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 Cornell University Llbrai^ 
 GR 305.K73 1893 
 
 Folk-tales of Kashmir. 
 
 3 1924 024 159 562 
 
The original of tliis book is in 
 tine Cornell University Library. 
 
 There are no known copyright restrictions in 
 the United States on the use of the text. 
 
 http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924024159562 
 
TRUBNER'S 
 
 ORIENTAL SERIES. 
 
FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIE, 
 
 KEY. J. HINTON KNOWLES, 
 
 F.R.G.S., M.R.A.S^&c. 
 
 "Every tongue brings in a several tale." 
 
 Sftakespeare. 
 
 *' What stories had we heard 
 Of fairies, satyrs, and the nymphs their dames ! " 
 
 Denham. 
 
 SECOND EDITION. 
 
 LONDON: 
 KEGAjST PAUL, TEENCH, TRUBNER, & CO. L™ 
 
 PATERNOSTER HOUSE, CHARING CROSS ROAD. 
 1893 
 
J -: : ■) j^s ■:' 1 ' ■' - 
 
 A.ai"^ 
 
 ^a^ 
 
 The rights of translation and of reproduction are reserved. 
 
 ^"1 IBTi.-iVfHlJ 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 Kashm/e as a field of Folk-lore literature is, perhaps, not 
 surpassed in fertility by any other country in the world ; 
 and yet, while every year witnesses the publication of 
 books on the subject from Bengal, Bombay, Madras, Pan- 
 jab, and other parts ; and while each successive number 
 of The Indian Antiquary, Indian Notes and Queries, and 
 latterly I%e Christian College Magazine and The Indian 
 Evangelical Review, presents to us articles more or less 
 relevant, this field, ripe for the harvest, has remained 
 almost ungleaned. No doubt its isolated position and the 
 difficulty of its language have had something to do with 
 this apparent neglect. I am the more glad, therefore, to 
 have availed myself of the opportunities afforded me 
 through a four years' residence in the valley. 
 
 The vocation of a missionary brings one into close and 
 constant " touch " with the people, from whom, as I glide 
 along in the boat, or walk by the way, or squat in the hut, 
 or teach in the school, I have learnt many things. My 
 primary object in collecting these tales was to obtain some 
 knowledge of Kashmi'rf, which is a purely colloquial 
 language ; my secondary object was to ascertain something 
 of the thoughts and ways of the people. Lately I have 
 been contributing some of these tales to the pages of an 
 Indian journal ; and now,' prompted by the advice of those 
 whose advice I especially value, I venture to publish the 
 
vi PREFACE. 
 
 whole collection in a book, and thus save them from the 
 clutches of oblivion, to which they would otherwise have 
 been consigned. 
 
 Many of these tales are, probably, purely Kashmfii in 
 origin, while others are undoubtedly variants of popular 
 tales current in India and other parts, which have been 
 adapted and modified to suit the language, style of thought, 
 and social usages of the country. To European Polk-tales, 
 also, several of these stories will be found to have a great 
 resemblance — notably the story of " The Two Brothers," 
 to its counterpart, " St. George and the Dragon ; " while 
 many of the little stories mixed up in the tales, and 
 quoted generally to explain the situation of the hero or 
 heroine, will be recognised at once as variants of tales 
 extant in France, Germany, Greece, Eussia, England, and 
 other countries. 
 
 It is not my intention here to attempt to trace the 
 home of any of these stories. Whether they originated 
 in the East or in the West I leave to more expert and 
 learned minds to declare. " There can be no doubt that 
 many Eastern stories were introduced into Europe by the 
 Hans in the time of Genghis Khan. Many of these stories 
 were translated into Persian, and thence into Syriac and 
 Arabic." It is probable that the Arabs carried some of 
 them into Europe, and that European invaders, like the 
 Crusaders, imported fragmentary portions into their coun- 
 tries. These stories, as we know, became very popular 
 in the West during the Middle Ages, when instruction 
 through the medium of fables, so popular in the East in 
 ancient times, was largely adopted by Western monks 
 and other religious teachers for the sake of the impression 
 thus made on the minds of illiterate hearers. " An 
 apposite or weU-told story would arouse attention where 
 logical argument or abstract reasoning would fail to pro- 
 duce the slightest effect." These fictitious narratives, 
 with their moral and religious applications, had a very 
 considerable influence upon the literature of those days. 
 
PREFACE. vii 
 
 But, as Mr. Ealston remarks, it does not, of course, follow 
 that, because a story is found both in Asia and Europe, 
 therefore the Western version has been borrowed from the 
 East. Europe has doubtless lent a fancy to Asia. One 
 or two books of Western stories have been published 
 in India. Greek fables are supposed to have exercised 
 an influence on the Indian mind. European officials, 
 missionaries, and others may have rendered a legend or 
 story current in their districts. These and many other 
 important facts have to be taken into consideration. The 
 fields of philology and other sciences, too, have yet to be 
 more thoroughly traversed before we can decide the origin 
 of many tales. Polk-lorists must wait a while for the 
 accumulation of more facts. From a disregard of this 
 true and wise way many an absurd conclusion has been 
 published, that threatens to bring the cause of Folk-lore 
 into contempt in some quarters. It was only a little time 
 ago that I read a most interesting article, wherein a cer- 
 tain professor's literary criticism fairly suggested that the 
 Jataka form of a tale was older in point of time than the 
 European version. I was almost convinced, till just after- 
 wards I came across a paper in the Oontemporary Beview 
 by another equally learned professor, who showed that the 
 Chinese alphabet was derived from the Phoenician, and 
 therefore the former professor's inference was evidently 
 fallacious. 
 
 And if it is not my intention, even if it were within my 
 power, to endeavour to trace the origin of any of these tales, 
 much less shall I attempt to decide whether or not the 
 root of any cycle to which these stories may belong is of a 
 mythological nature, and also as to what was in either 
 case its primal form and significance. Some Folk-lorists 
 do not appear to hesitate a moment about the matter. 
 " It is the story of the Sun and Dawn," says one; " Cinder- 
 ella, grey and dark and dull, is all neglected when she is 
 away from the Sun, obscured by the envious Clouds, 
 her sistersj and by her stepmother, the Night. So she 
 
viii PREFACE. 
 
 is Aurora, the Dawn, and the Fairy Prince is the 
 Morning Sun, ever pursuing her to claim her for his 
 bride." " It is the story of the Spring being released 
 from the bonds of "Winter, the Sun being rescued from 
 the darkness of the Night, the Dawn being brought back 
 from the West, the Waters being set free from the prison 
 of the Clouds," some would say concerning the release of 
 the fair Princess mentioned in the first tale of this collec- 
 tion. Not long ago a writer in the Westminster Review 
 startled us by duly appropriating Eaja Easalii, who has 
 been called the King Arthur of the Panjab, as a solar 
 myth. Concerning this same Easalii, Captain Temple 
 says: — " I venture to submit that it is capable of historical 
 proof that this man was a popular leader, on to whose 
 name has been hung, as a convenient peg, much of the 
 lioating folk-lore of the Panjab. At any rate, I hope to 
 show that the particular tales, which went to prove beyond 
 doubt in the mind of our Comparative Mythologist that 
 Easalii was a solar myth, are by no means confined to 
 that hero, but are the general property of the heroes of 
 India, told of this one or that as occasion arises. They 
 are, moreover, as regards Easalii himself, to a great extent 
 only one local version out of many of his story." Truly 
 many of the writers on popular Folk-tales seem to forget 
 that this is a subject which requires the most dainty treat- 
 ment and the most careful analysis. 
 
 However, I hope the reader will not consider that 
 I suppose the science of Folk-lore should not include 
 Comparative Mythology. On the contrary, I firmly 
 believe that several tales must be attributed to a mytho- 
 logical origin. But I am also as firmly convinced that 
 many tales must be attributed to a historical origin. 
 " What seems to be demanded from every interpreter of 
 old tradition, every explorer of the dark field of popular 
 fiction, is a wariness that will not allow itself to be hood- 
 winked by any prejudice in favour of this or that par- 
 ticular theory. Every piece of evidence ought to be 
 
PREFACE. ix 
 
 carefully tested and fairly weighed, whether it confirms 
 the examiner's own opinion or not. If this be done, he 
 will probably find that different classes of legends must 
 be explained in divers manners. The more he becomes 
 acquainted with popular tales, the less he will be inclined 
 to seek for any single method of solving all their manifold 
 problems." * 
 
 I would draw the attention of the Folk-lorist to the 
 notes in connection with these different stories. They 
 have been gathered and arranged with some care, in the 
 hope that they may help the reader to turn up readily to 
 variants of the tale, or of different incidents in the tale. All 
 Kashmiri or Hindustani words have been fully explained — 
 if they are special words, at the end of the page on which 
 they occur ; and if they are ordinary, in the Glossary at 
 the end of the book. In nearly every case, too, the name 
 and address of the narrator have been given. From these it 
 will be seen that all classes of people have contributed to 
 this collection — the officiating governor, the poor farmer, 
 the learned Pandit, the ignorant Musalman, the physician, 
 the barber, the day-labourer, the old man grey-headed, 
 and the dirty little boy, all and every one of whom I can 
 say, they were entirely free from European influence. 
 
 No apology will be needed for the presentation of this 
 book to the public. The great interest and importance 
 attaching to the Folk-tales of any people is manifest from 
 the great attention devoted to them by many learned writers 
 and others. Concerning the style and manner of the book, 
 however, I would ask my readers to be lenient with me. 
 I have sought not so much to present these tales in a 
 purely literary form as to give them in a fair translation, 
 and most of the work was done by lamp- light after an ordi- 
 nary amount of missionary work during the day. However, 
 such as it is, I sincerely hope it will prove a real con- 
 tribution towards that increasing stock of Folk-lore which 
 is doing so much to clear away the clouds that envelop 
 
 • Ralston. 
 
X PREFACE. 
 
 much of the practices, ideas, and beliefs which make 
 up the daily life of the natives of our great dependen- 
 cies, control their feelings, and underlie many of their 
 actions. 
 
 Several other short Folk-Tales of "The Happy Valley" 
 are to be found in my Dictionary of Kashmiri Proverbs 
 and Sayings. 
 
 J. HINTO:^ KNOWLES. 
 
 Kashmir, 2Sth April 1887. 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Preface v-x 
 
 The Seven-Legged Beast i 
 
 The Cat who became a Queen 8 
 
 Good King HAtam n 
 
 Metempsychosis i6 
 
 The Charmed Ring 20 
 
 The Crow-Girl 29 
 
 A Lach of Rupees for a Bit of Advice . . . - .32 
 
 The Ogress-Queen 42 
 
 The Goldsmith and his Friends 51 
 
 The Tale of a Princess ... .... 57 
 
 The Prince who was Changed into a Ram ... 65 
 
 Saiyid and Said 75 
 
 The Cruel Merchant . . » 98 
 
 The Man from ShirjCz loi 
 
 Shabrang, Prince and Thief 104 
 
 The Troublesome Friend 124 
 
 The Wicked Stepmother 127 
 
 True Friendship 130 
 
 Three Blind Men 139 
 
 All for a Pansa 144 
 
 Pride Abased 154 
 
 The Two Brothers 166 
 
 The Base Friend i74 
 
 HIya Band and Zuhra Khotan 177 
 
 The Clever Jackal 186 
 
 A Stupid Boy 189 
 
 Four Princes Turned into Stones 191 
 
 The Brave Princess i97 
 
 Three Princes 203 
 
 The Diligent King 209 
 
xii CONTENTS. 
 
 PAOK 
 
 The Ivoey City and its Faiey Princess . . . .211 
 
 A Strange Request 227 
 
 The Unjust King and Wicked Goldsmith . . . 229 
 
 The Philosopher's Stone 233 
 
 How the Wicked Sons were Duped 241 
 
 A Stupid Husband and his Clever Wife . . . . ' 243 
 
 The Prayerful FaqIr 248 
 
 Unity is Strength . 250 
 
 The Pir of Phattapur 253 
 
 The Sagacious Governor 254 
 
 Their only Ruby 258 
 
 The Jackal-King 260 
 
 The Black and White Beards 262 
 
 The Story of a Weaver 265 
 
 The Robbers Robbed 267 
 
 The Young Gambling Merchant 272 
 
 The Day-Thief and the Night- Thief 297 
 
 The Gunning Goldsmith 303 
 
 How the Princess Found her Husband . . . .306 
 
 The Clever Parrot 312 
 
 The Malecontent Cured 321 
 
 The Stupid Peasant 322 
 
 Karm yA Dharm 326 
 
 Four Wicked Sons and their Luck 331 
 
 Sharaf the Thief 33Jj 
 
 A King and his Treacherous Wazik ■ .... 353 
 
 The Shipwrecked Prince 355 
 
 Gagae Wol and his Servant Ratun 393 
 
 The Wicked Queens ng. 
 
 The Four Princes ^,j 
 
 The JogI's Daughter ^^2 
 
 GullAlX ShIh 
 
 449 
 
 Why the Fish Laughed .§ 
 
 Nageay and Himal .... 
 
 • • 49' 
 
 Glossary ro? 
 
 1^=°^^ !.'!!*. S07 
 
FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIE. 
 
 THE SEVEN -LEGGED BEAST} 
 
 A CERTAIN king, who took especial pride in his troops 
 and spent an enormous amount of money on them, wished 
 to know thoroughly how strong and able they were. 
 Accordingly he ordered the general in command to as- 
 semble the men in battle array on a large maiddn without 
 the city. On the day of review His Majesty, attended by 
 his wazirs and diwdns, visited the place, and while they 
 were watching the manoeuvres, a beast having seven legs ^ 
 suddenly appeared and prowled around near them. On 
 noticing it the king was much astonished and wished to 
 kill it J but the beast got away. The king rode after it as 
 hard as his swift horse could carry him, and when he had 
 thus pursued it for about two miles, the beast stopped, 
 shook itself, and changing into a great and terriblejwMi^ 
 turned round on His Majesty, slew him, and ate him. 
 
 The wazirs caused earnest search to be made for the 
 king for eight days, and then, no tidings of him having 
 been received, they fetched his son and proclaimed him 
 kins in his father's stead. 
 
 One day the young king was seized with an irrepres- 
 sible desire to know the cause of his father's death. He 
 forced the wazirs to tell him, and when he had heard 
 everything he commanded another grand review of the 
 
 1 Narrator's Dame, Shiva Bayfi, Eenawdri, Srinagar. 
 ^ Satah-zung haiwdn. 
 
2 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 whole army to be held in the same place where the re- 
 view in his father's time had been held. On the ap- 
 pointed day he and all the court attended to watch the 
 proceedings. They had not been present very long before 
 the seven-legged beast came again, and growling fiercely 
 at them, walked away. When the chief wazir saw this he 
 laughed aloud. 
 
 " What is the matter ? " asked the king. 
 
 "I laughed," replied the wazir, "because this is none 
 other than the beast that allured your late father from 
 our midst." 
 
 " Is it so ? Then I must slay it, for I shall not have 
 any peace till this enemy is killed." Saying this, the king 
 whipped his horse and rushed after it. The beast led 
 him on and on for some distance, as it did his father, and 
 then stopping, shook itself, resumed its original shape, and 
 prepared to spring. In his distress the king called ear- 
 nestly on the great God to save him ; and God sent an 
 angel to direct him how to fight with the jinn. 
 
 " This is a most powerful /iTiw," said the angel. " Should 
 a drop of his blood fall to the ground, while life is in him, 
 another jinn will be q^uickly formed therefrom, and spring 
 up and slay you.^ But fear not. Take this double-headed 
 arrow and pierce the two eyes of the monster, so that he 
 fall down and die." Then the angel departed. 
 
 Thus strengthened, the king dashed forward. He fought 
 with the jinn for forty minutes. At last he plunged the 
 double-headed arrow into both of his eyes, and thus slew 
 him. When he saw that his enemy was dead the king drew 
 his sword and cut off his head, and fixing it on his arrow, 
 took it with him to the palace, where he placed it in one of 
 the twelve thousand rooms of that building ; and gave his 
 mother the keys, bidding her not to open the doors thereof. 
 
 But as he did not tell his mother what he had so care- 
 
 3 Of. Folk-TaUa of Bengal, pp. 85, ing powers of blood,»in Wide-Awake 
 253 ; I-ndmn Favry Tales, p. 187 ; .also Stories, p. 418. 
 a note on the "revivifying and heal- 
 
THE SEVEN-LEGGED BEAST. 3 
 
 fully locked up in the room, she supposed that it was some 
 special treasure, and being very inquisitive, one morning 
 went to the room and unlocked the door. Nothing, how- 
 ever, was to be seen, for the king had thrown the head 
 into a corner; but a laugh was heard, and then a voice, 
 saying, " Your son is a jinn. Beware of him. He is a 
 jinn. Some time he will kill you, as he killed me, your 
 husband. Get him out of the palace, if you wish to live." 
 
 "Whence comes this voice? What say you?" asked 
 the king's mother. 
 
 "Pretend to be unwell, and beg your son to get the 
 milk of a tigress.* Bid him to go himself and try to get 
 this," said the head. 
 
 The next morning, with a sad and heavy heart, the king 
 might have been seen wending his steps in the direction 
 of a certain jungle, wherein tigers and other wild beasts 
 were known to roam. He soon saw a tigress, with her two 
 cubs basking in the sunshine. He climbed a tree and 
 aimed at one of the teats of the beast. This teat chanced to 
 be one in which she had suffered much pain for several 
 days, owing to the presence of a nasty abscess near the 
 place. The king's arrow broke the abscess, and the pain 
 was at once relieved. Grateful for this relief, the tigress 
 looked up and entreated the king to descend and ask 
 whatever he would like her to get for him. His Majesty 
 told her that he wanted nothing but a little of her milk 
 for his sick mother, who had taken a strange fancy for it. 
 The tigress readily filled the cup that the king had 
 brought with him, and also gave him a tuft of her fur, 
 saying, " Whenever you are in any difficulty show this to 
 the sun, and I will at once come to your aid." ^ Taking 
 
 * Of. Indian Fairy Tales, p. 178 ; pp. 32, 271 ; Legends of the Punjab, 
 
 Indian Antiquary, Part cxc. p. 367 ; vol. i. pp. 42, 43 ; Indian Notes and 
 
 liiloehi Stories, p. 27 ; and the story Queries, vol. iv. p. 49 ; and Folk-Lore 
 
 'of the " Ogress-Queen " in this col- Journal, vol. ii. 104, re charms placed 
 
 lection. in the fire ; Russian tale of " Naznai- 
 
 5 A favourite device for summoning Ico " in Afanasief's collection (vii. No. 
 
 the absent. Notice that these things 10) : also tale of "Good King H4tam " . 
 
 have generally to be shown to the sun in this collection. Vide also " Survey 
 
 or to the fire. Cl.Wide-Awake Stories, of Incidents in Modern Indian Fo^k- 
 
4 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 the milk and the bit of fur, the king returned to his 
 palace. 
 
 When his mother received the milk of the tigress she 
 felt quite sure that her son was a jinn, and determined 
 more than before to have him killed. She went to the 
 room where the head was, and informed the speaker of 
 everything, and heard again a voice saying, " Be assured 
 thereby that this man is a jmn. None but a jinn could 
 obtain milk from a tigress. Have him killed as soon as 
 possible." 
 
 " But how can I get rid of him ? " she asked. 
 
 The voice replied, " When your son visits you and in- 
 quires after your health, tell him that you still feel very 
 weak and sick. The tigress's milk did not do you any 
 good. But you have heard of a princess who lives alone 
 in a castle on a certain high hill. If she could come and 
 touch you, you would become well. Your son will ^o 
 to this terrible castle, and be certainly killed on the 
 way." 
 
 In the evening the king went to see his mother. " Ap; 
 you better ? " he asked. 
 
 " No," she said. " The tigress' milk has not benefit<;d 
 me in the least. But I saw in a dream a princess who 
 lives in a certain castle, and heard that if she would come 
 and touch me all would be well. Until she comes 1 shall 
 never get strong." 
 
 "Be comforted, mother. I will fetch this woman Ua 
 you, or forfeit iny kingdom." 
 
 Early the followin;,' morning the king f-.tart':f] on his 
 perilous journey. He had not forgotten the bit of charni<;d 
 fur. As soon as the sun appeared he showed the fur to it, 
 and immediately the tigri;s.s and her two cubs came run- 
 ning towards him. 
 
 " What is the matter ? " asked the tigress, 
 
 Tale«" in Wlde-Amikr: Storlen, j,p. j,„rt\>:H in Ti.dion Fairy Talet, t.p 
 413, 414. There -.iru mm<; irif.!rc(itiii({ 'JiZ-i-jo. 
 iioteti on Hair and its wor;dti-f ul j,ro- 
 
THE SEVEN-LEGGED BEAST. 5 
 
 "I have to go and fetch the princess who resides in 
 yonder castle." 
 
 " Fetch her ! You cannot do it. Several people have 
 tried, for the princess is very beautiful ; but nobody ever 
 succeeded in getting near her." 
 
 "I will try, though I lose my life in the attempt." 
 Saving this the king left. 
 
 The tigress could not bear to have her benefactor thus 
 leave her. So she ran after him with her two cubs, and 
 begged him to ride on her.^ They soon reached the 
 castle. 
 
 " In this place," said the tigress, " there are three big 
 doors, through which it is necessary to pass before a 
 person can get to the princess. Near the first door is an 
 immense block of iron, which must be broken by a wooden 
 axe, or the door will not open. At the second door is an 
 imitation cow, surrounded by real jinns. If any person 
 can milk the cow, he will pass through ; if not, he will be 
 devoured by the Jinns. By the third door sits the prin- 
 cess herself. If she is pleased with you, she will receive 
 you ; but if not, she will accomplish your death. " 
 
 On hearing these words the king became very fright- 
 ened, and begged the tigress ' to help him. 
 
 " Very well," she said. "By a charm which I possess I 
 will enter the block of iron, and when you strike with the 
 wooden axe, I will cause it to divide into two pieces ; and 
 then the doorkeeper will think that you cleft the iron, and 
 allow you to enter through the first door." 
 
 " And I," said one of the young tigers, " will cause the 
 statue of the cow to give milk, and will keep the jinns 
 who stand round it from hindering you in milking. Thus 
 will you be able to pass through the second door." 
 
 * Cf. The Orientalist, vol. i. p. 27 ; 180; Wide-Awake Stories, p. 6; Ma- 
 
 Itidian Eranjelical Reriev:, vol. xiii. danakamdrdjankadai (The Dravidian 
 
 p. 232; also tale of the "'Wicked Nights), Tenth Story; The Oriental- 
 
 <}neens"iQ this collection. ist, pp. 181, 182, 250; also the Pan- 
 
 ' Apparently a very grateful beast, clia-tantra (Appendix to Buck I. Story 
 
 Cf. Indian fairy TaCet, pp. 65,156, 2). 
 
6 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 " And I," said the other young tiger, " will put a charm 
 into the eyes of the princess, so that when she looks on 
 you she may think you to be bright and beautiful as the 
 sun, and be so fascinated with the sight, that she will open 
 the third door and do anything else you may ask her." 
 
 Faithfully they all three performed their promises. 
 The king safely reached the princess, and she, overcome 
 by his beauty and immense power, professed her great 
 affection for him, and entreated him to make her his wife. 
 
 Then the tigress and her two cubs returned to their lair. 
 In a few days the king took the princess home with him to 
 his palace. "Mother," he said, "I have brought the princess. 
 Oh! what a fearful place it was, and how difficult and dan- 
 gerous the way to it ! I should have perished on the way 
 if a tigress and her two little cubs had not helped me. 
 Praise be to God that I am here safe and well ! " Some 
 other conversation leading up to it, he told her also about 
 the head of the jinn — how it had first appeared to him as 
 a seven-legged beast, and led him away to a certain place 
 where it changed itself back into its real character, a great 
 and terrible jmw, and prepared to jump on him ; and how 
 he would have been slain and eaten up, as his father had 
 been, if God had not sent His angel and helped him. 
 
 His' mother was much surprised to hear this. " My 
 son," she said, " I have been deceived. On the evening of 
 the day when you borrowed the keys of the palace from 
 me I went round several of the rooms, till I came to the 
 one in which I heard the sound of laughing. On my in- 
 quiring the reason of this a voice said, ' Take heed lest 
 your son, who is a jinn, slay you. I am the head of your 
 husband. He killed me. Get rid of him, or he ^^ ill kill 
 you also.' My son, I believed the voice, and at its advice 
 I sent you to fetch me the milk of a tigress, hoping you 
 would be slain in the attempt. -And I begged you to go 
 and call the princess, knowing that the way to her abode 
 was full of terrible dangers. But God has been with you, 
 and He, who sent the angel to direct you, has also caused 
 
THE SEVEN-LEGGED BEAST. 7 
 
 the tigress and young tigers to be your helpers. Praise be 
 to His name ! " Then she embraced her son, and wept 
 bitterly. 
 
