So having helped him to load his bullock they hurried away lest they should be caught. The cheat carried his treasure home, but being unable to count so much money borrowed a measure from his father-in-law, and found he had four maunds of silver.On returning the measure he sent along with it five seers of silver, saying, “For the ashes of my house I received four maunds of silver, if you reduce your houses to ashes and sell them, you will obtain very much more.” So they foolishly burnt their houses, and collecting the ashes went to the bazaar to dispose of them. The merchants to whom they offered them directed them to go to the washermen, saying, “They will possibly buy.” But they also refused, and they were compelled to return home without having effected a sale. They vowed vengeance on the cheat, and set out to find him.When they reached his house the cheat was on the point of starting on a journey. After mutual salutations he said, “I have just killed my second wife. I go to receive eight maunds of silver for her corpse. Dead bodies bring high prices.” They said to him, “How about the ashes? We could not sell them.” He replied, “You did not go far enough from home. Had you gone to a distance you would have made a good bargain.”The cheat’s youngest wife having died he washed the body, and anointed it with oil. He then put it in a large bag, and loaded it on the back of a bullock, and set out. On the way he came to a field of wheat, into which he drove the animal, and then hid himself near by. The owner of the field finding the bullock eating his wheat, beat it unmercifully with a cudgel. The cheat then came from his hiding place, and said, “Have you not done wrong in beating my bullock? If you have killed my wife, where will you flee to? I fellbehind, and for that reason my ox got into your field. My wife, whom I have newly married, is weak and unable to go on foot, so I put her into a bag to carry her home on my bullock.”Having opened the bag the wife was found dead, and her assailant stood self convicted of her murder. He gave her husband six maunds of rupees as hush money, so the cheat burnt the corpse and returned home laden with spoil.The cheat next sent for his brothers-in-law, and shewing them the money, said, “I killed my second wife, and got all this money by selling the corpse.” They enquired, “Who are the people who buy dead bodies?” He replied, “They reside in the Rakas country.”Then the seven brothers killed each his youngest wife, and carried the bodies to a distant country to dispose of them. When the people of that country knew the object for which they had come they said to them, “What sort of men are you hawking corpses about the towns and villages? You must be the worst, or else most stupid of men.” Hearing this the brothers were dismayed, and began to take in the situation. They perceived that the cheat had again deceived them, and they retraced their steps homewards bitterly lamenting their folly. On reaching their village they cremated the remains of their wives, and from that day had no more dealings with the cheat.TheStory of Two Princesses.A certain raja had two daughters, who were in the habit of amusing themselves out side of the palace walls. One day they saw a crow flying towards them with a ripe Terel1fruit in his beak. They then said to each other, “What fruit is it? It looks nice and sweet.” The crow let the fruit fall in front of them. They ran and picked it up, and ate it. It tasted deliciously sweet. Then they said, “From whence did the crow bring such a good fruit?” Then they remembered the direction from which they had seen it coming, and said, “If we go this way we shall find it.” So they went, but it was only after they had travelled a great distance from home that they found the Terel tree with the ripelusciousfruit.The elder of the two girls climbed up into the tree, and shook down a large quantity of the fruit. They then feasted to their heart’s content. Presently they began to feel thirsty, and the elder said to the younger, “You remain here while I go to drink, and I will also bring you water in a leaf cup.” Having said this she went away to the tank, and her sister remained under the Terel tree. The day was extremely hot, and they were very thirsty.The elder having quenched her thirst was returning carrying water for her sister in a cup made of the leaves of a Terel tree, when a bhut came flying along, and fell into the cup of water. Presently she became aware that there was a hole in the bottom of her cup through which all the water had run out. What could she do now? There was no help for it but to return to the tank, make another leaf cup, and filling it with water return to her sister. As she was returning with the cup full of water the bhut again came flying up, andentering the water passed through the leaf, making a hole by which all the water escaped.Again she made a leaf cup, and having filled it with water was returning when the bhut again came, and destroyed her cup, and caused her to lose the water. In this way she was detained till very late.A raja who happened to be in the vicinity saw a beautiful girl carrying water in a leaf cup, and a bhut come and make a hole in the cup, so that it soon became empty. Having seen this several times repeated, he drew near, and feasted his eyes on her beauty. Then he carried her away to his palace, where they were joined in wedlock, and the princess, now the rani, cooked the food for herself and her husband.The younger princess remained near the Terel tree, and although she had given up hope of again meeting her sister, still she continued to wait. At length a herd of Hanuman monkeys came to feed upon the Terel fruit. When the girl saw them coming she was terrified and crept into the hollow of the tree. The monkeys with the exception of an old frail one, climbed into the tree and began to eat the fruit. The old monkey remained below and picked up the fruit shells which the others threw down.The old monkey having noticed the girl hiding in the hollow of the tree called to the others, “Throw me down some. If you do not I shall not share theSetke chopotI have found.” The monkeys in the tree said, “Do not give him any. He is deceiving us. When his hunger is satisfied he will run and leave us.” So no fruit was thrown down to him, and he was forced to be content with the shells. The monkeys in the tree having fared sumptuously, left. The old monkey waited till they were out of sight, and then entered the hollow of the tree, where the girl was, and ate her up. He then went to the tankto drink, and afterwards went in the direction of the raja’s garden, on reaching which he lay down and died. One of the gardeners finding him dead threw him on the dunghill.From the place where the monkey decayed a gourd sprang, and grew, and bore a fruit which ripened. One day a jugi, when on his rounds begging, saw this fruit and plucking it took it away with him. Out of the shell he made a banjo, which when played upon emitted wonderful music. The words which seemed to proceed from the banjo were as follows:Ripe terels, ripe terels, Oh! Sister mine.Went in search of water, Oh! Sister mine.Raja and Rani they became.Seven hundred monkeys old,Ate me up, ate me up. Oh! Sister mine.The jugi was greatly pleased with the music of his new banjo, and determined to take it with him when he went a begging. So one day he set out with his banjo the music of which so pleased the people that they gave him large gifts of money and clothes. In course of time he arrived at the palace where the elder sister was now rani, and, being admitted, began to play on his banjo. The instrument again produced most wonderful music. It seemed to wail as follows:Ripe terels, ripe terels, Oh! Sister mine.Went in search of water, Oh! Sister mine.Raja and Rani they became.Seven hundred monkeys old,Ate me up, ate me up. Oh! Sister mine.Having listened to the music the rani said, “It is wonderfully sweet,” and she fancied she heard her sister’s voice in every note. She thought it possible that it was she who sang in the banjo, and she desired to obtain possession of it. So she invited the jugi to pass the night in the palace, saying,I would hear more of this entrancing music.” The jugi listened to the words of the rani and agreed to remain till morning. So the rani made much of him with the intention of at length obtaining possession of his banjo. She caused a goat to be killed, and she cooked a splendid supper for the jugi, who finding the food so toothsome ate heartily. Wine was notwithheld, and the jugi being in a festive frame of mind drank deeply, so that he soon lay as one dead. The rani took the banjo, and placed another in its stead. She then threw filth over the unconscious jugi and retired to her own apartment.The jugi on awaking before sunrise found himself in a pitiable plight. He felt so thoroughly disgusted with himself that, hastily picking up his staff, cloth, and banjo, he fled with the utmost possible speed from the palace. When dawn broke he saw that the banjo he had was not his own, and although he felt keenly its loss he was too much ashamed of the condition he had been in to go back to seek it.The rani hid the jugi’s banjo in her own room, because she knew her sister to be in it. Whenever the raja and rani went out to walk the girl left the banjo and having bathed and dressed her hair, cooked the family meal, and then returned to the banjo. This happened so often that at last, it came to the knowledge of the raja that a fairy lived in the banjo, and when the way was clear used to come out and prepare food for the rani and himself. So he determined to lie in wait for the fairy cook. He then sent the rani somewhere on an errand, and hid himself in a corner of the room from whence he could see the banjo. In a short time the princess emerged from the banjo, and began to dress her hair, and anoint herself with oil, after which she cooked rice. She divided the food into three portions, one of which she ate. As she was about to re-enter the banjo the raja sprang out and caught hold of her. She exclaimed, “Chi! Chi! you may be a Hadi, or you may be a Dom.” The raja replied, “Chi! Chi! whether I be a Dom, or a Hadi, from to-day you and I are one.”1Diospyros tomentosa.Seven Brothers and their Sister.In a certain village there lived seven brothers and a sister. Their family was wealthy. Their father was dead. The brothers agreed to dig a tank so that whatever happened their name would continue. So they began the work, but although they dug deep they found no water. Then they said to each other, “Why is there no water?” While they were speaking thus among themselves a jugi gosae on his rounds, came to the tank in the hope of finding water, but he was disappointed. The seven brothers on seeing the jugi gosae went and sat down near him, and said, “We have been working for many days, and have dug so deep, still we have not reached water. You, who are a jugi gosae, tell us why water does not come.” He replied, “Unless you give a gift you will never get water.” They enquired, “What should we give.” The jugi gosae replied, “Not gold, or silver, or an elephant, or a horse, but you have a sister?” They said, “Yes, we have one sister.” He replied, “Then make a gift of her to the spirit of the tank.” The girl was betrothed, and her family had received the amount that had been fixed as her price. The brothers argued thus, “We have laboured so long to make a name for ourselves, but have not found water, so where is our name? If we do not sacrifice our sister we shall never obtain the fulfilment of our wishes, let us all agree to it.” So they all said, “Agreed,” but the youngest did not fully approve of their design.In the evening they said to their mother, “Let our sister wash her clothes, dress her hair, and put on all her ornaments to-morrow when she brings us our breakfast to the tank.” They did not, however, enlighten their mother as to why they desired their sister to be so careful with her toilet.The following day the mother addressed her daughter as follows, “Oh! my daughter, your brothers yesterday said to me,let the daughter, when she brings us our breakfast come with clean clothes, her hair dressed and all her ornaments on. So as it is nearly time, go and dress, and put on all your ornaments, and take your brothers’ breakfast to where they are working.” She complied with her mother’s order, and set out for the tank, dressed in her best with all her ornaments on, carrying boiled rice in a new basket.When she arrived at the tank her brothers said to her, “Oh! daughter, set down the basket under yonder tree.” She did so, and the brothers came to where she was. They then said to her, “Go bring us water from the tank to drink.” She took her water-pot under her arm, and went into the tank, but did not at once find water. Presently, however, she saw the sheen of water in the centre, and went to fill her pitcher, but she could not do so, as the water rose so rapidly. The tank was soon full to the brim, and the girl was drowned.The brothers having seen their sister perish, went home. Their mother enquired, “Oh! my sons, where is the daughter?” They replied, “We have given her to the tank. A certain jugi gosae said to us, ‘Unless you offer up your sister you will never get water’.” On hearing this she loudly wailed the loss of her daughter. Her sons strove to mitigate her grief by saying, “Look mother, we undertook the excavation of the tank to perpetuate our name, and to gain the fruit of a meritorious work. And unless there be water in the tank for men and cattle to drink, where is the perpetuation of our name? By our offering up the daughter the tank is full to overflowing. So the cattle can now quench their thirst, and travellers, when they encamp near by and drink the water, will say, ‘The excavators of this tank deserve the thanks of all. We, and others who pass by are recipients of their bounty. Their merit is indeed great’.” In this way with many such like arguments they sought to allay their mother’s grief.Right in the centre of the tank, where the girl was drowned, there sprang up an Upel flower the purple, sheen of which filled the beholder with delight.It has already been stated that the girl had been betrothed, and that her family had received the money for her. The day appointed for the marriage arrived, and the bridegroom’s party with drums, elephants and horses, set out for the bride’s house. On arrival they were informed that she had left her home, and that all efforts to trace her had proved fruitless. So they returned home greatly disappointed. It so happened that their way lay past the tank in which the girl had been sacrificed, and the bridegroom, from his palki, saw the Upel flower in the centre. As he wished to possess himself of it, he ordered his bearers to set down the palki, and stepping out prepared to swim out to pluck the flower. His companions tried to dissuade him, but as he insisted he was permitted to enter the water. He swam to within a short distance of the flower, but as he stretched out his hand to pluck it, the Upel flower, moving away, said, “Chi! Chi! Chi! Chi! You may be either a Dom or a Hadi, do not touch me.” The bridegroom replied, “Not so. Are not we two one?” He made another effort to seize the flower, but it again moved away, saying, “Chi! Chi! Chi! Chi! you may be a Dom or a Hadi, so do not touch me.” To which he replied, “Not so. You and I are one.” He swam after it again, but the flower eluded his grasp, and said, “Chi! Chi! Chi! Chi! You may be a Dom, or you may be a Hadi, so do not touch me.” He said, “Not so. You and I are bride and bridegroom for ever.” Then the Upel flower allowed itself to be plucked, and the bridegroom returned to his company bearing it with him.He entered his palki and the cortege started. They had not proceeded far before the bearers were convinced that the palki was increasing in weight. They said, “How is it that it is now so heavy? A short time ago it was light.” So theypushed aside the panel, and beheld the bride and bridegroom sitting side by side. The marriage party on hearing the glad news rejoiced exceedingly. They beat drums, shouted, danced, and fired off guns. Thus they proceeded on their homeward way.When the bridegroom’s family heard the noise, they said, one to the other “Sister, they have arrived.” Then they went forth to meet the bridegroom, and brought them in with great rejoicing. The bride was she who had been the Upel flower, and was exceedingly beautiful. In form she was both human and divine. The village people, as well as the marriage guests, when they saw her, exclaimed, “What a beautiful bride! She is the fairest bride that we have seen. She has no peer.” Thus they all praised her beauty.It so happened that in the meantime the mother and brothers of the girl had become poor. They were reduced to such straits as to be compelled to sell firewood for a living. So one day the brothers went to the bridegroom’s village with firewood for sale. They offered it to one and another, but no one would buy. At last some one said, “Take it to the house in which the marriage party is assembled. They may require it.” So the brothers went there, and asked, “Will you buy firewood?” They replied, “Yes. We will take it.” Some one informed the bride, that some men from somewhere had brought firewood for sale. So she went out, and at once recognised her brothers, and said to them, “Put down your loads,” and when they had done so she placed beds for them to sit on, and brought them water; but they did not know that she was their sister, as she was so greatly changed. Then she gave them vessels of oil, and said, “Go bathe, for you will dine here to-day.” So they took the oil, and went to bathe, but they were so hungry that they drank the oil on the way. So they bathed, and returned to the house. She then brought them water to wash their hands, and they sat down in a row to eat. The bride gave heryoungest brother food on a brass plate, because he had not approved of what had been done to her, but to the others she gave it on leaf plates.They had only eaten one handful of rice when the girl placed herself in front of them, and putting a hand upon her head, began to weep bitterly. She exclaimed, “Oh! my brothers, you had no pity upon me. You threw me away as an offering to the tank. You saw me lost, and then went home.” When the brothers heard this they felt as if their breasts were torn open. If they looked up to heaven, heaven was high. Then they saw an axe which they seized, and with it they struck the ground with all their might. It opened like the mouth of a large tiger, and the brothers plunged in. The girl caught the youngest brother by the hair to pull him up, but it came away in her hand, and they all disappeared into the bowels of the earth, which closed over them.The girl held the hair in her hand and wept over it. She then planted it, and from it sprang the hair like Bachkom1grass, and from that time Bachkom grass grows in the jungles.The sister had pity on her youngest brother because he did not join heartily with the others in causing her death. So she tried to rescue him from the fate which was about to overtake him, but in this she failed, and he suffered for the sins of his brothers.1Ischœmum agustifolium, Hack.The Story of Jhore.There was a lad named Jhore, who herded goats, and every day while with his flock he saw a tiger and a lizard fight. The lizard always vanquished the tiger, and the latter after each encounter came to Jhore and said, “Which of us won?” Jhore through fear every time replied, “You won,” and the tiger went away pleased.One day Jhore said to his mother, give me some roasted matkom in a leaf, and put me into a bag and I will tell you something. So she wrapped up some matkom in a leaf, and Jhore crept into the bag and she tied its mouth. Then she said, “What is it, my son, which you wish to tell me?” Jhore replied, “Every day when I am tending my goats I see a tiger and a lizard fight, and the tiger is vanquished by the lizard. The tiger then comes to me and asks, ‘which of us won?’Through fear I say, you won, then the tiger goes away satisfied.”While Jhore was relating the foregoing to his mother the tiger was listening at the door, and as he finished his story it rushed in, and seizing the bag carried it off to a dense unexplored forest, on a hill in the middle of which he placed it. Jhore was very uncomfortable, and was considering how he could best free himself from the bag. As he was hungry he was reminded of the matkom he had with him wrapped in a leaf, so he began to open it, and the dried leaf crackled. The tiger hearing the noise, asked what produced it. Jhore replied, “It is yesterday’s lizard.” The tidings of the presence of his mortal enemy so terrified the tiger that he exclaimed, “Stop, stop, Jhore. Do not release him. Let me first escape.” After the tiger left Jhore rolled down the hill side, and away into a still denser forest, in an open spot of which he came to a stop. The fastening of the bag was loosed by this time, and Jhore crawled out. All round this open glade in which our herofound himself was dense forest never trodden by the foot of man, andtenantedby a herd of wild buffaloes. Jhore took up his residence there, and subsisted on the roasted matkom as long as it lasted.Jhore in his explorations found a number of buffaloe calves left behind by their mothers who had gone to graze. He tended these daily, cleaning the place where they lived, and taking them to the water, where he washed them. In this way a bond of friendship was established between him and the wild buffaloe calves.Before the buffaloe cows left for their grazing grounds in the mornings the calves said, “You stay away till so late at night that, we are almost famished before you return. Leave some milk with us, so that when hungry we may drink it.” So they left a supply of milk with them, which they gave to Jhore. He took such care of his charges that he soon became a great favourite with them.Matters went on thus for many days till at last the buffaloe cows said among themselves, “We must watch for, and catch whoever it is who keeps our calves so clean.” So a very powerful wild buffaloe was appointed to lie in wait, but he missed seeing Jhore when he led the calves to the water and bathed them, and cleaned and swept out their stall. The next day another took his place, but he succeeded no better. The calves were taken to the water, bathed, brought back, and their stall cleaned and swept as usual without his seeing who did it. When the others returned in the evening he informed them that he had failed to solve the mystery. So they said, “What shall we do now? How shall we catch him? Who will watch to-morrow?” A old buffaloe cow replied, “I will accept the responsibility.” Hearing her speak thus the others said, “What a good elephant and a good horse could not do, will ten asses accomplish?” By this they meant, that two of the strongestof their number having failed, this weak old cow could not possibly succeed. However, she persisted, and in the morning the others went to graze leaving her behind.In a short time she saw Jhore emerge from the dunghill, in which he resided, and loose the calves, and take them to the water. When he brought them back he cleaned and swept their stall, and then re-entered the dunghill. In the evening the others enquired, “Well, did you see him?” The old buffaloe cow replied, “Yes, I saw him, but I will not tell you, for you will kill him.” They pressed her, but she refused, saying, “You will kill him.” They said, “Why should we kill him who takes so much care of our young ones?” The old buffaloe cow led them to the dunghill, and said, “He is in here.” So they called to him to come out, which he did, and when they saw him they were all greatly pleased, so much so that they there and then hired him to continue to do the work he had been doing so well. They arranged also to give him a regular daily supply of milk, so he was duly installed by the herd of wild buffaloes as care-taker of their calves.Long after this, he one day took his calves to the river and after he had bathed them he said to the buffaloe calves,“Wait for me till I also bathe.” They replied, “Bathe, we will graze close by.” He having performed his ablutions sat down on the river bank to comb and dress his hair, which was twelve cubits long. In combing his tangled tresses a quantity was wrenched out, this he wrapped up in a leaf and threw into the stream. It was carried by the current a great distance down to where a raja’s daughter and her companions were bathing. The raja’s daughter saw the leaf floating towards her, and ordered one of her attendants to bring it to her. When the leaf was opened it was found to contain hair twelve cubits in length. Immediately after measuring the hair the raja’s daughter complained of fever, and hasted home to her couch. The raja being informed of his daughter’s illness sent for the mostskilled physicians, who prescribed all the remedies their pharmacopœia contained, but failed to afford the sufferer any relief. The grief of the raja was therefore intense.Then his daughter said to him,“Oh! father, I have one word to say to you.If you do as I wish, I shall recover.” The raja replied, “Tell me what it is, I shall do my best to please you.” So she said, “If you find me one with hair twelve cubits long and bring him to me, I shall rally at once.” The raja said, “It is well.”The raja causeddiligentsearch to be made for the person with hair twelve cubits long. He said to a certain jugi, “You traverse the country far and near, find me the man with hair twelve cubits long.” The jugi enquired everywhere, but could obtain no intelligence concerning him.They then made up a parcel of flour and gave it to a crow, whom they sent to try and find him. The crow flew caw cawing all over the district, but returned at last and reported failure, saying, “there is not such a man in the world.”After this they again made up a small parcel of flour, and giving it to a tame paroquet, said, “Find a man with hair twelve cubits long.” The paroquet, having received his orders, flew away screeching, and mounting high up into the sky, directed his course straight for the unexplored forest. In the meantime the dunghill in which Jhore resided had become a palace.The paroquet alighted on a tree near Jhore’s palace, and began to whistle. On hearing the unusual sound Jhore came out and saw the paroquet who was speaking and whistling. The paroquet also eyed him narrowly, and was delighted to see his hair trailing on the ground. By this he knew that he had found the object of his search, and with a scream of delight, he flew away to communicate the tidings to the raja.The raja was overjoyed with his messenger’s report, and ordered thebariatto set out immediately. In a short time they were on their way accompanied by elephants, horses, drums, and fifes. On reaching Jhore’s palace they were about to enter for the purpose of seizing him, when he exclaimed, “Do not pass my threshold.” They replied, “We will carry you away with us.” He said, “Do not come near.” “We will certainly carry you away,” they replied. Jhore then ran into his house, and seizing his flute mounted to the roof, and began to play. As the notes of the flute resounded through the forest it seemed to say,A staff of Pader1woodA flute of Erandom2Return, return, return,Oh! wild buffaloe cows.The sound of the flute startled the wild buffaloes, and they said one to another, “Sister. What has happened to Jhore?” Then he played again the same as before;A staff of Pader woodA flute of ErandomReturn, return, return,Oh! wild buffaloe cows.As the echoes of Jhore’s flute died away in the forest glades the wild buffaloes sprang forward, and rushed to his assistance. On arrival they found the house and courtyard full of people, and large numbers outside who could not gain admittance. They immediately charged them with all their force, goring many to death, and scattering the remainder, who flung away their drums and fifes, and fled as for dear life.When the raja heard of their discomfiture he sent again for the paroquet, and giving a small parcel of flour to him said,“Stay some time with him until you gain his confidence, and watch your chance to bring away his flute.” Having received his orders he flew off to Jhore’s palace, and having gained access to where the flute was, when Jhore was out of the way he brought it away, and gave it to the raja. The raja was delighted at the sight of the flute, and again ordered thebariatto go to fetch Jhore. A still more imposing array than the former started with elephants, horses, drums, fifes, and palkis, and in due course arrived at Jhore’s residence. On seeing them Jhore called out, “Do not approach, or you will rue it presently.” They replied, “You beat us off the first time, therefore you now crow, but you will not now be able to balk us, we shall take you with us.” Again he warned them to stay where they were, saying, “Do not come nearme, or you will rue it presently.” They replied, “We will take you with us this time, we will not leave you behind.”Jhore then ran into his house, and searched for his flute, but as it had been carried away by the paroquet he could not find it, so seizing another he mounted to the roof, and began to play. The flute seemed to say;A staff of Pader woodA flute of ErandomReturn, return, return,Oh! wild buffaloe cows.The sound startled the wild buffaloes who said one to another “Sister. What is it Jhore says?” Again the music of the flute reached their ears, and the entire herd rushed off to Jhore’s rescue. They charged the crowd inand around the palace of their favourite with such determination that in a few minutes many lay gored to death, and those who were so fortunate as to escape threw down drums, fifes, and palkis, and fled pell mell from the place. The raja, being informed of the catastrophe that had befallen thebariat, again called the paroquet, and after he had given him careful instructions as to how he should proceed, dismissed him. He said, “This timeyou must stay many days with him, and secure his entire confidence and friendship. Then you must bring away all his flutes, do not leave him one.” So the paroquet flew swiftly, and alighted on a tree near to Jhore’s house, and began to whistle. Jhore seeing it was a paroquet brought it food, and induced it to come down, and allow him to take it in his hand. The two, it is said, lived together many days, and greatly enjoyed each other’s society. The paroquet when he had informed himself as to where all Jhore’s flutes were kept, one day tied them all up in a bundle, and carried them to the raja. The sight of the flutes revived the drooping spirits of his Majesty. He gave orders a third time for thebariatto go and bring Jhore, so they started with greater pomp and show than before. Elephants, horses, and an immense number of men with drums and fifes, and palkis formed the procession. On their arrival Jhore came out of his palace and said to them, “Do not come near, or you will rue it.” They replied, “This time we will have you. We will take you with us.” Again Jhore warning them said, “Come no nearer. If you do, you will see something as good as a show.Do you not remember how you fared the other day?” But they said, “We will carry you away with us.” Jhore ran inside to get his flute, so that he might call the wild buffaloes to his assistance; but no flute was to be found. Without the help of his powerful friends he could offer no resistance, so they seized him, and bore him away in triumph to the raja.When the raja’s daughter heard of his arrival the fever suddenly left her, and she was once more in excellent health. She and Jhore were united in the bonds of marriage forthwith; but Jhore was kept a close prisoner in the palace.In course of time a son blessed the union, and when the child was able to walk Jhore’s wife said to him, “Where is the large herd of buffaloes which you boast so much about? If they were here “Sonny” would have milk and curds daily.” Jhoreplucking up courage, replied, “If you do not believe me order a stockade to be constructed thirty-two miles long and thirty-two miles broad, and you shall soon behold my buffaloes.” So they made a pen thirty-two miles long and thirty-two miles broad. Then Jhore said, “Give me my old flute, and you all remain within doors.” So they brought him his flute, and he went up on to the roof of the palace, and played. The music seemed to call as follows:A staff of Pader woodA flute of ErandomReturn, return, return,Oh! wild buffaloe cows.The sound startled the wild buffaloes in their forest home, and they said one to another, “Sister. What does Jhore say?” Again the music seemed to say,A staff of Pader woodA flute of ErandomReturn, return, return,Oh! wild buffaloe cows.At Jhore’s second call the herd of wild buffaloes dashed off at their utmost speed, and never halted till they reached the raja’s palace. They came in such numbers that the pen could not contain them all, many remained outside.Those that entered the pen are the domesticated buffaloes of to-day, and those who were without are the wild buffaloes still found in the forests of India.1Stereospermum suaveolens, D. C.2Recinus communis, Linn.

The Story of Sindura Gand Garur.In a certain village there lived a mother and her son. The boy tended goats in the forest. One day he found a spot of ground, where he thought rice would grow well. So he went home, and asked his mother to give him some seed to sow there. She said, “If you sow rice there it will all be destroyed. The elephants, or the wild jungle cattle, will eat it.” But he begged so hard that at length she gave him some seed rice, which he sowed on the small plot of ground in the jungle. It sprang up and grew luxuriantly. Every day he drove his goats there, and spent the long hours in driving the birds and insects away from his little farm.When the rice had grown to a good height the raja’s son with his companion came and set up a mark near by at which they shot with their bows and arrows. The orphan boy was asked to join them, which he did, and so accurate was his aim, that he hit the mark every time he shot. The raja’s son and his companion were astonished to see such good shooting, and they said, “The fatherless boy hits the mark every time.”The boy ran home to his mother weeping, and said, “Oh! mother, where is my father?” To keep him from grieving, she told a lie. “Your father,” she said, “has gone on a visit to his relations.”The next day after he had again shown great skill with the bow and arrow the raja’s son and his companion said, “The fatherless boy hits the mark every time.” Hearing this he again went home weeping, and said to his mother, “Oh! mother, where is my father?” She replied, “He has gone to visit his friends.” Every day the boy came crying to his mother asking where his father was, so at last she told him. She said, “Your father, child, was carried away on the horns of aGand Garur1.”The boy then said to his mother, “Prepare me some flour. I will go in search of him.” His mother tried to dissuade him, saying, “Where can you go in such a jungle as this?” He, however, insisted, and she prepared flour for him, and he set out.After travelling many hours he entered the primeval forest, and presently darkness came upon him. After a short time he came to the dwelling ofHuti2Budhi, and requested permission to pass the night there. This was accorded to him, and he lay down and fell asleep. During the night he was awakened by theHuti Budhieating his bow and arrows. He called out to her “Oh! old woman, What have you been nibbling at since evening?” TheHuti Budhireplied, “It is only some roasted grain, which I brought a while ago from the house of the Chief.”In a short time the nibbling sound was again heard, and he again enquired what she was eating. She returned the same answer as before. “Oh! my son, it is only roasted grain which the chief’s people gave me.” He did not know that all the time she was eating his bow and arrows.When morning dawned he requested her to give him his weapons, and on his attempting to string the bow it broke in his hands. TheHuti Budhihad eaten the heart out of the wood, and had left only the outer shell. He left her house planning revenge.During the day he had an iron bow and iron arrows made. All was iron like the arrow heads. In the evening he returned to sleep at theHuti Budhi’shouse.During the night he heard theHuti Budhitrying to nibble his bow and arrows.So he enquired what she was doing. The answer she gave was, “Do you think theHuti Budhican eat iron.”When morning dawned he demanded his bow and arrows, and received them uninjured, but the lower part of theHuti Budhi’sface was all swollen. She had been trying to eat the iron bow and arrows. Her lodger strung his bow, and having saluted her, went his way.As he journeyed he entered another unexplored forest in the midst of which he discovered a lake, to which all the birds and beasts resorted to quench their thirst. He obtained this information by an examination of its banks, on which he saw the footprints of the various beasts and birds. He now took some flour from his bag, and having moistened it with water made a hearty meal, and then sat down to wait for evening.As the sun went down the denizens of the forest began to come to the lake to drink. They came in quick succession, and as each made its appearance, he sang assurance to it, that he harboured no evil design against it.The quail led the way, and to it he sang,“Oh! quail, you need not fear to drink,I’ll not harm you, I you assure;But I will slay on this lake’s brink,Cruel Sindura Gand Garur.He sang in a similar strain to each bird as it came, naming it by its name.At length theGand Garuralighted on the edge of the lake to drink, and he at once drew his bow, and sent an arrow to its heart, for he had seen the dried and shrivelled corpse of his father still adhering to its horns. TheGand Garurbeing dead, he detached what remained of his parent’s body from its horns, and taking it in his arms pressed it to his bosom and wept bitterly.As he wept,BidiandBidhatidescended from the sky and asked him the reason of his sorrow. So he told them all. Theyspoke words of comfort to him, and said, “Dip your gamcha cloth in the lake, and cover the corpse with it. And don’t you cry, rather bathe and cook some food. And do not cook for one only, but prepare portions for two. And when the food is ready, you partake of one portion, and set the other aside. Then tap your father on the back and say,‘Rise father,hereis your food.’” He did as his kind friends bade him, and the dead came to life again. The father sat up and said, “Oh! my son, what a lengthened sleep I have had.” The son replied, “A sleep? you must be demented, you were pierced through by the horns of theGand Garur, and your dried carcase was adhering to them. See I have killed it. It is lying here.BidiandBidhatiinstructed me how to proceed, and I have brought you to life again.So they returned joyfully home singing the praises ofBidiandBidhati.1A mythical bird which figures largely in Indian folk lore.2Huti is the name given by Santals to a certain timber boring insect. Budhi is an old woman.

The Story of Sindura Gand Garur.

In a certain village there lived a mother and her son. The boy tended goats in the forest. One day he found a spot of ground, where he thought rice would grow well. So he went home, and asked his mother to give him some seed to sow there. She said, “If you sow rice there it will all be destroyed. The elephants, or the wild jungle cattle, will eat it.” But he begged so hard that at length she gave him some seed rice, which he sowed on the small plot of ground in the jungle. It sprang up and grew luxuriantly. Every day he drove his goats there, and spent the long hours in driving the birds and insects away from his little farm.When the rice had grown to a good height the raja’s son with his companion came and set up a mark near by at which they shot with their bows and arrows. The orphan boy was asked to join them, which he did, and so accurate was his aim, that he hit the mark every time he shot. The raja’s son and his companion were astonished to see such good shooting, and they said, “The fatherless boy hits the mark every time.”The boy ran home to his mother weeping, and said, “Oh! mother, where is my father?” To keep him from grieving, she told a lie. “Your father,” she said, “has gone on a visit to his relations.”The next day after he had again shown great skill with the bow and arrow the raja’s son and his companion said, “The fatherless boy hits the mark every time.” Hearing this he again went home weeping, and said to his mother, “Oh! mother, where is my father?” She replied, “He has gone to visit his friends.” Every day the boy came crying to his mother asking where his father was, so at last she told him. She said, “Your father, child, was carried away on the horns of aGand Garur1.”The boy then said to his mother, “Prepare me some flour. I will go in search of him.” His mother tried to dissuade him, saying, “Where can you go in such a jungle as this?” He, however, insisted, and she prepared flour for him, and he set out.After travelling many hours he entered the primeval forest, and presently darkness came upon him. After a short time he came to the dwelling ofHuti2Budhi, and requested permission to pass the night there. This was accorded to him, and he lay down and fell asleep. During the night he was awakened by theHuti Budhieating his bow and arrows. He called out to her “Oh! old woman, What have you been nibbling at since evening?” TheHuti Budhireplied, “It is only some roasted grain, which I brought a while ago from the house of the Chief.”In a short time the nibbling sound was again heard, and he again enquired what she was eating. She returned the same answer as before. “Oh! my son, it is only roasted grain which the chief’s people gave me.” He did not know that all the time she was eating his bow and arrows.When morning dawned he requested her to give him his weapons, and on his attempting to string the bow it broke in his hands. TheHuti Budhihad eaten the heart out of the wood, and had left only the outer shell. He left her house planning revenge.During the day he had an iron bow and iron arrows made. All was iron like the arrow heads. In the evening he returned to sleep at theHuti Budhi’shouse.During the night he heard theHuti Budhitrying to nibble his bow and arrows.So he enquired what she was doing. The answer she gave was, “Do you think theHuti Budhican eat iron.”When morning dawned he demanded his bow and arrows, and received them uninjured, but the lower part of theHuti Budhi’sface was all swollen. She had been trying to eat the iron bow and arrows. Her lodger strung his bow, and having saluted her, went his way.As he journeyed he entered another unexplored forest in the midst of which he discovered a lake, to which all the birds and beasts resorted to quench their thirst. He obtained this information by an examination of its banks, on which he saw the footprints of the various beasts and birds. He now took some flour from his bag, and having moistened it with water made a hearty meal, and then sat down to wait for evening.As the sun went down the denizens of the forest began to come to the lake to drink. They came in quick succession, and as each made its appearance, he sang assurance to it, that he harboured no evil design against it.The quail led the way, and to it he sang,“Oh! quail, you need not fear to drink,I’ll not harm you, I you assure;But I will slay on this lake’s brink,Cruel Sindura Gand Garur.He sang in a similar strain to each bird as it came, naming it by its name.At length theGand Garuralighted on the edge of the lake to drink, and he at once drew his bow, and sent an arrow to its heart, for he had seen the dried and shrivelled corpse of his father still adhering to its horns. TheGand Garurbeing dead, he detached what remained of his parent’s body from its horns, and taking it in his arms pressed it to his bosom and wept bitterly.As he wept,BidiandBidhatidescended from the sky and asked him the reason of his sorrow. So he told them all. Theyspoke words of comfort to him, and said, “Dip your gamcha cloth in the lake, and cover the corpse with it. And don’t you cry, rather bathe and cook some food. And do not cook for one only, but prepare portions for two. And when the food is ready, you partake of one portion, and set the other aside. Then tap your father on the back and say,‘Rise father,hereis your food.’” He did as his kind friends bade him, and the dead came to life again. The father sat up and said, “Oh! my son, what a lengthened sleep I have had.” The son replied, “A sleep? you must be demented, you were pierced through by the horns of theGand Garur, and your dried carcase was adhering to them. See I have killed it. It is lying here.BidiandBidhatiinstructed me how to proceed, and I have brought you to life again.So they returned joyfully home singing the praises ofBidiandBidhati.

In a certain village there lived a mother and her son. The boy tended goats in the forest. One day he found a spot of ground, where he thought rice would grow well. So he went home, and asked his mother to give him some seed to sow there. She said, “If you sow rice there it will all be destroyed. The elephants, or the wild jungle cattle, will eat it.” But he begged so hard that at length she gave him some seed rice, which he sowed on the small plot of ground in the jungle. It sprang up and grew luxuriantly. Every day he drove his goats there, and spent the long hours in driving the birds and insects away from his little farm.

When the rice had grown to a good height the raja’s son with his companion came and set up a mark near by at which they shot with their bows and arrows. The orphan boy was asked to join them, which he did, and so accurate was his aim, that he hit the mark every time he shot. The raja’s son and his companion were astonished to see such good shooting, and they said, “The fatherless boy hits the mark every time.”

The boy ran home to his mother weeping, and said, “Oh! mother, where is my father?” To keep him from grieving, she told a lie. “Your father,” she said, “has gone on a visit to his relations.”

The next day after he had again shown great skill with the bow and arrow the raja’s son and his companion said, “The fatherless boy hits the mark every time.” Hearing this he again went home weeping, and said to his mother, “Oh! mother, where is my father?” She replied, “He has gone to visit his friends.” Every day the boy came crying to his mother asking where his father was, so at last she told him. She said, “Your father, child, was carried away on the horns of aGand Garur1.”

The boy then said to his mother, “Prepare me some flour. I will go in search of him.” His mother tried to dissuade him, saying, “Where can you go in such a jungle as this?” He, however, insisted, and she prepared flour for him, and he set out.

After travelling many hours he entered the primeval forest, and presently darkness came upon him. After a short time he came to the dwelling ofHuti2Budhi, and requested permission to pass the night there. This was accorded to him, and he lay down and fell asleep. During the night he was awakened by theHuti Budhieating his bow and arrows. He called out to her “Oh! old woman, What have you been nibbling at since evening?” TheHuti Budhireplied, “It is only some roasted grain, which I brought a while ago from the house of the Chief.”

In a short time the nibbling sound was again heard, and he again enquired what she was eating. She returned the same answer as before. “Oh! my son, it is only roasted grain which the chief’s people gave me.” He did not know that all the time she was eating his bow and arrows.

When morning dawned he requested her to give him his weapons, and on his attempting to string the bow it broke in his hands. TheHuti Budhihad eaten the heart out of the wood, and had left only the outer shell. He left her house planning revenge.