 Within a short time of these things the king married 
 the princess, and spent the rest of his life in peace and 
 prosperity.* 
 
 ^ Gf. article, "ThePorbidden Cham- this prohibition ; also en passant, vol. 
 ber," in Folk-Lore Journal, vql. iii. pp. iv. p. 66 of the same journal. 
 193-242, for other stories presenting 
 
( 8 ) 
 
 THE CAT WHO BECAME A QUEEN. ^ 
 
 " Ah me ! ah me ! What availeth my marriage with all 
 these women ? Never a son has the Deity vouchsafed me. 
 Must I die, and my name be altogether forgotten in the 
 land ? " Thus soliloquised one of the greatest monarchs 
 that ever reigned in Kashmir, and then went to his zandna, 
 and threatened his numerous wives with banishment if 
 they did not bear him a son within the next year. The 
 women prayed most earnestly to the god Shiva to help 
 them to fulfil the king's desire, and waited most anxi- 
 ously for several months, hoping against hope, till at last 
 they knew that it was all in vain, and that they must 
 dissemble matters if they wished to remain in the royal 
 household. Accordingly, on an appointed time, word was 
 sent to the king that one of his wives was encienie, and a 
 little while afterwards the news was spread abroad that a 
 little princess was born. But this, as we have said, was 
 not so. Nothing of the kind had happened. The truth 
 was, that a cat had given birth to a lot of kittens, one of 
 which had been appropriated by the king's wives. When 
 His Majesty heard the news he was exceedingly glad, and 
 ordered the child to be brought to him — a very natural re- 
 quest, which the king's wives had anticipated, and there- 
 fore were quite prepared with a reply. " Go and tell the 
 king," said they to the messenger, " that the Brahmans 
 have declared that the child must not be seen by her 
 father until she is married." Thus the matter was hushed 
 for a time. Constantly did the king inquire after his 
 
 1 Narrator's name, E4zi, a pan- by Pandit Anand Kol of Zainah 
 ditdnl, living in Srinagar. Collected Kadal, Srinagar. 
 
THE CAT WHO BECAME A QUEEN. 9 
 
 daughter, and received •wonderful accounts of her beauty 
 and cleverness ; so that his joy was great. Of course he 
 would like to have had a son, but since the Deity had not 
 condescended to fulfil his desire, he comforted himself 
 with the thought of marrying his daughter to some person 
 worthy of her, and capable of ruling the country after 
 him. Accordingly, at the proper time he commissioned 
 his counsellors to find a suitable match for his daughter. 
 A clever, good, and handsome prince was soon found, and 
 arrangements for the marriage were quickly concluded. 
 What were the king's wives to do now ? It was of no 
 use for them to attempt to carry on their deceit any 
 longer. The bridegroom would come and would wish to 
 see his wife, and the king, too, would expect to see her. 
 " Better," said they, " that we send for this prince and 
 reveal everything to him, and take our chance of the rest. 
 Never mind the king. Some answer can be made to 
 satisfy him for a while." So they sent for the prince and 
 told him everything, having previously made him swear 
 that he would keep the secret, and not reveal it even to 
 his father or mother. The marriage was celebrated in 
 grand style, as became such great and wealthy kings, and 
 the king was easily prevailed on to allow the palanquin 
 containing the bride to leave the palace without looking 
 at her. The cat only was in the palanquin, which reached 
 the prince's country in safety. The prince took great 
 care of the animal, which he kept locked up in his own 
 private room, and would not allow any one, not even his 
 mother, to enter it. 
 
 One day, however, while the prince was away, his 
 mother thought that she would go and speak to her 
 daughter-in-law from outside the door. " daughter-in- 
 law," she cried, " I am very sorry that you are shut up in 
 this room and not permitted to see anybody. It must be 
 very dull for you. However, I am going out to-day ; so 
 you can leave the room without fear of seeing any one. 
 Will you come out ? " 
 
lo FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 The cat understood everything, and wept much, just 
 like a human being. Oh those bitter tears! They 
 pierced the mother's heart, so that she determined to 
 speak very strictly to her son on the matter as soon as 
 he should return. They also reached the ears of Parvati, 
 who at once went to her lord and entreated him to have 
 mercy on the poor helpless cat. " Tell her," said Shiva, 
 "to rub some oil over her fur, and she will become a 
 beautiful woman. She will find the oil in the room 
 where she now is." Parvati lost no time in disclosing 
 this glad news to the cat, who quickly rubbed the oil over 
 its body, and was changed into the most lovely woman 
 that ever lived.^ But she left a little spot on one of her 
 shoulders, which remained covered with cat's fur, lest her 
 husband should suspect some trickery and deny her. 
 
 In the evening the prince returned and saw his beauti- 
 ful wife, and was delighted. Then all anxiety as to what 
 he should reply to his mother's earnest solicitations fled. 
 She had only to see the happy, smiling, beautiful bride to 
 know that her fears were altogether needless. 
 
 In a few weeks the prince, accompanied by his wife, 
 visited his father-in-law, who, of course, believed the 
 princess to be his own daughter, and was glad beyond 
 measure. His wives too rejoiced, because their prayer 
 had been heard and their lives saved. In due time the 
 king settled his country on the prince, who eventually 
 ruled over both countries, his father's and his father-in- 
 law's, and thus became the most illustrious and wealthy 
 monarch in the world .^ 
 
 2 Of. Tales of the Wc^t Highlands, 3 Undoubtedly belongs to the "For- 
 
 vol. u. p. 274-a vanant of story No. bidden Chamber " cycle. Of note at 
 
 41 in the same collection, to which the end of story of " The Sevea-le<'»ed 
 
 also refer (p. 265). Beast " in this coUection. 
 
( II ) 
 
 GOOD KING HAT AM} 
 
 There was once a poor marij who used to earn a few 
 pdnsas by cutting and selling wood. It was a hard 
 struggle to support himself and wife and seven daughters. 
 Never a bit of meat touched his lips, never a shoe covered 
 his feet, and only a rag covered his back. 
 
 One day, when not feeling very well, he lay down 
 under a tree to rest. The lucky-bird Huma ^ happened to 
 be flying about the place at the time, and, noticing the 
 man's poverty and sickness, pitied him. So it flew down 
 beside him and deposited a golden egg by his bundle of 
 wood. In a little while the woodcutter awoke, and 
 seeing the egg, picked it up and wrapped it in his kamar- 
 hand.^ He then took up his load and went to the woni, 
 who generally bought it. He also sold him the egg for a 
 trifle. He did not know what a wonderful egg it was; 
 but the wcnii knew, and asked him to go and get the bird 
 that laid it, and he would give him a rupee as a gift. 
 The man promised, and on the following day went to the 
 jungle as usual to prepare his load of wood. On the way 
 back he sat down to rest under the tree where he had 
 found the egg, and pretended to sleep. The bird JSumd 
 came again, and noticing that he was still as poor and as 
 ill-looking as before, thought that he had not seen the egg, 
 and therefore went and laid another close by him, in such 
 
 1 Narrator's name, QS,dir, a barber a crown. The Arabs call it 'anqd, 
 living by Amir& Kadal, Srinagar. and the Persinns simurgh (lit. of the 
 
 2 A fabulous bird of happy omen size of thirty birds). 
 
 peculiar to the East. It haunts the ' Called also hul and lungl, a long 
 mountain Q4f. It is supposed that piece of cotton stuff worn round the 
 every head it overshadows will wear waist over the outer garment. 
 
12 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 a spot that he could not possibly miss seeing it ; where- 
 upon the woodcutter caught the bird, and rose up to carry- 
 it to the woni. " Oh ! what are you going to do with 
 me ? Do not kill me. Do not imprison me ; but set me 
 free," cried the bird. "You shall not fail of a reward. 
 Pluck one of my feathers and show it to the fire, and you 
 shall at once arrive at my country, Koh-i-Qdf, * where 
 my parents will reward you. They will give you a 
 necklace of pearls, the price of which no king on earth 
 could give." 
 
 But the poor ignorant woodcutter would not listen to 
 tlie bird's pleadings. His mind was too much occupied 
 with the thought of the rupee that he felt certain of get- 
 ting, and therefore he fastened the bird in his wrap, and 
 ran off to the woni as fast as his load would permit. Alas ! 
 however, the bird died on the way from suffocation. 
 " What shall I do now ? " thought the woodcutter. " The 
 woni will not give me a rupee for a dead bird. Ha ! ha ! 
 I will show one of its feathers to the fire. Perhaps the 
 bird being dead will not make any difference." Accord- 
 ingly he did so, and immediately found himself on the 
 Koh-i-Qdf, where he sought out the parents of the bird 
 and told them all that had happened. Oh, how the 
 parents and other birds wept when they saw the dead 
 body of their beloved relative ! 
 
 Attracted by the noise, a strange bird that happened to 
 be passing at the time came in and inquired what was the 
 matter. This bird carried a piece of grass in its beak, 
 with which it could raise the dead. 
 
 "Why do you weep ? " it said to the sorrowful company. 
 
 "Because our relative is dead; we shall never speak to 
 it again," they replied. 
 
 ' Anotlier name is Eoh-i-Akhmr, of emerald gives an azure hue to the 
 
 anui^iev Koh-i-Zamurrad (lit. the sky. Hence in Persinn oa od/id g(i/ 
 
 j;ieen or emerald iji.iuntiiin). The means the whole world. The name 
 
 Muhammadans believe that these is also used for Mount Caucasus. Cf 
 
 mountains encircle the world, and also Wide-Awake Stories, pp. 34 -ij 
 
 tliat they are inhabited by demons. 316. 
 They think that this mountain range 
 
GOOD KING HAT AM. 13 
 
 "Weep not," said the strange bird. "Your relative 
 shall live again." Whereupon it placed the piece of 
 grass in the mouth of the corpse, and it revived. 
 
 When the bird Sumd revived and saw the woodcutter, it 
 severely upbraided him for his faithlessness and careless- 
 ness. " I could have made you great and happy," it said 
 " but now get you back to your burden of wood and humble 
 home." On this the poor man found himself back again in 
 the jungle, and standing by the load of wood that he had 
 prepared before he was transported to Koli-i-Qdf. He sold 
 his M'ood, and then went home in a very sad frame of 
 mind to his wife and daughters. He never saw the bird 
 Sumd again. 
 
 It has been mentioned that this woodcutter had seven 
 daughters. These girls grew up to be big, and had to be 
 married. But how was the woodcutter to arrange for 
 their marriages ? He barely earned money sufficient for 
 their food ; and nobody would be allied to such a poverty- 
 stricken house as his. In the hour of his difficulty he 
 sought the advice of a friend, who told him to go to 
 Hatam, the noble-minded generous king, and ask for help. 
 
 Now in those days Hatam had become very poor, and 
 was obliged to pound rice for a living. But although he 
 was so reduced in circumstances, that there was scarcely a 
 poorer man than he in the whole country, yet he had the 
 same generous heart and was as desirous as ever of bet- 
 tering others. When the woodcutter reached his country 
 and happened to meet with him, we have a beautiful in- 
 stance of his generous spirit. The woodcutter, not know- 
 ing who he was, related to him all his sad tale, and begged 
 to be directed to King Hatam the Noble. The poor king 
 advised him to stay there for the night and continue his 
 journey on the morrow; to which the woodcutter con- 
 sented, and walked with him to his house. That night 
 Hatam fasted, in order to give something to his guest, and 
 in the morning he informed him of the truth. " friend," 
 said he, " I am he whom you seek ; but behold ! I am as 
 
,4 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 poor as yourself. Alas ! I cannot help you. I cannot 
 even give you another meal. But if you will accept my 
 only daughter, you are welcome. You may be able to 
 sell her, and thus get some money to marry your own 
 daughters. Go, and God be with you." 
 
 "OMng," replied the woodcutter, "your generosity 
 melts my heart. I cannot thank you sufficiently for your 
 kindness to me. May God reward you. Farewell ! " 
 
 The woodcutter and the princess then left. On the 
 way they had to pass through a very wild place, where 
 they met a prince, who was hunting. The prince chanced 
 to catch sight of the girl, and at once fell in love with her, 
 and begged the woodcutter to accept him as a son-in-law. 
 Of course the man agreed, and the marriage was cele- 
 brated. Henceforth money without stint flowed into the 
 woodcutter's hands, so that he was able to resign his call- 
 ing, to build for himself a beautiful house, and to marry 
 his seven daughters into good and respectable families. 
 
 Meanwhile the prince was living very happily with his 
 beautiful wife, under the idea that she was the wood- 
 cutter's daughter. One day, however, he discovered the 
 truth of the matter. He had given an alms to a poor 
 man in the presence of his wife, when she casually re- 
 marked that he had done a hdtami, meaning a generous 
 act, a Hatam-like act ; ^ whereupon the prince asked her 
 how she knew anything about Hatam, and she told him 
 everything — how the woodcutter had applied to her father 
 for help, and how her father, not having anything else, 
 gave her to him as a slave. The prince then sent for the 
 woodcutter, and heard from him the same words, and all 
 about the Humd's egg and the man's visit to Koh-i-Qdf. 
 He was intensely surprised when he heard all these 
 things. He immediately sent to King Hatam, begging 
 him to come and rule the country in his stead, because 
 
 '^ Hdtami (Persian), boundless libe- was a man celebrated among the 
 rality. Of. arihi/iat hdtamiya, libe- Arabs for his liberality). HS,tam is 
 rality equal to that of Hatam (who a popular proper name in the valley. 
 
GOOD KING HAT AM. 
 
 IS 
 
 he was too young and inexperienced to manage it pro- 
 perly. The retired woodcutter received a large pension 
 in land ; hut the cunning woni was ordered to give up the 
 
 golden egg to the king.* 
 
 6 Compare -whole story of "The 
 Faithful Prince " in Wide-Awake Sto- 
 Hes. The story of the charitable mon- 
 arch, whose goodness and generosity 
 are tried ad extremum, occurs in seve- 
 ral tales. Kashmiris have a legend 
 concerning Wainadat, an old king of 
 the country, who gave up everything 
 and worked himself, that he might 
 
 not be chargeable to any person. Cf. 
 Indian Fairy Tales, pp. 67, 85 ; Bud- 
 dhist Birth Stories, p. 33 ; Kathd 
 Sarit Sdgara (Tawney's), vol. i. p. 
 244 ; Kings of Kashmird, pp. 34, 51, 
 82 ; and the Tamil drama translated 
 by the late Sir Mutri Coom5.ra Swamy, 
 Arichandra, or the Martyr of Truth. 
 
( i6 ) 
 
 METEMPSYCHOSIS} 
 
 Once upon a time a young man left his home and 
 country, and went to a wild desert place to meditate on 
 religious subjects. He spent twelve years thus, during 
 which he neither ate nor drank. When he thought he had 
 perfected himself in religious matters and had discovered 
 the end of things, he conceived a desire to visit a city 
 about five miles distant. On the way he sat down under 
 a tree to rest, and while he rested a crow came and 
 perched on a branch just above him and let fall some 
 lime on his head. He was very much annoyed at this, 
 and turned towards the bird ; and the bird died. When 
 he had sufficiently rested, the holy man resumed his jour- 
 ney, and reached the city, where he entered the court? 
 yard of a certain house, and begged for some food. A 
 woman called to him from a window, and bade him to come 
 in and wait till her husband arrived, when she promised 
 to give him something to eat. The holy man was very 
 angry at this reply, and was going to curse her, when she 
 interrupted him by saying " I am not a crow, that you can 
 burn me with your angry looks.^ You had better come in 
 and wait for my husband's return." The man did so, but 
 he wondered how ever the woman had got to know of the 
 crow incident. In a little while the master of the house 
 appeared ; whereupon the woma^ brought some warm 
 water and washed his feet, and after that some food and 
 
 1 Narrator's^ame, N&r5,yan Kol of to holy men (Musalmans and Hindtis 
 Fateh Kadel, 'Srlnagar. alike). Shiva is said to have reduced 
 
 2 Slaying, burning, or paralysing Kamadeva to ashes by fire from his 
 with a look is a power often attributed central eye. 
 
METEMPSYCHOSIS. 17 
 
 gave him to eat. Then she placed some food before 
 their guest and gave him also- to eat. When he had 
 eaten as much as he wished, she ate her own dinner. 
 Afterwards she prepared her husband's bed, aud while he 
 was reclining on it she shampooed his feet. Truly, she 
 was a pattern wife ! So thought the holy man, who 
 observed everything, but said nothing. 
 
 " Tell us a tale," she said to her husband, while sham- 
 pooing his feet ; to which the man agreed, and began as 
 follows : — 
 
 " In days gone by there lived a Brahman, who for many 
 years was praying to know something of the state of the 
 departed. At last the gods complied with his request. 
 Early one morning, while bathing according to custom,^ 
 his spirit left him, and went into the body of an infant, the 
 child of a cobbler.* The child grew up, learnt his father's 
 business, married, and became the father of a numerous 
 family, when suddenly he was made aware of his high 
 caste, and abandoning all went to another country. Now 
 just as he reached that country the king died, and as there 
 was no person to put upon the throne, the wazirs and 
 fllhers in authority had to resort to the popular custom 
 of sending an elephant and a hawk round the place to 
 elect a successor for them. Whomsoever the elephant 
 and hawk acknowledged, the people also acknowledged. 
 There was no alternative. Well, wonderful to relate, the 
 stranger "was chosen for this high office. The elephant 
 bowed down before him, and the hawk perched on his right 
 hand, and thus proclaimed him king in the presence of all 
 the people. In the course of a few years his wife got to 
 know of his whereabouts and went to join him. Then it 
 
 3 In the early morning, both sum- by the influence of the three Gunas — 
 
 mer and winter, the religious H .d<i Sattoa, Eajas, and Tamas ; and that 
 
 is to be seen 'performing his ceremo- for sins of act a man takes a vegetable 
 
 nial bathings in the river. or mineral form ; for sins of word, the 
 
 * Manu declares that the triple or- form of a bird or beast ; for sins of 
 
 der of the passage of the soul through thought, that of a man " the lowest 
 
 the highest, middle, and lowest stages caste. — Monier Williams, Hinduism, 
 
 of existence results from good or bad p. 69, 
 acts, words, and thoughts produced 
 
 B 
 
i8 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 somehow became known that he was a cobbler, and that 
 his wife, also, was of that low caste. The people were in 
 great consternation about it. Some fled, some subjected 
 themselves to great penance, and others burnt themselves, 
 lest they should be excommunicated. The king, too, 
 buHi^himself, when he heard what was happening, and 
 his spirit went and reoccupied the corpse of the Brah- 
 man, that remained by the river-side, and went home. 
 ' How quickly you have performed your ablutions this 
 morning ! ' said his wife ; but the Brahman answered 
 nothing. He only looked very much surprised. ' Can 
 this be the future state ? ' thought he. ' Have I really 
 seen it ? or was it only a dream ? ' 
 
 " About a week after this a man came into the Brahman's 
 courtyard, and begged for some bread, saying that he had 
 not eaten anything for five days, during which he had 
 been running away from his country as fast as he could, 
 because a cobbler had been appointed to the throne. All 
 the people, he said, were running away or burning them- 
 selves to escape the consequences of such an evil. The 
 BrahmaU gave the man some food, but said nothing. 
 ' How can these things be ? ' thought he. ' I have been a 
 cobbler for several years. I have reigned as a king for 
 several years, — and this man confirms the truth of my 
 thoughts; yet my wife declares that I have not been 
 absent from this house more than the usual time ; and I 
 believe her, for she does not look any older, nor is the 
 place changed in any way.' 
 
 " Thus ends my story, whereof the explanation is this : 
 The soul passes through various stages of existence accord- 
 ing to a man's thoughts, words, and acts, and in the great 
 Hereafter a day is equal to a yug ^ and a yug is equal to a 
 day." 
 
 On the conclusion of the story, the woman, wishing to 
 sleep, turned to the stranger and inquired if he wanted 
 anything more. He replied, " Only happiness." 
 
 5 A yug or yuga is an age of the world or a great period. 
 
METEMPSYCHOSIS. 19 
 
 " Then go and seek it in your own home," she said. 
 " Go, return to your parents, who have wept themselves 
 blind because of you. Go and put your hands on their 
 eyes, and tell them that their son has returned ; and they 
 will see again.^ Then shall you be happy. Happiness is 
 to be sought for in the path of duty — in obedience to 
 those whom the gods have set over us. It is the duty of 
 a wife to seek the pleasure of her husband. It is the duty 
 of a child to seek the pleasure of his parents. It is the 
 duty of a citizen to seek the pleasure of his king. It is 
 the duty of us all to seek the pleasure of the gods." 
 
 ' For the recovery of sight by plac- of Rupees for a Bit of Advice " in this 
 isg hand on eyes, cf. storj- " A Lach collection. 
 
( 20 ) 
 
 THE CHARMED RING} 
 
 A MERCHANT Started his son in life with three hundred 
 rupees, and bade him go to another country and try his 
 luck in trade. The son took the money and departed. 
 He had not gone far before he came across some herdsmen 
 quarrelling over a dog, that some of them wished to kilL 
 " Please do not kill the dog," pleaded the young tender- 
 hearted adventurer ; " I will give you one hundred rupees 
 for it." Then and there, of course, the bargain was con- 
 cluded, and the fool took the dog, and continued his 
 journey. He next met with some people fighting about a 
 cat. Some of them wanted to kill it, but others not. 
 " Oh ! please do not kill the animal," said he ; "I will give 
 you one hundred rupees for it." Of course they at once 
 gave him the cat and took the money. He then went on 
 till he reached a village, where some folk were quarrelling 
 over a snake that had just been caught. Some of them 
 wished to kill it, but others did not. " Please do not kill 
 the snake," said he. "I will give you one hundred 
 rupees." Of course the people agreed, and were highly 
 delighted. 
 
 What a fool the fellow was ! What would he do now 
 that all his money was gone ? What could he do except 
 return to his father ? Accordingly he went home. 
 
 " You fool ! You scamp ! " exclaimed his father when 
 he had heard how his son had wasted all the money that 
 had been given to him. " Go and live in the stables and 
 repent of your folly. You shall never again enter my 
 house." 
 
 ' Narrator's name, QS,dir, a b.irber, living by AmW Kadal, Srinagat. 
 
THE CHARMED RING. 21 
 
 So the young man went and lived in the stables. His 
 bed was the grass spread for the cattle, and his com- 
 panions were the dog, the cat, and the snake, which he 
 had purchased so dearly. These creatures got very fond 
 of him, and would follow him about during the day, and 
 sleep by him at night ; the cat used to sleep at his feet, 
 the dog at his head, and the snake over his body, with its 
 head hanging on one side and its tail on the other. 
 
 One day the snake in course of conversation said to 
 its master, "I am the son of Indrasharaja. One day, 
 when I had come out of the ground to drink the air, some 
 people seized me, and would have slain me had you not 
 most opportunely arrived to my rescue. I do not know 
 how I shall ever be able to repay you for your great 
 kindness to me. Would that you knew my father! 
 How glad he would be to see his son's preserver ! " 
 
 " Where does he live ? I should like to see him, if 
 possible," said the young man. 
 
 " Well said ! " continued the snake. " Do you see 
 yonder mountain ? At the bottom of that mountain there 
 is a sacred spring. If you will come with me and dive 
 into that spring, we shall both reach my father's country. 
 Oh ! how glad he will be to see you ! He will wish to 
 reward you, too. But how can he do that? However, 
 you may be pleased to accept something at his hand. If 
 he asks you what you would like, you would, perhaps, do 
 well to reply, ' The ring on your right hand, and the 
 famous pot and spoon which you possess.' With these in 
 your possession, you would never need anything, for the 
 rinc is such that a man has only to speak to it, and 
 immediately a beautiful, furnished mansion, and a charm- 
 ing, lovely woman, will be provided for him, while the 
 pot and the spoon will supply him with all manner of the 
 rarest and most delicious foods." ^ 
 
 ^ Cf. Indian Fairy Tales, pp. 34, story in Young Ceylon, of June 1850, 
 
 156 ; Folk-tales of Bengal, pp. 32, 34, which tale also exists in Tamil ; the 
 
 55,282; Old Deccan Days, 174; Wide- tale of "The Table, Ass, anil Stick," 
 
 Awake Stories, 199, 216 ; Portuguese in Grimm's Huusehold Stories ; 
 
22 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 Attended by his three companions the man walked to 
 the well and prepared to jump in, according to the snake's 
 directions. "0 master!" exclaimed the cat and dog, 
 when they saw what he was going to do. " What shall 
 we do ? Where shall we go 1 " 
 
 " Wait for me here," he replied. " I am not going far. 
 I shall not be long away." On saying this, he dived into 
 the water and was lost to sight. 
 
 '■ Now what shall we do ? " said the dog to the cat. 
 
 "We must remain here," replied the cat, "as our master 
 ordered. Do not be anxious about -food. I will go to the 
 people's houses and get plenty of food for both of us." 
 And so the cat did, and they both lived very comfortably 
 till their master came again and joined them. 
 
 The young man and the snake reached their destination 
 in safety;^ and information of their arrival was sent to the 
 rdjd. His Highness commanded his son and the stranger 
 to appear before him. But the snake refused, saying, 
 that it could not go to its father tiU it was released from 
 this stranger, who had saved it from a most terrible 
 death, and whose slave it therefore was. Then the rdjd 
 went and embraced his son, and saluting the stranger 
 welcomed him to his dominions. The young man stayed 
 there a few days, during which he received the rdjd's 
 right-hand ring, and the pot and spoon, in recognition of 
 His Highness's gratitude to him for having delivered his son. 
 He then returned. On reaching the top of the spring he 
 found his friends, the dog and the cat, waiting for him. 
 They told one another all they had experienced since they 
 
 MakanakamdrdjaniMdai (Dravidiim be found in the Buddhist Jdtaka 
 
 Nights), iip. 132, 154; the "Lad who Book, Dadhivdhana J&taka (No. i86, 
 
 went to North Wind," in Dasent's Fausboll, also 291), vide Buddhist 
 
 Norse Tales, which tale also appears Birth Stories, pp. xvi.-xxi. 
 
 in Italian Popular Tales (Crane) ; s S'dga (Sanskrit), a snake. The 
 
 Brentano Fairy Tales, the story of race of Ndgas is said to have sprung 
 
 "Ninny Noddy." Compare also from Kadru, the wife of Kashyapa, for 
 
 Malm-Bharata, xii. 1769 ; Wolf, Beit- the purpose of peopling Pdtdla, or 
 
 rage zur Deutschen Mpthologie, i. p. the regions below the earth, where 
 
 12 ; Dictionary of Kashmiri Proverlis, they reign in great splendour, Cf. 
 
 pp. 179, 180. But, perhaps, the most en passant, Folk-Tales of Bengal, pp. 
 
 ancient example of these tales is to 20, 21. 
 
THE CHARMED RING. 23 
 
 had last seen each other, and were all very glad. After- 
 wards they walked together to the river side, where it was 
 decided to try the powers of the charmed ring * and pot 
 and spoon. The merchant's son spoke to the ring, and 
 immediately a beautiful house and a lovely woman with 
 golden hair appeared. He spoke to the pot and spoon, 
 also, and the most delicious dishes of food were provided 
 for them. As will be imagined, life went on very happily 
 under these conditions for several years, until one morn- 
 ing the woman, while arranging her toilet, put the loose 
 hairs into a hollow bit of reed and threw them into the 
 river that flowed along under the window. The reed 
 floated on the water for many miles, and was eventually 
 picked up by the prince of that country, who curiously 
 opened it and saw the golden hair.^ On finding it the 
 prince rushed off to the palace, locked himself up in his 
 room, and would not leave it. He had fallen desperately 
 in love with the woman, whose hair he had picked up, and 
 refused to eat, or drink, or sleep, or move, till she was 
 brought to him. The king, his father, was in great dis- 
 tress about the matter, and did not know what to do. He 
 feared lest his son should die and leave him without an 
 heir. At last he determined to seek the counsel of his 
 aunt, who was an ogress. The old woman consented to 
 help him and bade him not to be anxious, as she felt cer- 
 tain that she would succeed in getting the beautiful 
 woman for his son's wife. She assumed the shape of a 
 bee and went along buzzing.^ Her keen sense of smell 
 soon brought her to the woman, to whom she appeared as 
 an old hag, holding in one hand a stick by way of support. 
 She introduced herself to the beautiful woman as her 
 
 ^Cf. Madanakamdrdjanhadai,^.27; the Egyptian tale of "The Two 
 
 the tale of ' ' Aladdin, or the Wonder- Brothers ; " also Wide-Awake SUrries, 
 
 ful Lamp," in The Arabian Nights; pp. 60, 413. 
 