During the day he had an iron bow and iron arrows made. All was iron like the arrow heads. In the evening he returned to sleep at theHuti Budhi’shouse.

During the night he heard theHuti Budhitrying to nibble his bow and arrows.So he enquired what she was doing. The answer she gave was, “Do you think theHuti Budhican eat iron.”

When morning dawned he demanded his bow and arrows, and received them uninjured, but the lower part of theHuti Budhi’sface was all swollen. She had been trying to eat the iron bow and arrows. Her lodger strung his bow, and having saluted her, went his way.

As he journeyed he entered another unexplored forest in the midst of which he discovered a lake, to which all the birds and beasts resorted to quench their thirst. He obtained this information by an examination of its banks, on which he saw the footprints of the various beasts and birds. He now took some flour from his bag, and having moistened it with water made a hearty meal, and then sat down to wait for evening.

As the sun went down the denizens of the forest began to come to the lake to drink. They came in quick succession, and as each made its appearance, he sang assurance to it, that he harboured no evil design against it.

The quail led the way, and to it he sang,

“Oh! quail, you need not fear to drink,I’ll not harm you, I you assure;But I will slay on this lake’s brink,Cruel Sindura Gand Garur.

“Oh! quail, you need not fear to drink,

I’ll not harm you, I you assure;

But I will slay on this lake’s brink,

Cruel Sindura Gand Garur.

He sang in a similar strain to each bird as it came, naming it by its name.

At length theGand Garuralighted on the edge of the lake to drink, and he at once drew his bow, and sent an arrow to its heart, for he had seen the dried and shrivelled corpse of his father still adhering to its horns. TheGand Garurbeing dead, he detached what remained of his parent’s body from its horns, and taking it in his arms pressed it to his bosom and wept bitterly.

As he wept,BidiandBidhatidescended from the sky and asked him the reason of his sorrow. So he told them all. Theyspoke words of comfort to him, and said, “Dip your gamcha cloth in the lake, and cover the corpse with it. And don’t you cry, rather bathe and cook some food. And do not cook for one only, but prepare portions for two. And when the food is ready, you partake of one portion, and set the other aside. Then tap your father on the back and say,‘Rise father,hereis your food.’” He did as his kind friends bade him, and the dead came to life again. The father sat up and said, “Oh! my son, what a lengthened sleep I have had.” The son replied, “A sleep? you must be demented, you were pierced through by the horns of theGand Garur, and your dried carcase was adhering to them. See I have killed it. It is lying here.BidiandBidhatiinstructed me how to proceed, and I have brought you to life again.

So they returned joyfully home singing the praises ofBidiandBidhati.

1A mythical bird which figures largely in Indian folk lore.2Huti is the name given by Santals to a certain timber boring insect. Budhi is an old woman.

1A mythical bird which figures largely in Indian folk lore.

2Huti is the name given by Santals to a certain timber boring insect. Budhi is an old woman.

The Tiger and Ulta’s Mother.A tiger cub was in the habit of playing under the shade of a certain tree, in which was a crane’s nest with a young one in it. The parent cranes brought frogs and lizards to their young one, and what it could not eat it used to throw down to the young tiger, and in this way the two became greatly attached to each other. After a time the tigress died, and left the cub alone in the world. The young crane felt much pity for its afflicted friend, and could not bear the thought of itself being in a better position. So one day it said to the tiger, “Let us kill my mother.” The tiger replied, “Just as you please. I cannot say do it, nor can I say do not do it.” When the mother crane came to give its young one food, the latter set upon her and killed her. The friendship between the two increased so that they could not be separated from each other. Day and night they spent in each other’s society.After a time the two said, “Come let us make a garden, and plant in it turmeric.” So they prepared a piece of ground, and the crane brought roots of turmeric from a distance. They then discussed the matter as to which part of the crop each would take. The crane said to the tiger, “You, my brother, choose first.” The tiger said, “If I must speak first, I will take the leaves.” Then, said the crane, “I will take the roots.” Having settled this point to their satisfaction, they began to plant. The tiger dug holes, and the crane put in the roots, and covered them over with earth.A year passed, and they again said to each other, “Which of us will take the roots, and which the leaves?” The tiger said, “I will take the leaves.” The crane replied, “I will take the roots.” So they began to dig up the plants, and cutting the leaves from the roots, placed each by themselves. The tiger collected an immense bulk of leaves, and the cranea large heap of roots. This done each surveyed the other’s portion. That of the crane was of a beautiful, reddish tinge, and excited the envy of the tiger, who said to the crane, “Give me half of yours, and I will give you half of mine.” The crane refused, saying, “I will not share with you. Why did you at first chose the leaves? I gave you your choice.” The tiger insisted, but the crane was obdurate, and before long they were quarrelling as if they had been lifelong enemies. The crane seeing it was being worsted in the wrangle, flew in the face of the tiger, and pecked its eyes, so that it became blind. It then flew away, and left the tiger lamenting its sad fate. Having lost its sight it could not find its way about, so remained there weeping.One day, hearing the voice of a man near by, the tigercalled out, “Oh! man, are you a doctor?” The manstupefiedwith fear stared at the tiger, and gave no reply. The tiger again said, “Oh! man, why do you not reply to my question? Although you are a human being, have you no pity?” The man then said, “Oh! renowned hero, what did you ask me? I am terror stricken, so did not reply. You may devour me.” The tiger replied, “If I had wished to kill you, I could have done so, but I mean you no harm.” The tiger again asked the man if he possessed a knowledge of medicine, but he replied, “I do not.” The tiger then asked, “Is there one amongst you who does know?” The man replied, “Yes.” The tiger enquired, “Who is he?” The man said, “There is a certain widow with two sons, the name of one of whom is Ulta, who possesses a knowledge of medicine, she will be able to cure you.” Having given the tiger this information the man went away.The tiger went to the house of Ulta’s mother, and hid himself behind a hedge. He said within himself, “When I hear any one call Ulta then I will go forward.” Shortly after the tiger arrived Ulta’s mother called Ulta,“Ulta, come to yoursupper.” Then the tiger ran hastily forward, and cried, “Oh! Ulta’s mother, Oh! Ulta’s mother.” But she was afraid, and exclaimed, “This tiger has done for us to-day.” The tiger said to the woman, “Do you know medicine?” She replied, “Yes, Wait till I bring it.” So hastily running out she said to her neighbours, “A tiger has come to my house. He is blind, and wishes me to cure his blindness.” The neighbours said to her, “Give him some of the juice of the Akauna1tree. It will increase his blindness.” So she quickly brought Akauna juice, and giving it to the tiger, said, “Go to some dense jungle and apply it to your eyes. Do not apply it here, or it will have no effect. Take it away. We are about to sit down to supper, and then my children will go to sleep. The medicine will cause you pain at first, but it will effect a complete cure.”The tiger hurried away to the jungle, and poured the akauna juice into his eyes. The pain it caused was as if his eyeballs were being torn out. He tossed himself about in agony, and at last struck his head against a tree. In a short time, his blindness was gone. He could see everything plainly, and was delighted beyond expression.One day several traders were passing along a pathway through the jungle in which the tiger hunted. He was lying concealed watching for prey, and when the traders were passing he jumped out upon them. Seeing the tiger they fled, and left behind them their silver, and gold, and brass vessels. The tiger collected all and carried them to Ulta’s mother’s house, and presenting them to her said, “All this I give to you, for through you I have again seen the earth. Had it not been for you, who knows whether I should ever have been cured or not.” Ulta’s mother was delighted with the generosity of the tiger. He had made her rich at once. But she was anxious togetrid of him, and said “Go away. May you always find a living somewhere.” So the tiger returned to the jungle again.Sometime afterwards the tiger was minded to take a wife, and sought his old friend Ulta’s mother. On arriving at her house he called out, “Oh! Ulta’s mother, where are you? Are you in your house?” She replied, “Who are you?” The tiger answered, “It is I, the forest hero. You cured my blindness.” So Ulta’s mother came out of her house, and said, “Wherefore, Sir, have you come here?” “I wish you,” replied the tiger, “to find a bride for me.” Ulta’s mother said, “Come to-morrow and I will tell you. Do not stay to-day.” So the tiger left.Ulta’s mother then went to her neighbours and said, “The tiger has put me in a great difficulty. He wishes me to find a bride for him.” They said to her,“Is he not blind?” She replied, “No. He sees now, and it is that, which distresses me. What can I do?” They said, “Get a bag, and order him to go into it, and then tie up the mouth tightly, and tell him to remain still. Say to him, If you move, or make a noise, I will not seek a bride for you. And when you have him tied securely in the bag, call us.” The next day the tiger appeared, and Ulta’s mother told him to get into the bag, and allow her to tie it. So he went in, and she tied the bag’s mouth, and said, “You must not move, lie still, or I shall not be your go-between.” Having secured him, Ulta’s mother called her neighbours, who came armed with clubs, and began to beat the helpless animal. He called out, “Oh! Ulta’s mother, what are you doing?” She said, “Keep quiet. They are beating the marriage drums. Lie still a little longer.” The tiger remained motionless, while they continued to beat him. At length they said, “He must be dead now, let us throw him out.” So they carried him to a river, and having thrown him in, returned home.The current bore the tiger far down the river, but at length he stranded in a cove. A short time afterwards a tigress came down to the river to drink and seeing the bag, and thinking it might contain something edible she seized it and draggedit up on to the bank. The tigress then cut the bag open with her teeth, and the tiger sprang out, exclaiming, “Of a truth she has given me a bride. Ulta’s mother has done me a good turn, and I shall remember her as long as I live.” The tiger and the tigress being of one mind on the subject agreed never to separate.One day the two tigers said “Come let us go and pay a visit to Ulta’s mother, who has proved so helpful to us. As we cannot go empty handed, let us rob some one to get money to take with us.” So they went and lay in wait near a path which passed through the forest in which they lived. Presently a party of merchants came up, and the tigers with a loud roar sprang from their ambush on to the road. The merchants seeing them, fled, and left behind them all their property in money and cloth. Those they carried to Ulta’s mother. When she saw the tigers approaching her throat became dry through terror.Before entering the court-yard they called out to Ulta’s mother announcing their approach. Ulta’s mother addressed the tiger thus, “Why do you come here frightening one in this way?” The tiger replied, “There is no fear. It is I who am afraid of you. Why should you dread my coming? It was you who found this partner for me. Do you not yet know me?” Ulta’s mother replied, “What can you do Sir? Do you not remember that we give and receive gifts on the Karam festival day? On the days for giving and receiving, we give and receive. Now, that you are happily wedded, may you live in peace and comfort; but do not come here again.”The tiger then gave Ulta’s mother a large amount of money and much cloth, after which the two tigers took their leave, and Ulta’s mother entered her house loaded with rupees and clothing.1Calotropis gigantea, R. Br.

The Tiger and Ulta’s Mother.

A tiger cub was in the habit of playing under the shade of a certain tree, in which was a crane’s nest with a young one in it. The parent cranes brought frogs and lizards to their young one, and what it could not eat it used to throw down to the young tiger, and in this way the two became greatly attached to each other. After a time the tigress died, and left the cub alone in the world. The young crane felt much pity for its afflicted friend, and could not bear the thought of itself being in a better position. So one day it said to the tiger, “Let us kill my mother.” The tiger replied, “Just as you please. I cannot say do it, nor can I say do not do it.” When the mother crane came to give its young one food, the latter set upon her and killed her. The friendship between the two increased so that they could not be separated from each other. Day and night they spent in each other’s society.After a time the two said, “Come let us make a garden, and plant in it turmeric.” So they prepared a piece of ground, and the crane brought roots of turmeric from a distance. They then discussed the matter as to which part of the crop each would take. The crane said to the tiger, “You, my brother, choose first.” The tiger said, “If I must speak first, I will take the leaves.” Then, said the crane, “I will take the roots.” Having settled this point to their satisfaction, they began to plant. The tiger dug holes, and the crane put in the roots, and covered them over with earth.A year passed, and they again said to each other, “Which of us will take the roots, and which the leaves?” The tiger said, “I will take the leaves.” The crane replied, “I will take the roots.” So they began to dig up the plants, and cutting the leaves from the roots, placed each by themselves. The tiger collected an immense bulk of leaves, and the cranea large heap of roots. This done each surveyed the other’s portion. That of the crane was of a beautiful, reddish tinge, and excited the envy of the tiger, who said to the crane, “Give me half of yours, and I will give you half of mine.” The crane refused, saying, “I will not share with you. Why did you at first chose the leaves? I gave you your choice.” The tiger insisted, but the crane was obdurate, and before long they were quarrelling as if they had been lifelong enemies. The crane seeing it was being worsted in the wrangle, flew in the face of the tiger, and pecked its eyes, so that it became blind. It then flew away, and left the tiger lamenting its sad fate. Having lost its sight it could not find its way about, so remained there weeping.One day, hearing the voice of a man near by, the tigercalled out, “Oh! man, are you a doctor?” The manstupefiedwith fear stared at the tiger, and gave no reply. The tiger again said, “Oh! man, why do you not reply to my question? Although you are a human being, have you no pity?” The man then said, “Oh! renowned hero, what did you ask me? I am terror stricken, so did not reply. You may devour me.” The tiger replied, “If I had wished to kill you, I could have done so, but I mean you no harm.” The tiger again asked the man if he possessed a knowledge of medicine, but he replied, “I do not.” The tiger then asked, “Is there one amongst you who does know?” The man replied, “Yes.” The tiger enquired, “Who is he?” The man said, “There is a certain widow with two sons, the name of one of whom is Ulta, who possesses a knowledge of medicine, she will be able to cure you.” Having given the tiger this information the man went away.The tiger went to the house of Ulta’s mother, and hid himself behind a hedge. He said within himself, “When I hear any one call Ulta then I will go forward.” Shortly after the tiger arrived Ulta’s mother called Ulta,“Ulta, come to yoursupper.” Then the tiger ran hastily forward, and cried, “Oh! Ulta’s mother, Oh! Ulta’s mother.” But she was afraid, and exclaimed, “This tiger has done for us to-day.” The tiger said to the woman, “Do you know medicine?” She replied, “Yes, Wait till I bring it.” So hastily running out she said to her neighbours, “A tiger has come to my house. He is blind, and wishes me to cure his blindness.” The neighbours said to her, “Give him some of the juice of the Akauna1tree. It will increase his blindness.” So she quickly brought Akauna juice, and giving it to the tiger, said, “Go to some dense jungle and apply it to your eyes. Do not apply it here, or it will have no effect. Take it away. We are about to sit down to supper, and then my children will go to sleep. The medicine will cause you pain at first, but it will effect a complete cure.”The tiger hurried away to the jungle, and poured the akauna juice into his eyes. The pain it caused was as if his eyeballs were being torn out. He tossed himself about in agony, and at last struck his head against a tree. In a short time, his blindness was gone. He could see everything plainly, and was delighted beyond expression.One day several traders were passing along a pathway through the jungle in which the tiger hunted. He was lying concealed watching for prey, and when the traders were passing he jumped out upon them. Seeing the tiger they fled, and left behind them their silver, and gold, and brass vessels. The tiger collected all and carried them to Ulta’s mother’s house, and presenting them to her said, “All this I give to you, for through you I have again seen the earth. Had it not been for you, who knows whether I should ever have been cured or not.” Ulta’s mother was delighted with the generosity of the tiger. He had made her rich at once. But she was anxious togetrid of him, and said “Go away. May you always find a living somewhere.” So the tiger returned to the jungle again.Sometime afterwards the tiger was minded to take a wife, and sought his old friend Ulta’s mother. On arriving at her house he called out, “Oh! Ulta’s mother, where are you? Are you in your house?” She replied, “Who are you?” The tiger answered, “It is I, the forest hero. You cured my blindness.” So Ulta’s mother came out of her house, and said, “Wherefore, Sir, have you come here?” “I wish you,” replied the tiger, “to find a bride for me.” Ulta’s mother said, “Come to-morrow and I will tell you. Do not stay to-day.” So the tiger left.Ulta’s mother then went to her neighbours and said, “The tiger has put me in a great difficulty. He wishes me to find a bride for him.” They said to her,“Is he not blind?” She replied, “No. He sees now, and it is that, which distresses me. What can I do?” They said, “Get a bag, and order him to go into it, and then tie up the mouth tightly, and tell him to remain still. Say to him, If you move, or make a noise, I will not seek a bride for you. And when you have him tied securely in the bag, call us.” The next day the tiger appeared, and Ulta’s mother told him to get into the bag, and allow her to tie it. So he went in, and she tied the bag’s mouth, and said, “You must not move, lie still, or I shall not be your go-between.” Having secured him, Ulta’s mother called her neighbours, who came armed with clubs, and began to beat the helpless animal. He called out, “Oh! Ulta’s mother, what are you doing?” She said, “Keep quiet. They are beating the marriage drums. Lie still a little longer.” The tiger remained motionless, while they continued to beat him. At length they said, “He must be dead now, let us throw him out.” So they carried him to a river, and having thrown him in, returned home.The current bore the tiger far down the river, but at length he stranded in a cove. A short time afterwards a tigress came down to the river to drink and seeing the bag, and thinking it might contain something edible she seized it and draggedit up on to the bank. The tigress then cut the bag open with her teeth, and the tiger sprang out, exclaiming, “Of a truth she has given me a bride. Ulta’s mother has done me a good turn, and I shall remember her as long as I live.” The tiger and the tigress being of one mind on the subject agreed never to separate.One day the two tigers said “Come let us go and pay a visit to Ulta’s mother, who has proved so helpful to us. As we cannot go empty handed, let us rob some one to get money to take with us.” So they went and lay in wait near a path which passed through the forest in which they lived. Presently a party of merchants came up, and the tigers with a loud roar sprang from their ambush on to the road. The merchants seeing them, fled, and left behind them all their property in money and cloth. Those they carried to Ulta’s mother. When she saw the tigers approaching her throat became dry through terror.Before entering the court-yard they called out to Ulta’s mother announcing their approach. Ulta’s mother addressed the tiger thus, “Why do you come here frightening one in this way?” The tiger replied, “There is no fear. It is I who am afraid of you. Why should you dread my coming? It was you who found this partner for me. Do you not yet know me?” Ulta’s mother replied, “What can you do Sir? Do you not remember that we give and receive gifts on the Karam festival day? On the days for giving and receiving, we give and receive. Now, that you are happily wedded, may you live in peace and comfort; but do not come here again.”The tiger then gave Ulta’s mother a large amount of money and much cloth, after which the two tigers took their leave, and Ulta’s mother entered her house loaded with rupees and clothing.

A tiger cub was in the habit of playing under the shade of a certain tree, in which was a crane’s nest with a young one in it. The parent cranes brought frogs and lizards to their young one, and what it could not eat it used to throw down to the young tiger, and in this way the two became greatly attached to each other. After a time the tigress died, and left the cub alone in the world. The young crane felt much pity for its afflicted friend, and could not bear the thought of itself being in a better position. So one day it said to the tiger, “Let us kill my mother.” The tiger replied, “Just as you please. I cannot say do it, nor can I say do not do it.” When the mother crane came to give its young one food, the latter set upon her and killed her. The friendship between the two increased so that they could not be separated from each other. Day and night they spent in each other’s society.

After a time the two said, “Come let us make a garden, and plant in it turmeric.” So they prepared a piece of ground, and the crane brought roots of turmeric from a distance. They then discussed the matter as to which part of the crop each would take. The crane said to the tiger, “You, my brother, choose first.” The tiger said, “If I must speak first, I will take the leaves.” Then, said the crane, “I will take the roots.” Having settled this point to their satisfaction, they began to plant. The tiger dug holes, and the crane put in the roots, and covered them over with earth.

A year passed, and they again said to each other, “Which of us will take the roots, and which the leaves?” The tiger said, “I will take the leaves.” The crane replied, “I will take the roots.” So they began to dig up the plants, and cutting the leaves from the roots, placed each by themselves. The tiger collected an immense bulk of leaves, and the cranea large heap of roots. This done each surveyed the other’s portion. That of the crane was of a beautiful, reddish tinge, and excited the envy of the tiger, who said to the crane, “Give me half of yours, and I will give you half of mine.” The crane refused, saying, “I will not share with you. Why did you at first chose the leaves? I gave you your choice.” The tiger insisted, but the crane was obdurate, and before long they were quarrelling as if they had been lifelong enemies. The crane seeing it was being worsted in the wrangle, flew in the face of the tiger, and pecked its eyes, so that it became blind. It then flew away, and left the tiger lamenting its sad fate. Having lost its sight it could not find its way about, so remained there weeping.

One day, hearing the voice of a man near by, the tigercalled out, “Oh! man, are you a doctor?” The manstupefiedwith fear stared at the tiger, and gave no reply. The tiger again said, “Oh! man, why do you not reply to my question? Although you are a human being, have you no pity?” The man then said, “Oh! renowned hero, what did you ask me? I am terror stricken, so did not reply. You may devour me.” The tiger replied, “If I had wished to kill you, I could have done so, but I mean you no harm.” The tiger again asked the man if he possessed a knowledge of medicine, but he replied, “I do not.” The tiger then asked, “Is there one amongst you who does know?” The man replied, “Yes.” The tiger enquired, “Who is he?” The man said, “There is a certain widow with two sons, the name of one of whom is Ulta, who possesses a knowledge of medicine, she will be able to cure you.” Having given the tiger this information the man went away.

The tiger went to the house of Ulta’s mother, and hid himself behind a hedge. He said within himself, “When I hear any one call Ulta then I will go forward.” Shortly after the tiger arrived Ulta’s mother called Ulta,“Ulta, come to yoursupper.” Then the tiger ran hastily forward, and cried, “Oh! Ulta’s mother, Oh! Ulta’s mother.” But she was afraid, and exclaimed, “This tiger has done for us to-day.” The tiger said to the woman, “Do you know medicine?” She replied, “Yes, Wait till I bring it.” So hastily running out she said to her neighbours, “A tiger has come to my house. He is blind, and wishes me to cure his blindness.” The neighbours said to her, “Give him some of the juice of the Akauna1tree. It will increase his blindness.” So she quickly brought Akauna juice, and giving it to the tiger, said, “Go to some dense jungle and apply it to your eyes. Do not apply it here, or it will have no effect. Take it away. We are about to sit down to supper, and then my children will go to sleep. The medicine will cause you pain at first, but it will effect a complete cure.”

The tiger hurried away to the jungle, and poured the akauna juice into his eyes. The pain it caused was as if his eyeballs were being torn out. He tossed himself about in agony, and at last struck his head against a tree. In a short time, his blindness was gone. He could see everything plainly, and was delighted beyond expression.

One day several traders were passing along a pathway through the jungle in which the tiger hunted. He was lying concealed watching for prey, and when the traders were passing he jumped out upon them. Seeing the tiger they fled, and left behind them their silver, and gold, and brass vessels. The tiger collected all and carried them to Ulta’s mother’s house, and presenting them to her said, “All this I give to you, for through you I have again seen the earth. Had it not been for you, who knows whether I should ever have been cured or not.” Ulta’s mother was delighted with the generosity of the tiger. He had made her rich at once. But she was anxious togetrid of him, and said “Go away. May you always find a living somewhere.” So the tiger returned to the jungle again.

Sometime afterwards the tiger was minded to take a wife, and sought his old friend Ulta’s mother. On arriving at her house he called out, “Oh! Ulta’s mother, where are you? Are you in your house?” She replied, “Who are you?” The tiger answered, “It is I, the forest hero. You cured my blindness.” So Ulta’s mother came out of her house, and said, “Wherefore, Sir, have you come here?” “I wish you,” replied the tiger, “to find a bride for me.” Ulta’s mother said, “Come to-morrow and I will tell you. Do not stay to-day.” So the tiger left.

Ulta’s mother then went to her neighbours and said, “The tiger has put me in a great difficulty. He wishes me to find a bride for him.” They said to her,“Is he not blind?” She replied, “No. He sees now, and it is that, which distresses me. What can I do?” They said, “Get a bag, and order him to go into it, and then tie up the mouth tightly, and tell him to remain still. Say to him, If you move, or make a noise, I will not seek a bride for you. And when you have him tied securely in the bag, call us.” The next day the tiger appeared, and Ulta’s mother told him to get into the bag, and allow her to tie it. So he went in, and she tied the bag’s mouth, and said, “You must not move, lie still, or I shall not be your go-between.” Having secured him, Ulta’s mother called her neighbours, who came armed with clubs, and began to beat the helpless animal. He called out, “Oh! Ulta’s mother, what are you doing?” She said, “Keep quiet. They are beating the marriage drums. Lie still a little longer.” The tiger remained motionless, while they continued to beat him. At length they said, “He must be dead now, let us throw him out.” So they carried him to a river, and having thrown him in, returned home.

The current bore the tiger far down the river, but at length he stranded in a cove. A short time afterwards a tigress came down to the river to drink and seeing the bag, and thinking it might contain something edible she seized it and draggedit up on to the bank. The tigress then cut the bag open with her teeth, and the tiger sprang out, exclaiming, “Of a truth she has given me a bride. Ulta’s mother has done me a good turn, and I shall remember her as long as I live.” The tiger and the tigress being of one mind on the subject agreed never to separate.

One day the two tigers said “Come let us go and pay a visit to Ulta’s mother, who has proved so helpful to us. As we cannot go empty handed, let us rob some one to get money to take with us.” So they went and lay in wait near a path which passed through the forest in which they lived. Presently a party of merchants came up, and the tigers with a loud roar sprang from their ambush on to the road. The merchants seeing them, fled, and left behind them all their property in money and cloth. Those they carried to Ulta’s mother. When she saw the tigers approaching her throat became dry through terror.

Before entering the court-yard they called out to Ulta’s mother announcing their approach. Ulta’s mother addressed the tiger thus, “Why do you come here frightening one in this way?” The tiger replied, “There is no fear. It is I who am afraid of you. Why should you dread my coming? It was you who found this partner for me. Do you not yet know me?” Ulta’s mother replied, “What can you do Sir? Do you not remember that we give and receive gifts on the Karam festival day? On the days for giving and receiving, we give and receive. Now, that you are happily wedded, may you live in peace and comfort; but do not come here again.”

The tiger then gave Ulta’s mother a large amount of money and much cloth, after which the two tigers took their leave, and Ulta’s mother entered her house loaded with rupees and clothing.

1Calotropis gigantea, R. Br.

1Calotropis gigantea, R. Br.

The Greatest Cheat of Seven.A great cheat married the cheating sister of seven cheats. One day his father-in-law and seven brothers-in-law came on a visit to his house. After conversing with them for a little, he invited them to accompany him to the river to bathe. He carried a fishing rod with him, and on arriving at the river cast his line into a pool, saying, “Now, fish, if you do not instantly repair to my house, I shall not be able to speak well of you.” This he said to deceive the others, as before leaving home he had given a fish to his wife telling her to prepare it for dinner. When seated at table he said to his guests,“the fish we are now eating is the one I, in your presence, ordered to proceed from the river to my house this forenoon.” They were greatly astonished at the wonderful properties possessed by the fishing rod, and expressed a desire to purchase it, and offered to pay five rupees for it. He accepted their offer, and they carried the wonderful fishing rod home with them.Next day they arranged to goa-fishing. They cast the line into a pool as they had seen the cheat do, and said, “Now fish, if you do not repair at once to our home we shall not be able to speak well of you.” Having bathed they returned home, and asked to see the fish. Their wives said, “What fish? You gave us no fish. We have seen no fish. Where did you throw it down?” They now knew that their sister’s husband was a cheat, so they decided to go and charge him with having deceived them.The cheat had notice of their coming, and quickly taking his dog with him went to hunt. He caught a hare and bringing it home gave it to his wife, and said, “When we reach the end of the street on our way home from hunting, you make the dog stand near the house with the dead hare in his mouth.”He invited his visitors to accompany him for an hour’s hunting, saying, “Come, let us go and kill a hare for dinner.” So they went to the jungle, and presently started a hare. The cheat threw a stone at his dog, and frightened it so that it ran home. He called after it, “If you do not catch and take that hare home, it will not be well for you.” He then said to his friends, “Come, let us return, we will find the dog there with the hare before us.” They replied, “We doubt it much.” “There is no mistake about it,” he said, “We are certain to find both dog and hare.” On reaching home they found the dog standing waiting for them with a hare in his mouth.His brothers-in-law were astonished beyond measure at the sagacity of the dog, and they said, “Sell this dog to us, we will pay a good price for it.” He demanded ten rupees, which they gladly paid. So they returned home, and said nothing to him about his having cheated them in the matter of the fishing rod.One day, taking the dog with them, they went to hunt. It caught five hares, and its masters were greatly delighted with its performance.After this the cheat’s house was accidentally burnt, and he gathering the ashes together, set out for the bazaar, there to sell them. On the wayhefell in with a party of merchants who had a large bag full of silver with them. They enquired what his bag contained, to which he replied, “Gold.” They agreed to pass the night in the same encampment, so having partaken of their evening meal, they lay down to sleep. At midnight the merchants rose, and exchanged the bags, and then lay down again. The cheat saw them, and chuckled within himself. In the morning the merchants made haste to leave, as they feared the cheat might find out the theft of his bag. The cheat asked them before they left to help him to lift his bag on to his bullock’s back, saying, “It was to receive assistance fromyou that I encamped here last night.” So having helped him to load his bullock they hurried away lest they should be caught. The cheat carried his treasure home, but being unable to count so much money borrowed a measure from his father-in-law, and found he had four maunds of silver.On returning the measure he sent along with it five seers of silver, saying, “For the ashes of my house I received four maunds of silver, if you reduce your houses to ashes and sell them, you will obtain very much more.” So they foolishly burnt their houses, and collecting the ashes went to the bazaar to dispose of them. The merchants to whom they offered them directed them to go to the washermen, saying, “They will possibly buy.” But they also refused, and they were compelled to return home without having effected a sale. They vowed vengeance on the cheat, and set out to find him.When they reached his house the cheat was on the point of starting on a journey. After mutual salutations he said, “I have just killed my second wife. I go to receive eight maunds of silver for her corpse. Dead bodies bring high prices.” They said to him, “How about the ashes? We could not sell them.” He replied, “You did not go far enough from home. Had you gone to a distance you would have made a good bargain.”The cheat’s youngest wife having died he washed the body, and anointed it with oil. He then put it in a large bag, and loaded it on the back of a bullock, and set out. On the way he came to a field of wheat, into which he drove the animal, and then hid himself near by. The owner of the field finding the bullock eating his wheat, beat it unmercifully with a cudgel. The cheat then came from his hiding place, and said, “Have you not done wrong in beating my bullock? If you have killed my wife, where will you flee to? I fellbehind, and for that reason my ox got into your field. My wife, whom I have newly married, is weak and unable to go on foot, so I put her into a bag to carry her home on my bullock.”Having opened the bag the wife was found dead, and her assailant stood self convicted of her murder. He gave her husband six maunds of rupees as hush money, so the cheat burnt the corpse and returned home laden with spoil.The cheat next sent for his brothers-in-law, and shewing them the money, said, “I killed my second wife, and got all this money by selling the corpse.” They enquired, “Who are the people who buy dead bodies?” He replied, “They reside in the Rakas country.”Then the seven brothers killed each his youngest wife, and carried the bodies to a distant country to dispose of them. When the people of that country knew the object for which they had come they said to them, “What sort of men are you hawking corpses about the towns and villages? You must be the worst, or else most stupid of men.” Hearing this the brothers were dismayed, and began to take in the situation. They perceived that the cheat had again deceived them, and they retraced their steps homewards bitterly lamenting their folly. On reaching their village they cremated the remains of their wives, and from that day had no more dealings with the cheat.

The Greatest Cheat of Seven.

A great cheat married the cheating sister of seven cheats. One day his father-in-law and seven brothers-in-law came on a visit to his house. After conversing with them for a little, he invited them to accompany him to the river to bathe. He carried a fishing rod with him, and on arriving at the river cast his line into a pool, saying, “Now, fish, if you do not instantly repair to my house, I shall not be able to speak well of you.” This he said to deceive the others, as before leaving home he had given a fish to his wife telling her to prepare it for dinner. When seated at table he said to his guests,“the fish we are now eating is the one I, in your presence, ordered to proceed from the river to my house this forenoon.” They were greatly astonished at the wonderful properties possessed by the fishing rod, and expressed a desire to purchase it, and offered to pay five rupees for it. He accepted their offer, and they carried the wonderful fishing rod home with them.Next day they arranged to goa-fishing. They cast the line into a pool as they had seen the cheat do, and said, “Now fish, if you do not repair at once to our home we shall not be able to speak well of you.” Having bathed they returned home, and asked to see the fish. Their wives said, “What fish? You gave us no fish. We have seen no fish. Where did you throw it down?” They now knew that their sister’s husband was a cheat, so they decided to go and charge him with having deceived them.The cheat had notice of their coming, and quickly taking his dog with him went to hunt. He caught a hare and bringing it home gave it to his wife, and said, “When we reach the end of the street on our way home from hunting, you make the dog stand near the house with the dead hare in his mouth.”He invited his visitors to accompany him for an hour’s hunting, saying, “Come, let us go and kill a hare for dinner.” So they went to the jungle, and presently started a hare. The cheat threw a stone at his dog, and frightened it so that it ran home. He called after it, “If you do not catch and take that hare home, it will not be well for you.” He then said to his friends, “Come, let us return, we will find the dog there with the hare before us.” They replied, “We doubt it much.” “There is no mistake about it,” he said, “We are certain to find both dog and hare.” On reaching home they found the dog standing waiting for them with a hare in his mouth.His brothers-in-law were astonished beyond measure at the sagacity of the dog, and they said, “Sell this dog to us, we will pay a good price for it.” He demanded ten rupees, which they gladly paid. So they returned home, and said nothing to him about his having cheated them in the matter of the fishing rod.One day, taking the dog with them, they went to hunt. It caught five hares, and its masters were greatly delighted with its performance.After this the cheat’s house was accidentally burnt, and he gathering the ashes together, set out for the bazaar, there to sell them. On the wayhefell in with a party of merchants who had a large bag full of silver with them. They enquired what his bag contained, to which he replied, “Gold.” They agreed to pass the night in the same encampment, so having partaken of their evening meal, they lay down to sleep. At midnight the merchants rose, and exchanged the bags, and then lay down again. The cheat saw them, and chuckled within himself. In the morning the merchants made haste to leave, as they feared the cheat might find out the theft of his bag. The cheat asked them before they left to help him to lift his bag on to his bullock’s back, saying, “It was to receive assistance fromyou that I encamped here last night.” So having helped him to load his bullock they hurried away lest they should be caught. The cheat carried his treasure home, but being unable to count so much money borrowed a measure from his father-in-law, and found he had four maunds of silver.On returning the measure he sent along with it five seers of silver, saying, “For the ashes of my house I received four maunds of silver, if you reduce your houses to ashes and sell them, you will obtain very much more.” So they foolishly burnt their houses, and collecting the ashes went to the bazaar to dispose of them. The merchants to whom they offered them directed them to go to the washermen, saying, “They will possibly buy.” But they also refused, and they were compelled to return home without having effected a sale. They vowed vengeance on the cheat, and set out to find him.When they reached his house the cheat was on the point of starting on a journey. After mutual salutations he said, “I have just killed my second wife. I go to receive eight maunds of silver for her corpse. Dead bodies bring high prices.” They said to him, “How about the ashes? We could not sell them.” He replied, “You did not go far enough from home. Had you gone to a distance you would have made a good bargain.”The cheat’s youngest wife having died he washed the body, and anointed it with oil. He then put it in a large bag, and loaded it on the back of a bullock, and set out. On the way he came to a field of wheat, into which he drove the animal, and then hid himself near by. The owner of the field finding the bullock eating his wheat, beat it unmercifully with a cudgel. The cheat then came from his hiding place, and said, “Have you not done wrong in beating my bullock? If you have killed my wife, where will you flee to? I fellbehind, and for that reason my ox got into your field. My wife, whom I have newly married, is weak and unable to go on foot, so I put her into a bag to carry her home on my bullock.”Having opened the bag the wife was found dead, and her assailant stood self convicted of her murder. He gave her husband six maunds of rupees as hush money, so the cheat burnt the corpse and returned home laden with spoil.The cheat next sent for his brothers-in-law, and shewing them the money, said, “I killed my second wife, and got all this money by selling the corpse.” They enquired, “Who are the people who buy dead bodies?” He replied, “They reside in the Rakas country.”Then the seven brothers killed each his youngest wife, and carried the bodies to a distant country to dispose of them. When the people of that country knew the object for which they had come they said to them, “What sort of men are you hawking corpses about the towns and villages? You must be the worst, or else most stupid of men.” Hearing this the brothers were dismayed, and began to take in the situation. They perceived that the cheat had again deceived them, and they retraced their steps homewards bitterly lamenting their folly. On reaching their village they cremated the remains of their wives, and from that day had no more dealings with the cheat.

A great cheat married the cheating sister of seven cheats. One day his father-in-law and seven brothers-in-law came on a visit to his house. After conversing with them for a little, he invited them to accompany him to the river to bathe. He carried a fishing rod with him, and on arriving at the river cast his line into a pool, saying, “Now, fish, if you do not instantly repair to my house, I shall not be able to speak well of you.” This he said to deceive the others, as before leaving home he had given a fish to his wife telling her to prepare it for dinner. When seated at table he said to his guests,“the fish we are now eating is the one I, in your presence, ordered to proceed from the river to my house this forenoon.” They were greatly astonished at the wonderful properties possessed by the fishing rod, and expressed a desire to purchase it, and offered to pay five rupees for it. He accepted their offer, and they carried the wonderful fishing rod home with them.

Next day they arranged to goa-fishing. They cast the line into a pool as they had seen the cheat do, and said, “Now fish, if you do not repair at once to our home we shall not be able to speak well of you.” Having bathed they returned home, and asked to see the fish. Their wives said, “What fish? You gave us no fish. We have seen no fish. Where did you throw it down?” They now knew that their sister’s husband was a cheat, so they decided to go and charge him with having deceived them.

The cheat had notice of their coming, and quickly taking his dog with him went to hunt. He caught a hare and bringing it home gave it to his wife, and said, “When we reach the end of the street on our way home from hunting, you make the dog stand near the house with the dead hare in his mouth.”

He invited his visitors to accompany him for an hour’s hunting, saying, “Come, let us go and kill a hare for dinner.” So they went to the jungle, and presently started a hare. The cheat threw a stone at his dog, and frightened it so that it ran home. He called after it, “If you do not catch and take that hare home, it will not be well for you.” He then said to his friends, “Come, let us return, we will find the dog there with the hare before us.” They replied, “We doubt it much.” “There is no mistake about it,” he said, “We are certain to find both dog and hare.” On reaching home they found the dog standing waiting for them with a hare in his mouth.