 Wide-Awake Stories, p. 198; and the « Of. Kings of Kdshmird, p. 55 ; 
 
 story of "The Robber and his Sons," Indian Notes and Queries, vol. iv. p. 
 
 m Or imm's Household Stories. 64; Folk-Tales of Bengal, p. 186; 
 
 s Cf Evaiigelical Review, "Santal Indian Fairy Tales, pp. 56, 141 ; and 
 
 Folk-Tales," vol. xiii. No. 51, p. Indian Antiquary, vol. xvi. p. 212. 
 333 ; Madanakamdrdjankadai, p. 32 ; 
 
24 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 aunt/ and said that she had seen nothing of her before, 
 because she had left the country just after her birth. She 
 also embraced and kissed the woman by way of adding 
 force to her words. The beautiful woman was thoroughly 
 deceived. She returned the ogress's embrace, and invited 
 her to come and stay in the house as long as she could, 
 and treated her with such honour and attention, that the 
 ogress thought to herself, " I shall soon accomplish my 
 errand." When she had been in the house three days, she 
 mooted the subject of the charmed ring, and advised her 
 to keep it instead of her husband, because the latter was 
 constantly out shooting and on other suchlike expeditions, 
 and might lose it. Accordingly the beautiful woman 
 asked her husband for the ring, and he readily gave it 
 to her. The ogress waited another day before she asked 
 to see the precious thing. Doubting nothing the beautiful 
 woman complied, when the ogress seized the ring, and re- 
 assuming the form of a bee flew away with it to the palace, 
 where the prince was lying in a very critical condition. 
 " Else up. Be glad. Mourn no more," she said to him. 
 " The woman for whom you yearn will appear at your 
 summons. See, here is the charm, whereby you may 
 bring her before you." The prince was almost mad with 
 joy when he heard these words, and was so desirous of 
 seeing the beautiful woman, that he immediately spoke to 
 the ring, and the house with its fair occupant descended 
 in the midst of the palace-garden.^ He at once entered 
 the building, and telling the beautiful woman of his in- 
 tense love, entreated her to be his wife. Seeing no escape 
 from the difficulty she consented on the condition that he 
 would wait one month for her. 
 
 Meanwhile the merchant's son had returned from hunt- 
 ing and was terribly distressed not to find his house and 
 wife. There was the place only, just as he knew it be- 
 
 ' Of. Indian Fairy Tales, pp. 260, xiii. No. 50, p. 226 ; also story of 
 
 262 ; Orientalist, vol. ii. pp. 94, 232. "Aladdin, or the Wonderful Lamp," 
 
 ^ Ci. Irtdian Antiquary, vol. iv.Tp. in Arabian Nights; and story of 
 
 371 ; Indian Evangelical Review, vol. " True Friendship " in this collection. 
 
THE CHARMED RING. 25 
 
 fore he had tried the charmed ring, which Indrasharaja had 
 given him. He sat down and determined to put an end 
 to himself. Presently the cat and dog came up. They 
 had gone away and hidden themselves, when they saw 
 the house and everything disappear. " master ! " they 
 said, " stay your hand. Your trial is great, but it is not 
 irremediable. Give us one month, and we will go and try 
 to recover your wife and house." 
 
 " Go," said he, " and may the great God aid your efforts. 
 Bring back my wife, and I shall live." 
 
 So the cat and dog started off at a run, and did not stop 
 till they reached the place whither their mistress and the 
 house had been taken. "We may have some difficulty 
 here," said the cat. "Look, the king has taken our 
 master's wife and house for himself. You stay here, I 
 will go to the house and try to see her." So the dog sat 
 down, and the cat climbed up to the window of the room, 
 wherein the beautiful woman was sitting, and entered. 
 The woman recognised the animal, and informed it of all 
 that had happened to her since she had left them, 
 
 " But is there no way of escape from the hands of these 
 people ? " she asked. 
 
 " Yes," replied the cat, " if you can tell me where the 
 charmed ring is." 
 
 " The ring is in the stomach of the ogress," she said. 
 
 "All right," said the cat; "I will recover it. If we 
 once get it, everything is ours." Then the cat descended 
 the wall of the house, and went and laid down by a rat's 
 hole and pretended she was dead, Now at that time a 
 great wedding chanced to be going on among the rat com- 
 munity of that place, and all the rats of the neighbourhood 
 were assembled in that one particular mine by which the cat 
 had lain down.® The eldest son of the king of the rats was 
 about to be married. The cat got to know of this, and at 
 once conceived the idea of seizing the bridegroom and 
 making him render the necessary help. Consequently, 
 9 Eats have weddings, of. Wide-Awake Stories, pp. 17-26. 
 
26 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 when the procession poured forth from the hole sq[uealing 
 and jumping in honour of the occasion, it immediately- 
 spotted the bridegroom and pounced down on him. " Oh ! 
 let me go, let me go," cried the terrified rat. " Oh ! let 
 him go," squealed all the company. " It is his wedding 
 day." 
 
 " No, no," replied the cat. " Not unless you do some- 
 thing for me. Listen. The ogress, who lives in that 
 house with the prince and his wife, has swallowed a 
 ring, which I very much want. If you will procure it for 
 me, I will allow the rat to depart unharmed. If you do 
 not, then your prince dies under my feet." 
 
 " Very well, we agree," said they all. " Kay, if. we do 
 not get the ring for you, devour us all." 
 
 This was rather a bold reply. However, they accom- 
 plished the thing. At midnight, when the ogress was 
 sound asleep, one of the rats went to her bedside, climbed 
 up on her face, and inserted its tail into her throat ; where- 
 upon the ogress coughed and urged violently, so that the 
 ring came out and rolled on to the floor.^" The rat imme- 
 diately seized the precious thing and ran off with it to its 
 king, who was very glad and went at once to the cat and 
 released its son. 
 
 As soon as the cat received the ring, she started back 
 with the dog to go and tell their master the good tidings. 
 All seemed safe now. They had only to give the ring to 
 him, and he would speak to it, and the house and beauti- 
 ful woman would again be with them, and everything 
 would go on as happily as before. " How glad their master 
 would be !" they thought, and ran as fast as their legs could 
 carry them. On the way they had to cross a stream. 
 The dog swam, and the cat sat on its back. Taking 
 advantage of the occasion the dog asked for the ring, and 
 threatened to throw the cat into the water if it did not 
 
 1° Cf. Madanakamdrdjankadai, pp. dainty drop. A military gentleman 
 
 40, 41. I have known rats to insert told me the story of a rat who got at 
 
 their tails into native inkstands in his wine in the same way, 
 the hope of thus drawing up some 
 
THE CHARMED RING. 27 
 
 comply ; whereupon the cat gave up the ring. Sorry 
 moment, for the dog at once dropped it, and a fish 
 swallowed it. 
 
 " Oh ! what shall I do ? what shall I do ? " said the dog. 
 
 "What is done is done," replied the cat. "We must try 
 to recover it, and if we do not succeed we had better drown 
 ourselves in this stream. I have a plan. You go and kill 
 a small lamb, and bring it here to me." 
 
 "All right," said the dog, and at once ran off. He soon 
 came back with a dead lamb, and gave it to the cat. The 
 cat tore open the stomach of the beast, and took out the 
 bowels, and then went inside and laid down, telling the 
 dog to go away a little distance and keep quiet. Not 
 long after this a nadhar}'^ a bird whose look even breaks 
 the bones of a fish, came and hovered over the corpse, and 
 eventually pounced down on it to carry it away. On this 
 the cat came out and jumped on to the bird, and threatened 
 to kill it if it did not recover the lost ring. This was 
 most readily promised by the nadhar, who immediately 
 flew off to the king of the fishes, and ordered it to make 
 inquiries and to restore the ring. The king of the 
 fishes did so, and the ring was found and carried back to 
 the cat. 
 
 " Come along now, I have got the ring," said the cat to 
 the dog. 
 
 " No, I will not," said the dog, " unless you let me have 
 the ring. I can carry it as well as you. Let me have it, 
 or I will kill you." So the cat was obliged to give up the 
 ring. The careless dog very soon dropped it again. This 
 time it was picked up and carried off by a kite. 
 
 " See, see, there it goes — away to that big tree," the cat 
 exclaimed. 
 
 " Oh ! oh ! what have I done ! " cried the dog. 
 
 11 Nadhar is a cormorant (?). Kash- valley, which closely resembles the 
 
 miris have a saying Nadharani nat, cormorant in appearance. A skin of 
 
 Nadhar's fright, which they quote on one of these was procured by the late 
 
 occasions of any special fear. There Dr. Henderson, after whom it has 
 
 is a small species of pelican in the been named. 
 
28 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 " You foolish thing, I knew it would be so," said the 
 cat. " But stop your barking, or you will frighten away 
 the bird to some place where we shall not be able to trace 
 it." 
 
 The cat waited till it was quite dark, and then climbed 
 the tree, killed the kite, and recovered the ring. "Come 
 along," it said to the dog when it reached the ground, 
 "We must make haste now. We have been delayed. 
 Our master will die from grief and suspense. Come on." 
 
 The dog, now thoroughly ashamed of itself, begged the 
 cat's pardon for all the trouble it had given. It was 
 afraid to ask for the ring the third time, so they both 
 reached their sorrowing master in safety and gave him the 
 precious charm. In a moment his sorrow was turned into 
 joy. He spoke to the ring, and his beautiful wife and 
 house reappeared, and he and everybody were as happy as 
 ever they were.^^ 
 
 12 Cf. whole of the second story of ^waicSioWcs, pp.i96-2o6,and/n(iian 
 Madanakamdrdjankadai ; also Wide- Antiquary, vol. x. p. 347 et seq. 
 
( 29 ) 
 
 THE CROW -GIRL? 
 
 One day two potters' wives went to the jungle to get a 
 special kind of soil, which their husbands wanted for 
 making some pots. They carried their little infant 
 children with them a-straddle on their hips. When they 
 reached the place where this earth was to be found, they 
 put down their children, a little boy and a little girl, to 
 play together, while they filled their baskets. A kite and 
 a crow noticed what was going on, and swooped down 
 upon the children and carried them off. The kite killed 
 the boy, but the crow flew away with the girl to the hollow 
 trunk of a tree in a distant part of the jungle, and there 
 dropped her. Instead of crying the child thought it was 
 great fun, and so laughed and played with the bird ; and 
 the bird got very fond of her, and brought her nuts and 
 fruit, and scraps of bread and meat sometimes, whenever 
 it could get them. The little girl grew up and became 
 very beautiful. 
 
 One day a carpenter chanced to visit that part of the 
 jungle for cutting wood. " Saldm," said the girl to him. 
 "I wish you would make me a spinning-wheel. I am 
 here all alone, and I wish to do something." 
 
 " Why are you here ? Where is your home ? Have 
 you no more clothes than the rag you are wearing?" 
 asked the carpenter. 
 
 " You must not ask me any questions," replied the girl. 
 "But please make me a spinning-wheel, and I shall be 
 quite happy." 
 
 1 Narrator's name, L&l Chand of The story is known in the valley by 
 Khunamuii in the Wular pargana. the name of Edvah-KHr. 
 
30 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 The carpenter did so ; and the crow stole a spindle and 
 some cotton for the girl. So she had everything complete. 
 
 Not long after this the king of that part of the world 
 was out a-hunting in the jungle, and as he passed by that 
 way, his ear caught the sound of somebody spinning. 
 " Who resides in this solitary place ? " he said to one of 
 his attendants. " I hear the sound of a person spinning. 
 Go and see who it can be." After a long search the men 
 discovered the girl sitting by her wheel in the hollow of a 
 tree, and brought her before the king. His Majesty 
 inquired everything about her ; and was so interested in 
 her story, and fascinated by her beauty, that he begged 
 her to accompany him to the palace, and to stay there 
 with him as his wife. 
 
 The king had six other wives. This crow-girl was the 
 seventh. Each of the wives had a separate apartment 
 and special attendants. One day His Majesty, wishing to 
 try their skill and taste, ordered all of them to decorate 
 their rooms as nicely as they could. The six wives went 
 to work in the ordinary way ; they bought several orna- 
 ments and pictures, and had the walls of their rooms 
 washed with ottar of roses ; but the seventh wife sought 
 an interview with her beloved crow and asked his advice on 
 the matter. " Don't be anxious," said the bird, and imme- 
 diately flew off and brought back in its bill an herb, which 
 it gave her, saying, " Take this herb and rub it all over the 
 walls of your room, and they will shine like burnished 
 gold." The girl obeyed, and her room shone so with gold — 
 real gold, that one could scarcely look at it. 
 
 When the other wives of the king heard of this, they 
 were very jealous. Notwithstanding they had washed 
 their rooms with ottar of roses, and decorated them with 
 the richest carpets and the most magnificent vases, yet 
 they looked not one hundredth part as beautiful as the 
 crow-girl's apartment. "What have you done to your 
 room to make it so lovely ? " they asked. But the crow- 
 girl did not tell them. 
 
THE CROW-GIRL. 31 
 
 When the king inspected the rooms of the six wives, he 
 was much pleased with them, but when he came to the 
 crow-girl's room he was overcome with astonishment and 
 delight. Henceforth he made her his chief rdni, and 
 seemed to forget all the rest. 
 
 This special notice from the king increased the hatred 
 and jealousy of the other wives. They were wicked 
 enough before ; but now, maddened by the king's pre- 
 ference for the seventh wife, they plotted to bring about 
 her speedy death. They soon found opportunity for 
 accomplishing their wickedness. One day they were all 
 going to the river to bathe, when it was decided to push 
 the crow-girl queen into the water, and to inform the 
 king that she had been accidentally drowned. Accord- 
 ingly, when they reached a deep part of the river, they 
 shoved the woman off the bank into the water. 
 
 The king's grief was intense when he heard the sad 
 news. For a long time he gave up all business, shut 
 himself in his room, and would not see any one. Fate, 
 however, had not decreed the death of the rdni. She was 
 not drowned, as everybody thought. Near to the part of 
 the river where she fell, there happened to be a large tree 
 growing out of an invisible island. She had floated to 
 this island and climbed to the top of the tree, where she 
 was constantly fed by her kind friend the crow. 
 
 One day some weeks afterwards. His Majesty chanced 
 to go for an airing in his boat by the way of this tree. 
 The crow-girl saw him, and shouting the words, "The 
 king unjustly exposed me to danger.^ Come, beloved, 
 come here," she discovered herself to him. On seeing his 
 beloved rdni again, the king's joy knew no bounds. He 
 immediately took her into the boat and carried her to 
 the palace. There she told him all that had occurred, 
 and when His Majesty heard the truth of the matter, he 
 at once gave orders for the execution of the other wives.* 
 
 ' " The king unjustly bound me ' Compare variant in Old Deccan 
 in a net," literaUy. Dayt, pp. 79-93. 
 
( 32 ) 
 
 A LACH OF RUPEES FOR A BIT OF 
 ADVICE.^ 
 
 A POOR blind Brahman and his wife were dependent 
 on their son for their subsistence. Every day the young 
 fellow used to go out and get what he could by begging. 
 This continued for some time, till at last he became quite 
 tired of such a .wretched despicable manner of life, and 
 determined to go and try his luck in another country. 
 He informed his wife of his intention, and ordered her to 
 manage somehow or other for the old people during the 
 few months that he would be absent. He adjured her 
 to be very diligent, lest his parents should be angry and 
 curse him. 
 
 One morning he started with some food in a bundle, 
 and walked on day after day, till he reached the chief 
 city of the neighbouring country. Here he went and 
 sat down by a merchant's shop and asked alms. The 
 merchant inquired whence he had come, why he had 
 come, and what was his caste, to which he replied that he 
 was a Brahman, and was wandering hither and thither 
 begging a livelihood for himself and wife and parents. 
 Moved with pity for the man, the merchant advised him 
 to visit the kind and generous king of that country, and 
 offered to accompany him to the court. Now at that time 
 it happened that the king was seeking for a Brahman to 
 look after a golden temple which he had just had built. 
 His Majesty was very glad, therefore, when he saw the 
 Brahman and heard that he was good and honest. He at 
 once deputed him to the charge of this temple, and 
 
 ' Narrator's name, Pandit Chadh Earn of Habah Kadal, Srinagar. 
 
A LACH OF RUPEES FOR A BIT OF ADVICE. 33 
 
 ordered fifty Jcharwdrs of rice and one hundred rupees to 
 be paid to him every year as wages. 
 
 Two months after this, the Brahman's wife, not having 
 heard any news of her husband, left the house and went 
 in quest of him. By a happy fate she arrived at the very 
 place that he had reached, where she heard that every 
 morning at the golden temple a golden rupee was given in 
 the king's name to any bond fide beggar who chose to go 
 for it. Accordingly on the following morning she attended 
 at the place, and met her husband. 
 
 " Why have you come here ? " he asked. " Why have 
 you left my parents ? Care you not whether they curse 
 me and I die ? Go back immediately, and await my 
 return." 
 
 " No, no," said the woman. " I cannot go back to starve 
 and see your old father and mother die. There is not a 
 grain of rice left in the house." 
 
 " Bhagawant ! " exclaimed the Brahman. " Here, take 
 this," he continued, scribbling a few lines on some paper, 
 and then handing it to her, " and give it to the king. It 
 may be that he will give you a lack of rupees for it." 
 Thus saying he dismissed her, and the woman left. 
 
 On this scrap of paper were written four pieces of advice 
 — ^i.) If a person is travelling and reaches any strange 
 place at night, let him be careful where he puts up, and 
 not close his eyes in sleep, lest he close them in death. 
 (2.) If a man is in need^ let him test his friends ; but if he 
 is not in need, then let not his friends try him. (3.) If a 
 man has a married sister, and visits her in great pomp, 
 she will receive him for the sake of what she can obtain 
 from him; but if he comes to her in poverty, she will 
 frown on him and disown him. (4.) If a man has to do 
 any work, he must do it himself, and do it with might and 
 without fear.2 
 
 On reaching her home the brahmanf told her parents of 
 
 her meeting with her husband, and what a valuable piece 
 
 2 Cf. tale of "Three Maxims " in the Gesta Bomanorum. 
 
 C 
 
34 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 of paper he had given her; but not liking to go before 
 the king herself, she sent one of her relations. The king 
 read the paper, and ordering the man to be flogged, dis- 
 missed him. The next morning the brahmanf took the 
 paper, and while she was going along the road to thei 
 darbdr reading it, the king's son met her, and asked what 
 she was reading, whereupon she replied that she held in 
 her hands a paper containing certain bits of advice, for 
 which she wanted a lach of rupees. The prince asked her 
 to show it to him, and when he had read it gave her apar- 
 wdna for the amount, and rode on. The poor brahmanf 
 was very thankful. That day she laid in a great store of 
 provisions, sufficient to last them all for a long time. 
 
 In the evening the prince related to his father the meet- 
 ing with the woman, and the purchase of the piece of 
 paper. He thought his father would applaud the act. 
 But it was not so. The king was more angry than 
 before, and banished his son from the country. 
 
 Alas ! alas ! how sad was the royal household when 
 they heard of the king's cruel order ! for the prince was a 
 great favourite, and a young man of much promise, and, 
 moreover, was heir to the throne. However, the king's 
 order was urgent. So the prince bade adieu to his mother 
 and relations and friends, and rode off on his horse, whither 
 he did not know. At nightfall he arrived at some place, 
 where a man met him, and invited him to lodge at his 
 house. The prince accepted the invitation, and was 
 treated like a prince. Matting was spread for him to 
 squat on, the best of provisions set before him, and at 
 night the host's daughter attended him. 
 
 " Ah ! " thought he, as he lay down to rest, " I perceive 
 the reason of the first piece of advice that the brahmanf 
 gave me. I will not sleep to-night." 
 
 It was well that he thus resolved, for in the middle of 
 the night the man's daughter rose up, and taking a sword 
 in her hand, rushed to the prince with the intention of 
 killing him. The prince, however, averted the blow, and 
 
 o 
 
A LACH OF RUPEES FOR A BIT OF ADVICE. 35 
 
 seizing the sword, said, " Why do you wish to slay me ? 
 Have I wronged you in any matter ? Do I wish to 
 wrong you? Put up the sword again, lest you bring 
 sorrow on yourself, like that king who killed a favourite 
 parrot by mistake." 
 
 " What king ? " asked the girl. 
 
 "Listen," said the prince : — 
 
 " Once upon a time there lived a king who had a very 
 beautiful parrot, which was very precious to him. This 
 parrot lived in the royal haram, and the king always 
 talked to it first before speaking to his wives. One day 
 the parrot asked for one month's leave of absence to go 
 and marry his son, which leave the king granted. The 
 bird went, and the marriage was celebrated, and then the 
 bird prepared to return. It brought back for the king the 
 cuttings of two trees, one of which possessed the virtue of 
 making a young man old, and the other of making an old 
 man young. The cuttings were planted, and in due time 
 flourished and bore fruit. But just as they were begin- 
 uing to ripen a great storm passed over that country, and 
 blew down the trees, and a monster serpent that was car- 
 ried along by the waters took refuge in them, and covered 
 their branches with its poison. This, however, was not 
 noticed by any one. When the storm had subsided the 
 gardener went and replanted the two trees and attended 
 them with such care that they flourished again and bore 
 fruit; and some of their fruit was taken to the king. 
 Wishing to test it on an animal first. His Majesty threw 
 some of the fruit of one of the trees to a dog. The animal 
 ate it, and died immediately. On seeing this the king be- 
 came very angry, and thinking that the parrot had been 
 playing jokes with him, he ordered it to be killed. The 
 following year the trees bore fruit again, by which time all 
 the poison had exuded from their branches. One morning, 
 when passing, an old man, being hungry, put out his hand 
 and plucked one of the fruits and ate it, and immediately 
 became young again. The report of this strange occur- 
 
36 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 rence reached the king, who ordered some of the fruit to 
 be brought to him. He gave some of the youth-restoring 
 fruit to his old wazir, who ate it, and was at once changed 
 into a strong young man, as people remembered him half 
 a century before.^ When the king saw this he was very 
 sorry, and grieved much for the favourite parrot that he 
 had so cruelly killed. 
 
 " Surely you would not do the same to me ? " said the 
 prince. 
 
 " No," she replied. 
 
 By the time the prince had concluded this story it was 
 morning, and the other inmates of the house were about. 
 
 Thus was the prince saved. Of course he wished to 
 depart, and would have immediately started, but the 
 master of the house would not hear of it. He prevailed 
 on him to stay that day also, and promised to allow him 
 to go on the morrow. The prince was waited on with 
 every attention, and fed in the same sumptuous manner 
 as before, and at night was shown to the same room, 
 whither the host's daughter also came to do his bidding. 
 That night, too, the prince would not close his eyes in 
 sleep. He was afraid what the girl might do to him. At 
 midnight she arose, and taking a sword in her hand, was 
 going to kill him, when he rose up and spoke. 
 
 " Do not slay me," he said. " What profit would you 
 get from my death ? If you killed me you would be sorry 
 afterwards, like that man who killed his dog." 
 
 " What man ? What dog ? " she asked. 
 
 " I will tell you," said the prince, " if you wiU give me 
 that sword." 
 
 So she gave him the sword, and the prince began his 
 second story : — 
 
 " Once upon a time there lived a wealthy merchant who 
 liad a pet dog. By some unforeseen circumstance this 
 merchant was suddenly reduced to poverty, and oblitred 
 
 s Of. Folk-Tales of Bengal, pp. 154-158 ; Indian Antiquai-p, vol. xiv. 
 p. 109 ; Orientalist, vol. ii. p. 54. 
 
A LACH OF RUPEES FOR A BIT OF ADVICE. 37 
 
 to part with his dog. He got a loan of five thousand 
 rupees on the animal from a brother merchant, and with 
 the money commenced business afresh. Not long after 
 this the other merchant's shop was broken into by 
 thieves and completely sacked. There was hardly ten 
 rupees' worth left in the place. The faithful dog, how- 
 ever, knew what was going on, and went and followed the 
 thieves, and saw where they deposited the things, and tjien 
 returned. 
 
 " In the morning there was great weeping and lamen- 
 tation in the merchant's house when it was known what 
 had happened. The merchant himself nearly went mad. 
 Meanwhile the dog kept on running to the door, and pull- 
 ing at his master's shirt and pdijdmas, as though wishing 
 him to go outside. At last a friend suggested that, per- 
 haps, the dog knew something of the whereabouts of the 
 things, and advised the merchant to follow its leadings, 
 The merchant consented, and went after the dog right up 
 to the very place where the thieves had hidden the goods. 
 Here the animal scraped and barked, and showed in various 
 ways that the things were underneath. So the merchant 
 and his friends dug about the place, and soon came upon 
 all the stolen property. Nothing was missing. There 
 was everything just as the thieves had taken them. 
 
 "The merchant was very glad. On returning to his 
 house, he at once sent the dog back to its old master with a 
 letter rolled up in its ear, wherein he liad written concern- 
 ing the sagacity of the beast, and begged his friend to 
 forget the loan and to accept another five thousand rupees 
 as a present. When this merchant saw his dog coming 
 back again, he thought, ' Alas ! my friend is wanting the 
 money. How can I pay him ? I have not had sufficient 
 time to recover myself from my recent losses. I will slay 
 the dog ere he reaches the threshold, and say that another 
 must have slain it. Thus there will be an end of my 
 debt. No dog, no loan.' Accordingly he ran out and 
 killed the poor dog, when the letter fell out of its right 
 
38 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 ear. The merchant picked it up and read it. How great 
 was his grief and disappointment when he knew the facts 
 of the case ! 
 
 "Beware," continued the prince, "lest you do that 
 which afterwards you would give your life not to have 
 done." 
 
 By the time the prince had concluded this story it was 
 nearly morning. 
 
 " Alas ; alas ! " said the girl, " what shall I do ? Another 
 hour and it will be day. My father strictly charged me 
 to slay you before this, threatening to kill me if I did not 
 do so. What shall I do ? I am in your power." 
 
 " Show me the way out of this accursed place, and come 
 with me," replied the prince ; " we shall easily find a 
 horse outside, and then we can ride off quickly without 
 fear of pursuit. Come along.'' 
 