His brothers-in-law were astonished beyond measure at the sagacity of the dog, and they said, “Sell this dog to us, we will pay a good price for it.” He demanded ten rupees, which they gladly paid. So they returned home, and said nothing to him about his having cheated them in the matter of the fishing rod.

One day, taking the dog with them, they went to hunt. It caught five hares, and its masters were greatly delighted with its performance.

After this the cheat’s house was accidentally burnt, and he gathering the ashes together, set out for the bazaar, there to sell them. On the wayhefell in with a party of merchants who had a large bag full of silver with them. They enquired what his bag contained, to which he replied, “Gold.” They agreed to pass the night in the same encampment, so having partaken of their evening meal, they lay down to sleep. At midnight the merchants rose, and exchanged the bags, and then lay down again. The cheat saw them, and chuckled within himself. In the morning the merchants made haste to leave, as they feared the cheat might find out the theft of his bag. The cheat asked them before they left to help him to lift his bag on to his bullock’s back, saying, “It was to receive assistance fromyou that I encamped here last night.” So having helped him to load his bullock they hurried away lest they should be caught. The cheat carried his treasure home, but being unable to count so much money borrowed a measure from his father-in-law, and found he had four maunds of silver.

On returning the measure he sent along with it five seers of silver, saying, “For the ashes of my house I received four maunds of silver, if you reduce your houses to ashes and sell them, you will obtain very much more.” So they foolishly burnt their houses, and collecting the ashes went to the bazaar to dispose of them. The merchants to whom they offered them directed them to go to the washermen, saying, “They will possibly buy.” But they also refused, and they were compelled to return home without having effected a sale. They vowed vengeance on the cheat, and set out to find him.

When they reached his house the cheat was on the point of starting on a journey. After mutual salutations he said, “I have just killed my second wife. I go to receive eight maunds of silver for her corpse. Dead bodies bring high prices.” They said to him, “How about the ashes? We could not sell them.” He replied, “You did not go far enough from home. Had you gone to a distance you would have made a good bargain.”

The cheat’s youngest wife having died he washed the body, and anointed it with oil. He then put it in a large bag, and loaded it on the back of a bullock, and set out. On the way he came to a field of wheat, into which he drove the animal, and then hid himself near by. The owner of the field finding the bullock eating his wheat, beat it unmercifully with a cudgel. The cheat then came from his hiding place, and said, “Have you not done wrong in beating my bullock? If you have killed my wife, where will you flee to? I fellbehind, and for that reason my ox got into your field. My wife, whom I have newly married, is weak and unable to go on foot, so I put her into a bag to carry her home on my bullock.”

Having opened the bag the wife was found dead, and her assailant stood self convicted of her murder. He gave her husband six maunds of rupees as hush money, so the cheat burnt the corpse and returned home laden with spoil.

The cheat next sent for his brothers-in-law, and shewing them the money, said, “I killed my second wife, and got all this money by selling the corpse.” They enquired, “Who are the people who buy dead bodies?” He replied, “They reside in the Rakas country.”

Then the seven brothers killed each his youngest wife, and carried the bodies to a distant country to dispose of them. When the people of that country knew the object for which they had come they said to them, “What sort of men are you hawking corpses about the towns and villages? You must be the worst, or else most stupid of men.” Hearing this the brothers were dismayed, and began to take in the situation. They perceived that the cheat had again deceived them, and they retraced their steps homewards bitterly lamenting their folly. On reaching their village they cremated the remains of their wives, and from that day had no more dealings with the cheat.

TheStory of Two Princesses.A certain raja had two daughters, who were in the habit of amusing themselves out side of the palace walls. One day they saw a crow flying towards them with a ripe Terel1fruit in his beak. They then said to each other, “What fruit is it? It looks nice and sweet.” The crow let the fruit fall in front of them. They ran and picked it up, and ate it. It tasted deliciously sweet. Then they said, “From whence did the crow bring such a good fruit?” Then they remembered the direction from which they had seen it coming, and said, “If we go this way we shall find it.” So they went, but it was only after they had travelled a great distance from home that they found the Terel tree with the ripelusciousfruit.The elder of the two girls climbed up into the tree, and shook down a large quantity of the fruit. They then feasted to their heart’s content. Presently they began to feel thirsty, and the elder said to the younger, “You remain here while I go to drink, and I will also bring you water in a leaf cup.” Having said this she went away to the tank, and her sister remained under the Terel tree. The day was extremely hot, and they were very thirsty.The elder having quenched her thirst was returning carrying water for her sister in a cup made of the leaves of a Terel tree, when a bhut came flying along, and fell into the cup of water. Presently she became aware that there was a hole in the bottom of her cup through which all the water had run out. What could she do now? There was no help for it but to return to the tank, make another leaf cup, and filling it with water return to her sister. As she was returning with the cup full of water the bhut again came flying up, andentering the water passed through the leaf, making a hole by which all the water escaped.Again she made a leaf cup, and having filled it with water was returning when the bhut again came, and destroyed her cup, and caused her to lose the water. In this way she was detained till very late.A raja who happened to be in the vicinity saw a beautiful girl carrying water in a leaf cup, and a bhut come and make a hole in the cup, so that it soon became empty. Having seen this several times repeated, he drew near, and feasted his eyes on her beauty. Then he carried her away to his palace, where they were joined in wedlock, and the princess, now the rani, cooked the food for herself and her husband.The younger princess remained near the Terel tree, and although she had given up hope of again meeting her sister, still she continued to wait. At length a herd of Hanuman monkeys came to feed upon the Terel fruit. When the girl saw them coming she was terrified and crept into the hollow of the tree. The monkeys with the exception of an old frail one, climbed into the tree and began to eat the fruit. The old monkey remained below and picked up the fruit shells which the others threw down.The old monkey having noticed the girl hiding in the hollow of the tree called to the others, “Throw me down some. If you do not I shall not share theSetke chopotI have found.” The monkeys in the tree said, “Do not give him any. He is deceiving us. When his hunger is satisfied he will run and leave us.” So no fruit was thrown down to him, and he was forced to be content with the shells. The monkeys in the tree having fared sumptuously, left. The old monkey waited till they were out of sight, and then entered the hollow of the tree, where the girl was, and ate her up. He then went to the tankto drink, and afterwards went in the direction of the raja’s garden, on reaching which he lay down and died. One of the gardeners finding him dead threw him on the dunghill.From the place where the monkey decayed a gourd sprang, and grew, and bore a fruit which ripened. One day a jugi, when on his rounds begging, saw this fruit and plucking it took it away with him. Out of the shell he made a banjo, which when played upon emitted wonderful music. The words which seemed to proceed from the banjo were as follows:Ripe terels, ripe terels, Oh! Sister mine.Went in search of water, Oh! Sister mine.Raja and Rani they became.Seven hundred monkeys old,Ate me up, ate me up. Oh! Sister mine.The jugi was greatly pleased with the music of his new banjo, and determined to take it with him when he went a begging. So one day he set out with his banjo the music of which so pleased the people that they gave him large gifts of money and clothes. In course of time he arrived at the palace where the elder sister was now rani, and, being admitted, began to play on his banjo. The instrument again produced most wonderful music. It seemed to wail as follows:Ripe terels, ripe terels, Oh! Sister mine.Went in search of water, Oh! Sister mine.Raja and Rani they became.Seven hundred monkeys old,Ate me up, ate me up. Oh! Sister mine.Having listened to the music the rani said, “It is wonderfully sweet,” and she fancied she heard her sister’s voice in every note. She thought it possible that it was she who sang in the banjo, and she desired to obtain possession of it. So she invited the jugi to pass the night in the palace, saying,I would hear more of this entrancing music.” The jugi listened to the words of the rani and agreed to remain till morning. So the rani made much of him with the intention of at length obtaining possession of his banjo. She caused a goat to be killed, and she cooked a splendid supper for the jugi, who finding the food so toothsome ate heartily. Wine was notwithheld, and the jugi being in a festive frame of mind drank deeply, so that he soon lay as one dead. The rani took the banjo, and placed another in its stead. She then threw filth over the unconscious jugi and retired to her own apartment.The jugi on awaking before sunrise found himself in a pitiable plight. He felt so thoroughly disgusted with himself that, hastily picking up his staff, cloth, and banjo, he fled with the utmost possible speed from the palace. When dawn broke he saw that the banjo he had was not his own, and although he felt keenly its loss he was too much ashamed of the condition he had been in to go back to seek it.The rani hid the jugi’s banjo in her own room, because she knew her sister to be in it. Whenever the raja and rani went out to walk the girl left the banjo and having bathed and dressed her hair, cooked the family meal, and then returned to the banjo. This happened so often that at last, it came to the knowledge of the raja that a fairy lived in the banjo, and when the way was clear used to come out and prepare food for the rani and himself. So he determined to lie in wait for the fairy cook. He then sent the rani somewhere on an errand, and hid himself in a corner of the room from whence he could see the banjo. In a short time the princess emerged from the banjo, and began to dress her hair, and anoint herself with oil, after which she cooked rice. She divided the food into three portions, one of which she ate. As she was about to re-enter the banjo the raja sprang out and caught hold of her. She exclaimed, “Chi! Chi! you may be a Hadi, or you may be a Dom.” The raja replied, “Chi! Chi! whether I be a Dom, or a Hadi, from to-day you and I are one.”1Diospyros tomentosa.

TheStory of Two Princesses.

A certain raja had two daughters, who were in the habit of amusing themselves out side of the palace walls. One day they saw a crow flying towards them with a ripe Terel1fruit in his beak. They then said to each other, “What fruit is it? It looks nice and sweet.” The crow let the fruit fall in front of them. They ran and picked it up, and ate it. It tasted deliciously sweet. Then they said, “From whence did the crow bring such a good fruit?” Then they remembered the direction from which they had seen it coming, and said, “If we go this way we shall find it.” So they went, but it was only after they had travelled a great distance from home that they found the Terel tree with the ripelusciousfruit.The elder of the two girls climbed up into the tree, and shook down a large quantity of the fruit. They then feasted to their heart’s content. Presently they began to feel thirsty, and the elder said to the younger, “You remain here while I go to drink, and I will also bring you water in a leaf cup.” Having said this she went away to the tank, and her sister remained under the Terel tree. The day was extremely hot, and they were very thirsty.The elder having quenched her thirst was returning carrying water for her sister in a cup made of the leaves of a Terel tree, when a bhut came flying along, and fell into the cup of water. Presently she became aware that there was a hole in the bottom of her cup through which all the water had run out. What could she do now? There was no help for it but to return to the tank, make another leaf cup, and filling it with water return to her sister. As she was returning with the cup full of water the bhut again came flying up, andentering the water passed through the leaf, making a hole by which all the water escaped.Again she made a leaf cup, and having filled it with water was returning when the bhut again came, and destroyed her cup, and caused her to lose the water. In this way she was detained till very late.A raja who happened to be in the vicinity saw a beautiful girl carrying water in a leaf cup, and a bhut come and make a hole in the cup, so that it soon became empty. Having seen this several times repeated, he drew near, and feasted his eyes on her beauty. Then he carried her away to his palace, where they were joined in wedlock, and the princess, now the rani, cooked the food for herself and her husband.The younger princess remained near the Terel tree, and although she had given up hope of again meeting her sister, still she continued to wait. At length a herd of Hanuman monkeys came to feed upon the Terel fruit. When the girl saw them coming she was terrified and crept into the hollow of the tree. The monkeys with the exception of an old frail one, climbed into the tree and began to eat the fruit. The old monkey remained below and picked up the fruit shells which the others threw down.The old monkey having noticed the girl hiding in the hollow of the tree called to the others, “Throw me down some. If you do not I shall not share theSetke chopotI have found.” The monkeys in the tree said, “Do not give him any. He is deceiving us. When his hunger is satisfied he will run and leave us.” So no fruit was thrown down to him, and he was forced to be content with the shells. The monkeys in the tree having fared sumptuously, left. The old monkey waited till they were out of sight, and then entered the hollow of the tree, where the girl was, and ate her up. He then went to the tankto drink, and afterwards went in the direction of the raja’s garden, on reaching which he lay down and died. One of the gardeners finding him dead threw him on the dunghill.From the place where the monkey decayed a gourd sprang, and grew, and bore a fruit which ripened. One day a jugi, when on his rounds begging, saw this fruit and plucking it took it away with him. Out of the shell he made a banjo, which when played upon emitted wonderful music. The words which seemed to proceed from the banjo were as follows:Ripe terels, ripe terels, Oh! Sister mine.Went in search of water, Oh! Sister mine.Raja and Rani they became.Seven hundred monkeys old,Ate me up, ate me up. Oh! Sister mine.The jugi was greatly pleased with the music of his new banjo, and determined to take it with him when he went a begging. So one day he set out with his banjo the music of which so pleased the people that they gave him large gifts of money and clothes. In course of time he arrived at the palace where the elder sister was now rani, and, being admitted, began to play on his banjo. The instrument again produced most wonderful music. It seemed to wail as follows:Ripe terels, ripe terels, Oh! Sister mine.Went in search of water, Oh! Sister mine.Raja and Rani they became.Seven hundred monkeys old,Ate me up, ate me up. Oh! Sister mine.Having listened to the music the rani said, “It is wonderfully sweet,” and she fancied she heard her sister’s voice in every note. She thought it possible that it was she who sang in the banjo, and she desired to obtain possession of it. So she invited the jugi to pass the night in the palace, saying,I would hear more of this entrancing music.” The jugi listened to the words of the rani and agreed to remain till morning. So the rani made much of him with the intention of at length obtaining possession of his banjo. She caused a goat to be killed, and she cooked a splendid supper for the jugi, who finding the food so toothsome ate heartily. Wine was notwithheld, and the jugi being in a festive frame of mind drank deeply, so that he soon lay as one dead. The rani took the banjo, and placed another in its stead. She then threw filth over the unconscious jugi and retired to her own apartment.The jugi on awaking before sunrise found himself in a pitiable plight. He felt so thoroughly disgusted with himself that, hastily picking up his staff, cloth, and banjo, he fled with the utmost possible speed from the palace. When dawn broke he saw that the banjo he had was not his own, and although he felt keenly its loss he was too much ashamed of the condition he had been in to go back to seek it.The rani hid the jugi’s banjo in her own room, because she knew her sister to be in it. Whenever the raja and rani went out to walk the girl left the banjo and having bathed and dressed her hair, cooked the family meal, and then returned to the banjo. This happened so often that at last, it came to the knowledge of the raja that a fairy lived in the banjo, and when the way was clear used to come out and prepare food for the rani and himself. So he determined to lie in wait for the fairy cook. He then sent the rani somewhere on an errand, and hid himself in a corner of the room from whence he could see the banjo. In a short time the princess emerged from the banjo, and began to dress her hair, and anoint herself with oil, after which she cooked rice. She divided the food into three portions, one of which she ate. As she was about to re-enter the banjo the raja sprang out and caught hold of her. She exclaimed, “Chi! Chi! you may be a Hadi, or you may be a Dom.” The raja replied, “Chi! Chi! whether I be a Dom, or a Hadi, from to-day you and I are one.”

A certain raja had two daughters, who were in the habit of amusing themselves out side of the palace walls. One day they saw a crow flying towards them with a ripe Terel1fruit in his beak. They then said to each other, “What fruit is it? It looks nice and sweet.” The crow let the fruit fall in front of them. They ran and picked it up, and ate it. It tasted deliciously sweet. Then they said, “From whence did the crow bring such a good fruit?” Then they remembered the direction from which they had seen it coming, and said, “If we go this way we shall find it.” So they went, but it was only after they had travelled a great distance from home that they found the Terel tree with the ripelusciousfruit.

The elder of the two girls climbed up into the tree, and shook down a large quantity of the fruit. They then feasted to their heart’s content. Presently they began to feel thirsty, and the elder said to the younger, “You remain here while I go to drink, and I will also bring you water in a leaf cup.” Having said this she went away to the tank, and her sister remained under the Terel tree. The day was extremely hot, and they were very thirsty.

The elder having quenched her thirst was returning carrying water for her sister in a cup made of the leaves of a Terel tree, when a bhut came flying along, and fell into the cup of water. Presently she became aware that there was a hole in the bottom of her cup through which all the water had run out. What could she do now? There was no help for it but to return to the tank, make another leaf cup, and filling it with water return to her sister. As she was returning with the cup full of water the bhut again came flying up, andentering the water passed through the leaf, making a hole by which all the water escaped.

Again she made a leaf cup, and having filled it with water was returning when the bhut again came, and destroyed her cup, and caused her to lose the water. In this way she was detained till very late.

A raja who happened to be in the vicinity saw a beautiful girl carrying water in a leaf cup, and a bhut come and make a hole in the cup, so that it soon became empty. Having seen this several times repeated, he drew near, and feasted his eyes on her beauty. Then he carried her away to his palace, where they were joined in wedlock, and the princess, now the rani, cooked the food for herself and her husband.

The younger princess remained near the Terel tree, and although she had given up hope of again meeting her sister, still she continued to wait. At length a herd of Hanuman monkeys came to feed upon the Terel fruit. When the girl saw them coming she was terrified and crept into the hollow of the tree. The monkeys with the exception of an old frail one, climbed into the tree and began to eat the fruit. The old monkey remained below and picked up the fruit shells which the others threw down.

The old monkey having noticed the girl hiding in the hollow of the tree called to the others, “Throw me down some. If you do not I shall not share theSetke chopotI have found.” The monkeys in the tree said, “Do not give him any. He is deceiving us. When his hunger is satisfied he will run and leave us.” So no fruit was thrown down to him, and he was forced to be content with the shells. The monkeys in the tree having fared sumptuously, left. The old monkey waited till they were out of sight, and then entered the hollow of the tree, where the girl was, and ate her up. He then went to the tankto drink, and afterwards went in the direction of the raja’s garden, on reaching which he lay down and died. One of the gardeners finding him dead threw him on the dunghill.

From the place where the monkey decayed a gourd sprang, and grew, and bore a fruit which ripened. One day a jugi, when on his rounds begging, saw this fruit and plucking it took it away with him. Out of the shell he made a banjo, which when played upon emitted wonderful music. The words which seemed to proceed from the banjo were as follows:

Ripe terels, ripe terels, Oh! Sister mine.Went in search of water, Oh! Sister mine.Raja and Rani they became.Seven hundred monkeys old,Ate me up, ate me up. Oh! Sister mine.

Ripe terels, ripe terels, Oh! Sister mine.

Went in search of water, Oh! Sister mine.

Raja and Rani they became.

Seven hundred monkeys old,

Ate me up, ate me up. Oh! Sister mine.

The jugi was greatly pleased with the music of his new banjo, and determined to take it with him when he went a begging. So one day he set out with his banjo the music of which so pleased the people that they gave him large gifts of money and clothes. In course of time he arrived at the palace where the elder sister was now rani, and, being admitted, began to play on his banjo. The instrument again produced most wonderful music. It seemed to wail as follows:

Ripe terels, ripe terels, Oh! Sister mine.Went in search of water, Oh! Sister mine.Raja and Rani they became.Seven hundred monkeys old,Ate me up, ate me up. Oh! Sister mine.

Ripe terels, ripe terels, Oh! Sister mine.

Went in search of water, Oh! Sister mine.

Raja and Rani they became.

Seven hundred monkeys old,

Ate me up, ate me up. Oh! Sister mine.