 Within an hour, when the other inmates of the house 
 .awoke from their sleep, the prince and the robber's 
 daughter were several miles distant.* On, on they rode, 
 till they came to some place, where one of the prince's 
 friends lived, who gave him a hearty welcome, and made 
 him stay in his house, and treated him in every way as his 
 own brother for six months ; and when he expressed a 
 wish to leave, gave him jewels, and money, and horses, 
 and servants, and every necessary for the way. 
 
 The prince then visited the country belonging to his 
 brother-in-law. He disguised himself as dijogi, and sitting 
 down by a tree near the palace, pretended to be absorbed 
 in worship. News of the man and of his wonderful piety 
 reached the ears of the king. He felt interested in him, 
 as his wife was very ill ; and he had sought for halcims to 
 cure her, but in vain. He thought that, perhaps, this holy 
 man could do something for her. So he sent to him. 
 But the jogi refused to tread the halls of a king, sayin" 
 that his dwelling was the open air, and that if His" 
 Majesty wished to see him he must come himself and 
 
 ^ Cf. tale of " Two Brothers " in this collection. 
 
A LACH OF RUPEES FOR A BIT OF ADVICE. 39 
 
 bring his wife to the place. Then the king took his wife 
 and introduced her to the jogi. The holy man bade her 
 prostrate herself before him, and when she had remained 
 in this position for about three hours, he told her to rise 
 and go, for she was cured. 
 
 In the evening there was great consternation in the 
 palace, because the queen had lost her pearl rosary, and 
 nobody knew anything about it. At length some one 
 went to the jog{, and found it on the ground by the place 
 where the queen had prostrated herself. When the king 
 heard this he was very angry, and ordered the jogi to be 
 executed. This stern order, however, was not carried out, 
 as the prince bribed the men and escaped from the 
 country. 
 
 Clad in his own clothes, the prince was Avalking along 
 one day when he saw a potter crying and laughing alter- 
 nately with his wife and children. " fool," said he, 
 " what is the matter ? If you laugh, why do you weep ? 
 If you weep, why do you laugh ?" 
 
 " Do not bother me," said the potter. " What does it 
 matter to you ? " 
 
 " Pardon me," said the prince, " but I should like to 
 know the reason." 
 
 " The reason is this, then," said the potter. " The king 
 of this country has a daughter whom he is obliged to 
 marry every day, because all her husbands die the first 
 night of their stay with her. Nearly all the young men 
 of the place have thus perished, and our son will be 
 called on soon. We laugh at the absurdity of the thing — 
 a potter's son marrying a princess, and we cry at the 
 terrible consequence of the marriage.^ What can we do ? " 
 
 " Triily a matter for laughing and weeping. But weep 
 no more," said the prince. " I will exchange places with 
 your son, and will be married to the princess instead of 
 him. Only give me suitable garments, and prepare me 
 for the occasion." 
 
 6 Cf . end of tale No. XIII. in Baital PachUl. 
 
40 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 So the potter gave him beautiful raiment and orna- 
 ments, and the prince went to the palace. At night he 
 was conducted to the apartment of the princess. " Dread 
 hour ! " thought he ; "ami to die like the scores of young 
 men before me ? " He clenched his sword with firm grip, 
 and lay down on his bed, intending to keep awake all 
 the night and see what would happen. In the middle of 
 the night he saw two shdhmdrs come out from the nostrils 
 of the princess.^ They stole over towards him, intending 
 to kiU him, like the others who had been before him ; but 
 he was ready for them. He laid hold of his sword, and 
 when the snakes reached his bed he struck at them and 
 killed them. In the morning the king came as usual to 
 inquire, and was surprised to hear his daughter and the 
 prince talking gaily together. " Surely," said he, " this 
 man must be her husband, as he only can live with her." 
 
 " Where do you come from ? Who are you ? " asked 
 the ]^ing, entering the room. 
 
 " king ! " replied the prince, " I am the son of a king 
 who rules over such-and-such a country." 
 
 When he heard this the king was very glad, and bade 
 the prince to abide in his palace, and appointed him his 
 successor to the throne. The prince remained at the 
 palace for more than a year, and then asked permission to 
 visit his own country, which was granted. The king gave 
 him elephants, horses, jewels, and abundance of money for 
 the expenses of the way and as presents for his father, 
 and the prince started. 
 
 On the way he had to pass through the country belong- 
 ing to his brother-in-law, whom we have already men- 
 tioned. Eeport of his arrival reached the ears of the 
 king, who came with rope-tied hands and haltered neck to 
 do him homage. He most humbly begged him to stay at 
 his palace, and to accept what little hospitality could be 
 provided. While the prince was staying at the palace he 
 saw his sister, who greeted him with smiles and kisses. 
 » Cf. Folk-Tales of Bengal, p. loo. 
 
A LACH OF RUPEES FOR A BIT OF ADVICE. 41 
 
 On leaving he told her how she and her husband had 
 treated him at his first visit, and how he had escaped ; and 
 then gave them two elephants, two beautiful horses, fifteen 
 soldiers, and ten lacks rupees' worth of jewels. 
 
 Thence he went to see his old friend who had treated 
 him so generously. He pitched his encampment not far 
 from his house, and then sent word to him to come and 
 see him ; but the friend would not go. On being asked 
 the reason, he replied that the prince did not need his 
 help. Accordingly the prince went and called on him at 
 his house, and thanked him much for all his kindness in 
 time of need. 
 
 Afterwards he went to his own home and informed his 
 mother and father of his arrival. Alas ! his parents had 
 both become blind from weeping about the loss of their 
 son. " Let him come in," said the king, " and put his 
 hands upon our eyes, and we shall see again." So the 
 prince entered, and was most affectionately greeted by his 
 old parents ; and he laid his hands on their eyes, and they 
 saw again. 
 
 Then the prince told his father all that had happened 
 to him, and how he had been saved several times by at- 
 tending to the advice that he had purchased from the 
 brahmani. Whereupon the king expressed his sorrow for 
 having sent him away, and all was joy and peace again. 
 
( 42 ) 
 
 THE OGRESS-QUEEN} 
 
 People tell of a king wlio had seven wives that were all 
 childless. When he married the first he thought that she 
 would certainly bear him a son. He hoped the same of the 
 second, the third, and the others ; but no son was born 
 to gladden his days and to sit on the throne after him. 
 This was a terrible overwhelming grief to him. 
 
 One day he was walking in a neighbouring wood, and 
 bemoaning his lot, when be saw a most beautiful fairy. 
 
 " Where are you going to ? " she asked. 
 
 " I am very very miserable," he replied. " Although I 
 have seven wives, I have no son to call my own and to 
 make my heir. I came to this wood to-day, hoping to 
 meet some holy man, who would intercede for me." 
 
 " And do you expect to find such a person in this lonely 
 place ? " she asked, laughing. " Only I live here. But I 
 can help you. What will you give me if I grant you the 
 desire of your heart ? " 
 
 " Give me a son and you shall have half of my 
 country." 
 
 " I will take none of your gold or your country. Marry 
 me, and you shall have a son and heir." 
 
 The king agreed, took the fairy to his palace, and very 
 quickly made her his eighth wife. 
 
 A short while afterwards all the other wives of the kin<» 
 became pregnant. However, the king's joy was not for 
 long. The beautiful fairy whom he had married was 
 none other than a rdkshasi, who had appeared to His 
 Majesty as a fairy in order to deceive him and work mis- 
 
 1 Narrator's name, Pandit Anand "Rdm of Sunah Mashid, Sriaagar. 
 
THE OGRESS-QUEEN. 43 
 
 chief in the palace. Every night, when the rest of the 
 royal household were fast asleep, she arose, and going to 
 the stables and outhouses, ate an elephant, or two or three 
 horses, or some sheep, or a camel ; and then having satis- 
 fied her bloodthirsty appetite, returned to her room, and 
 came forth in the morning as if nothing had happened. 
 At first the king's servants feared to inform him of these 
 things ; but when they found that animals were being 
 taken every night, they were obliged to go to him. Strict 
 orders were at once given for the protection of the palace 
 buildings, and guards were appointed to every room; but 
 it was all in vain. Day by day the animals disappeared, 
 and nobody could tell how. 
 
 One night, while the king was pacing his room puzzled 
 to know what to do, the supposed fairy, his wife, said, 
 "What will you give me if I discover the thief ? " 
 
 " Anything — everything," the king replied. 
 
 "Very well. Eest, and by the morning I will show 
 you the cause of these things." 
 
 His Majesty was soon sound asleep, and the wicked 
 queen left the room. She went to the sheep-pens, and 
 taking one of the sheep, killed it, and filled an earthen 
 vessel with its blood. Then she returned to the palace, 
 and went to the several rooms of the other wives of the 
 king, and stained their mouths and clothes with the blood 
 that she had brought. Afterwards she went and lay 
 down in the room while the king was still sleeping. As 
 soon as the day dawned she woke him, and said to him, 
 " I find that your other wives have taken and eaten the 
 animals. They are not human beings ; they are rdkshasis. 
 If you wish to preserve your life, you will beware of them. 
 Go and see if I am not speaking the truth." 
 
 The king did so, and when he saw the blood-stained 
 mouths and garments of his other wives he was terribly 
 enraged. He ordered that their eyes should be put out, 
 and that they should be thrown into a big dry well which 
 was outside the city ; and this was done. 
 
44 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 The very next day one of them gave birth to a son, who 
 was eaten by them for food. The day after that another 
 had a son, and he was likewise eaten. On the third day 
 another was confined; on the fourth day another; on the 
 fifth day another ; and on the sixth day another : each had a 
 son, who was eaten up in his turn. The seventh wife, whose 
 time had not arrived, did not eat her portions of the other 
 wives' children, but kept them till her own son was born, 
 when she begged them not to kill him, and to take the 
 portions which they had given her instead. Thus this child 
 was spared, and through him in the future the lives of the 
 seven queens were miraculously preserved. 
 
 The baby grew and became a strong and beautiful boy. 
 When he was six years old the seven women thought they 
 would try to show him a little of the outer world. But 
 liow were they to do this? The well was deep,, and its 
 sides were perpendicular. At last they thought of stand- 
 ing on each other's heads ; and the one who stood on the 
 top of all took the boy and put him on the bank at the 
 well's mouth. Away the little fellow ran to the palace, 
 entered the king's kitchen, and begged for some food. He 
 got a lot of scraps, of which he ate a little, and carried the 
 rest to the well for his mother and the king's other wives. 
 
 This continued for some time, when one morning the 
 cook asked him to stay and prepare some dishes for the 
 king, saying that his mother had just died, and he was 
 obliged to go and arrange for the cremation of the body. 
 The boy promised to do his best, and the cook left. That 
 day the king was especially pleased with his meals. 
 Everything was rightly cooked, nicely flavoured, and well 
 served up. In the evening the cook returned. The king 
 sent for him, and complimenting him on the exceedingly- 
 good food he had prepared that day, ordered him always to 
 cook as well in the future. The cook honestly confessed 
 that he had been absent the greater part of the day owing 
 to his mother's death, and that a boy whom he had hired 
 for the occasion had cooked the food. When he heard this 
 
THE OGRESS-QUEEN. 45 
 
 the king was much surprised, and commanded the cook to 
 give the boy regular employment in the kitchen. Thence- 
 forth there was a great difference in the way the king's 
 meals were served up, and His Majesty was more and 
 more pleased with the boy, and constantly gave him 
 presents. All these presents and all the food that the boy 
 could gather he took daily to the well for his mother and 
 the king's other wives. 
 
 On the way to the well he had every day to pass a 
 faqir, who always blessed him and asked for alms, and 
 generally received something. In this way some years 
 had passed, and the boy had developed into a still more 
 beautiful youth, when by chance one day the wicked 
 queen saw him. Struck with his beauty, she asked him 
 who he was and whence he came. Nothing doubting, and 
 not knowing the real character of the queen, lie told her 
 everything about himself and his mother and the other 
 women ; and from that hour the queen plotted against his 
 life. She feigned sickness, and calling in a hakim, bribed 
 him to persuade the king that she was very ill, and that 
 nothing except the milk of a tigress would cure her. 
 
 " My beloved, what is this I hear ? " said the king 
 when he went to see his wife in the evening. "The 
 haMm says that you are ill, and that the milk of a tigress 
 is required. But how can we get it ? Who is there that 
 will dare to attempt this ? " 
 
 " The lad who serves here as cook. He is brave and 
 faithful, and will do anything for you out of 'gratitude for 
 all that you have done for him. Besides him I know of 
 no other whom you could send." 
 
 " I will send for him and see." 
 
 The lad readily promised, and next day started on his 
 perilous journey. On the way he passed his friend the 
 faqir, who said to him, " Whither are you going ? " He 
 told him of the king's order, and how desirous he was 
 of pleasing His Majesty, who had been so kind to him. 
 "Don't go," said the faqir. "Who are you to dare to 
 
46 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 presume to do such a thing ? " But the lad was resolute, 
 and valued not his life in the matter. Then said the 
 faqw; " If you will not be dissuaded, follow my advice, 
 and you will succeed and be preserved. When you meet 
 a tigress aim an arrow at one of her teats. The arrow will 
 strike her, and the tigress will speak and ask you why 
 you shot her. Then you must say that you did not intend 
 to kill her, but simply tliought that she would be glad 
 if she could feed her cubs more quickly than before, and 
 therefore pierced a hole in her teats through which the 
 milk would flow easily. You must also say that you 
 pitied her cubs, who looked very weak and sickly, as 
 though they required more nourishment." Then, blessing 
 him, thefaqir sent him on his journey.^ 
 
 Thus encouraged, the lad walked on with a glad heart. 
 He soon saw a tigress with cubs, aimed an arrow at one of 
 her teats, and struck it. When the tigress angrily asked him 
 to explain his action, he replied as the faqir had instructed 
 him, and added that the queen was seriously ill, and was 
 in need of tigress' milk. " The queen ! " said the tigress. 
 " Do not you know that she is a rdkshasi ? Keep her at a 
 distance, lest she kill and eat you ! " 
 
 " I fear no harm," said the lad. " Her Majesty enter- 
 tains no enmity against me.'' 
 
 "Very well. I will certainly give you some of my 
 milk, but beware of the queen. Look here," said the 
 tigress, taking him to an immense block of rock that had 
 separated from the hill ; " I will let a drop of my milk fall 
 on this rock." She did so, and the rock split into a million 
 pieces ! " You see the power of my milk. Well, if the 
 queen were to drink the whole of what I have just given 
 you, it would not have the slightest effect on her. She 
 is a rdkshasi, and cannot be harmed by such things 
 as this. However, if you will not believe me, go and see 
 for yourself." 
 
 2 Another reason is given in the story of "The Seven-Legged Beast" in 
 this collection. 
 
THE OGRESSQUEEN. 47 
 
 The lad returned and gave the milk to the king, who 
 took it to his wife ; and she drank the whole of it, and 
 professed to have been cured. The king was much 
 pleased with the bov, and advanced him to a higher posi- 
 tion among the servants of the palace ; but the queen was 
 determined to have him killed, and debated in her mind 
 as to how she could accomplish this without offending the 
 king. After some days she again pretended to be ill, and 
 calling the king, said to him, " I am getting ill again, but 
 do not be anxious about me. My grandfather, who lives 
 in the jungle whence the tigress' milk was brought, has a 
 special medicine that I think would cure me, if you could 
 please send for it. The lad that fetched the milk might 
 go." Accordingly the lad went. The way led past the 
 faquir, who again said to him, " Whither are you going ? " 
 and the lad told him. 
 
 " Don't go," said he ; " this man is a rdJcshasa, and will 
 certainly kill you." But the lad was determined as before. 
 " You will go ? Then go, but attend to my advice. When 
 you see the rdkshasa call him ' grandfather.' ^ He will 
 ask you to scratch his back, which you must do — and do 
 it very roughly.'' 
 
 The lad promised, and went. The jungle was big and 
 dense, and he thought that he would never reach the rdk- 
 shasa's house. At last he saw him, and cried out, " 
 my grandfather, I, your daughter's son, have come to say 
 that my mother is ill, and cannot recover till she takes 
 some medicine, which she says you have, and has sent me 
 for it." " All right," replied the rdkshasa ; I will give it 
 you ; but first come and scratch my back — it's itching ter- 
 ribly." The rdkshasa had lied, for his back did not itch. 
 He only wanted to see whether the lad was the true son of 
 a rdkshasa or not. When the lad dug his nails into the 
 old rdkshasa's flesh, as though he wanted to scratch off 
 
 3 Cf. Indian Fairy Tales, pp. 260, Lewis before Ceylon Branch of the 
 
 262 ; The Orientalist, vol. ii. pP- 94' Royal Asiatic Society in 1S84, but not 
 
 232 ; Thorpe's Northern Mythology, yet printed ; and Clodd's Myths and 
 
 vol. ii p. 83 ; also a paper by Mr. Dreams, p. 159- 
 
48 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 some of it, the rdkshasa tade him desist, and giving him 
 the medicine, let him depart. On reaching the palace the 
 lad gave the medicine to the king, who at once took it to his 
 wife and cured her again. The king was now more than 
 ever pleased with the lad, and gave him large presents, and 
 in other ways favoured him. 
 
 The wicked queen was now put to her wits' end to 
 know what to do with such a lad. He had escaped from 
 the claws of the tigress and from the clutches of her grand- 
 father — the gods only knew how ! "What could she do to 
 him ? Finally she determined to send him to her grand- 
 mother, a wretched old rdkshasi that lived in a house in the 
 wood not far from her grandfather's place. " He will not 
 come back any more," said the wicked queen to herself ; 
 and so she said to the king, " I have a very valuable comb 
 at home, and I should like to have it brought here, if you 
 will please send the boy for it. Let me know when he 
 starts, and I will give him a letter for my grandmother." 
 The king complied, and the lad started, as usual passing 
 by the faqir's place, and telling him where he was going. 
 He also showed him the letter that the queen had given 
 him. 
 
 " Let me read its contents," said the faqir. And when 
 he had read it he said, " Are you deliberately going to be 
 killed ? This letter is an order for your death. Listen to 
 it : — ' The bearer of this letter is my bitter enemy. I shall 
 not be able to accomplish anything as long as he is alive. 
 Slay him as soon as he reaches you, and let me not hear of 
 him any more.'" The boy trembled as he heard these 
 terrible words, but he would not break his promise to the 
 king, and was resolved to fulfil His Majesty's wishes 
 though it should cost him his life. So the faqir destroyed 
 the queen's letter, and wrote another after this manner : — 
 "This is my son. When he reaches you attend to his 
 needs, and show him all kindness." Giving it to the 
 lad, he said, " Call the woman ' grandmother,' and fear 
 nothing." 
 
THE OGRESS-QUBEN. 49 
 
 The lad walked on and on till he reached the rdlcshas-Cs 
 house, where he called the rdkshasi '' grandmother," as the 
 faq'ir had advised him, and gave her the letter. On read- 
 ing it she clasped the lad in her arms and kissed him, and 
 inquired much about her granddaughter and her royal 
 husband. Every attention was shown the lad, and every 
 delicious thing that the old rdJcshasi could think of was 
 provided for him. She also gave him many things, 
 amongst others the following : — A jar of soap, which 
 when dropped on the ground became a great and lofty 
 mountain ; a jar full of needles, which if let fall became 
 a hill bristling with large needles ; a jar full of water, 
 which if poured out became an expanse of water as 
 large as a sea. She also showed him the following things, 
 and explained their meaning : — Seven fine cocks, a spin- 
 ning-wheel, a pigeon, a starling, and some medicine. 
 
 " These seven cocks," she said, " contain the lives of your 
 seven uncles, who are away for a few days. Only as long 
 as the cocks live can your uncles hope to live ; no power 
 can hurt them as long as the seven cocks are safe and 
 sound. The spinning-wheel contains my life ; if it is 
 broken, I too shall be broken, and must die ; but other- 
 wise I shall live on for ever. The pigeon contains your 
 grandfather's life, and the starling your mother's ; as 
 long as these live, nothing can harm your grandfather or 
 your mother. And the medicine has this quality — it can 
 give sight to the blind." 
 
 The lad thanked the old rdkshasi for all that she had 
 given him and shown him, and lay down to sleep. In 
 the morning, when the rdkshasi, went to bathe in the 
 river, he took the seven cocks and the pigeon and killed 
 them, and dashed the spinning-wheel on the ground, so 
 that it was broken to pieces. Immediately the old rdk- 
 shasa and the rdkshasi and their seven sons perished 
 Then, having secured the starling in a cage, he took it, and 
 the precious medicine for restoring the sight, and started 
 for the king's palace. He stopped on the way to give the 
 
so FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 eye-medicine to his mother and the other women, who were 
 still in the well; and their sight immediately returned. 
 They all clambered out of the well, and accompanied the 
 lad to the palace, where he asked them to wait in one of 
 the rooms while he went and prepared the king for their 
 coming. 
 
 " king," he said, " I have many secrets to reveal. I 
 pray you to hear me. Your wife is a rdkshasi, and plots 
 against my life, knowing that I am the son of one of the 
 wives whom at her instigation you caused to be deprived 
 of their sight and thrown into a well. She fears that 
 somehow I shall become heir to the throne, and therefore 
 wishes my speedy death. I have slain her father and 
 mother and seven brothers, and now I will slay her. Her 
 life is in this starling." Saying this, he suffocated the 
 bird, and the wicked queen immediately died. "Now 
 come with me," said the boy, " and behold, king, your 
 true wives. There were seven sons born to your house, 
 but six of them were slain to satisfy the cravings of 
 hunger. I only am left alive.'' 
 
 " Oh ! what have I done ! " cried the king. " I have been 
 deceived." And he wept bitterly. 
 
 Henceforth the king's only son governed the country, 
 and by virtue of the charmed jars of soap, needles, and 
 water that the rdkshasi had given him, was able to con- 
 quer all the surrounding countries. The old king spent 
 the rest of his days with his seven wives in peace and 
 happiness.* 
 
 " Cf. Wide-Aicake Stories, pp. 98- 51-63 and 173-193 ; and the Indian 
 III; Folk -Tales of Bengal, pp. Antiquar;/, vol. i. p. iso. 
 117-124 ; Indian Faii-y Tales, pp. 
 
( 51 ) 
 
 THE GOLDSMITH AND HIS FRIENDS} 
 
 Once upon a time there lived a goldsmith, who in addition 
 to the ordinary vices of his class was a drunkard and 
 great spendthrift.^ Accordingly we are not surprised to 
 find that eventually he was reduced to extreme penury. 
 People said that he had not a jodnsa which he could call 
 his own. "While in this state of poverty his father-in-law 
 came to his relief, and gave his wife one hundred rupees 
 for household expenditure. 
 
 " If I had twenty- five rupees I could make such a piece 
 of jewellery as would fetch one hundred rupees easily," 
 said the goldsmith to her when the old man had departed. 
 
 " Could you really ? " said she. 
 
 " Yes," he said. 
 
 " Then take the money and prove your words," she said, 
 handing him twenty-five rupees. 
 
 The goldsmith went at once to his shop and made a 
 bracelet with all the skill that he could command. It was 
 a lovely piece of workmanship. " Ah, ah ! this will bring 
 me luck," he exclaimed as he looked at it admiringly. As 
 soon as possible he went out to dispose of it. 
 
 On the way he met the son of one of the wazirs, who 
 
 ^ Narrator's name, Shiva B5,yli, of Appendix to the Rev. Mr. Swynner- 
 
 Henawari, Srinagar. ton s book on Itdjd HasdlH ; Sinha- 
 
 2 The following references to tales lese Pattinihilla, The History of Pat- 
 that illustrate the suspicion with tini ; Muntakha hdt-i-Hindi, vol. ii. 
 which goldsmiths are looked upon p. z8 ; Old Deccan Days, pp. 249-270 ; 
 generally may interest some readers : the tale of the "Two Brothers " in 
 —Ceylon Journal of Boyal Asiatic Chimm's Household Stones ; Diction- 
 Society, vol. vii. Part 3 ; Orientalist, ary of Kashmiri Proverbs, p. 207 ; 
 vol. i. pp. 180, 184, 250; the story of and " Unjust King and his Wicked 
 the BrAhman Thephasav&mi in Herr Goldsmith," and "The Canning 
 Adolf Bastian's German collection of Goldsmith," in this collection. 
 Siamese Tales ; a Panjibi tale in the 
 
52 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 saluted him, and said, " friend ! have you a nice bracelet 
 to sell ? " 
 
 "Yes," replied the goldsmith. "Here is one fit for 
 your honour ; and since you addressed me as a friend, I 
 will give it to you." 
 
 On his return home he asked his wife to give him 
 another instalment of twenty-five rupees, and promised to 
 repay her with large interest in a short time. The woman 
 gave him the money, and he quickly made another 
 bracelet as beautiful as the first. He went out to dispose 
 of this one also, and had not been out very long before he 
 met the son of the diwdn, who saluted him, and said, " O 
 friend ! have you a pretty bracelet for sale ? " 
 
 " Yes," replied the goldsmith ; " here is the very thing." 
 
 " How much do you want for it ? " inquired the young 
 man. 
 
 " Nothing,'' replied the goldsmith. " Since you treat 
 me in such a gracious way, I also will treat you graci- 
 ously. Take the bracelet, sir ; it is yours." 
 
 Then he returned to his house, and entreated his wife 
 to let him have another twenty-five rupees. But the 
 woman was now getting a little suspicious about the suc- 
 cess of her investment, and therefore demurred to his 
 request. " What have you done with my money ? " she 
 asked. "You promised to get me one hundred rupees for 
 twenty-five. But you have taken fifty rupees, and not 
 given me a pdnsa as yet; and now you are asking for 
 more." 
 
 " Do not be foolish," said the man. " I know what I 
 have said and done. I have not lost your money. Give 
 me a little time, and you shall see how much I shall gain 
 by this business." 
 
 Moved by his earnest assurance, the woman gave him 
 the money, with which he made another beautiful bracelet. 
 When it was finished he went out to dispose of it as before ; 
 and on the road he chanced to meet with a celebrated 
 thief, who also addressed him as a friend, and inquired if 
 
THE GOLDSMITH AND HIS FRIENDS. 53 
 
 lie had a bracelet for sale ; whereupon the goldsmith gave 
 him the bracelet, begging him to accept it as a present 
 from a friend. Then he went back to his house, and 
 informed his wife of all that he had done. 
 
 One day not long after this, when his wife had been 
 bothering him for some money for household expenses, the 
 remaining twenty- five rupees being almost exhausted, he 
 thought that he would go and prove his friends. He put 
 on his best clothes, aud went first to the house of the wazir. 
 He did not find him in. Then he went to the diwdn's 
 house, where he found them both, and was at once admitted 
 to their presence, and treated in every way as a friend. 
 During his visit the king's daughter chanced to come in. 
 She sat down and talked with them, and in course of con- 
 versation asked if there was anybody there who would do 
 her a great kindness. She wanted some of the fruit of a 
 certain pear- tree in her father's garden; but she did not 
 know how to get it, as the tree was surrounded by seven 
 pools of powdered saffron, through which if any man 
 walked he would certainly be stained with the colour, 
 and thus be discovered. Of course, when they heard 
 these words, the vMzir's son, the diwdn's son, and the 
 goldsmith, all declared that they would try to fulfil her 
 desire. 
 
 On leaving the diwdn's house the goldsmith called on 
 the thief, who was very glad to see him, and pressed him 
 to stay to dinner. However, the goldsmith begged to be 
 excused. " I have something special on my mind just 
 now," he said. 
 
 " Indeed ! Nothing of very great anxiety, I hope ? " said 
 the thief, rather inquisitively. 
 
 " Yes, very," answered the goldsmith. " I wish to get 
 some pears from the tree in the king's garden for the 
 princess. Canyon help me ? I do not want to die over 
 the business, if I can possibly avoid it." 
 
 "Do not be anxious," said the thief; "I will get some 
 pears from this tree." And he did so; though how he 
 
54 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 accomplished it nobody can tell. Before a day had passed 
 the beautiful pears were ready in a basket in the gold- 
 smith's shop. As soon as possible a meeting was arranged 
 between the diwdn's son, the wazir's son, and the gold- 
 smith ; and the pears were presented. The princess at 
 once desired to taste them ; and so the diwdn's son peeled 
 one of them and divided it into little portions, and began 
 to feed her, putting the pieces of pear to her mouth on the 
 point of his knife. "While eating it the princess unfor- 
 tunately sneezed, and the knife pierced her throat and 
 killed her. 
 
 "Alas! alas !" exclaimed the diwdn's son, "I have slain 
 the princess." 
 
 " Not so," said the wazirs son. " It was all owing to 
 my fault." 
 
 " No, no," said the goldsmith ; " it was I. She would 
 not have been thus fed, if I had not got the pears. How- 
 ever," continued he, " we need not wait to be discovered. 
 We had better get a mat} and putting the princess into 
 it, throw it into the river ; otherwise the body will rise and 
 be discovered, and we shall be executed." 
 
 Accordingly a mat was quickly obtained from a potter, 
 and this was done. In the evening the princess was 
 missed. Search was made in every place about the palace 
 buildings and the different places that she was accustomed 
 to visit, but no trace of her could be found. Then a royal 
 proclamation was sent on all sides promising a very rich 
 reward to anybody who could discover the princess's 
 whereabouts. On the following morning a man appeared 
 before the king, and informed him that he had seen a 
 person throwing & mat vaio the river just after dark on the 
 previous evening. On hearing this His Majesty imme- 
 diately had the river dragged. The mat was found, and 
 in it the dead body of the beautiful princess. 
 
 " Cause all the potters in the city to appear before 
 
 ^ A very large earthenware veasel, about three feet in height, for con- 
 taining grain and bererages. 
 
THE GOLDSMITH AND HIS FRIENDS. 55 
 
 me," said His Majesty. " This affair must be thoroughly 
 investigated." 
 
 So all the potters were assembled, and were asked if any 
 of them had recently sold a mat. Whereupon one potter 
 came forward and said that he had sold a mMt on the pre- 
 vious day to the goldsmith. 
 
 Then the goldsmith was summoned to appear. " Why 
 did you kill the princess ? " said the king. " Speak, man." 
 
 But the goldsmith did not reply. 
 
 " His silence proves his guilt," said His Majesty. " Let 
 him be executed within two days." 
 
 Accordingly the goldsmith was led away to the prison. 
 
 The king had ordered the execution to be delayed for a 
 day or two, in order that he might ascertain the reason of 
 this cruel murder (as it seemed to him). He disguised 
 hiriiself as a sentinel, and visited the prisoner at night. 
 " You are to be executed to-morrow," he said to him. 
 " Are all your affairs in order ? Have you any relations 
 or friends, who could help you at this time ? " 
 
 "Thank you," replied the goldsmith. "I should like to 
 see two or three of my friends before I die." 
 
 " Very well," said the sentinel ; " come with me and 
 visit them." The goldsmith first went to the house of the 
 wazir, and had a talk with his son. 
 
 " friend ! " said he, " when I am led forth to execution, 
 can you not do something for me ? " 
 
 "Yes," replied the young man. "Be of good cheer. At 
 the right time, I, the commander-in-chief, will give a sign 
 to my soldiers and they will slay the king." The sentinel 
 heard these words, and was very much surprised. 
 
 Then the goldsmith went to the diwdn's house, and had 
 a long conversation with his eldest son. " friend ! " said 
 he, " what can you do for my release ? " 
 
 " Be not afraid," replied the young man. " I shall not 
 forget your kindness. At the proper time I shall arrive 
 and slay the king with my sword." The sentinel heard 
 this reply and trembled. 
 
56 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 Then the goldsmith visited his other friend, the thief, 
 whom he asked the same question as he had asked the 
 others. The thief returned his greetings, and asked him 
 to be seated for a while, as he had some very important 
 work in hand just at that time. He had heard the gold- 
 smith's words and seen his great distress, and determined 
 to help him, even though it should cost him his life. He 
 went off that very instant, and climbed the wall of the 
 palace by the way of the window of His Majesty's bed- 
 room, and having entered the room, beheaded the man who 
 was sleeping there in the place of the king that night. 
 " He will not fear anything now," he said to himself as he 
 ran back to the goldsmith with the gory head in his hand. 
 " Here you are, friend," he exclaimed, throwing the head 
 down before the goldsmith and his sentinel. " Behold the 
 end of your trouble ! The king will not trouble you very 
 much now." 
 
 After this the goldsmith returned with the sentinel to 
 the prison. On "the morrow he was led forth to execution 
 in the presence of all the people and all the soldiery. As 
 he approached the platform the diwdns son rushed forward 
 with drawn sword to slay the king, and the wazir's son 
 made sign to his soldiers to assist him in the deed. But 
 there was no necessity for all this demonstration, for His 
 Majesty had determined what to do, and cried out, " Let 
 the goldsmith go free ; let the goldsmith go free. He is 
 pardoned; he is pardoned." Whereupon a great shout 
 burst forth from the whole assembly, "Praise be to the 
 king. May he live for ever." 
 
( 57 ) 
 
 THE TALE OF A PRINCESS} 
 
 A KING had been defeated in battle with a neis-hbouring 
 king, and was obliged to flee. He hastened as fast as he 
 could to a little obscure village about twelve miles distant 
 from the city. So hurried was his escape, that he forgot 
 to take any money with him. Fortunately, however, the 
 princess (the king's daughter-in-law) had eleven rubies,^ 
 one of which she gave to the king, as soon as they reached 
 the village for the night, and begged him to go to the hdzdr 
 and get some food. The king took the ruby, and went to 
 the shop of a certain merchant and asked him to change it 
 for a rupee's worth of food. Of course the man gladly 
 consented, and told the king to go with him to his house, 
 where he would give him the money. 
 
 But this merchant was a very wicked man. He might 
 have paid the king there and then ; but he wished to take 
 him to his house, because in one of the rooms therein he 
 had prepared a certain trap, whereby he ensnared several 
 people. This trap was such, that whoever sat upon it was 
 precipitated into a great pit, from which they could not 
 escape till they had given and promised whatever the 
 merchant might ask. 
 
 When several hours had elapsed, and the king had not 
 returned, the princess took out another ruby, and giving it 
 to her husband, asked him to go and get some food, and 
 see what had become of the king. The prince, also, went 
 to the wicked merchant's shop, seeing it was the biggest 
 shop in the hdzdr, and begged him to buy the stone. " Very 
 
 1 Narrator's name, Shiva Bayfi. EenawAri, Srinagar. 
 
 2 Rattan for chauni, in Kashmiri. 
 
58 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 wel]," the merchant replied ; " come to my house, and I 
 will pay you. I cannot give you the money here." So he 
 took the prince to his house, and made him also sit on 
 the trap-door. 
 
 It being already dark, and neither king nor prince hav- 
 ing returned, the princess took another ruby, and giving 
 it to the queen, begged her to go and get some food. The 
 queen went, and the same thing happened to her as hap- 
 pened to her husband and son. 
 
 The princess waited some time for her, and then began 
 to suspect that some harm had befallen the king and 
 queen and prince. Therefore she disguised herself in 
 some of her husband's clothes and went to the hdzdr. 
 Like the others, she walked straight to the shop of the 
 big merchant and asked him to change her a ruby. 
 " Very well," he said ; " come to my house." On reaching 
 the house he told her to enter the room in which was the 
 trap-door, and there wait a few minutes while he went to 
 fetch the money. The princess, however, was too sharp 
 for him. She did not like the appearance of the man, and 
 she thought it was very strange that he did not keep a 
 few rupees regularly with him in the shop. Accordingly 
 she declined to go inside. While she waited she heard 
 sounds of human voices coming through the flooring. On 
 going near she recognised her husband's voice, and then 
 her father-in-law's and mother-in-law's voices. They were 
 calling for help. She was astonished beyond measure. 
 " thief! murderer ! where are you ? " she shouted. 
 
 " What is it ? " said the merchant, running towards her. 
 
 " What have you done with these people ? " she asked. 
 " Let them out of this' place, wherever they may be, or I 
 will go at once and complain to the king." 
 
 The merchant was afraid, and therefore set the prisoners 
 free, and gave them back the rubies that he had taken 
 from them. Then the king, queen, and prince left ; but the 
 princess (who, as we have said, was disguised as a man) 
 accepted the merchant's invitation to dinner, and stayed. 
 
THE TALE OF A PRINCESS. 59 
 
 The king and his wife and son returned quickly to the 
 place where they had left the princess. " Alas ! alas ! " 
 cried the prince, " some misfortune has happened to her. 
 She has heen stolen or killed." 
 
 " Not so," said the king. " Very likely she has gone in 
 search of us, and will soon return." 
 
 However, it was many years before the princess returned 
 to her husband and the king and queen. The following 
 morning she departed, and walked on day after day till 
 she reached another country. Here, disguised as a man. 
 she pretended to be the son of a merchant, and that her 
 name was Ganpat Eai. Attracted by her frank and ready 
 manner, a wealthy merchant of the place gave her employ- 
 ment. This merchant had three wives, but no son. The 
 reason of this was, that the night after any of his wives 
 gave birth to a son a ddgin ^ appeared and devoured it. 
 
 It happened that while Ganpat Eai was in the service 
 of the merchant, a little boy was born to tlie merchant. 
 " I wish," he said to Ganpat Eai, whom he quickly found 
 he could trust with all his business, " I wish you would 
 stay by the door of the bedroom this night and ward off 
 the ddgin. She will certainly come and attempt to seize 
 the child." 
 
 " Very well," she replied. 
 
 At midnight the ddgin came, and rushed to burst open 
 the door, when Ganpat Eai prevented her. On this the 
 ddgin made a dash at Ganpat Eai, who seized her by the 
 hair and threw her down. " Oh, spare my life, spare my 
 life ! " cried the ddgin. " I promise you that I will never 
 trouble this house any more. Spare me, and let me go. 
 Here, take this handkerchief as a witness of my promise." 
 The princess complied, and the ddgin went. The next 
 morning, when the merchant heard what had transpired 
 during the night, he was exceedingly pleased. " You 
 have rendered me such service as I shall never be able to 
 repay," he said. " You must remain in my house as long 
 as you live. I will give you my sister in marriage." 
 
 * Ah ogress. 
 
6o FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 Ganpat Eai had not long been married to the merchant's 
 sister, when the former expressed a wish to see her parents 
 again, and entreated the merchant to allow her to depart 
 with her wife. At first the merchant strongly demurred, 
 but eventually he gave his sanction. 
 
 On reaching her own country Ganpat Eai searched far 
 and wide for her husband and the king and queen, and at 
 last found them in a small village begging. They did not 
 recognise her, because she was dressed in man's clothes. 
 One evening she put on her own clothes, and went to 
 them. She was soon recognised then. " My darling 
 wife ! " exclaimed the prince. " My long-lost child ! " 
 exclaimed the king and queen, as they rushed forward to 
 embrace her. " Where have you been ? What has hap- 
 pened to you ? We thought you were stolen or dead, and 
 never expected to see you again." There was great joy in 
 all their hearts that night. The princess took them all 
 three to the house where she was staying with ^ the 
 merchant's sister, and introduced them to her. She then 
 told them all that she had experienced since she had left 
 them — how she had served a merchant in a certain country, 
 and how Alldh had prospered her, so that she was now 
 married to the sister of that merchant and possessed enor- 
 mous wealth. Afterwards she discovered her real sex to 
 the merchant's sister, and begged her not to be angry at 
 this deceit, but to be married to her husband, who was a 
 prince, and come and live together with them. 
 
 As soon as these private matters had been arranged, the 
 princess gathered all the disbanded troops of her father- 
 in-law, and, distributing much money amongst them, 
 stirred them up to fight for the recovery of their kingdom 
 and their liberty. A great spirit of enthusiasm was 
 kindled among these soldiers. They were ready to do 
 and dare anything for their king and country. 
 
 A battle took place, the citadel was taken, and the 
 foreign king and his army were put to flight. 
 
( 6i ) 
 
 THE TALE OF A PRINCESS.^ 
 
 A VAEIANT. 
 
 A CERTAIN prince had been married. The day after the 
 wedding the king, his father, sent to him, saying, " Tell 
 your wife that the king sends his saldm." The prince did 
 so, and the wife simply replied, " Well ! " In the evening 
 the king came to inquire what answer the princess had 
 given ; and when he heard it he said, " Sorrow ! I have lost 
 the money spent on my son's wedding." In a little while 
 the prince was married again, when, in the same man- 
 ner, the king sent a saldm to his wife. " Well, well," the 
 princess answered, " thank the king for his kindness, and 
 give him my saldm." When the king heard this reply he 
 exclaimed, " Alas ! alas ! my lot ; I have lost the money 
 spent on my son's wedding." A short time after this the 
 king married his son for the third time, and tried the third 
 wife in the same manner. Now this third wife was meek 
 and modest and good. When she heard the king's notice 
 of her, she begged her husband to say to His Majesty, 
 " The princess says, ' Who am I that the king should deign 
 to notice me ? ' " She did this, because she did not think 
 it right either to treat His Majesty's saldm with disrespect, 
 or to receive it as if it were her due, like the other two 
 princesses had done. On hearing her answer the king 
 was glad, and said to his son, " This is a wise and good 
 wife. I have not wasted any money over this wedding." 
 
 A few years after this third marriage a powerful king 
 came with his soldiers and took the city, and put the king 
 and his army to flight. The royal household was scattered. 
 The king and queen and the prince fled to one country, 
 
 1 Narrator's name, Shiva BAyii of Renawdri, Srinagar. 
 
62 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 while the three princesses went to their own homes. 
 Before leaving, the " wise and good wife " made seven 
 loaves, and putting a ruby in each, she took them with her. 
 
 In the course of their wanderings the king, queen, and 
 prince reached the country where the wise and good 
 princess lived. Accordingly they went to her home, and 
 related all that had befallen them since they had left their 
 country. The princess had pity on them, and gave the 
 king one of the loaves that she had made, saying, " This 
 bread is very stale, but in the middle of it you will find a 
 ruby, which take and sell in the idzdr, and buy for your- 
 self some necessaries." The king thanked the princess, 
 and went at once to one of the great merchants of the 
 place and asked him to buy the ruby. The merchant 
 hesitated about the price ; so the king said, " Very well; 
 give me a rupee in advance, and I will come again 
 to-morrow for the rest." 
 
 On the morrow, when the king went, the merchant said 
 to him, " Go away, and do not waste my time with idle 
 talk. There are lots of people like you going about pre- 
 tending to have done this thing and that thing, thinking 
 to deceive us busy people. But some of us have a better 
 memory than others. When did you sell me a ruby ? How 
 could a poor man like you honestly obtain a ruby ? I do 
 not know anything about you. Go away, or I shall have 
 to resort to force." Seeing that it was useless to press his 
 claim, the unfortunate king turned away. " Alas ! alas ! " 
 he exclaimed, "how can I go back to the queen and 
 prince and princess with this reply ? They will not 
 believe me. Better for me to fly from the palace and 
 dwell alone, than to meet their suspicions and reproofs." 
 Accordingly the king went to a certain jungle, and there 
 lamented his cruel fate. 
 
 When several hours had passed, and the king had not 
 returned, the princess called her husband, and giving him 
 another loaf, begged him to go to the bdzdr and dispose of 
 the ruby that was in the middle of it. The prince took the 
 bread, and went to the same merchant that his father had 
 
THE TALE OF A PRINCESS. 63 
 
 visited. He also was deceived by the wicked man, and 
 like his father, thinking it hetter to live a life of solitude 
 than to dwell with those who would always suspect him 
 of having appropriated the money, he too went to the 
 jungle. There he met his father, and recounted to him his 
 sad tale, and heard that the same trial had happened to him. 
 Some weeks elapsed, and then the princess, thinking 
 that the king and prince had deserted them, gave her 
 mother-in-law some bread with a ruby in it, and asked her 
 to go and try to sell it. Most unfortunately the queen 
 also went to the wicked merchant, and was treated in just 
 the same way ; and she too, not caring to go back to the 
 princess without the ruby or its equivalent in money, fled 
 to the jungle, and there found her husband and son. 
 
 The princess waited several days. At last she disguised 
 herself as a man, and mounting one of her father's horses, 
 rode everywhere inquiring from the people whether they 
 had seen any beggars wandering about in their neigh- 
 bourhood. Nobody could give her any information of 
 the missing ones. So she rode on and on till she came to 
 another country. Here the king, as he was walking one 
 day in the verandah of his palace, noticed her, and calling 
 her to him, asked if she would like to take service in the 
 palace. She readily consented, and at once was appointed 
 to some special work. Her skill and wisdom and good- 
 ness soon obtained for her great favour with His Majesty, 
 who often sent for her to talk with him or advise him on 
 private as well as public matters. 
 
 While she was living in the palace a large ajdar ap- 
 peared in the country and destroyed many lives. The whole 
 country was in a terrible state of fear. Nobody dared 
 venture far from his threshold. From the king down 
 to the lowest subject there was daily expectation of death. 
 In the hour of his distress the king sent for the princess, 
 and begged her to say what ought to be done. 
 
 " I will go and slay the beast,'' she replied. 
 
 " Go," said the king ; " and if you succeed I will give 
 you my daughter in marriage." 
 
64 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 The princess went and slew the aj'dar ; and as soon as she 
 returned with the good news, the king married her to his 
 daiighter. At the princess's (his servant) earnest request, 
 who said that she had been moved to do so by the advice 
 of her pir, the king had a separate house provided for her, 
 and another house for his own daughter. The house set 
 apart for the princess (the king's supposed son-in-law) 
 was situated in a place where two roads met. Sometimes, 
 when she had not anything better to do, the princess used 
 to sit by one of the lattice windows and watch the people 
 as they passed by. One day she was startled by the sight 
 of her husband and his father and mother. She beckoned 
 to them, and inquired who they were, and where they were 
 going, and what they were doing ; and they, seeing that 
 she was good and sympathising, told her everything. 
 " Come into my house," she said. And then, when they 
 had entered, she told them who she was. " See," she con- 
 tinued, " I am your princess. I knew not what had be- 
 fallen you all, and therefore I disguised myself and went 
 in search of you. Praise be to God, who has thus brought 
 us together again ! Wait here till the evening, when I 
 will go with you. We will see this wicked merchant. 
 He must be punished, and our property must be restored." 
 
 That evening the princess left the house in the com- 
 pany of the king, queen, and prince. They travelled as 
 quickly as they could to the place where the merchant 
 dwelt, and threatened him so severely, that the man, fear- 
 ing the king would hear of the matter and order his execu- 
 tion, sold all his property and gave them the money. 
 
 Then the princess sent word to the king who had be- 
 friended her, and explained everything to him, and begged 
 His Majesty to forgive her, and allow the princess, his 
 daughter, to marry the prince, her husband. The king 
 agreed. He also sent a large force of soldiers to help the 
 princess's father-in-law to regain his kingdom. Another 
 battle was then fought, and the country was regained ; and 
 henceforth peace and prosperity reigned in all its borders. 
 
( 65 ) 
 
 THE PRINCE WHO WAS CHANGED INTO 
 A RAM.^ 
 
 In a certain country there lived a king that had sixteen 
 hundred wives, but only one son. This son the king very 
 much wished to marry to a princess as beautiful as his 
 son, and who was the only daughter of another king equal 
 in honour with himself, and who also had the same 
 number of wives. 
 
 The king who had the only son possessed a very wise 
 and faithful parrot, whose counsel he very much valued, 
 and whose help he generally sought on difficult occasions. 
 Accordingly he sent for the bird at this time, and informing 
 it of his wish, bade it go and seek for such a wife for his 
 son. The parrot agreed, asked the king to fasten the like- 
 ness of the prince to one of its legs, and flew away. It 
 soon reached one of the neighbouring countries, where, on 
 account of the heavy rain, it was obliged to seek shelter in 
 a wood. It espied an old hollow tree, and thought that it 
 would be a most comfortable place to rest in; but just as 
 it was flying into the hollow a voice came out therefrom, 
 saying, " Enter not, for if you enter you will be deprived 
 of your sight." So the parrot alighted on a twig that 
 grew by the trunk of the tree, and waited. Presently a 
 maind ^ came, out of the hollow and flew down beside the 
 parrot, and entered into a long conversation, during which 
 it spoke of the errand on which it was then going. Their 
 meeting was most opportune, as will be seen. The maind, 
 was looking for a beautiful prince, the only child of a 
 
 1 Narrator's name, Shiva Biyfl, ' Kashmiri word is hdr, a species of 
 Eenaw4ri, Srinagar. starling. 
 
 E 
 
66 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 great king, who had sixteen hundred wives, to try to 
 arrange for a suitable match for the only daughter of his 
 royal master, who also had sixteen hundred wives. Of 
 course, the parrot replied that his master must be that 
 king, and his master's only son the prince who should 
 marry the princess. The parrot also showed the Tnaind 
 the likeness of the prince. 
 
 Then they went both together to the country of the 
 king with the only daughter. On their arrival a servant 
 of the palace saw them, and informed the king that the 
 maind whom he had trusted had formed an alliance with 
 a parrot, and was so taken up with its friend that it had 
 altogether forgotten His Majesty's order. When the king 
 heard this, he immediately ordered both the birds to be 
 shot. For envy, the servants had thus maligned the bird's 
 character. Expecting this, the maind had flown down 
 by the upper window of the assembly-room, and heard 
 the king's cruel order. " Come away, come away ; let us 
 fly up out of reach of their arrows," it said to the parrot. 
 " The king has been made angry against us on a false 
 charge." So they flew together, and were presently out of 
 reach and out of sight. The king's servants went about 
 to kill them ; but when they had spent several hours in 
 vain search for them they returned, comforting themselves 
 with the thought that the birds had been apprised of the 
 royal order, and had betaken themselves to safer regions. 
 Tor some days they waited, till they thought the matter 
 was almost forgotten ; and then one morning they both flew 
 into the palace, and perched themselves, the parrot on the 
 right knee of the king, and the maind on his left knee. 
 " Tell us," they said, " why do you wish to kill us ? "We are 
 faithful. These people envy us ; therefore have they lied 
 against us. See, king, and judge this thing that has 
 come to pass. We both belong to kings famous in valour, 
 in wisdom, and in wealth. Both of these kings have six- 
 teen hundred wives. One of the kings has one only son, 
 and the other king has one only daughter. These two kings, 
 
THE PRINCE WHO CHANGED INTO A RAM. 67 
 
 though they have never seen or heard of one another, yet 
 wish their children to be united in marriage. The one 
 king is seeking for such a daughter as the other king pos- 
 sesses, and the other king is seeking for such a son as the 
 first king possesses. Behold, king, the servants of these 
 two kings before you. By divine will we met in a wood 
 just outside Your Majesty's dominions, and have come 
 to tell you this good news." As they said these last words 
 the parrot held up to the king the likeness of the beauti- 
 ful prince. 
 
 The king was as much astonished as he was pleased. 
 At first he could hardly believe the birds, but the likeness 
 convinced him. He took the beautiful picture, and sent it 
 to the royal zandna, with the request that his sixteen hun- 
 dred wives would look at it and say whether they approved 
 of it or not. Some days passed. The likeness was not 
 returned to the king. The princess was so fascinated with 
 it, that she would not let it out of her hands. After a 
 while an answer came, saying that the prince was unani- 
 mously accepted, and should be quickly called for the 
 wedding, as the princess was dying to see him. 
 
 As soon as this answer reached the king, he ordered 
 the parrot to depart and tell his master that a suitable 
 princess had been found, and that he should send his son 
 prepared for the wedding within four months. The parrot 
 bowed reverently and left. 
 
 On arrival in its country the bird informed the king of 
 its successful journey. The king was very glad. He im- 
 mediately ordered arrangements on a grand scale to be got 
 ready for the coming event. The most costly raiments 
 were to be provided for the prince ; the most magnificent 
 trappings were to be made for the horses; the soldiers 
 were to have a splendid uniform; presents of various 
 kinds — the most costly jewels, the finest cloths, the 
 rarest fruits, the most expensive spices and perfumes 
 were to be prepared. Everything was remembered and 
 ordered. The months soon passed. What with prepara- 
 
68 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 tions and expectations the time seemed to fly. But a few- 
 days remained before the prince had to start, when alas ! 
 his father fell sick and died. It was a terrible trial, a tre- 
 mendous disappointment. The prince was obliged to defer 
 his departure ; for to have started at such a time would 
 have shown a great want of respect for his father. 
 Accordingly he waited awhile. 
 
 As soon as the days of mourning for his father were 
 accomplished the prince started. The parrot showed the 
 way. It was not far, so that the wedding company 
 quickly reached the princess's country. The prince pitched 
 his tents in a garden near the palace. Would that he had 
 never entered that garden, for there the parrot died ! The 
 faithful bird was shot by the gardener for throwing down 
 dates to the king. And no sooner had this great trouble 
 come upon him than the prince heard that the father of 
 the princess had refused to sanction her marriage with 
 him, now that his father was dead. 
 