Having listened to the music the rani said, “It is wonderfully sweet,” and she fancied she heard her sister’s voice in every note. She thought it possible that it was she who sang in the banjo, and she desired to obtain possession of it. So she invited the jugi to pass the night in the palace, saying,I would hear more of this entrancing music.” The jugi listened to the words of the rani and agreed to remain till morning. So the rani made much of him with the intention of at length obtaining possession of his banjo. She caused a goat to be killed, and she cooked a splendid supper for the jugi, who finding the food so toothsome ate heartily. Wine was notwithheld, and the jugi being in a festive frame of mind drank deeply, so that he soon lay as one dead. The rani took the banjo, and placed another in its stead. She then threw filth over the unconscious jugi and retired to her own apartment.

The jugi on awaking before sunrise found himself in a pitiable plight. He felt so thoroughly disgusted with himself that, hastily picking up his staff, cloth, and banjo, he fled with the utmost possible speed from the palace. When dawn broke he saw that the banjo he had was not his own, and although he felt keenly its loss he was too much ashamed of the condition he had been in to go back to seek it.

The rani hid the jugi’s banjo in her own room, because she knew her sister to be in it. Whenever the raja and rani went out to walk the girl left the banjo and having bathed and dressed her hair, cooked the family meal, and then returned to the banjo. This happened so often that at last, it came to the knowledge of the raja that a fairy lived in the banjo, and when the way was clear used to come out and prepare food for the rani and himself. So he determined to lie in wait for the fairy cook. He then sent the rani somewhere on an errand, and hid himself in a corner of the room from whence he could see the banjo. In a short time the princess emerged from the banjo, and began to dress her hair, and anoint herself with oil, after which she cooked rice. She divided the food into three portions, one of which she ate. As she was about to re-enter the banjo the raja sprang out and caught hold of her. She exclaimed, “Chi! Chi! you may be a Hadi, or you may be a Dom.” The raja replied, “Chi! Chi! whether I be a Dom, or a Hadi, from to-day you and I are one.”

1Diospyros tomentosa.

1Diospyros tomentosa.

Seven Brothers and their Sister.In a certain village there lived seven brothers and a sister. Their family was wealthy. Their father was dead. The brothers agreed to dig a tank so that whatever happened their name would continue. So they began the work, but although they dug deep they found no water. Then they said to each other, “Why is there no water?” While they were speaking thus among themselves a jugi gosae on his rounds, came to the tank in the hope of finding water, but he was disappointed. The seven brothers on seeing the jugi gosae went and sat down near him, and said, “We have been working for many days, and have dug so deep, still we have not reached water. You, who are a jugi gosae, tell us why water does not come.” He replied, “Unless you give a gift you will never get water.” They enquired, “What should we give.” The jugi gosae replied, “Not gold, or silver, or an elephant, or a horse, but you have a sister?” They said, “Yes, we have one sister.” He replied, “Then make a gift of her to the spirit of the tank.” The girl was betrothed, and her family had received the amount that had been fixed as her price. The brothers argued thus, “We have laboured so long to make a name for ourselves, but have not found water, so where is our name? If we do not sacrifice our sister we shall never obtain the fulfilment of our wishes, let us all agree to it.” So they all said, “Agreed,” but the youngest did not fully approve of their design.In the evening they said to their mother, “Let our sister wash her clothes, dress her hair, and put on all her ornaments to-morrow when she brings us our breakfast to the tank.” They did not, however, enlighten their mother as to why they desired their sister to be so careful with her toilet.The following day the mother addressed her daughter as follows, “Oh! my daughter, your brothers yesterday said to me,let the daughter, when she brings us our breakfast come with clean clothes, her hair dressed and all her ornaments on. So as it is nearly time, go and dress, and put on all your ornaments, and take your brothers’ breakfast to where they are working.” She complied with her mother’s order, and set out for the tank, dressed in her best with all her ornaments on, carrying boiled rice in a new basket.When she arrived at the tank her brothers said to her, “Oh! daughter, set down the basket under yonder tree.” She did so, and the brothers came to where she was. They then said to her, “Go bring us water from the tank to drink.” She took her water-pot under her arm, and went into the tank, but did not at once find water. Presently, however, she saw the sheen of water in the centre, and went to fill her pitcher, but she could not do so, as the water rose so rapidly. The tank was soon full to the brim, and the girl was drowned.The brothers having seen their sister perish, went home. Their mother enquired, “Oh! my sons, where is the daughter?” They replied, “We have given her to the tank. A certain jugi gosae said to us, ‘Unless you offer up your sister you will never get water’.” On hearing this she loudly wailed the loss of her daughter. Her sons strove to mitigate her grief by saying, “Look mother, we undertook the excavation of the tank to perpetuate our name, and to gain the fruit of a meritorious work. And unless there be water in the tank for men and cattle to drink, where is the perpetuation of our name? By our offering up the daughter the tank is full to overflowing. So the cattle can now quench their thirst, and travellers, when they encamp near by and drink the water, will say, ‘The excavators of this tank deserve the thanks of all. We, and others who pass by are recipients of their bounty. Their merit is indeed great’.” In this way with many such like arguments they sought to allay their mother’s grief.Right in the centre of the tank, where the girl was drowned, there sprang up an Upel flower the purple, sheen of which filled the beholder with delight.It has already been stated that the girl had been betrothed, and that her family had received the money for her. The day appointed for the marriage arrived, and the bridegroom’s party with drums, elephants and horses, set out for the bride’s house. On arrival they were informed that she had left her home, and that all efforts to trace her had proved fruitless. So they returned home greatly disappointed. It so happened that their way lay past the tank in which the girl had been sacrificed, and the bridegroom, from his palki, saw the Upel flower in the centre. As he wished to possess himself of it, he ordered his bearers to set down the palki, and stepping out prepared to swim out to pluck the flower. His companions tried to dissuade him, but as he insisted he was permitted to enter the water. He swam to within a short distance of the flower, but as he stretched out his hand to pluck it, the Upel flower, moving away, said, “Chi! Chi! Chi! Chi! You may be either a Dom or a Hadi, do not touch me.” The bridegroom replied, “Not so. Are not we two one?” He made another effort to seize the flower, but it again moved away, saying, “Chi! Chi! Chi! Chi! you may be a Dom or a Hadi, so do not touch me.” To which he replied, “Not so. You and I are one.” He swam after it again, but the flower eluded his grasp, and said, “Chi! Chi! Chi! Chi! You may be a Dom, or you may be a Hadi, so do not touch me.” He said, “Not so. You and I are bride and bridegroom for ever.” Then the Upel flower allowed itself to be plucked, and the bridegroom returned to his company bearing it with him.He entered his palki and the cortege started. They had not proceeded far before the bearers were convinced that the palki was increasing in weight. They said, “How is it that it is now so heavy? A short time ago it was light.” So theypushed aside the panel, and beheld the bride and bridegroom sitting side by side. The marriage party on hearing the glad news rejoiced exceedingly. They beat drums, shouted, danced, and fired off guns. Thus they proceeded on their homeward way.When the bridegroom’s family heard the noise, they said, one to the other “Sister, they have arrived.” Then they went forth to meet the bridegroom, and brought them in with great rejoicing. The bride was she who had been the Upel flower, and was exceedingly beautiful. In form she was both human and divine. The village people, as well as the marriage guests, when they saw her, exclaimed, “What a beautiful bride! She is the fairest bride that we have seen. She has no peer.” Thus they all praised her beauty.It so happened that in the meantime the mother and brothers of the girl had become poor. They were reduced to such straits as to be compelled to sell firewood for a living. So one day the brothers went to the bridegroom’s village with firewood for sale. They offered it to one and another, but no one would buy. At last some one said, “Take it to the house in which the marriage party is assembled. They may require it.” So the brothers went there, and asked, “Will you buy firewood?” They replied, “Yes. We will take it.” Some one informed the bride, that some men from somewhere had brought firewood for sale. So she went out, and at once recognised her brothers, and said to them, “Put down your loads,” and when they had done so she placed beds for them to sit on, and brought them water; but they did not know that she was their sister, as she was so greatly changed. Then she gave them vessels of oil, and said, “Go bathe, for you will dine here to-day.” So they took the oil, and went to bathe, but they were so hungry that they drank the oil on the way. So they bathed, and returned to the house. She then brought them water to wash their hands, and they sat down in a row to eat. The bride gave heryoungest brother food on a brass plate, because he had not approved of what had been done to her, but to the others she gave it on leaf plates.They had only eaten one handful of rice when the girl placed herself in front of them, and putting a hand upon her head, began to weep bitterly. She exclaimed, “Oh! my brothers, you had no pity upon me. You threw me away as an offering to the tank. You saw me lost, and then went home.” When the brothers heard this they felt as if their breasts were torn open. If they looked up to heaven, heaven was high. Then they saw an axe which they seized, and with it they struck the ground with all their might. It opened like the mouth of a large tiger, and the brothers plunged in. The girl caught the youngest brother by the hair to pull him up, but it came away in her hand, and they all disappeared into the bowels of the earth, which closed over them.The girl held the hair in her hand and wept over it. She then planted it, and from it sprang the hair like Bachkom1grass, and from that time Bachkom grass grows in the jungles.The sister had pity on her youngest brother because he did not join heartily with the others in causing her death. So she tried to rescue him from the fate which was about to overtake him, but in this she failed, and he suffered for the sins of his brothers.1Ischœmum agustifolium, Hack.

Seven Brothers and their Sister.

In a certain village there lived seven brothers and a sister. Their family was wealthy. Their father was dead. The brothers agreed to dig a tank so that whatever happened their name would continue. So they began the work, but although they dug deep they found no water. Then they said to each other, “Why is there no water?” While they were speaking thus among themselves a jugi gosae on his rounds, came to the tank in the hope of finding water, but he was disappointed. The seven brothers on seeing the jugi gosae went and sat down near him, and said, “We have been working for many days, and have dug so deep, still we have not reached water. You, who are a jugi gosae, tell us why water does not come.” He replied, “Unless you give a gift you will never get water.” They enquired, “What should we give.” The jugi gosae replied, “Not gold, or silver, or an elephant, or a horse, but you have a sister?” They said, “Yes, we have one sister.” He replied, “Then make a gift of her to the spirit of the tank.” The girl was betrothed, and her family had received the amount that had been fixed as her price. The brothers argued thus, “We have laboured so long to make a name for ourselves, but have not found water, so where is our name? If we do not sacrifice our sister we shall never obtain the fulfilment of our wishes, let us all agree to it.” So they all said, “Agreed,” but the youngest did not fully approve of their design.In the evening they said to their mother, “Let our sister wash her clothes, dress her hair, and put on all her ornaments to-morrow when she brings us our breakfast to the tank.” They did not, however, enlighten their mother as to why they desired their sister to be so careful with her toilet.The following day the mother addressed her daughter as follows, “Oh! my daughter, your brothers yesterday said to me,let the daughter, when she brings us our breakfast come with clean clothes, her hair dressed and all her ornaments on. So as it is nearly time, go and dress, and put on all your ornaments, and take your brothers’ breakfast to where they are working.” She complied with her mother’s order, and set out for the tank, dressed in her best with all her ornaments on, carrying boiled rice in a new basket.When she arrived at the tank her brothers said to her, “Oh! daughter, set down the basket under yonder tree.” She did so, and the brothers came to where she was. They then said to her, “Go bring us water from the tank to drink.” She took her water-pot under her arm, and went into the tank, but did not at once find water. Presently, however, she saw the sheen of water in the centre, and went to fill her pitcher, but she could not do so, as the water rose so rapidly. The tank was soon full to the brim, and the girl was drowned.The brothers having seen their sister perish, went home. Their mother enquired, “Oh! my sons, where is the daughter?” They replied, “We have given her to the tank. A certain jugi gosae said to us, ‘Unless you offer up your sister you will never get water’.” On hearing this she loudly wailed the loss of her daughter. Her sons strove to mitigate her grief by saying, “Look mother, we undertook the excavation of the tank to perpetuate our name, and to gain the fruit of a meritorious work. And unless there be water in the tank for men and cattle to drink, where is the perpetuation of our name? By our offering up the daughter the tank is full to overflowing. So the cattle can now quench their thirst, and travellers, when they encamp near by and drink the water, will say, ‘The excavators of this tank deserve the thanks of all. We, and others who pass by are recipients of their bounty. Their merit is indeed great’.” In this way with many such like arguments they sought to allay their mother’s grief.Right in the centre of the tank, where the girl was drowned, there sprang up an Upel flower the purple, sheen of which filled the beholder with delight.It has already been stated that the girl had been betrothed, and that her family had received the money for her. The day appointed for the marriage arrived, and the bridegroom’s party with drums, elephants and horses, set out for the bride’s house. On arrival they were informed that she had left her home, and that all efforts to trace her had proved fruitless. So they returned home greatly disappointed. It so happened that their way lay past the tank in which the girl had been sacrificed, and the bridegroom, from his palki, saw the Upel flower in the centre. As he wished to possess himself of it, he ordered his bearers to set down the palki, and stepping out prepared to swim out to pluck the flower. His companions tried to dissuade him, but as he insisted he was permitted to enter the water. He swam to within a short distance of the flower, but as he stretched out his hand to pluck it, the Upel flower, moving away, said, “Chi! Chi! Chi! Chi! You may be either a Dom or a Hadi, do not touch me.” The bridegroom replied, “Not so. Are not we two one?” He made another effort to seize the flower, but it again moved away, saying, “Chi! Chi! Chi! Chi! you may be a Dom or a Hadi, so do not touch me.” To which he replied, “Not so. You and I are one.” He swam after it again, but the flower eluded his grasp, and said, “Chi! Chi! Chi! Chi! You may be a Dom, or you may be a Hadi, so do not touch me.” He said, “Not so. You and I are bride and bridegroom for ever.” Then the Upel flower allowed itself to be plucked, and the bridegroom returned to his company bearing it with him.He entered his palki and the cortege started. They had not proceeded far before the bearers were convinced that the palki was increasing in weight. They said, “How is it that it is now so heavy? A short time ago it was light.” So theypushed aside the panel, and beheld the bride and bridegroom sitting side by side. The marriage party on hearing the glad news rejoiced exceedingly. They beat drums, shouted, danced, and fired off guns. Thus they proceeded on their homeward way.When the bridegroom’s family heard the noise, they said, one to the other “Sister, they have arrived.” Then they went forth to meet the bridegroom, and brought them in with great rejoicing. The bride was she who had been the Upel flower, and was exceedingly beautiful. In form she was both human and divine. The village people, as well as the marriage guests, when they saw her, exclaimed, “What a beautiful bride! She is the fairest bride that we have seen. She has no peer.” Thus they all praised her beauty.It so happened that in the meantime the mother and brothers of the girl had become poor. They were reduced to such straits as to be compelled to sell firewood for a living. So one day the brothers went to the bridegroom’s village with firewood for sale. They offered it to one and another, but no one would buy. At last some one said, “Take it to the house in which the marriage party is assembled. They may require it.” So the brothers went there, and asked, “Will you buy firewood?” They replied, “Yes. We will take it.” Some one informed the bride, that some men from somewhere had brought firewood for sale. So she went out, and at once recognised her brothers, and said to them, “Put down your loads,” and when they had done so she placed beds for them to sit on, and brought them water; but they did not know that she was their sister, as she was so greatly changed. Then she gave them vessels of oil, and said, “Go bathe, for you will dine here to-day.” So they took the oil, and went to bathe, but they were so hungry that they drank the oil on the way. So they bathed, and returned to the house. She then brought them water to wash their hands, and they sat down in a row to eat. The bride gave heryoungest brother food on a brass plate, because he had not approved of what had been done to her, but to the others she gave it on leaf plates.They had only eaten one handful of rice when the girl placed herself in front of them, and putting a hand upon her head, began to weep bitterly. She exclaimed, “Oh! my brothers, you had no pity upon me. You threw me away as an offering to the tank. You saw me lost, and then went home.” When the brothers heard this they felt as if their breasts were torn open. If they looked up to heaven, heaven was high. Then they saw an axe which they seized, and with it they struck the ground with all their might. It opened like the mouth of a large tiger, and the brothers plunged in. The girl caught the youngest brother by the hair to pull him up, but it came away in her hand, and they all disappeared into the bowels of the earth, which closed over them.The girl held the hair in her hand and wept over it. She then planted it, and from it sprang the hair like Bachkom1grass, and from that time Bachkom grass grows in the jungles.The sister had pity on her youngest brother because he did not join heartily with the others in causing her death. So she tried to rescue him from the fate which was about to overtake him, but in this she failed, and he suffered for the sins of his brothers.

In a certain village there lived seven brothers and a sister. Their family was wealthy. Their father was dead. The brothers agreed to dig a tank so that whatever happened their name would continue. So they began the work, but although they dug deep they found no water. Then they said to each other, “Why is there no water?” While they were speaking thus among themselves a jugi gosae on his rounds, came to the tank in the hope of finding water, but he was disappointed. The seven brothers on seeing the jugi gosae went and sat down near him, and said, “We have been working for many days, and have dug so deep, still we have not reached water. You, who are a jugi gosae, tell us why water does not come.” He replied, “Unless you give a gift you will never get water.” They enquired, “What should we give.” The jugi gosae replied, “Not gold, or silver, or an elephant, or a horse, but you have a sister?” They said, “Yes, we have one sister.” He replied, “Then make a gift of her to the spirit of the tank.” The girl was betrothed, and her family had received the amount that had been fixed as her price. The brothers argued thus, “We have laboured so long to make a name for ourselves, but have not found water, so where is our name? If we do not sacrifice our sister we shall never obtain the fulfilment of our wishes, let us all agree to it.” So they all said, “Agreed,” but the youngest did not fully approve of their design.

In the evening they said to their mother, “Let our sister wash her clothes, dress her hair, and put on all her ornaments to-morrow when she brings us our breakfast to the tank.” They did not, however, enlighten their mother as to why they desired their sister to be so careful with her toilet.

The following day the mother addressed her daughter as follows, “Oh! my daughter, your brothers yesterday said to me,let the daughter, when she brings us our breakfast come with clean clothes, her hair dressed and all her ornaments on. So as it is nearly time, go and dress, and put on all your ornaments, and take your brothers’ breakfast to where they are working.” She complied with her mother’s order, and set out for the tank, dressed in her best with all her ornaments on, carrying boiled rice in a new basket.

When she arrived at the tank her brothers said to her, “Oh! daughter, set down the basket under yonder tree.” She did so, and the brothers came to where she was. They then said to her, “Go bring us water from the tank to drink.” She took her water-pot under her arm, and went into the tank, but did not at once find water. Presently, however, she saw the sheen of water in the centre, and went to fill her pitcher, but she could not do so, as the water rose so rapidly. The tank was soon full to the brim, and the girl was drowned.

The brothers having seen their sister perish, went home. Their mother enquired, “Oh! my sons, where is the daughter?” They replied, “We have given her to the tank. A certain jugi gosae said to us, ‘Unless you offer up your sister you will never get water’.” On hearing this she loudly wailed the loss of her daughter. Her sons strove to mitigate her grief by saying, “Look mother, we undertook the excavation of the tank to perpetuate our name, and to gain the fruit of a meritorious work. And unless there be water in the tank for men and cattle to drink, where is the perpetuation of our name? By our offering up the daughter the tank is full to overflowing. So the cattle can now quench their thirst, and travellers, when they encamp near by and drink the water, will say, ‘The excavators of this tank deserve the thanks of all. We, and others who pass by are recipients of their bounty. Their merit is indeed great’.” In this way with many such like arguments they sought to allay their mother’s grief.

Right in the centre of the tank, where the girl was drowned, there sprang up an Upel flower the purple, sheen of which filled the beholder with delight.

It has already been stated that the girl had been betrothed, and that her family had received the money for her. The day appointed for the marriage arrived, and the bridegroom’s party with drums, elephants and horses, set out for the bride’s house. On arrival they were informed that she had left her home, and that all efforts to trace her had proved fruitless. So they returned home greatly disappointed. It so happened that their way lay past the tank in which the girl had been sacrificed, and the bridegroom, from his palki, saw the Upel flower in the centre. As he wished to possess himself of it, he ordered his bearers to set down the palki, and stepping out prepared to swim out to pluck the flower. His companions tried to dissuade him, but as he insisted he was permitted to enter the water. He swam to within a short distance of the flower, but as he stretched out his hand to pluck it, the Upel flower, moving away, said, “Chi! Chi! Chi! Chi! You may be either a Dom or a Hadi, do not touch me.” The bridegroom replied, “Not so. Are not we two one?” He made another effort to seize the flower, but it again moved away, saying, “Chi! Chi! Chi! Chi! you may be a Dom or a Hadi, so do not touch me.” To which he replied, “Not so. You and I are one.” He swam after it again, but the flower eluded his grasp, and said, “Chi! Chi! Chi! Chi! You may be a Dom, or you may be a Hadi, so do not touch me.” He said, “Not so. You and I are bride and bridegroom for ever.” Then the Upel flower allowed itself to be plucked, and the bridegroom returned to his company bearing it with him.

He entered his palki and the cortege started. They had not proceeded far before the bearers were convinced that the palki was increasing in weight. They said, “How is it that it is now so heavy? A short time ago it was light.” So theypushed aside the panel, and beheld the bride and bridegroom sitting side by side. The marriage party on hearing the glad news rejoiced exceedingly. They beat drums, shouted, danced, and fired off guns. Thus they proceeded on their homeward way.

When the bridegroom’s family heard the noise, they said, one to the other “Sister, they have arrived.” Then they went forth to meet the bridegroom, and brought them in with great rejoicing. The bride was she who had been the Upel flower, and was exceedingly beautiful. In form she was both human and divine. The village people, as well as the marriage guests, when they saw her, exclaimed, “What a beautiful bride! She is the fairest bride that we have seen. She has no peer.” Thus they all praised her beauty.

It so happened that in the meantime the mother and brothers of the girl had become poor. They were reduced to such straits as to be compelled to sell firewood for a living. So one day the brothers went to the bridegroom’s village with firewood for sale. They offered it to one and another, but no one would buy. At last some one said, “Take it to the house in which the marriage party is assembled. They may require it.” So the brothers went there, and asked, “Will you buy firewood?” They replied, “Yes. We will take it.” Some one informed the bride, that some men from somewhere had brought firewood for sale. So she went out, and at once recognised her brothers, and said to them, “Put down your loads,” and when they had done so she placed beds for them to sit on, and brought them water; but they did not know that she was their sister, as she was so greatly changed. Then she gave them vessels of oil, and said, “Go bathe, for you will dine here to-day.” So they took the oil, and went to bathe, but they were so hungry that they drank the oil on the way. So they bathed, and returned to the house. She then brought them water to wash their hands, and they sat down in a row to eat. The bride gave heryoungest brother food on a brass plate, because he had not approved of what had been done to her, but to the others she gave it on leaf plates.

They had only eaten one handful of rice when the girl placed herself in front of them, and putting a hand upon her head, began to weep bitterly. She exclaimed, “Oh! my brothers, you had no pity upon me. You threw me away as an offering to the tank. You saw me lost, and then went home.” When the brothers heard this they felt as if their breasts were torn open. If they looked up to heaven, heaven was high. Then they saw an axe which they seized, and with it they struck the ground with all their might. It opened like the mouth of a large tiger, and the brothers plunged in. The girl caught the youngest brother by the hair to pull him up, but it came away in her hand, and they all disappeared into the bowels of the earth, which closed over them.

The girl held the hair in her hand and wept over it. She then planted it, and from it sprang the hair like Bachkom1grass, and from that time Bachkom grass grows in the jungles.

The sister had pity on her youngest brother because he did not join heartily with the others in causing her death. So she tried to rescue him from the fate which was about to overtake him, but in this she failed, and he suffered for the sins of his brothers.

1Ischœmum agustifolium, Hack.

1Ischœmum agustifolium, Hack.

The Story of Jhore.There was a lad named Jhore, who herded goats, and every day while with his flock he saw a tiger and a lizard fight. The lizard always vanquished the tiger, and the latter after each encounter came to Jhore and said, “Which of us won?” Jhore through fear every time replied, “You won,” and the tiger went away pleased.One day Jhore said to his mother, give me some roasted matkom in a leaf, and put me into a bag and I will tell you something. So she wrapped up some matkom in a leaf, and Jhore crept into the bag and she tied its mouth. Then she said, “What is it, my son, which you wish to tell me?” Jhore replied, “Every day when I am tending my goats I see a tiger and a lizard fight, and the tiger is vanquished by the lizard. The tiger then comes to me and asks, ‘which of us won?’Through fear I say, you won, then the tiger goes away satisfied.”While Jhore was relating the foregoing to his mother the tiger was listening at the door, and as he finished his story it rushed in, and seizing the bag carried it off to a dense unexplored forest, on a hill in the middle of which he placed it. Jhore was very uncomfortable, and was considering how he could best free himself from the bag. As he was hungry he was reminded of the matkom he had with him wrapped in a leaf, so he began to open it, and the dried leaf crackled. The tiger hearing the noise, asked what produced it. Jhore replied, “It is yesterday’s lizard.” The tidings of the presence of his mortal enemy so terrified the tiger that he exclaimed, “Stop, stop, Jhore. Do not release him. Let me first escape.” After the tiger left Jhore rolled down the hill side, and away into a still denser forest, in an open spot of which he came to a stop. The fastening of the bag was loosed by this time, and Jhore crawled out. All round this open glade in which our herofound himself was dense forest never trodden by the foot of man, andtenantedby a herd of wild buffaloes. Jhore took up his residence there, and subsisted on the roasted matkom as long as it lasted.Jhore in his explorations found a number of buffaloe calves left behind by their mothers who had gone to graze. He tended these daily, cleaning the place where they lived, and taking them to the water, where he washed them. In this way a bond of friendship was established between him and the wild buffaloe calves.Before the buffaloe cows left for their grazing grounds in the mornings the calves said, “You stay away till so late at night that, we are almost famished before you return. Leave some milk with us, so that when hungry we may drink it.” So they left a supply of milk with them, which they gave to Jhore. He took such care of his charges that he soon became a great favourite with them.Matters went on thus for many days till at last the buffaloe cows said among themselves, “We must watch for, and catch whoever it is who keeps our calves so clean.” So a very powerful wild buffaloe was appointed to lie in wait, but he missed seeing Jhore when he led the calves to the water and bathed them, and cleaned and swept out their stall. The next day another took his place, but he succeeded no better. The calves were taken to the water, bathed, brought back, and their stall cleaned and swept as usual without his seeing who did it. When the others returned in the evening he informed them that he had failed to solve the mystery. So they said, “What shall we do now? How shall we catch him? Who will watch to-morrow?” A old buffaloe cow replied, “I will accept the responsibility.” Hearing her speak thus the others said, “What a good elephant and a good horse could not do, will ten asses accomplish?” By this they meant, that two of the strongestof their number having failed, this weak old cow could not possibly succeed. However, she persisted, and in the morning the others went to graze leaving her behind.In a short time she saw Jhore emerge from the dunghill, in which he resided, and loose the calves, and take them to the water. When he brought them back he cleaned and swept their stall, and then re-entered the dunghill. In the evening the others enquired, “Well, did you see him?” The old buffaloe cow replied, “Yes, I saw him, but I will not tell you, for you will kill him.” They pressed her, but she refused, saying, “You will kill him.” They said, “Why should we kill him who takes so much care of our young ones?” The old buffaloe cow led them to the dunghill, and said, “He is in here.” So they called to him to come out, which he did, and when they saw him they were all greatly pleased, so much so that they there and then hired him to continue to do the work he had been doing so well. They arranged also to give him a regular daily supply of milk, so he was duly installed by the herd of wild buffaloes as care-taker of their calves.Long after this, he one day took his calves to the river and after he had bathed them he said to the buffaloe calves,“Wait for me till I also bathe.” They replied, “Bathe, we will graze close by.” He having performed his ablutions sat down on the river bank to comb and dress his hair, which was twelve cubits long. In combing his tangled tresses a quantity was wrenched out, this he wrapped up in a leaf and threw into the stream. It was carried by the current a great distance down to where a raja’s daughter and her companions were bathing. The raja’s daughter saw the leaf floating towards her, and ordered one of her attendants to bring it to her. When the leaf was opened it was found to contain hair twelve cubits in length. Immediately after measuring the hair the raja’s daughter complained of fever, and hasted home to her couch. The raja being informed of his daughter’s illness sent for the mostskilled physicians, who prescribed all the remedies their pharmacopœia contained, but failed to afford the sufferer any relief. The grief of the raja was therefore intense.Then his daughter said to him,“Oh! father, I have one word to say to you.If you do as I wish, I shall recover.” The raja replied, “Tell me what it is, I shall do my best to please you.” So she said, “If you find me one with hair twelve cubits long and bring him to me, I shall rally at once.” The raja said, “It is well.”The raja causeddiligentsearch to be made for the person with hair twelve cubits long. He said to a certain jugi, “You traverse the country far and near, find me the man with hair twelve cubits long.” The jugi enquired everywhere, but could obtain no intelligence concerning him.They then made up a parcel of flour and gave it to a crow, whom they sent to try and find him. The crow flew caw cawing all over the district, but returned at last and reported failure, saying, “there is not such a man in the world.”After this they again made up a small parcel of flour, and giving it to a tame paroquet, said, “Find a man with hair twelve cubits long.” The paroquet, having received his orders, flew away screeching, and mounting high up into the sky, directed his course straight for the unexplored forest. In the meantime the dunghill in which Jhore resided had become a palace.The paroquet alighted on a tree near Jhore’s palace, and began to whistle. On hearing the unusual sound Jhore came out and saw the paroquet who was speaking and whistling. The paroquet also eyed him narrowly, and was delighted to see his hair trailing on the ground. By this he knew that he had found the object of his search, and with a scream of delight, he flew away to communicate the tidings to the raja.The raja was overjoyed with his messenger’s report, and ordered thebariatto set out immediately. In a short time they were on their way accompanied by elephants, horses, drums, and fifes. On reaching Jhore’s palace they were about to enter for the purpose of seizing him, when he exclaimed, “Do not pass my threshold.” They replied, “We will carry you away with us.” He said, “Do not come near.” “We will certainly carry you away,” they replied. Jhore then ran into his house, and seizing his flute mounted to the roof, and began to play. As the notes of the flute resounded through the forest it seemed to say,A staff of Pader1woodA flute of Erandom2Return, return, return,Oh! wild buffaloe cows.The sound of the flute startled the wild buffaloes, and they said one to another, “Sister. What has happened to Jhore?” Then he played again the same as before;A staff of Pader woodA flute of ErandomReturn, return, return,Oh! wild buffaloe cows.As the echoes of Jhore’s flute died away in the forest glades the wild buffaloes sprang forward, and rushed to his assistance. On arrival they found the house and courtyard full of people, and large numbers outside who could not gain admittance. They immediately charged them with all their force, goring many to death, and scattering the remainder, who flung away their drums and fifes, and fled as for dear life.When the raja heard of their discomfiture he sent again for the paroquet, and giving a small parcel of flour to him said,“Stay some time with him until you gain his confidence, and watch your chance to bring away his flute.” Having received his orders he flew off to Jhore’s palace, and having gained access to where the flute was, when Jhore was out of the way he brought it away, and gave it to the raja. The raja was delighted at the sight of the flute, and again ordered thebariatto go to fetch Jhore. A still more imposing array than the former started with elephants, horses, drums, fifes, and palkis, and in due course arrived at Jhore’s residence. On seeing them Jhore called out, “Do not approach, or you will rue it presently.” They replied, “You beat us off the first time, therefore you now crow, but you will not now be able to balk us, we shall take you with us.” Again he warned them to stay where they were, saying, “Do not come nearme, or you will rue it presently.” They replied, “We will take you with us this time, we will not leave you behind.”Jhore then ran into his house, and searched for his flute, but as it had been carried away by the paroquet he could not find it, so seizing another he mounted to the roof, and began to play. The flute seemed to say;A staff of Pader woodA flute of ErandomReturn, return, return,Oh! wild buffaloe cows.The sound startled the wild buffaloes who said one to another “Sister. What is it Jhore says?” Again the music of the flute reached their ears, and the entire herd rushed off to Jhore’s rescue. They charged the crowd inand around the palace of their favourite with such determination that in a few minutes many lay gored to death, and those who were so fortunate as to escape threw down drums, fifes, and palkis, and fled pell mell from the place. The raja, being informed of the catastrophe that had befallen thebariat, again called the paroquet, and after he had given him careful instructions as to how he should proceed, dismissed him. He said, “This timeyou must stay many days with him, and secure his entire confidence and friendship. Then you must bring away all his flutes, do not leave him one.” So the paroquet flew swiftly, and alighted on a tree near to Jhore’s house, and began to whistle. Jhore seeing it was a paroquet brought it food, and induced it to come down, and allow him to take it in his hand. The two, it is said, lived together many days, and greatly enjoyed each other’s society. The paroquet when he had informed himself as to where all Jhore’s flutes were kept, one day tied them all up in a bundle, and carried them to the raja. The sight of the flutes revived the drooping spirits of his Majesty. He gave orders a third time for thebariatto go and bring Jhore, so they started with greater pomp and show than before. Elephants, horses, and an immense number of men with drums and fifes, and palkis formed the procession. On their arrival Jhore came out of his palace and said to them, “Do not come near, or you will rue it.” They replied, “This time we will have you. We will take you with us.” Again Jhore warning them said, “Come no nearer. If you do, you will see something as good as a show.Do you not remember how you fared the other day?” But they said, “We will carry you away with us.” Jhore ran inside to get his flute, so that he might call the wild buffaloes to his assistance; but no flute was to be found. Without the help of his powerful friends he could offer no resistance, so they seized him, and bore him away in triumph to the raja.When the raja’s daughter heard of his arrival the fever suddenly left her, and she was once more in excellent health. She and Jhore were united in the bonds of marriage forthwith; but Jhore was kept a close prisoner in the palace.In course of time a son blessed the union, and when the child was able to walk Jhore’s wife said to him, “Where is the large herd of buffaloes which you boast so much about? If they were here “Sonny” would have milk and curds daily.” Jhoreplucking up courage, replied, “If you do not believe me order a stockade to be constructed thirty-two miles long and thirty-two miles broad, and you shall soon behold my buffaloes.” So they made a pen thirty-two miles long and thirty-two miles broad. Then Jhore said, “Give me my old flute, and you all remain within doors.” So they brought him his flute, and he went up on to the roof of the palace, and played. The music seemed to call as follows:A staff of Pader woodA flute of ErandomReturn, return, return,Oh! wild buffaloe cows.The sound startled the wild buffaloes in their forest home, and they said one to another, “Sister. What does Jhore say?” Again the music seemed to say,A staff of Pader woodA flute of ErandomReturn, return, return,Oh! wild buffaloe cows.At Jhore’s second call the herd of wild buffaloes dashed off at their utmost speed, and never halted till they reached the raja’s palace. They came in such numbers that the pen could not contain them all, many remained outside.Those that entered the pen are the domesticated buffaloes of to-day, and those who were without are the wild buffaloes still found in the forests of India.1Stereospermum suaveolens, D. C.2Recinus communis, Linn.

The Story of Jhore.