 Some days after the prince had encamped in this garden, 
 the princess was going for an airing in her duli, when she 
 chanced to pass by that way, and looking into the garden, 
 recognised the prince from the likeness that she had in 
 her possession. She said nothing at the time, but at 
 once had the duli turned round, and went back to the 
 palace. She had seen her beloved. From that hour she 
 began to get better. At meal-time that evening she ate 
 only half her food ; the other half she sent with the like- 
 ness to the prince. She ordered her maid to beg the 
 prince to eat it, and if he would not, to ask him to thrust 
 his finger into it. The maid obeyed. The prince declined 
 to eat it, but had no objection to putting his fingers into 
 the plate of food, on doing which he discovered his own 
 likeness in the midst of the rice. "She loves me," he 
 said it) himself ; and having wiped his hands, he wrote a 
 letter to the princess, and sent it by the hands of the 
 maid. When the princess read the letter, she was filled 
 with an intense longing to go to the prince. At midnight 
 
THE PRINCE WHO CHANGED INTO A RAM. 69 
 
 she ordered her horse to be got ready, and taking some 
 bags of ashrafis, she rode to the garden where the prince 
 ■was encamped. The prince was surprised to see her. " Be 
 not surprised," she said. " I love you, and therefore have 
 escaped to you. The king, my father, will not sanction our 
 marriage. Come, have your horse saddled, and fly with 
 me to your own country. There nothing can harm us." 
 
 Presently two people might have been seen riding 
 hastily along the great road that led out of that city. 
 For some hours they proceeded at this swift pace, and 
 then lay down under a tree to rest. The next morning, 
 refreshed and strengthened, they continued their journey. 
 They had not proceeded far before seven robbers mounted 
 on horseback met them. "Let us flee," exclaimed the 
 prince, "for we cannot fight them." On this they both 
 whipped their horses and rode at a tremendous rate. 
 But the robbers were well mounted also, and their horses 
 were fresh. " It is of no use," cried the prince. " Look ! 
 they gain on us. What shall we do ? " 
 
 " Then we must meet them," replied the princess. And 
 saying this, she turned in her saddle, and discharged an 
 arrow in their faces, and then another, and another, until 
 she had shot seven arrows and killed the seven robbers. . 
 
 Glad and thankful, they then resumed their journey, 
 and that night reached a certain village where lived 
 a jinn, who had a son with only half a body. The 
 prince and princess halted by a pond in this village. 
 While they were sleeping the jinn told her son to go 
 quickly and slay the prince, and afterwards bring back 
 the princess and the horses and treasure to the house'. 
 The wretched man went, glad at the prospect of shedding 
 blood. Scarcely had he performed the cruel deed, when 
 the princess awoke. Looking about, she saw the dead 
 body of her lover, and the horrible deformed man standing 
 over it. She laughed, and said, " I am so glad that you 
 have killed him. Now take me, and make me your wife. 
 First, however, bury the corpse, and then we will go. A 
 
70 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 grave was quickly got ready, and the princess was called 
 to inspect it. " Too small," she said ; " dig deeper." The 
 man dug down another foot or so. " Still too small," she 
 said. The man dug yet wider and deeper ; but while he 
 was bending down over his work the princess seized his 
 sword, that was lying by, and cut off his head. 
 
 When she had avenged herself, she burst into tears. 
 Her beloved was dead. She took up the corpse and 
 carried it close to the brink of the pool, and there sat 
 down beside it weeping and lamenting. It was a sad time 
 for her. Fain would she have died. 
 
 While she was thus weeping, the wife of a very holy 
 man who lived in that village passed the place. See- 
 ing her great distress, the woman stopped and inquired 
 what was the matter. The princess pointed to the dead 
 body, and explained everything. " Have patience," said 
 the woman. " I may be able to help you. Wait here till 
 I come again." 
 
 On reaching home that evening, the woman told her 
 husband the sad case of the princess, and begged him to 
 restore the prince to life." " Sorrow, sorrow ! " exclaimed 
 the holy man. " Oh that the place were rid of this devilish 
 woman and her dreadful son ! I will go and comfort the 
 princess by restoring the prince to life. He went, and 
 found the princess most anxiously waiting for tidings of 
 the help that had been half promised her in the morning. 
 " I know your state," said the holy man, " and have come 
 to help you. I will give you back the prince." Then he 
 took the head of the corpse in one hand, and the body in 
 the other hand, and pressed them together. The two 
 parts reunited ; life was restored to the cold corpse ; the 
 limbs moved ; the eyes opened ; the lips unclosed ; the 
 tongue spoke.^ When the princess saw this she could 
 not restrain herself: she rushed forward, fell on the 
 prince's breast, and wept for joy. It was an exceedingly 
 
 ' Cf. Wide-Awake Storien, pp. 56, tale ot "Strange Request" ia this 
 57"; Indian Fairy Tales, p 84; also collection. 
 
THE PRINCE WHO CHANGED INTO A RAM. 71 
 
 glad time, arid not the least joyous of the three was th^ 
 holy man who had done this thing. 
 
 That night the prince and princess went to another 
 place. Here the life of the princess was in great danger. 
 A jddvgaruni * who lived in this place had a daughter, 
 who on seeing the prince wished to have him for her hus- 
 band. Accordingly she devised the following plan. She 
 persuaded her mother to invite the prince and princess 
 to their house, and while the prince was inspecting the 
 rooms, she threw a cord round his neck and changed him 
 into a ram. By day the ram followed her whithersoever 
 she went, and at night, as soon as the cord was taken off 
 its neck, it became a prince again, and slept with her. 
 Several days thus passed. The princess was in great 
 distress. She did not know what to suppose. Some- 
 times she thought that he had deserted her, and some- 
 times she thought that he had been slain. At last she 
 could bear it no longer, and therefore disguised herself 
 as a man, and went to the king of that country and begged 
 for employment. The king was pleased with her appear- 
 ance and speech, and appointed her one of his deputy- 
 inspectors of police. The princess was especially rejoiced 
 at this appointment. It was just what she had desired, 
 because in this position she was best able to find the 
 prince. Many secrets of many houses were known to 
 the deputy-inspector, and the whole body of the police 
 were sharp and ready servants at his pleasure. The 
 deputy-inspector had only to explain the height and 
 appearance of any person, and bid the police to search for 
 such a one, when the whole country would be scoured 
 until the man was found. The princess, however, could 
 not discover anything about the prince, although she 
 got to know that the woman in whose house she and 
 the prince had stayed was a jddugaruni Constantly 
 she visited this house, and saw the ram running about, 
 
 J JddHnarnl (Pers.), a sorceress, a witch. Cf. note on " "Witches," Wide- 
 Awake Stories, p. 395. 
 
•}%, FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 but knew not that it was the prince, her beloved, and 
 that the daughter of the jddugaruni had metamorphosed 
 him. A great friendship sprang up between the deputy- 
 inspector and this girl. Of course, the latter thought 
 that the deputy-inspector was a real man. She became 
 very fond of the deputy-inspector, and gave her several 
 presents, among which was a piece of the most beautiful 
 cloth that had ever been seen. 
 
 We shall now see what this piece of beautiful cloth 
 had to do with the princess's future. One morning a ser- 
 vant from the palace happened to pass a window before 
 which the deputy-inspector had hung some of this cloth. 
 He was struck with its beautiful colour and texture, 
 and, on returning to the palace sought an interview with 
 the queen, and told her what he had seen. The queen 
 desired very much to see some of the cloth, and so went to 
 the king and begged him to speak to the deputy-inspector 
 about procuring some of it for her. His Majesty did so, 
 and the deputy-inspector sent him all the cloth that she 
 had. When the queen saw it, she was fascinated with it 
 and entreated the king to order some more. 
 
 " This is difficult. However, I will try to fulfil Your 
 Majesty's wish," replied the deputyrinspector, when the 
 king spoke to her of the queen's order. On leaving the 
 king she went straight to the house of the jddugaruni to 
 inquire where she could get some more of the cloth. 
 
 "Alas ! I am afraid I cannot help you," said the j&dvr- 
 garuni. " My brother, who is a jddugarun, went a long 
 time ago to a far country. He sent me this cloth." 
 
 " Then write and ask him to send you some more," said 
 the deputy-inspector. 
 
 " I cannot," replied the jddugaruni. " He has slain every 
 human being in that country, and now, excepting himself, 
 only lions dwell there. My brother keeps these lions 
 in a state of semi-starvation by feeding them with a kind 
 of grass, which they do not much like. Consequently, when 
 any person approaches the place, a lion is certain to burst 
 
THE PRWCE WHO CHANGED INTO A RAM. 73 
 
 iorth from some thicket or from behind some rock and 
 slay him. Several venturesome folks have thus lost their 
 lives. How can I send any one — I dare not send any one 
 on such a risky errand." 
 
 "Tell me," said the deputy-inspector, "where your 
 brother dwells, and I myself will go, for go I must ; other- 
 wise the king will take away my life. There is no safety 
 for me here unless I can get this cloth. I dare not stay 
 here another day. So tell me where your brother lives, 
 and I will go and see him." 
 
 "Stay," said the j'ddvgaruni. "Since your state is 
 thus, I must help you. I have here a small earthen 
 vessel, with which my brother's life is bound up. As long 
 as this earthen vessel continues safe in my keeping, he 
 will continue well ; but directly it is broken, he will be 
 broken (i.e., he will die). However, I will break it, for my 
 daughter loves you." Saying this, she dashed the vessel 
 on the ground. " ISTow go, and fear not. The lions will 
 now eat grass, or whatever they wish, and will not need to 
 slay every human being that comes near them. Go, and 
 may you prosper." 
 
 Little did the jddugaruni think that the deputy-inspec- 
 tor was the princess, the betrotlied of the prince whom 
 her daughter had metamorphosed into a ram. 
 • The following morning, having obtained leave from 
 the king, the deputy-inspector started with a small com- 
 pany of soldiers.. On reaching the country she at once 
 sought for the jddvgarun's house. This was soon found, 
 and as was expected, was filled with piles of cloth. Lots 
 of other treasure also were discovered. The deputy- 
 inspector took everything, and hastened bacli to the king. 
 His Majesty was so pleased with the success of the expe- 
 dition that he loaded the deputy-inspector with presents 
 and appointed her his successor. 
 
 A few years have passed. The old king is dead. The 
 deputy-inspector reigns. She has got an inkling of what 
 
74 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 has happened to the prince, and accordingly orders all the 
 rams in the city to be gathered before her. All the 
 rams are driven together into one place, and she herself 
 examines them, and speaks to each, but not one of the 
 rams responds to her call or is recognised by her. Then 
 she orders the police to go and search diligently and see 
 whether there are any that have disobeyed her order. 
 Some policemen come to the jddugaruni's house, and find 
 that she has not sent her ram. They seize the ram by the 
 cord and lead it away to the king. The jddugaruni tries 
 very hard to keep possession of the charmed cord, but in 
 vain. The police will not allow her to have it. Away 
 they go, leading the ram by the piece of cord. The king 
 notices their coming, and goes forward a little to meet 
 them, when lo ! the cord suddenly breaks, and a prince, 
 young and beautiful, stands before her. "Surely," she 
 exclaimed, " this jddugaruni must be a very wicked woman. 
 Such a woman ought not to live. Let her be executed to- 
 morrow at dawn. Concerning the prince, let him stay in 
 the palace." 
 
 The rest of the story will now be easily imagined. The 
 princess (the king) explained her real character. She 
 summoned a general assembly of her people, and spoke to 
 them the following words : — 
 
 " Behold, people, your king is a woman. To find the 
 prince, my husband, was my object in disguising myself. 
 That object has now been accomplished. Henceforth re- 
 gard my husband as your king and me as your queen." ^ 
 
 The people approved with loud slioutings and rejoicings, 
 and all proceeded happily ever afterwards. 
 
 6 Cf. the conclusion of the story, "How the Princess Found her Hus- 
 baiid," in this collection. 
 
( 75 ) 
 
 SAIYID AND SAID.' 
 
 Thekb was a poor villager who managed to make a scanty 
 living by cutting and selling wood. In the early morn- 
 ing he used to cut the wood and bind it into bundles, and 
 in the evening he went to the nearest bdzdr and sold it. 
 This poor man got married, and two sons were born to 
 him, the elder of whom he named Saiyid, and the other 
 Said ; but while the boys were yet young their mother 
 died, and their father married again. 
 
 The second wife proved more energetic than the first. 
 One day she said to her husband, " Why do you not ask 
 me and your two sons to help you in collecting wood ? 
 We are living very meagrely now ; but if I and the two 
 boys worked, we should be able to earn more money and 
 live better than we do." 
 
 The man replied, " Very well." 
 
 Accordingly they all four went to the jungle every 
 day, and worked so diligently, that in a few months they 
 had saved much money, besides having collected a large 
 quantity of wood, sufficient to maintain them all through 
 the winter. This wood they piled up in great stacks near 
 their house. 
 
 A few days after they had arranged this wood it began 
 to rain very heavily, and three travellers, who happened 
 to be passing through the jungle at this time, took shelter 
 in the hollow of a big tree. The rain had chilled the air, 
 and so the travellers took some of the wood that the 
 woodcutter had collected and made an immense fire. Por 
 two whole days these people stayed there, and kept up 
 
 1 Narrator's name, Makund B5,y(i, of Suthfi, Srinagar. 
 
76 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 such big fires all the time, that there was scarcely any 
 wood left. When the rain abated they resumed their 
 journey. The woodcutter, too, went out to look after his 
 wood. Great was his grief when he saw nothing but a 
 pile of ashes. Presently his wife and two sons arrived at 
 the place. 
 
 " It is not God's will that we should prosper," he said to 
 them. " What shall we do ? What shall we do ? " and as 
 he spoke he moved his staff among the ashes with an air 
 of despair. 
 
 ' " What is that ? " said his wife, pointing to something 
 bright and shining in the ashes. " Yes, look ! what is it ? 
 Look there, too, and there ! " 
 
 On this they searched all over the heap of ashes, and 
 found several pieces of silver. Fearing lest they should 
 meet any person on the way, they put their treasure into 
 their Icdngars^ and covering it with charcoal, returned to 
 the house. 
 
 In order that suspicion might not be aroused, the wood- 
 cutter gradually discovered his wealth to his friends and 
 neighbours. After a while he left off woodcutting and com- 
 menced trading as a merchant. In this he obtained much 
 success. At length he was accounted a very rich man. 
 Meanwhile his two sons went to school and became learned. 
 
 One day, as the merchant and his sons were returning 
 from a meld, they saw a zaminddr^ carrying a cage, in 
 which was a most beautiful bird, that sang very sweetly. 
 When the boys saw the bird and heard its sweet song, 
 they entreated their father to buy it. " How much do 
 you want for the bird ? " the merchant asked. " Two 
 muhrs," was the reply. " Take them," said the merchant, 
 " and give the bird to my sons." 
 
 Saiyid and Said thanked their father very much for the 
 present. They got very fond of the bird. Every day, on 
 
 2 Cf, Indian Antiquary, vol. xiv. able brazier is generally called kdngri 
 
 ]ip. 264-266, vol. XV. p. 57, vol. xvi. by Europeans and Panj&bis. 
 
 p. 61 ; also Dictionarji of Kashmiri ' Gr&st (Kashmiri), a cultivator of 
 
 Proverbs, pp. 128-130. This little port- soil. 
 
SAIYID AND SAID. 
 
 77 
 
 returning from school, they used to play with it. After 
 a while the bird laid an egg, which was watched most 
 anxiously by the two sons, as they wished very much, tp 
 have another bird like their present one. One day th^ 
 cage was carried to the river-side to be cleaned, and in 
 order that this might be done properly, the bird was taken 
 out and kept in the hands of Saiyid, and the egg was 
 carefully deposited on a stone. Wliile the cage was being 
 cleaned a man, who was bathing on the other side of the 
 river, saw all that was done ; he saw, too, what the mer- 
 chant and his son had, for some reason, failed to notice, 
 namely, that the stone whereon they had placed the egg 
 had been transmuted into silver. He was much astonished 
 at this, and thought that the egg possessed the property 
 of changing everything which it touched into silver. He 
 had heard of such things, and never believed them, but 
 here was plain proof. He determined therefore in some 
 way or other to get the egg. 
 
 " Hie ! hie ! " he shouted to the merchant. " Will you 
 sell me that egg ? I wish to make some medicine from it," 
 
 The merchant answered, " No ; I am not so poor that I 
 need sell it. I would willingly give it to you, if my 
 sons were not so anxious to have another of this kind 
 of bird." 
 
 But the man was in earnest. " Let me have it, please," 
 he said ; " I will give you one rupee for it.'' 
 
 " No," was again the reply. 
 
 " I will give you five — ten — twenty — a hundred — a 
 thousand rupees for it," continued the man, finding that 
 the merchant would not easily be persuaded. 
 
 " No," replied the merchant ; " but if you will give me 
 ten thousand rupees, you shall have it." 
 
 " Very well," he said ; " for if I do not get this medicine 
 I shall die." So the bargain was concluded. They all 
 walked back together to the house of the merchant, where 
 the money was paid and the egg given up. 
 
 As will be supposed, the man who had bought the 
 
78 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 egg took the earliest opportunity of going to the bank 
 of the stream and removing the stone that had been 
 turned into silver. But he had not much need of doing 
 this, as he afterwards proved; for every stone that he 
 touched with the egg was transmuted into that precious 
 metal. 
 
 Some time after this the man was visited by 3.jogi, who, 
 noticing the egg, said, " That is a most valuable egg. But 
 where is the bird that laid it ? Try and get that bird, if 
 possible ; for whoever will cut off its head, cook it, and 
 eat it will be the richest king in the world. The head of 
 the bird will remain in the chest of the person that eats 
 it ; and when that person rises in the morning, he will find 
 ten thousand muhrs underneath him. He will also under- 
 stand the speech of birds and of animals. The breast of 
 the bird, too, is of special virtue. Whoever will cook and 
 eat it will become a king ; but he will not be as great as 
 the other king." 
 
 When the man heard these things from the jogi, he at 
 once sent to the merchant and begged him to sell the bird. 
 He promised to pay any price that might be asked for it. 
 The merchant, however, sent back to say that on no 
 account would he part with the bird — no, not even if the 
 whole world were offered in exchange. But the man was 
 quite as determined to get the bird as he had been to get 
 the egg. When he heard the merchant's answer, he said 
 to himself, "I know what to do. Through this man's 
 wife I will get it. I will immediately seek an interview 
 with her." Hereupon he sought the aid of an old wise 
 woman in this matter, and promised her a very handsome 
 present if she could arrange for him an introduction with 
 this merchant's wife. The old wise woman consented. 
 She went to the house of the merchant, and finding that 
 he was not at home, she entered, and commenced conver- 
 sation with his wife. The woman was very glad to see 
 her, and asked her to come again. In this way a thick 
 friendship sprung up, till at last the merchant's wife 
 
SAIYID AND SAID. 79 
 
 iasked the -wise old woman to come and stay altogether 
 ■with her. During this time the old woman had constantly- 
 spoken in the most glowing terms of the man who had 
 employed her, and thus excited the curiosity of the mer- 
 chant's wife to that extent, that the poor stupid woman 
 expressed a great wish to see him. Of course the old hag 
 then told how anxious the man also was to see her. The 
 promise of an interview was then given, as soon as the 
 merchant's wife could make quite certain that her husband 
 would be out of the way. In order to accomplish her 
 purpose the more easily, she advised him to carry out his 
 long-thought-of intention and go abroad for a time. " What 
 vast treasure you might amass ! " she urged. " What 
 great siglits you would see ! And, moreover, this is ex- 
 pected of you." 
 
 " I will," he replied. " It is foolish of me not to have 
 done this before." In a few days he, accompanied by a 
 suitable retinue, started on his travels. 
 
 " Go now," said his wife to the old woman, " and tell 
 this man who wishes to see me, that I shall be ready to 
 meet him at twelve o'clock to-morrow morning." 
 
 The woman went, and the merchant was very glad to 
 hear the news. "Give her my best respects," he said, 
 " and beg her, if she is thinking of making a feast for 
 me, to cook the beautiful bird and to set it apart especi- 
 ally for me. Tell her that I have set my heart on eating 
 this bird, and shall be terribly disappointed if it is not 
 prepared and kept for me." 
 
 Before twelve o'clock on the following morning the bird 
 and other viands were ready, and the merchant's wife was 
 in a state of great expectation, wondering what manner of 
 man this great stranger might be, and why lie should thus 
 desire to know her. Just at this time Saiyid and Said 
 came home from school, and being hungry, as usual, they 
 rushed to their mother for something to eat. She told 
 them to go to the dining-room and take what they liked 
 from any dish, except from that on which the beautiful 
 
8o FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 bird had been served, and a few other dishes, that she had 
 specially prepared for the expected guest. The boys ran 
 off to the room and looked at the various dishes, and, boy^^ 
 like, they wanted every dish that they had been explicitly 
 told not to touch. They went directly and thrust their 
 lingers into the several dishes, and finding some of them 
 more savoury, ate up all their contents. The dish contain- 
 ing the precious bird was amongst the number. Saiyid 
 ate the head, and Said ate the breast. When they had 
 done this, they thought that their mother would be very 
 angry with them and beat them, and therefore they deter- 
 mined to run away. 
 
 At last the guest arrived. After some conversation the 
 merchant's wife led him to the room where all the dishes 
 had been arranged, and bidding him sit down, she placed 
 some food before him. " I am not very hungry," he said. 
 " It is very kind of you to take all this trouble, but if you 
 will please bring me the bird about which I spoke to you 
 I shall be quite satisfied. I think I could eat that." Ac- 
 cordingly the woman set before him the dish that contained 
 the remainder of the beautiful bird. "What have you 
 done ? " he exclaimed. " Not half the bird is here. Who 
 has eaten the head and breast ? " 
 
 " I do not know," she replied, much alarmed. 
 
 " Somebody has been touching the food," said the mer- 
 chant, and left the house in a great rage. 
 
 The merchant's wife was very much grieved at his 
 sudden departure. Was this the man whose visit she had 
 looked forward to for many a day ! 
 
 Saiyid and Said walked far and fast till they reached 
 the middle of a big plain. Here they determined to spend 
 the night, although the place was dreaded by every one, 
 because of the many wild beasts that were said to prowl 
 about there. These two youths feared nothing, for they 
 were emboldened by eating the head and breast of the 
 beautiful bird. They were totally ignorant of the wonder- 
 
SAIYID AND SAID. 8i 
 
 ful virtues of the bird, but they felt within them a power 
 inspiring them to do and to dare anything. 
 
 That night they slept sound and safely, and in the 
 morning when they arose Saiyid, the elder brother, saw ten 
 thousand muhrs in the place where he had lain. Great 
 was their delight when they saw this. They loaded 
 themselves with the golden pieces, and resumed their 
 journey. On reaching the other side of the plain they 
 found themselves in a place where two roads met. Point- 
 ing in the direction of one of the roads was a big stone, 
 whereon were inscribed these words, " Do not go this way, 
 or you will repent it." Saiyid, however, who was the 
 bolder of the two, on account of his having eaten the head 
 of the bird, wished very much to try this dangerous road, 
 and urged his brother to venture with him. But Said 
 would not agree. " No," he replied ; " I do not care to 
 meet death thus rashly. I shall not go that way." But 
 Saiyid was resolute, and so the brothers parted. One 
 went the dangerous road, and the other went the regular 
 road. 
 
 said's fortunes. 
 
 Said, the younger brother, eventually reached some city 
 by the sea, and was there employed by a great merchant 
 and shipowner. Not long had Said been in his employ 
 before he was asked if he would like to go to sea for 
 a while. Said replied in the affirmative, as he was most 
 anxious to travel and see something of the world. On the 
 appointed day, the weather being suitable, the ship sailed 
 steadily out of the harbour. For several days everything 
 proceeded most happily, and there seemed every prospect 
 of a bright and prosperous voyage, when one morning a 
 nasty wind suddenly sprung up, and increased so violently 
 that the ship was tossed hither and thither, and finally was 
 wrecked. All on board were drowned except Said, who 
 escaped by means of one of the timbers to a desert island. 
 Faint and hopeless, he threw himself down on the shore 
 
82 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 and cried, " Oh, why was I bom ? Why did I eat the forhid- 
 den food, and so was obliged to fly from home ? Why did I 
 leave my brother to go alone ? It would have been better 
 to have died with him than to perish by a lingering death 
 in this wretched place. Ah me ! Ah me ! " Presently 
 sleep, the panacea for all ills, came to him, and night with 
 its thick curtains covered him. He slept till the morn- 
 inn', when, as he rose to look around him to see what sort 
 of place he was in, he noticed a ship passing near. He 
 shouted, and waved his hands most madly to apprise the 
 people of his presence there ; and fortunately he was seen. 
 The captain of the vessel brought the craft near and took 
 him in. 
 
 The ship reached her destination in safety, and Said 
 wished the captain and the sailors farewell. Por some 
 time he wandered round the city, inquiring about the 
 country that he had left and his father and brother, but 
 nobody could give him any information. Not thinking it 
 worth while to remain in that city, he started for the 
 adjoining country, concerning which he had heard many 
 wonderful things. 
 
 In a few days he reached the place, and found it won- 
 derful indeed. The capital of the country was bounded 
 by four high insurmountable walls, and was entered by one 
 door, which was kept shut and most carefully guarded. 
 Why it was so we will explain. It had been the custom 
 in that city for the ministers to appoint somebody as their 
 king by day and to slay him by night. In consequence 
 of this wicked custom the people had fled in crowds, and 
 therefore the ministers had met together in solemn assembly 
 to discuss plans for the future, in order that the city might 
 not be entirely deserted. They decided to repeal the cus- 
 tom, and notices had been sent in every direction ordering 
 the people to return and elect for themselves a king, who 
 should reign over the land till death called him away. 
 There was a mighty concourse of people in the city just 
 as Said had arrived at the door. 
 
SAIYID AND SAID. 83 
 
 " people ! " said the chief minister, coming forward, 
 " seeing the old custom of appointing and slaying a 
 king every day is obnoxious to you, we have determined 
 to do away with it. And now we call on you to choose 
 for yourselves one who shall always reign over us. The 
 matter is in your hands. Say who shall be our king." 
 
 " Close the doors," they replied, " and let the man who 
 now first comes up to the city be our king." This they 
 did, because each were afraid to suggest any one out of 
 their own company, lest others should be oifended and 
 kill them. Said was the man chosen for this high office. 
 While he was standing outside the great door of the city 
 the people came with the wazirs, and seeing him there, they 
 led him to the place of honour in their great hall of assem- 
 bly, and cried, " Behold the king ! Long live the king ! " 
 
 saiyid's fortunes. 
 