There was a lad named Jhore, who herded goats, and every day while with his flock he saw a tiger and a lizard fight. The lizard always vanquished the tiger, and the latter after each encounter came to Jhore and said, “Which of us won?” Jhore through fear every time replied, “You won,” and the tiger went away pleased.One day Jhore said to his mother, give me some roasted matkom in a leaf, and put me into a bag and I will tell you something. So she wrapped up some matkom in a leaf, and Jhore crept into the bag and she tied its mouth. Then she said, “What is it, my son, which you wish to tell me?” Jhore replied, “Every day when I am tending my goats I see a tiger and a lizard fight, and the tiger is vanquished by the lizard. The tiger then comes to me and asks, ‘which of us won?’Through fear I say, you won, then the tiger goes away satisfied.”While Jhore was relating the foregoing to his mother the tiger was listening at the door, and as he finished his story it rushed in, and seizing the bag carried it off to a dense unexplored forest, on a hill in the middle of which he placed it. Jhore was very uncomfortable, and was considering how he could best free himself from the bag. As he was hungry he was reminded of the matkom he had with him wrapped in a leaf, so he began to open it, and the dried leaf crackled. The tiger hearing the noise, asked what produced it. Jhore replied, “It is yesterday’s lizard.” The tidings of the presence of his mortal enemy so terrified the tiger that he exclaimed, “Stop, stop, Jhore. Do not release him. Let me first escape.” After the tiger left Jhore rolled down the hill side, and away into a still denser forest, in an open spot of which he came to a stop. The fastening of the bag was loosed by this time, and Jhore crawled out. All round this open glade in which our herofound himself was dense forest never trodden by the foot of man, andtenantedby a herd of wild buffaloes. Jhore took up his residence there, and subsisted on the roasted matkom as long as it lasted.Jhore in his explorations found a number of buffaloe calves left behind by their mothers who had gone to graze. He tended these daily, cleaning the place where they lived, and taking them to the water, where he washed them. In this way a bond of friendship was established between him and the wild buffaloe calves.Before the buffaloe cows left for their grazing grounds in the mornings the calves said, “You stay away till so late at night that, we are almost famished before you return. Leave some milk with us, so that when hungry we may drink it.” So they left a supply of milk with them, which they gave to Jhore. He took such care of his charges that he soon became a great favourite with them.Matters went on thus for many days till at last the buffaloe cows said among themselves, “We must watch for, and catch whoever it is who keeps our calves so clean.” So a very powerful wild buffaloe was appointed to lie in wait, but he missed seeing Jhore when he led the calves to the water and bathed them, and cleaned and swept out their stall. The next day another took his place, but he succeeded no better. The calves were taken to the water, bathed, brought back, and their stall cleaned and swept as usual without his seeing who did it. When the others returned in the evening he informed them that he had failed to solve the mystery. So they said, “What shall we do now? How shall we catch him? Who will watch to-morrow?” A old buffaloe cow replied, “I will accept the responsibility.” Hearing her speak thus the others said, “What a good elephant and a good horse could not do, will ten asses accomplish?” By this they meant, that two of the strongestof their number having failed, this weak old cow could not possibly succeed. However, she persisted, and in the morning the others went to graze leaving her behind.In a short time she saw Jhore emerge from the dunghill, in which he resided, and loose the calves, and take them to the water. When he brought them back he cleaned and swept their stall, and then re-entered the dunghill. In the evening the others enquired, “Well, did you see him?” The old buffaloe cow replied, “Yes, I saw him, but I will not tell you, for you will kill him.” They pressed her, but she refused, saying, “You will kill him.” They said, “Why should we kill him who takes so much care of our young ones?” The old buffaloe cow led them to the dunghill, and said, “He is in here.” So they called to him to come out, which he did, and when they saw him they were all greatly pleased, so much so that they there and then hired him to continue to do the work he had been doing so well. They arranged also to give him a regular daily supply of milk, so he was duly installed by the herd of wild buffaloes as care-taker of their calves.Long after this, he one day took his calves to the river and after he had bathed them he said to the buffaloe calves,“Wait for me till I also bathe.” They replied, “Bathe, we will graze close by.” He having performed his ablutions sat down on the river bank to comb and dress his hair, which was twelve cubits long. In combing his tangled tresses a quantity was wrenched out, this he wrapped up in a leaf and threw into the stream. It was carried by the current a great distance down to where a raja’s daughter and her companions were bathing. The raja’s daughter saw the leaf floating towards her, and ordered one of her attendants to bring it to her. When the leaf was opened it was found to contain hair twelve cubits in length. Immediately after measuring the hair the raja’s daughter complained of fever, and hasted home to her couch. The raja being informed of his daughter’s illness sent for the mostskilled physicians, who prescribed all the remedies their pharmacopœia contained, but failed to afford the sufferer any relief. The grief of the raja was therefore intense.Then his daughter said to him,“Oh! father, I have one word to say to you.If you do as I wish, I shall recover.” The raja replied, “Tell me what it is, I shall do my best to please you.” So she said, “If you find me one with hair twelve cubits long and bring him to me, I shall rally at once.” The raja said, “It is well.”The raja causeddiligentsearch to be made for the person with hair twelve cubits long. He said to a certain jugi, “You traverse the country far and near, find me the man with hair twelve cubits long.” The jugi enquired everywhere, but could obtain no intelligence concerning him.They then made up a parcel of flour and gave it to a crow, whom they sent to try and find him. The crow flew caw cawing all over the district, but returned at last and reported failure, saying, “there is not such a man in the world.”After this they again made up a small parcel of flour, and giving it to a tame paroquet, said, “Find a man with hair twelve cubits long.” The paroquet, having received his orders, flew away screeching, and mounting high up into the sky, directed his course straight for the unexplored forest. In the meantime the dunghill in which Jhore resided had become a palace.The paroquet alighted on a tree near Jhore’s palace, and began to whistle. On hearing the unusual sound Jhore came out and saw the paroquet who was speaking and whistling. The paroquet also eyed him narrowly, and was delighted to see his hair trailing on the ground. By this he knew that he had found the object of his search, and with a scream of delight, he flew away to communicate the tidings to the raja.The raja was overjoyed with his messenger’s report, and ordered thebariatto set out immediately. In a short time they were on their way accompanied by elephants, horses, drums, and fifes. On reaching Jhore’s palace they were about to enter for the purpose of seizing him, when he exclaimed, “Do not pass my threshold.” They replied, “We will carry you away with us.” He said, “Do not come near.” “We will certainly carry you away,” they replied. Jhore then ran into his house, and seizing his flute mounted to the roof, and began to play. As the notes of the flute resounded through the forest it seemed to say,A staff of Pader1woodA flute of Erandom2Return, return, return,Oh! wild buffaloe cows.The sound of the flute startled the wild buffaloes, and they said one to another, “Sister. What has happened to Jhore?” Then he played again the same as before;A staff of Pader woodA flute of ErandomReturn, return, return,Oh! wild buffaloe cows.As the echoes of Jhore’s flute died away in the forest glades the wild buffaloes sprang forward, and rushed to his assistance. On arrival they found the house and courtyard full of people, and large numbers outside who could not gain admittance. They immediately charged them with all their force, goring many to death, and scattering the remainder, who flung away their drums and fifes, and fled as for dear life.When the raja heard of their discomfiture he sent again for the paroquet, and giving a small parcel of flour to him said,“Stay some time with him until you gain his confidence, and watch your chance to bring away his flute.” Having received his orders he flew off to Jhore’s palace, and having gained access to where the flute was, when Jhore was out of the way he brought it away, and gave it to the raja. The raja was delighted at the sight of the flute, and again ordered thebariatto go to fetch Jhore. A still more imposing array than the former started with elephants, horses, drums, fifes, and palkis, and in due course arrived at Jhore’s residence. On seeing them Jhore called out, “Do not approach, or you will rue it presently.” They replied, “You beat us off the first time, therefore you now crow, but you will not now be able to balk us, we shall take you with us.” Again he warned them to stay where they were, saying, “Do not come nearme, or you will rue it presently.” They replied, “We will take you with us this time, we will not leave you behind.”Jhore then ran into his house, and searched for his flute, but as it had been carried away by the paroquet he could not find it, so seizing another he mounted to the roof, and began to play. The flute seemed to say;A staff of Pader woodA flute of ErandomReturn, return, return,Oh! wild buffaloe cows.The sound startled the wild buffaloes who said one to another “Sister. What is it Jhore says?” Again the music of the flute reached their ears, and the entire herd rushed off to Jhore’s rescue. They charged the crowd inand around the palace of their favourite with such determination that in a few minutes many lay gored to death, and those who were so fortunate as to escape threw down drums, fifes, and palkis, and fled pell mell from the place. The raja, being informed of the catastrophe that had befallen thebariat, again called the paroquet, and after he had given him careful instructions as to how he should proceed, dismissed him. He said, “This timeyou must stay many days with him, and secure his entire confidence and friendship. Then you must bring away all his flutes, do not leave him one.” So the paroquet flew swiftly, and alighted on a tree near to Jhore’s house, and began to whistle. Jhore seeing it was a paroquet brought it food, and induced it to come down, and allow him to take it in his hand. The two, it is said, lived together many days, and greatly enjoyed each other’s society. The paroquet when he had informed himself as to where all Jhore’s flutes were kept, one day tied them all up in a bundle, and carried them to the raja. The sight of the flutes revived the drooping spirits of his Majesty. He gave orders a third time for thebariatto go and bring Jhore, so they started with greater pomp and show than before. Elephants, horses, and an immense number of men with drums and fifes, and palkis formed the procession. On their arrival Jhore came out of his palace and said to them, “Do not come near, or you will rue it.” They replied, “This time we will have you. We will take you with us.” Again Jhore warning them said, “Come no nearer. If you do, you will see something as good as a show.Do you not remember how you fared the other day?” But they said, “We will carry you away with us.” Jhore ran inside to get his flute, so that he might call the wild buffaloes to his assistance; but no flute was to be found. Without the help of his powerful friends he could offer no resistance, so they seized him, and bore him away in triumph to the raja.When the raja’s daughter heard of his arrival the fever suddenly left her, and she was once more in excellent health. She and Jhore were united in the bonds of marriage forthwith; but Jhore was kept a close prisoner in the palace.In course of time a son blessed the union, and when the child was able to walk Jhore’s wife said to him, “Where is the large herd of buffaloes which you boast so much about? If they were here “Sonny” would have milk and curds daily.” Jhoreplucking up courage, replied, “If you do not believe me order a stockade to be constructed thirty-two miles long and thirty-two miles broad, and you shall soon behold my buffaloes.” So they made a pen thirty-two miles long and thirty-two miles broad. Then Jhore said, “Give me my old flute, and you all remain within doors.” So they brought him his flute, and he went up on to the roof of the palace, and played. The music seemed to call as follows:A staff of Pader woodA flute of ErandomReturn, return, return,Oh! wild buffaloe cows.The sound startled the wild buffaloes in their forest home, and they said one to another, “Sister. What does Jhore say?” Again the music seemed to say,A staff of Pader woodA flute of ErandomReturn, return, return,Oh! wild buffaloe cows.At Jhore’s second call the herd of wild buffaloes dashed off at their utmost speed, and never halted till they reached the raja’s palace. They came in such numbers that the pen could not contain them all, many remained outside.Those that entered the pen are the domesticated buffaloes of to-day, and those who were without are the wild buffaloes still found in the forests of India.

There was a lad named Jhore, who herded goats, and every day while with his flock he saw a tiger and a lizard fight. The lizard always vanquished the tiger, and the latter after each encounter came to Jhore and said, “Which of us won?” Jhore through fear every time replied, “You won,” and the tiger went away pleased.

One day Jhore said to his mother, give me some roasted matkom in a leaf, and put me into a bag and I will tell you something. So she wrapped up some matkom in a leaf, and Jhore crept into the bag and she tied its mouth. Then she said, “What is it, my son, which you wish to tell me?” Jhore replied, “Every day when I am tending my goats I see a tiger and a lizard fight, and the tiger is vanquished by the lizard. The tiger then comes to me and asks, ‘which of us won?’Through fear I say, you won, then the tiger goes away satisfied.”

While Jhore was relating the foregoing to his mother the tiger was listening at the door, and as he finished his story it rushed in, and seizing the bag carried it off to a dense unexplored forest, on a hill in the middle of which he placed it. Jhore was very uncomfortable, and was considering how he could best free himself from the bag. As he was hungry he was reminded of the matkom he had with him wrapped in a leaf, so he began to open it, and the dried leaf crackled. The tiger hearing the noise, asked what produced it. Jhore replied, “It is yesterday’s lizard.” The tidings of the presence of his mortal enemy so terrified the tiger that he exclaimed, “Stop, stop, Jhore. Do not release him. Let me first escape.” After the tiger left Jhore rolled down the hill side, and away into a still denser forest, in an open spot of which he came to a stop. The fastening of the bag was loosed by this time, and Jhore crawled out. All round this open glade in which our herofound himself was dense forest never trodden by the foot of man, andtenantedby a herd of wild buffaloes. Jhore took up his residence there, and subsisted on the roasted matkom as long as it lasted.

Jhore in his explorations found a number of buffaloe calves left behind by their mothers who had gone to graze. He tended these daily, cleaning the place where they lived, and taking them to the water, where he washed them. In this way a bond of friendship was established between him and the wild buffaloe calves.

Before the buffaloe cows left for their grazing grounds in the mornings the calves said, “You stay away till so late at night that, we are almost famished before you return. Leave some milk with us, so that when hungry we may drink it.” So they left a supply of milk with them, which they gave to Jhore. He took such care of his charges that he soon became a great favourite with them.

Matters went on thus for many days till at last the buffaloe cows said among themselves, “We must watch for, and catch whoever it is who keeps our calves so clean.” So a very powerful wild buffaloe was appointed to lie in wait, but he missed seeing Jhore when he led the calves to the water and bathed them, and cleaned and swept out their stall. The next day another took his place, but he succeeded no better. The calves were taken to the water, bathed, brought back, and their stall cleaned and swept as usual without his seeing who did it. When the others returned in the evening he informed them that he had failed to solve the mystery. So they said, “What shall we do now? How shall we catch him? Who will watch to-morrow?” A old buffaloe cow replied, “I will accept the responsibility.” Hearing her speak thus the others said, “What a good elephant and a good horse could not do, will ten asses accomplish?” By this they meant, that two of the strongestof their number having failed, this weak old cow could not possibly succeed. However, she persisted, and in the morning the others went to graze leaving her behind.

In a short time she saw Jhore emerge from the dunghill, in which he resided, and loose the calves, and take them to the water. When he brought them back he cleaned and swept their stall, and then re-entered the dunghill. In the evening the others enquired, “Well, did you see him?” The old buffaloe cow replied, “Yes, I saw him, but I will not tell you, for you will kill him.” They pressed her, but she refused, saying, “You will kill him.” They said, “Why should we kill him who takes so much care of our young ones?” The old buffaloe cow led them to the dunghill, and said, “He is in here.” So they called to him to come out, which he did, and when they saw him they were all greatly pleased, so much so that they there and then hired him to continue to do the work he had been doing so well. They arranged also to give him a regular daily supply of milk, so he was duly installed by the herd of wild buffaloes as care-taker of their calves.

Long after this, he one day took his calves to the river and after he had bathed them he said to the buffaloe calves,“Wait for me till I also bathe.” They replied, “Bathe, we will graze close by.” He having performed his ablutions sat down on the river bank to comb and dress his hair, which was twelve cubits long. In combing his tangled tresses a quantity was wrenched out, this he wrapped up in a leaf and threw into the stream. It was carried by the current a great distance down to where a raja’s daughter and her companions were bathing. The raja’s daughter saw the leaf floating towards her, and ordered one of her attendants to bring it to her. When the leaf was opened it was found to contain hair twelve cubits in length. Immediately after measuring the hair the raja’s daughter complained of fever, and hasted home to her couch. The raja being informed of his daughter’s illness sent for the mostskilled physicians, who prescribed all the remedies their pharmacopœia contained, but failed to afford the sufferer any relief. The grief of the raja was therefore intense.

Then his daughter said to him,“Oh! father, I have one word to say to you.If you do as I wish, I shall recover.” The raja replied, “Tell me what it is, I shall do my best to please you.” So she said, “If you find me one with hair twelve cubits long and bring him to me, I shall rally at once.” The raja said, “It is well.”

The raja causeddiligentsearch to be made for the person with hair twelve cubits long. He said to a certain jugi, “You traverse the country far and near, find me the man with hair twelve cubits long.” The jugi enquired everywhere, but could obtain no intelligence concerning him.

They then made up a parcel of flour and gave it to a crow, whom they sent to try and find him. The crow flew caw cawing all over the district, but returned at last and reported failure, saying, “there is not such a man in the world.”

After this they again made up a small parcel of flour, and giving it to a tame paroquet, said, “Find a man with hair twelve cubits long.” The paroquet, having received his orders, flew away screeching, and mounting high up into the sky, directed his course straight for the unexplored forest. In the meantime the dunghill in which Jhore resided had become a palace.

The paroquet alighted on a tree near Jhore’s palace, and began to whistle. On hearing the unusual sound Jhore came out and saw the paroquet who was speaking and whistling. The paroquet also eyed him narrowly, and was delighted to see his hair trailing on the ground. By this he knew that he had found the object of his search, and with a scream of delight, he flew away to communicate the tidings to the raja.

The raja was overjoyed with his messenger’s report, and ordered thebariatto set out immediately. In a short time they were on their way accompanied by elephants, horses, drums, and fifes. On reaching Jhore’s palace they were about to enter for the purpose of seizing him, when he exclaimed, “Do not pass my threshold.” They replied, “We will carry you away with us.” He said, “Do not come near.” “We will certainly carry you away,” they replied. Jhore then ran into his house, and seizing his flute mounted to the roof, and began to play. As the notes of the flute resounded through the forest it seemed to say,

A staff of Pader1woodA flute of Erandom2Return, return, return,Oh! wild buffaloe cows.

A staff of Pader1wood

A flute of Erandom2

Return, return, return,

Oh! wild buffaloe cows.

The sound of the flute startled the wild buffaloes, and they said one to another, “Sister. What has happened to Jhore?” Then he played again the same as before;

A staff of Pader woodA flute of ErandomReturn, return, return,Oh! wild buffaloe cows.

A staff of Pader wood

A flute of Erandom

Return, return, return,

Oh! wild buffaloe cows.

As the echoes of Jhore’s flute died away in the forest glades the wild buffaloes sprang forward, and rushed to his assistance. On arrival they found the house and courtyard full of people, and large numbers outside who could not gain admittance. They immediately charged them with all their force, goring many to death, and scattering the remainder, who flung away their drums and fifes, and fled as for dear life.

When the raja heard of their discomfiture he sent again for the paroquet, and giving a small parcel of flour to him said,“Stay some time with him until you gain his confidence, and watch your chance to bring away his flute.” Having received his orders he flew off to Jhore’s palace, and having gained access to where the flute was, when Jhore was out of the way he brought it away, and gave it to the raja. The raja was delighted at the sight of the flute, and again ordered thebariatto go to fetch Jhore. A still more imposing array than the former started with elephants, horses, drums, fifes, and palkis, and in due course arrived at Jhore’s residence. On seeing them Jhore called out, “Do not approach, or you will rue it presently.” They replied, “You beat us off the first time, therefore you now crow, but you will not now be able to balk us, we shall take you with us.” Again he warned them to stay where they were, saying, “Do not come nearme, or you will rue it presently.” They replied, “We will take you with us this time, we will not leave you behind.”Jhore then ran into his house, and searched for his flute, but as it had been carried away by the paroquet he could not find it, so seizing another he mounted to the roof, and began to play. The flute seemed to say;

A staff of Pader woodA flute of ErandomReturn, return, return,Oh! wild buffaloe cows.

A staff of Pader wood

A flute of Erandom

Return, return, return,

Oh! wild buffaloe cows.

The sound startled the wild buffaloes who said one to another “Sister. What is it Jhore says?” Again the music of the flute reached their ears, and the entire herd rushed off to Jhore’s rescue. They charged the crowd inand around the palace of their favourite with such determination that in a few minutes many lay gored to death, and those who were so fortunate as to escape threw down drums, fifes, and palkis, and fled pell mell from the place. The raja, being informed of the catastrophe that had befallen thebariat, again called the paroquet, and after he had given him careful instructions as to how he should proceed, dismissed him. He said, “This timeyou must stay many days with him, and secure his entire confidence and friendship. Then you must bring away all his flutes, do not leave him one.” So the paroquet flew swiftly, and alighted on a tree near to Jhore’s house, and began to whistle. Jhore seeing it was a paroquet brought it food, and induced it to come down, and allow him to take it in his hand. The two, it is said, lived together many days, and greatly enjoyed each other’s society. The paroquet when he had informed himself as to where all Jhore’s flutes were kept, one day tied them all up in a bundle, and carried them to the raja. The sight of the flutes revived the drooping spirits of his Majesty. He gave orders a third time for thebariatto go and bring Jhore, so they started with greater pomp and show than before. Elephants, horses, and an immense number of men with drums and fifes, and palkis formed the procession. On their arrival Jhore came out of his palace and said to them, “Do not come near, or you will rue it.” They replied, “This time we will have you. We will take you with us.” Again Jhore warning them said, “Come no nearer. If you do, you will see something as good as a show.Do you not remember how you fared the other day?” But they said, “We will carry you away with us.” Jhore ran inside to get his flute, so that he might call the wild buffaloes to his assistance; but no flute was to be found. Without the help of his powerful friends he could offer no resistance, so they seized him, and bore him away in triumph to the raja.

When the raja’s daughter heard of his arrival the fever suddenly left her, and she was once more in excellent health. She and Jhore were united in the bonds of marriage forthwith; but Jhore was kept a close prisoner in the palace.

In course of time a son blessed the union, and when the child was able to walk Jhore’s wife said to him, “Where is the large herd of buffaloes which you boast so much about? If they were here “Sonny” would have milk and curds daily.” Jhoreplucking up courage, replied, “If you do not believe me order a stockade to be constructed thirty-two miles long and thirty-two miles broad, and you shall soon behold my buffaloes.” So they made a pen thirty-two miles long and thirty-two miles broad. Then Jhore said, “Give me my old flute, and you all remain within doors.” So they brought him his flute, and he went up on to the roof of the palace, and played. The music seemed to call as follows:

A staff of Pader woodA flute of ErandomReturn, return, return,Oh! wild buffaloe cows.

A staff of Pader wood

A flute of Erandom

Return, return, return,

Oh! wild buffaloe cows.

The sound startled the wild buffaloes in their forest home, and they said one to another, “Sister. What does Jhore say?” Again the music seemed to say,

A staff of Pader woodA flute of ErandomReturn, return, return,Oh! wild buffaloe cows.

A staff of Pader wood

A flute of Erandom

Return, return, return,

Oh! wild buffaloe cows.

At Jhore’s second call the herd of wild buffaloes dashed off at their utmost speed, and never halted till they reached the raja’s palace. They came in such numbers that the pen could not contain them all, many remained outside.

Those that entered the pen are the domesticated buffaloes of to-day, and those who were without are the wild buffaloes still found in the forests of India.

1Stereospermum suaveolens, D. C.2Recinus communis, Linn.

1Stereospermum suaveolens, D. C.

2Recinus communis, Linn.

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