 Saiyid, the elder brother, pursued his way, nothing 
 daunted by the dreadful warning that he had read. Every 
 morning he found ten thousand muhrs in the place where 
 he lay, so that he became very rich. He was obliged to 
 engage several coolies to carry his wealth. 
 
 Nothing had happened to him so far, and he was be- 
 ginning to think that the inscription on the stone was 
 only a hoax, when he arrived at the entrance to a most 
 beautiful garden, stocked with all kinds of rare and lovely 
 flowers. On entering the garden he saw a splendid house 
 also. The walls were made of silver, and its pillars of 
 gold, and it shone so brilliantly in the sunshine that one 
 could scarcely look at it. 
 
 " Who lives here ? " he inquired from an old woman 
 whom he met in the garden. " Who lives here ? An 
 angel, a holy man ? " 
 
 The old woman replied, " A beautiful woman lives here, 
 and I am her ddi. You seem astonished at the magnifi- 
 cence of the place. My mistress has several other houses 
 and gardens quite as good as this." 
 
84 FOLK.TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 " Is your mistress at home ? Can I see her ? " asked 
 the youth. 
 
 " Oh yes, you can see her. Any person may see her that 
 can pay ten thousand rupees for the visit." 
 
 " Very well," he said, " I will pay the money. Lead 
 me to your mistress." 
 
 On seeing the lovely woman Saiyid was so much sur- 
 prised that he could hardly speak. He had never before 
 seen so lovely a woman. 
 
 " Welcome," she said, taking him by the hand, and ask- 
 ing him to sit down. " The ddi will have acquainted you 
 with my terms. Every day you come to see me you must 
 pay me ten thousand rupees, and when all your money is 
 exhausted you wiU be killed." 
 
 " Agreed," he replied. " Nay, I will give you ten thou- 
 sand muhrs ; " for he was intoxicated with her beauty. 
 
 Hearing this, the woman was very glad, and allowed him 
 to stay in her house a long time. Every day the ten 
 thousand muhrs were forthcoming, and duly given to the 
 woman. After a while the woman began to wonder what 
 kind of man he must be who could pay her so well and so 
 regularly. She thought that he must surely be a wizard or 
 suchlike. Accordingly she watched him. The secret of 
 his wealth was soon discovered. " He has swallowed the 
 head of the golden bird," she said to herself, when she saw the 
 muhrs on the bed, from which Saiyid had just risen. She 
 could tell this because she was a witch. From the moment 
 of this discovery she determined to destroy her paramour. 
 
 One day she said to him, " Come and let us taste some 
 wine that I have just received; " whereupon she went and 
 . fetched some wine and cups, and placed them before him. 
 Saiyid drunk heartily. She too drank, but only a little. 
 This wine was of a most potent quality ; consequently 
 Saiyid, who had imbibed much of it, soon began to feel 
 giddy and giddier, till he became quite mad. It also 
 created an intense burning thirst within him. " Give me 
 some water ! give me some water ! " he shrieked. She 
 
SAIYID AND SAID. 85 
 
 brought him some juice of a water-melon, and a few 
 grapes. He snatched them eagerly, and no sooner had he 
 drunk the juice of the melon and eaten the grapes than 
 he was violently sick. He vomited everything that was 
 in his stomach, and then went to sleep. 
 
 Now the head of the bird that Saiyid had swallowed 
 had not descended to the stomach, nor had it decomposed 
 like other food. Consequently when Saiyid was sick 
 this too appeared. The woman expected this, and hastily 
 seizing it, put it into one of her secret boxes. 
 
 When Saiyid rose the next morning he was terribly 
 surprised not to find the muhrs as usual. He did not 
 know what to do. The woman had threatened to kill 
 him if he could not obtain them by the evening. All 
 that day he was in terrible distress, and when evening 
 arrived he shut himself in his room and locked the door. 
 The woman waited some time, and then sent for him, 
 But he replied that he was not feeling well that evening, 
 and therefore wished to be excused. Finally, however, 
 he was obliged to go to her. " I have nothing to pay you," 
 he said, when she reproached him with want of affection. 
 " I know not how it is I have not any money. I cannot 
 explain my sorrow to you. I have so grieved over this 
 matter to-day that I can scarcely walk." 
 
 " I too am sorry," said the woman ; " but matters cannot 
 be mended. However, since you have paid me so liberally, 
 I will revoke my order concerning your death and let you 
 go. Depart, and do not show yourself to me again till 
 you are a richer man." Saiyid thanked her and left. 
 
 " Sorrow, a thousand sorrows ! " he exclaimed as he went 
 out by the garden gate. " Oh that I had listened to my 
 brother's earnest entreaties and not ventured on this path ! 
 In vain for me now to retrace my steps. Let me go 
 straight on and see whither the hand of fortune will lead 
 me." On the way he passed through a jungle and over a 
 great plain, and as he was leaving this plain he met three 
 men hotly disputing with one another over the distribu- 
 
86 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 tion among themselves of four things that their master, a 
 faqir, who had just died, had bequeathed to them. 
 
 " Why do j'ou thus wrangle ? " he asked. " Show me 
 these things."- 
 
 The three disputants unfastened their loads and set 
 before him a hadra-pith,^ a thdl^ a box of coUyrium, and 
 an old ragged garment. 
 
 " Well," said Saiyid with a laugh, " these things do not 
 appear of such value that you need quarrel over them." 
 
 " You do not know their value," they replied. " Listen, 
 this hadra-pith will carry anybody who sits in it to the 
 place where he would be, no matter how far or how in- 
 accessible the place may be ; this thdl will at all times 
 supply its owner with all kinds of food; this coUyrium 
 has only to be applied to the eyes and it will render the per- 
 son on whom it is placed invisible, while that person can 
 see everything aud everybody ; and this old garment has 
 four pockets ; one pocket supplies as many pdnsas as the 
 man requires, another supplies silver, another gold, and 
 another precious stones." 
 
 " Most interesting ! most valuable ! " said Saiyid, when 
 these men had finished their explanation. "Now con- 
 clude your quarrel. I will tell you what to do. Be not 
 disturbed by the last article. Give that to me. You take 
 the badra-pith, you the thdl, and you the box of coUyrium." 
 
 " No, never," they all replied. " This we can never do, 
 for we have made a vow not to part with any of these 
 things. On this condition our father (meaning the faqir) 
 gave them to us. No, let us alone. Our only hope is 
 that one of us will soon die, and then there will not be 
 any difficulty about sharing the things. Four things can 
 very easily be divided among two people." 
 
 " But why wait till one of your party dies ? " said 
 Saiyid. "To all appearance each of you will live to a 
 very old age. My advice is, decide at once. One of you 
 take two things, and the other two one thing each. Look 
 
 * JBhadra-pitha (Sanskrit), a beautiful chair, a splendid seat, a throne. 
 ^ A tray or large dish. 
 
SAIYID AND SAID. 87 
 
 here, will you agree to this ? I will throw these three 
 arrows as far as I can. One arrow I will throw in front 
 of me, another on this side, and the third on that side. 
 You each run after one of these arrows at a given signal 
 from me. You run after the one thrown in front of me, 
 you after the one thrown on this side, and you the one 
 thrown on that side ; and the man that returns first with 
 his arrow will have two things." 
 
 " Agreed ! " they replied. So Saiyid threw the three 
 arrows and the men started. While they were running 
 Saiyid took up the ihdl, the box of collyrium, and the old 
 ragged garment* and seating himself in the ladra-pith, 
 wished to be transported to some place where the three 
 men could not reach, and immediately disappeared. 
 
 When the three men returned with the arrows they 
 were terribly distressed to find the stranger and their 
 precious things gone. They wept and lamented their lot. 
 " Our teacher was angry with us," they said, " because we 
 quarrelled, and therefore he came in the person of this 
 man and took away our treasures." 
 
 Saiyid was carried away a great distance from the place 
 where he left the three men. When he had satisfied him- 
 self with all kinds of food from the thdl, he remembered 
 the beautiful woman, and wished to see her again. So, 
 putting his things into the badra-pifh, he sat in it, and soon 
 found himself on the roof of the magnificent gold and 
 silver house. Here he first hid his treasures, and then 
 descended the steps that led down into the yard. There he 
 saw the. ddi, whom he asked to go and inform her mistress 
 of his arrival. 
 
 When the beautiful woman saw him she knew that he 
 had got some more money. Accordingly she gave him a 
 great welcome and showed him much honour, and asked 
 him about his travels since he had left her, 
 
 " I have been to my own country to get some more money 
 for you," he said. " I could not stay away from you." 
 « Cf. Indian Faii-y Tales, pp. 34, 156. ^57 • Wide- Awake Stories, pp. 281, 289. 
 
88 FOLK -TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 This was a falsehood, but he did not wish the woman 
 to guess the source of his wealth. Every day he went to 
 the old ragged garment, and got as much money as he 
 required. The days passed happily for a month or so, till 
 Saiyid began to suspect that he was watched. Once he 
 heard something like a footfall behind him up the steps, and 
 another time he thought that he saw some one on the roof. 
 Consequently he determined to sleep on the roof, and told 
 the woman so. " My darling," he said, " I intend to sleep 
 outside to-night on the roof. You also come." She con- 
 sented, and they slept together in the open air for several 
 nights, till Saiyid's suspicions were further aroused. " Sup- 
 posing," he said to himself, " that this garment and other 
 things were stolen from me, what should I do ? I wiU 
 leave the place this very night, and try to get the woman 
 to go with me." 
 
 That night, when they went up on the roof, he showed 
 her the hadra-pith, and asked her to sit in it with him. 
 She did so, and then Saiyid wished to be carried to some 
 place where they would be free from all other society; 
 and they were at once carried to a beautiful uninhabited 
 island. 
 
 " Here let us dwell together, my love," he said to the 
 woman, when the iadra-pith stopped. 
 
 " Your will is mine," she replied. " I care not so long as 
 I am with you." 
 
 Saiyid was much rejoiced at these words, because he 
 thought that the woman really meant what she said. By- 
 and-by he got so thoroughly persuaded of her affection 
 that he confided to her the secrets of all his treasures. 
 
 " How do you get such splendid food every dfty ? " she 
 
 " God gives it to me," he replied. " I have only to take 
 this thdl and wish, and the food wished-for is at once 
 provided." 
 
 "Whence do you obtain money in this uninhabited 
 spot ? " she inquired. 
 
SAIYID AND SAID. 89 
 
 " From this old garment," he replied. " I put my hand 
 into these pockets, and pdAsas, silver, gold, and precious 
 stones come at my will." 
 
 " How does this ladra-pith bear us about in the air, as 
 though, it were a bird ? " she said. 
 
 " I cannot explain," he replied, " by what means it does 
 this. All I know is, that I simply sit on it, wish to be 
 somewhere, and I am immediately borne to the place that 
 I wish to reach. But there is another thing that you have 
 not seen : I have got some collyrium, which when rubbed 
 on the eyes renders the person invisible, while that person 
 can see everything that is going on." 
 
 " O my beloved ! how glad I am that you have told me 
 of these precious things ! " she said. " How rich we are, 
 and how fortunate I am in having you ! Why did you 
 not make me acquainted with your good fortune before ? 
 Now I shall give up all desire of returning to my house." 
 
 Sweet words indeed ! They fell like nectar on the ears 
 of the simple Saiyid, but they were not sincere. The 
 woman's object was to disarm him of all suspicion con- 
 cerning her. She never loved him, and never once wished 
 to stay with him. On the contrary, she wanted to bam- 
 boozle him out of his wealth, and then to slay him. 
 Henceforth, therefore, she tried to obtain possession of 
 the four precious things. She had not to wait long for 
 an opportunity. One morning, while they were walking 
 together on the sea-shore, she expressed a wish to bathe, 
 and asked Saiyid to first go into the water and try the 
 depth. He complied, and while he was swimming about 
 she took up the thdl, the pot of collyrium, and the ragged 
 garment, and running to the hddra-pith, sat in it, and 
 wished herself back again in her magnificent house. 
 
 Poor Saiyid, how terribly duped he felt ! Naked, cold, 
 and hungry, he ran about the island bemoaning his fate. 
 As evening drew on he began to think what he should do 
 for the night. If he had neither clothes nor food, still he 
 might put up a shelter from the wind. Perhaps, too, he 
 
90 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 might sight a ship on the morrow. Thus he tried to com- 
 fort himself. He at once commenced to break down 
 branches from the trees, and while he was doing this his 
 attention was drawn to three birds who were seated on 
 three different trees, and were answering one another 
 most lustily. Presently he began to comprehend what 
 they were talking about. 
 
 One bird said, " My tree is of great virtue. If any per- 
 son will peel off the bark, pound it very fine, and then 
 work it into a ball, the ball will be found to be most effi- 
 cacious in cases of headache. The sufferer has only to 
 take a good smell at it, and the headache immediately 
 disappears." 
 
 " Very good, very good ! " said the second bird ; " but 
 listen to me. My tree is much more valuable than yours. 
 If any person will peel off the bark, pound it, mix the 
 powder with some of the juice of its leaves, and then 
 work it into a ball, it will be found to act like a charm ; 
 for any person who smells it will be turned into an ass." ' 
 
 '' Wonderful, wonderful ! " said the third bird ; " but not 
 so wonderful as the tree on which I am sitting. If any 
 person will do the same with the bark of this tree, and 
 then give it to that, or any other, ass to smell, it wiU at 
 once transform the beast into a man." 
 
 Saiyid understood every word of the birds' conversa- 
 tion. He was able to do this because he had once swal- 
 lowed the head of the golden bird. How glad he must 
 have been at the good news ! As will be imagined, he lost 
 no time in preparing three balls from the three different 
 trees, as the birds had directed. He carefully marked 
 each of them, lest he should forget which was which, and 
 then lay down and went to sleep. In the morning he 
 rose with a very sad heart. " God, save me, save me ! " 
 he cried ; and his prayer was heard. A great bird came 
 flying over the place where he was, and so frightened 
 him, that he ran to a big hollow tree for safety. The 
 
 ' Of. Orientalist, vol. ii. p. 151. 
 
SAIYID AND SAID. 91 
 
 bird, however, did not leave, but kept on circling round 
 and round, and looking now and again at Saiyid most 
 earnestly. 
 
 " What can the creature mean to do ? " thought Saiyid. 
 " Does it want to eat me ? " 
 
 While he was thus meditating, the bird alighted on the 
 ground just opposite the hollow tree, and looked at him. 
 " A man has come to this island," it said. " He is in 
 great distress, and will die if he does not listen to me. 
 I am most anxious about him. Oh that he could under- 
 stand my speech and would lay hold of my leg ! I should 
 then fly away with him to some more habitable spot." 
 
 Saiyid understood every word of what the bird said, 
 and to show that he did, he caught hold of one of the 
 bird's legs with both hands. At once the great bird 
 spread its wings and flew away. Miles and miles it 
 travelled, until it reached a famous city. There it left 
 Saiyid and disappeared. Attracted by the bird, many of 
 the inhabitants of the place soon gathered round and 
 began to ask numerous questions, " How did you reach 
 this state ? What is your name ? Where is your home ? " 
 all of which Saiyid fully answered; and his account so 
 touched the sympathies of the people that they brought 
 him clothes and food, and invited him to lodge in their 
 houses till he had arranged his plans. 
 
 Some few days after his arrival it happened that the 
 daughter of the king of that country fell violently sick 
 with headache. All the physicians in the city were sum- 
 moned to attend at the palace and prescribe for her, but 
 nothing they did availed. The dreadful headache continued. 
 At length the king, fearing that his daughter would die, 
 issued a proclamation to all the people of his country to 
 this effect — that if anybody could find some remedy for 
 the princess, he should have her hand in marriage and 
 half the kingdom. Saiyid was delighted to hear these 
 words. He now saw before him the way to honour, great 
 power, and glory. He immediately wended his steps in 
 
92 FOLK-TALES OP KASHMIR. 
 
 the direction of the palace, and told the man at the gate 
 to apprise the king of the arrival of a person who could 
 cure the princess of her headache. 
 
 " Send the man to me," said the king, when he heard 
 the message. Saiyid approached, and the king said, " Can 
 you, man, find a remedy for my daughter's headache ? 
 Several physicians in my country have tried to cure her, 
 but alas ! in vain. What hope have you of doing better 
 than they ? " 
 
 Saiyid replied, "Much hope, Your Majesty. Please, call 
 the princess, and within five minutes she shall be well." 
 
 "God grant it!" exclaimed the king, and called his 
 daughter. 
 
 The princess appeared, moaning bitterly, and looking 
 very thin and worn. " Smell this," said Saiyid, giving her 
 the little ball of pounded bark, that the bird had said was 
 good for headaches. The princess did so, and was imme- 
 diately relieved. Great was the astonishment of the king 
 and the princess and every one present. The king in- 
 quired who Saiyid was, whence he had come, and why he 
 was in the city ; and when he had heard his story, he felt 
 so thoroughly interested in him, that he at once gave orders 
 for rooms to be prepared for him in the palace. In due 
 time, also, he married his daughter to him, and handed 
 over to him half of his kingdom as a wedding dowry. 
 However, Saiyid really reigned over the whole kingdom, 
 because the king was getting old, and wished very much 
 to retire altogether from public life. 
 
 In his great honour and prosperity Saiyid did not forget 
 the beautiful woman who had treated him so wickedly. 
 He wished very much to be revenged on her, till at last 
 this thirst for revenge so overcame him, that he went to 
 his father-in-law and begged to be allowed to go and 
 punish some robbers who had seized all his property on 
 his way thither. The king at first hesitated to give his 
 sanction, but eventually was constrained to do so by 
 Saiyid's earnest entreaties. 
 
SAIYID AND SAID. 93 
 
 Saiyid left with a great retinue and much treasure, and 
 marched straight to the house of the woman that had 
 deceived him. "M7 darling," he exclaimed on meeting 
 her, " how I have sought for you ! Why did you leave 
 me thus to perish ? If God had not had mercy on me I 
 should not be here." 
 
 The woman answered, "It was my great sin. I was 
 foolish and afraid, and did what I now thoroughly repent 
 of. Forgive me, I beseech you." The woman uttered 
 these words tremblingly, for she was afraid of him. She 
 thought to herself, "I have been saved twice, but who 
 knows what he will do to me now? " 
 
 One night while she was asleep Saiyid took the ball 
 whose virtue was that it could change a person into an 
 ass, and put it by the woman's nose. Presently her face 
 and whole body gradually changed into the face and body 
 of an ass ; and scarcely was this accomplished, when she 
 woke up and began to bray.* Saiyid was delighted to see 
 and hear this. Now he had his revenge. He found all 
 the keys of the house, and opened all the rooms, almairas,^ 
 and boxes in the place. The four precious things were 
 discovered, also the head of the bird. Tying them up 
 into bundles, he gave them to his servants, and ordered 
 them to prepare to march the next morning. The ass, too, 
 he gave into their charge. 
 
 " Why are you leaving so soon ? " asked the old ddi, 
 when she saw him leaving early the next day. 
 
 "Your mistress has robbed me of all my money," he 
 replied, " and run away. What have I to stay for ? " 
 
 " Never," said the ddi. " Some other person must have 
 done this thing. Or if my mistress has taken this money, 
 she has done it in joke, and no doubt will soon return. 
 
 ' Cf. Indian Antiquary, toI. xiv. of drawers. "The word almdrl" 
 
 p. 109; Bilochi Stories, No. XIII.; (Hindust.), says Forbes, "is of Euro- 
 
 Mongolian story in Folk-Lore Jour- pean origin ; for example, the old 
 
 nal, vol. Iv. p. 24. ; Grimm's Souse- English term is " almarie ; " and the 
 
 hold Stories, p. 385. SiJbtch word " awmrie," or " aum- 
 
 • Kashmiri kut, a cupboard chest rie,'' is in common use to this day. 
 
94 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 Do not go, I pray you. My mistress will be very angry 
 when she comes and finds you have left." 
 
 "I cannot help it," he replied. '' I must go." 
 
 By noon that day Saiyid had finished his march, and 
 was encamped under some large trees beside a pretty little 
 stream. " Bring me some of that water," he said to one of 
 his servants standing by. 
 
 While the servant was going for the water one of the 
 villagers shouted, " Don't give that water to your master. 
 It is rank poison. Your master, or any one, would not long 
 survive a draught of it. Go a little distance up the stream, 
 and you will get water fit to drink." The servant did so. 
 
 Not knowing the reason of the delay, Saiyid was very 
 angry and impatient. " Why have you been so long ? " 
 he inquired. 
 
 " I was warned not to take water from the part of the 
 brook opposite you, because it is very poisonous ; and so I 
 went higher up the stream, where I was told there was 
 good water." 
 
 " Strange, very strange ! " exclaimed Saiyid. " Call one 
 of the people of the village and inquire the reason." 
 
 Lots of people were called, but nobody was able to ex- 
 plain it. All that the villagers knew was, that from a 
 certain spot the water of the brook was very poisonous. 
 Accordingly Saiyid ordered the spot to be well dug and 
 cleared. He got some coolies from the village to dig about 
 the place, and. had the soil carried away on the ass's bade 
 to a distant spot and buried. By this means the stream was 
 made pure ; and the people were very glad. 
 
 " Why do you give me this menial work to do ? " asked 
 the ass. " Is it not enough to have degraded me to the 
 beasts ? Why add this extra burden to my lot ? " 
 
 Saiyid answered her not a word. On the morrow he 
 continued his journey, and tarried not till he reached the 
 country of his father-in-law. There was much rejoicing 
 in the city when he arrived ; for he governed wisely, and 
 was very popular. 
 
SAIYID AND SAID. 95 
 
 In a little while, when he thought that he had ohtained 
 such honour and power as would certainly captivate the 
 beautiful but wicked woman, he determined to restore her 
 to her original form. Accordingly he gave her another of 
 the balls to smell, and she became a beautiful woman once 
 more. 
 
 " my beloved, why did you treat me thus ? " she asked. 
 
 " Because I wished to teach you a lesson," he replied. 
 " Learn now my power, how useless it is to try to oppose 
 me. See, too, my affection. I have prepared a suitable 
 house for you. Dwell there, and whatever you require 
 shaU be supplied." 
 
 The woman acceded, and henceforth remained faithful 
 to her paramour. 
 
 SAIYID AND SAID MEET AGAIN. 
 
 Saiyid now exerted every effort to find his younger 
 brother. He sent many messengers into all parts of 
 the world, and promised them great rewards if they were 
 successful. By the hand of good fortune one of these 
 messengers arrived in the country over which Said was 
 ruling. He discovered him in this way. One night he 
 tari'ied in the hut of an old widow, who was one of the 
 many recipients of Said's charity. 
 
 " How do you contrive to live, mother ? " he asked. 
 
 " Well you may ask," the old woman answered. " I am 
 not able to do anything ; but our king is very just and 
 good. He regularly distributes alms to many poor, old, 
 and sick people in the city. If it were not for his charity, 
 several of us would perish. Praise be to God for our 
 king ! Praise be to God ! " 
 
 " Who is your king ? Is he one of this country ? 
 Where do his parents live ? " the messenger asked. 
 
 "I do not know," she replied. "Eeport says that he 
 came from far, and that during his travels he was separated 
 from his brother, of whom he was very fond. He has 
 
96 FOLK -TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 despatched messengers in all directions to try and dis- 
 cover some news of him, and of his father also." 
 
 " Can I get an interview with your king ? " said the 
 messenger. 
 
 " Oh yes," she replied. " The king's ear is open unto all. 
 "Whoever wishes can go and speak to him at all times." 
 
 Accordingly, early the next morning, as soon as he 
 heard that the king had risen, he went to the palace and 
 begged to be shown hefore the king. Thinking that he 
 had come on urgent business, the servant led him into the 
 king's private room. " king," said the messenger, fall- 
 ing down before him, " Saiyid, your brother, has sent me 
 to you, to inquire of your welfare. God has prospered 
 him exceedingly, and raised him to be ruler over a great 
 and mighty kingdom, but he cannot rest day or night till 
 he knows of your estate." 
 
 When Said heard these words he was so startled that 
 he could scarcely speak. After some conversation with the 
 messenger, he sent for one of his wazirs, and ordered him 
 to clothe the man in splendid apparel, and to see that he 
 had everything he wanted. He also told him that he 
 had heard of his long-lost brother. Saiyid was ruler over 
 such-and-such a kingdom, and he wished to go and see 
 him immediately. Arrangements were to be at once 
 made for the journey. The wazirs, however, demurred to 
 this journey, as there were several countries intervening, 
 whose rulers were inimical to the king. Therefore they 
 begged him to give up the idea, and to send word to his 
 brother Saiyid, who appeared to be more powerful than he 
 was. So Said, very much disappointed, though he felt 
 that his wazirs were wise, bade the messenger to return 
 as quickly as possible and inform his brother of his affairs, 
 and come and bring him word again. 
 
 After resting a day or two the messenger left. He 
 reached his country safely, and informed his royal master 
 of all that he had seen and heard of his brother. Saiyid 
 was very much rejoiced, and richly rewarded the messenger. 
 
SAIYID AND SAID. 97 
 
 He immediately arranged a plan for conquering all the 
 countries that intervened between his and his brother's 
 kingdoms. He sent word to his brother to fight with the 
 few countries on his side, while he would fight with the 
 countries on his side. They were both rich and powerful, 
 he said, and ought to overcome. And they did overcome 
 them. 
 
 Oh ! who can teU the joy in which these conquering 
 heroes met one another again ? ^^ 
 
 " Compare the atory of the " Two Brothers " in this collection. 
 
THE CRUEL MERCHANT} 
 
 Once upon a time there lived a merchant who was very 
 cruel to his servants. When anybody applied to him for 
 service, he agreed to employ him on the condition that the 
 servant's nose should be cut off if he at any time showed 
 himself abusive or angry. Now, since servants are no 
 better than the majority of their masters, we are not sur- 
 prised to hear that several servants quitted this merchant's 
 service minus their noses. One of these servants was a 
 poor farmer, who had been obliged to take service on 
 account of a failure in his crops. The man lived up in 
 the hills, where nothing except makdi^ can be grown ; and 
 that year but little rain had fallen, so that his labour and 
 expense were all wasted. He was of a most amiable and 
 willing disposition. If any man had a chance of continu- 
 ing in the merchant's service, it was he. But, alas ! he 
 too failed. One day he was very much troubled about a 
 matter, when something his master did or said — and the 
 merchant used to say and do some very nasty things — 
 provoked the farmer, so that he spoke angrily ; whereupon 
 the merchant rushed at him and cut off his nose. 
 
 This farmer had a brother, who grieved to see him in 
 this noseless condition, and resolved to avenge him of this 
 cruelty. So he went to the merchant and offered himself 
 for employment. 
 
 "Very well," said the merchant. " I will give you work, 
 but only on the condition that your nose is cut off if you 
 ever show yourself abusive or angry." 
 
 1 Narrator's name Makuud BSyfi, of Suthti, Srinagar. ^ Maize, Indian-corn. 
 
THE CRUEL MERCHANT. 99 
 
 " I will agree to this if you too will be bound by the 
 like condition," said the man. 
 
 " All right," said the merchant. 
 
 " If the plan worked well for one party, it might also 
 work well for the other," thought the man. 
 
 It did work well for a long time. Both master and ser- 
 vant were so very careful over their words and actions, 
 that they both preserved their temper. One day, however, 
 the merchant ordered his servant to go and put on his 
 son's clothes quickly. The man went, and while dress- 
 ing the boy pulled him about here and there to make him 
 run. The boy, naturally not liking such treatment, roared, 
 "0 father! mother!" 
 
 " What are you doing ? " asked the merchant. 
 
 " The boy will not run about while I am dressing him, 
 but wants to sit down," he replied. 
 
 Now the master had ordered him to dress the child 
 quickly, and thus he would have been understood by 
 nineteen out of twenty people ; but the words might pos- 
 sibly be construed to mean, "Eun about and dress the 
 child; "^ so the servant chose to understand them thus, 
 thinking thereby to provoke his master to anger ; and he 
 almost succeeded. 
 
 On another occasion the merchant, accompanied by all 
 his family, went to stay for a few days in some place 
 where a big meld was accustomed to be held. He left 
 the house in charge of this servant, and before leaving, 
 especially ordered him to keep his eye on the doors and 
 windows. The man promised faithfully. His master, 
 however, had not long departed when he too felt an in- 
 tense desire to attend the meld. Accordingly he collected 
 the furniture and things of the house and stored them 
 away in a big pit. He then called several coolies, and 
 loading them with the doors and windows of the place, 
 started off for the meld. The astonishment of the mer- 
 chant, when he saw his servant, followed by a long string 
 3 Oatshit tskun ngchims pothdk ndli tukdn tukdn. 
 
loo FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 of coolies bearing his doors and windows, will be imagined. 
 " You fool ! " he exclaimed, " what have you done ? " 
 
 " I have simply obeyed your order," replied the servant. 
 " You told me to look after the doors and windows. So, 
 when I wished to leave the house and come to the meld, 
 I thought it would be safer to bring them with me. The 
 furniture, too, is quite safe. I have hidden it all in a 
 great pit." 
 
 " You consummate fool ! " said the merchant, and struck 
 him a blow across the face. 
 
 " Ha ! ha ! " said the man, seizing him by the back of 
 his neck and cutting off his nose, " we are quits now. I 
 will go and tell my brother." * 
 
 ♦ Ct. OHentaliat, vol. i. pp. 131, 132 ; and Indian Antiqua/ry, vol. xvi. p. 296. 
 
( 101 ) 
 
 THE MAN FROM SHIRAZ} 
 
 A LONG time ago a Shirazi visited Kashmir, and called on 
 an old friend, and stayed with him for three days. This 
 friend, who prided himself on his hospitality, prepared a 
 great feast for his guest. During dinner he naturally 
 looked for some expression of approval from him, and the 
 Shfrazf, seeing that he was expected to say something com- 
 plimentary, after a little while remarked that the dinner 
 was good, very good, hut not for a moment to be compared 
 with the feasts given in his country. Other conversation 
 followed, and then the company dispersed. 
 
 The host, however, was so disappointed at the Shfrdzi 
 friend's modified commendation of the dinner that he 
 could not sleep. All through the long night he was 
 endeavouring to smother his feelings, or planning for a 
 still larger and more extravagant dinner on the morrow ; 
 and long before daylight he ran and called the cook, and 
 gave him such an order, and explained everything so 
 minutely to him, that his guest might at least say that 
 the dinner was equal to the meals prepared in his country. 
 If it was a success he promised to give the cook ten 
 rupees lakhsMsh} But it was not a success. All the 
 expense and all these preparations were again in vain. 
 The feast was declared to be inferior to those in Shfraz.^ 
 Not that it was owing to any fault of the cook. On the 
 contrary, no feast could have been cooked or served up 
 better than this one. 
 
 ^ Narrator's name, Mihtar Sher ^ Generally pronounced bakshdish, 
 Singh, officiating goTemor, Srina- a gift, gratuity. 
 gar. ' A city in the south of Persia. 
 
102 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 The Kashmiri, now suspecting that his cuisinier was not 
 so skilful as he thought him to be, engaged another ser- 
 vant in his place, whom he ordered to prepare a still more 
 elaborate meal for the following day, and promised the 
 man twenty rupees if the dinner was thoroughly approved 
 of by the guest. However, there came the same reply — 
 " My dear friend, your feasts cannot match those which 
 are served up in my country." 
 
 Some years elapsed, and the Kashmiri, being a traveller 
 as well as his guest, found himself in the city of the 
 Shirazl, and seeking out his old friend's house, called on 
 him. He received a very hearty welcome, and was asked to 
 tarry there for three days, with which he complied. After 
 ablutions and a change of garments he sat down to smoke 
 the pipe of friendship and peace, while dinner was being 
 prepared. He waited with much expectation and curiosity 
 to see what kind of a dinner it would be. " I shall now 
 see," thought he, " in what respect these Shlrazl feasts are 
 superior to ours." At last dinner was served. Imagine 
 the chagrin and surprise of the Kashmiri when he saw 
 simply a large tray of boiled rice, dotted here and there with 
 bits of vegetable, placed before him. At first he thought 
 it must be a dream, and rubbed his eyes to make quite 
 certain that he was awake. Still the same tray of rice and 
 vegetables was before him. He rubbed his eyes again ; he 
 cracked his fingers ; he stretched his legs. Still there was 
 the same tray. There was no doubt about it. These rice 
 and vegetables were all that his host had prepared for that 
 evening's meal. Perhaps this meagre display was owing to 
 the lateness of the hour of his call, and that on the morrow 
 a grander dinner would be provided. The morrow came, 
 and the third day, and still the same fare was provided. 
 During the last meal the Kashmiri could not refrain, from 
 asking the reason of his friend's remark concerning the 
 inferiority of Kashmiri to Shirazi feasts. The host replied, 
 " Well, we here in Shlraz are very plain folk. We wel- 
 come you to our country and homely fare. You see us. 
 
THE MAN FROM SHIRAZ. 103 
 
 You have dined with us. Yesterday, to-day, and for ever 
 this is our manner of life. But the feast you provided in 
 honour of my coming (I thank you for it) was special, 
 only for a day. Man could not always live at that rate ; 
 for the pocket of the host would soon be emptied and the 
 stomach of the guest impaired — the result to both would 
 be most unpleasant. Hence my remarks, of which I am 
 quite certain you wiU perceive the truth." 
 
( I04 ) 
 
 SHABRANG, PRINCE AND THIEF } 
 
 A CERTAIN king of Kashmir was very fond of hunting. 
 One day, when he went to some distant jungle to shoot, he 
 saw an animal that gave him such a chase as he never had 
 before or after. He shot at it again and again, but missed. 
 Determined to get it, however, he pursued the beast more 
 swiftly. A long long way he ran, leaving his attendants 
 far behind out of sight and hearing. At length he could 
 not run any more, and therefore stopped. He found him- 
 self in a large well-kept garden, along one of the paths of 
 which a beautiful girl was walking unattended. 
 
 " Ha, ha ! " said the king, going up to her. " Certainly ! 
 A wife like you, whom after marrying I could put aside 
 here in this jungle ! " 
 
 " Of course," retorted the maiden, " I'd marry somebody 
 like you and get a child ; and the boy should marry your 
 daughter ! " 
 
 Surprised at her clever and ready reply, the king left 
 the garden. He found his way back to the palace, and 
 there inquired about the beautiful girl. Nobody could tell 
 him anything, and so he despatched a messenger to make 
 a thorough and f uU inquiry. It appeared that the maiden 
 was a princess, and was accustomed to go to the garden 
 where the king had seen her, because of its beautiful 
 flowers, crystal fountains, and delightful shades. 
 
 On hearing this the king of Kashmir said, " I must 
 marry her," and ordered the most skilful and experienced 
 go-betweens ^ to start at once and arrange for the match. 
 
 ' Narrator's name, collected for an old shepherd at KrSndih, near 
 me by Fandit Makund Bayfi, of Sijbihiri. 
 SathA, Srinagar, who heard it from " Manzimyor. 
 
SHABRANG, PRINCE AND THIEF. 105 
 
 The go-betweens left, and as soon as they reached the 
 kingdom of the princess's father they obtained an inter- 
 view with His Majesty. Prostrating themselves before 
 him, they said, " Our king has sent us to you on a special 
 errand, of which we care not to speak before all the people. 
 We pray Your Majesty, if it seem convenient, to grant 
 us a private reception, when only Your Majesty and the 
 chief wazir may be present." The king consented, and 
 immediately ordered the clearance of the assembly-hall, 
 and then, when nobody but the king and chief wazir were 
 present, the embassage again prostrated themselves and 
 said, " great king, live for ever ! May peace and pros- 
 perity abide in your kingdom, and may all its enemies 
 be scattered. king, we have been sent to you to 
 arrange for the marriage of your daughter, the fame of 
 whose beauty has reached all countries, with our good and 
 noble king of Kashmir. He knows her beauty and excel- 
 lent virtues, and cannot rest day or night till he is certi- 
 fied of your good pleasure concerning this his wish. Our 
 king's goodness and power and wealth are not hidden from 
 Your Majesty. We beseech you, therefore, to sanction this 
 most desirable union, and dismiss us." 
 
 "I have heard," the king said after a brief pause. 
 " To-morrow I will give you my reply." 
 
 On the morrow, therefore, he consulted his wife and 
 his wazir, and they both having accepted the match, he 
 called the embassage and told them to go and inform their 
 king that the offer was approved, and that in due time 
 arrangements would, be made with him for the wedding. 
 
 When the king of Kashmir heard from his go-betweens 
 that the other king would give him his daughter in mar- 
 riage he was exceedingly glad, and gave large presents to 
 the go-betweens. 
 
 In a little while the king sent for him. A convenient 
 day was at hand, and the message to him was to come at 
 once. Accordingly, attended by his most wise ministers 
 and courtiers, the flower of his army, and a large company 
 
io6 FOLK-TALES OP KASHMIR. 
 
 of gaily dressed servants and richly caparisoned horses 
 bearing gifts, the king of Kashmir started. He reached 
 his destination without any mishap, and was heartily 
 welcomed by the other king. 
 
 Within a day or two the wedding took place. It is not 
 necessary to speak of the magnificent arrangements of 
 everything — how that the palace seemed one blaze of 
 jewels ; and gold and silver, like so much rice, were dis- 
 tributed to vast crowds of beggars who came from all 
 parts ; and the bride and bridegroom looked very beauti- 
 ful. All these will be supposed. Everything was splen- 
 didly done, and everybody was exceedingly happy. 
 
 Ou arrival in his own country after the wedding, the 
 king of Kashmir put his new wife, with the rest of his 
 wives, in the royal haram. But, strange to say, these first 
 days passed without his ever seeing her or speaking to 
 her. In a little while her father sent for her, according to 
 custom. So she went back to her father's house, and there 
 remained; but she said nothing to any one, except her 
 mother, about her husband's strange behaviour to her. 
 To her mother, however, she explained everything. She 
 told her of the garden episode also, and added that she 
 supposed it was on account of her retort that the king of 
 Kashmir thus treated her. 
 
 " Never mind," said the queen. " Don't worry. Mat- 
 ters will right themselves again. Only wait." 
 
 When three years had elapsed, and the king of Kashmir 
 had not sent for or inquired after his wife, she went to 
 her father and expressed her great desire to travel, and 
 begged him to allow one of his wazirs and a cohort of 
 soldiers to accompany her, in order that she mi^ht travel 
 in a manner befitting her position. 
 
 " What do you wish to do ? Where do you wish to 
 go ? " said the king. 
 
 " I wish to see something of other countries, and especi- 
 ally your feudatories ; and in order that I may do so with 
 ease and pleasure, I beg you to give me help." 
 
SHABRANG, PRINCE AND THIEF. 107 
 
 " But you are a woman," said the king, with an aston- 
 ished air, " and young and beautiful. How can you travel ? 
 People will wonder to see you going about unattended by 
 your father or mother. No ; I don't think that I can grant 
 your wish. I should be wrong if I did." 
 
 " Then I must go altogether alone," she said ; " for I am 
 determined to carry out my M'ishes." 
 
 " Ah me ! if it is so, I suppose I must give my consent. 
 It will only be adding trouble to trouble to hear of your 
 death as well as your disgrace. But I ask you not to go 
 very far — only in the surrounding countries." 
 
 "I promise you," she replied, and left the room. 
 
 Then the king summoned a wazir, one in whom he had 
 special confidence, and ordered him to attend the princess 
 in her wanderings. His Majesty also gave him charge of 
 aU the money and jewels and other valuables which his 
 daughter would require on the journey. 
 
 In a few days the princess departed, attended by thefaith- 
 f ul wazir and a large company of soldiers and servants. Her 
 first visit was to a petty king who held a small tract of 
 country in fief under her father. Hearing of her coming, 
 this king went forth to meet her, and received her with 
 great honour, and caused a great feast to be made in her 
 name. She remained there a few days, and then con- 
 tinued her journey. In this way she saw nearly all the 
 adjacent countries, and learnt very much of their rulers 
 and their ruled. 
 
 At length she arrived near her husband's country of 
 Kashmir. She naturally wished very much to see it — its 
 court, its bdzdr, and its commerce, and everything concern- 
 ing it. Accordingly she sent a letter to the king saying that 
 she was the daughter of a certain king to whom he paid 
 tribute, and that she was now waiting outside the walls, 
 and wishing much to see the city within them. When 
 the king of Kashmir had read the letter he summoned his 
 wazirs and others, and at once went forth to the princess's 
 camp, and conducted her to his palace. There everything 
 
io8- FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 that could minister to the illustrious visitor's comfort and 
 pleasure was ordered and got ready. A special suite of 
 apartments were set apart for her, the walls of which were 
 hung with the most beautiful cloths, and the floors covered 
 with the richest carpets ; the most sumptuous food was 
 provided ; and the royal minstrels were bidden to be 
 always present. These excellent arrangements charmed 
 the princess, who at the end of the day thanked the king 
 for his attention, and promised to remember him to her 
 father. 
 
 The next day, in the course of conversation, she said to 
 the king of Kashmir, " I have something to say to you 
 privately. Please come into the room." 
 
 Thinking that she had a special message for him from 
 her father concerning his country, he did so. It hap- 
 pened, however, that she loved him, and had called him 
 aside into that room in order that she might tell him so, 
 and entreat him to allow her to stay there as long as she 
 liked, and to come and see her constantly. 
 
 Overcome by her beauty and entreaties, the king of 
 Kashmir consented, and was often in her society. Many 
 many months thus passed, till the princess revealed her 
 intention of leaving for her own country. Her excuse 
 was, that she had other cares, and wished to be at home 
 again. However, she promised to return as soon as pos- 
 sible, and giving the king her ring, asked him for his ring 
 and handkerchief ^ in exchange, in token of this promise 
 and of their affection for one another. The king did so, 
 and kissed her. 
 
 The princess then left Kashmir, and returned to her 
 own country as soon as she could. Everybody was very 
 glad to see her back. The king, her father, was much 
 interested in the account of her travels, and professed 
 that he was now glad that she had visited the different 
 
 3 In Indian Folk-tales the Identity and handkerchief. Cf. Indian Fairy 
 of hero or heroine is often proved by Tales, pp. 133, 199, 200 ; the Norse 
 a ring, but less frequently by a ring tale of The Widow's Son." 
 
SHABRANG, PRINCE AND THIEF. 109 
 
 countries. The queen, her mother, was intensely pleased 
 to hear of her expectations of a child, and began to con- 
 coct all sorts of plans for the bringing together of the 
 husband, wife, and little one. 
 
 At the appointed time a son was born, and they called 
 him Shabrang* When the king heard of his birth he 
 was much enraged, for he thought that his daughter had 
 done wrong. " This comes," he cried, " of sanctioning 
 her wild request ! Oh that I had not been such a fool, 
 and allowed her to go ! Her character is ruined ; her 
 husband will never have anything to do with her; and 
 my name is brought to reproach. Alas ! alas ! better to 
 die than to suffer this ! " 
 
 " Not so," said the queen, who had been attracted by 
 the king's loud voice. " You have not asked who is the 
 father of the child. He who ought to be the father is 
 the father ; and nothing has happened to damage either 
 our daughter's reputation or your name. While travelling 
 the princess visited her husband's country ; and feigning 
 herself to be another, she was admitted to her husband's 
 palace, and there quickly won his affections, so that he 
 grieved exceedingly to part with her ; and now she has 
 given birth to a son by him. To accomplish this end was 
 her only reason for asking your permission to travel." 
 
 On this explanation His Majesty's anger and grief 
 entirely disappeared. The thought of a son having been 
 born into his family filled him with joy, and he praised 
 his daughter for her affection and cleverness. 
 
 As the boy grew he became wise and learned. Every 
 instruction was given him, so that he had knowledge of 
 almost every art and science then extant. He was also 
 brave and skilful with the sword. The king was exceed- 
 ingly proud of his grandson, and declared his readiness to 
 make him one of the chief wazirs, and in a few years to 
 
 4 Shah-rang (Persian), black, dusky, his companions, after the hero of this 
 obscure. Any especially wicked, cun- tale, 
 ning boy is often called Shabrang by 
 
no FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 deliver up the throne to him, if his father, the king of 
 Kashmir, would not acknowledge him. 
 
 His mother, however, was bent on Shabrang becoming 
 a thief. She thought that by such a training he would 
 become proficient in all manner of trickery and cunning, 
 and thus be a great help to her in the accomplishment of 
 her wishes. Accordingly, the most clever master- thief in 
 the country was sent for, and ordered to take Shabrang 
 and educate him in all the secrets of his art, and he was 
 promised a very handsome present when the youth should 
 be judged perfect. The thief said that he would try to 
 teach him thoroughly, and he had no doubt that in a few 
 months Shabrang would become an incomparable thief. 
 Within three months the master-thief returned with the 
 lad, and said that he had learnt remarkably quickly and 
 well, and that the princess would not find him wanting in 
 any respect. 
 
 " Well," said the princess, " I will examine him to see 
 whether it is as you say. If Shabrang can climb yonder 
 tree (which was an immense hum ^), and can take away 
 the hawk's egg from the nest without disturbing the hawk, 
 I shall be pleased." 
 
 " Go," said the master-thief, " and do your mother's 
 wish." 
 
 Away went Shabrang, climbed the lofty tree in a trice, 
 and so skilfully inserted his hand into the nest and under- 
 neath the hawk, and took away the egg, that the bird did 
 not notice anything, and remained quiet and still long 
 after Shabrang had descended and given the egg to his 
 mother.^ 
 
 " Clever ! well done I " she said. " But go you now, 
 
 B Persian, Chiniir, the Oriental i. pp. 14, 15. Cf. Grimm's House- 
 
 plane-tree, whioli was introduced hold Stories, the story ot "The Four 
 
 into the valley by the Musalinans Accomplished Brothers," p. 380 ; the 
 
 from the West. Cf. Elmslie'a Kash- same incident is also recorded in 
 
 mlH Vocabulary, p. 100. Shekh Niiru'ddin's Life, as told in 
 
 8 A dangerous game, vide the inte- the Bishindma (the principal original 
 
 resting episode narrated in the late work of the country). 
 Rev. Charles Kingsley's Memoirs, vol. 
 
SHABRANG, PRINCE AND THIEF. iii 
 
 Shabrang, and take that man's paydTiias from liim." She 
 pointed at a labourer who was on the way to his house. 
 
 Shabrang at once left, and running round a field, got 
 some distance in front of the man, and then sat down by 
 the path and looked most earnestly up at a tree. Pre- 
 sently the labourer came near, and being very curious 
 about what did not concern him, like the majority of 
 ignorant people, he asked, "What are you looking up 
 therefor?" 
 
 " wretched fellow that I am ! " replied Shabrang, as- 
 suming a most pitiful expression. "My beautiful coral 
 necklace is on the top of this tree. I was playing 
 with it, and accidentally slung it up there. Will you 
 please fetch it for me ? I promise to give you two rupees 
 Idkhshish." 
 
 " Oh yes," said the labourer, and immediately swung 
 himself on to the lowest branch of the tree, and climbed 
 higher and higher in the direction indicated by Shabrang. 
 Shabrang thought that he would surely have taken off his 
 paijdmas before climbing ; but the labourer refused to do 
 this, saying that there was no need. So now Shabrang 
 knew not what to do. He could not return to his mother 
 empty-handed. His wits, however, did not fail him. He 
 found a reed, and putting one end of it by an ant-hole, 
 soon had it filled with those insects. Then, taking the 
 reed, he climbed the tree after the labourer, till he 
 got within a yard or two of him. The labourer did not 
 notice him, because of the dense foliage and the noise of 
 the wind and birds. Seeing his opportunity, Shabrang 
 put the reed to his mouth, and blew with all his strength 
 against the man's paijdmas. In a minute or two the poor 
 labourer was itching terribly, and looking down, saw that 
 the whole of the lower part of his body was covered with 
 ants. He supposed that he must have rubbed by one of 
 the holes of these insects in climbing. At all events they 
 were there, and he had to unfasten his girdle, and pulling 
 off his paijdmas, throw them out on to the ground. 
 
112 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 Happy Shabrang ! As quickly as possible he descended, 
 picked up the paijdmas, and went to his mother. 
 
 The princess was astonished. " You have been well 
 taught. I do not fear for you now," she said ; and then 
 turning to the master-thief, she gave him a handsome 
 present and dismissed him. 
 
 One morning, not long after this, while Shabrang was 
 playing with other youths in the palace-garden, one of the 
 company twitted him about his illegitimate birth. Very 
 much surprised and annoyed, Shabrang immediately left 
 the game and ran to his mother. " Mother, mother, tell 
 me of my father," he cried, almost breathless. 
 
 " My boy," she replied, " you are the son of the king of 
 Kashmir, to whom I was duly married, but by whom I 
 have been most cruelly deserted." ^ 
 
 " Dear mother," said Shabrang, " why did you not tell 
 me this before ? And why doesn't my grandfather avenge 
 this insult at the point of the sword ? " 
 
 "Be not hasty," the princess answered. "To wound 
 and to slay are not necessary, if other means are at hand. 
 You are a sharp and clever boy. Go to your father's 
 country, and so ingratiate yourself in the king's favour 
 that he will promote you to high office, and offer you his 
 own daughter in marriage. When matters reach this 
 stage send for me, and then I will give answer to the king 
 whereby he will be convinced of his wrong, and perhaps 
 restore his banished wife and place his brave and clever 
 son on the throne." 
 
 " Good," said the youth ; " I will struggle hard to do 
 this." 
 
 As quickly as possible Shabrang started for Kashmir. 
 On arrival the first thing he did was to make friends with 
 the king's doorkeeper.* This friendship increased, until 
 the doorkeeper liked Shabrang so much, that he would 
 do anything for him. One day he asked him whether he 
 
 ' Cf. atoiy of Nfiru'ddin 'Ali and ' A most important personage, vide 
 Badru'ddin Hasan in The Arabian note to " GuUai4 Shih'a " story. 
 Nights. 
 
SHABRANG, PRINCE AND THIEF. 113 
 
 V 
 
 wished for employment in the state, and how he would 
 like to serve in the king's palace. Shabrang thanked 
 him, and replied that he should be very happy to under- 
 take some definite work. And so the doorkeeper intro- 
 duced his friend to the king, and spoke most eloquently 
 of his skill and wisdom and general fitness for any im- 
 portant work that His Majesty might be pleased to grant 
 him. The king was satisfied with Shabrang's appearance 
 and manner and speech, and at once appointed him one 
 of the royal attendants, in which position Shabrang quickly 
 prospered, and became most popular with the king and 
 every one. 
 
 After a time he thought he would put to the test the 
 training which he had received from the master-thief. 
 So every alternate night, and sometimes every night, he 
 went on stealing expeditions. He stole here and there 
 about the city, wherever he found opportunity, and hid 
 all the ill-gotten things in a pit in a field. However, 
 this did not interfere with his regular work. Every 
 morning he was always most punctual at his post. 
 
 By-and-by so many people losing their |money and 
 valuables, and no traces of the thief being discovered, a 
 public petition was got ready and presented to the king, 
 praying him to use all endeavours for the discovery and 
 punishment of the thief. 
 
 His Majesty was much grieved to hear this news. He 
 called the deputy - inspector,' and severely upbraiding 
 him for the inefficient state of the police, ordered him, 
 on pain of the royal displeasure, to find the offender. 
 The deputy-inspector said that he was very sorry, and 
 promised to do all he possibly could. 
 
 That night he made special efforts for the capture of 
 the thief. Policemen were stationed in every street and 
 lane, and were given strict orders to watch ; the deputy- 
 inspector, also, spent the night walking about. Notwith- 
 standing all these arrangements Shabrang went to three 
 or four places, stole as much as he had a mind to, hid 
 
 » Called ko{wdl or kutawdl, the chief polioe-ofBcer in the city. 
 
 H 
 
114 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 what he had stolen in the pit in the field, and then 
 returned to the palace. 
 
 The following day the people belonging to these three 
 or four houses went to the king and complained that 
 they had lost certain goods during the night. The king 
 was much enraged. When the deputy-inspector saw His 
 Majesty's great anger, he fell down on his knees and 
 hegged for mercy and justice. 
 
 " Be pleased to listen, king, to your servant's words. 
 I and all the police spent the whole night on patrol. 
 Not one of us has slept for a moment. Every street and 
 every corner of the city have been thoroughly guarded. 
 How, then, can these things have happened ? " 
 
 The king was much astonished. "Perhaps," said he, 
 " the people have a grudge against you, or perhaps some 
 of your men are thieves ; or it may be that some servants 
 in the different houses have arranged among themselves 
 to do this thing. Howsoever it may be, I expect you to 
 discover the offenders, and to bring them before me ; and 
 I give you a full week for this business." 
 
 During these seven days and nights the deputy- 
 inspector tried all manner of means to get some clue of 
 the thief. He disguised himself in various dresses ; he 
 had several of his men disguised also; he offered great 
 bribes for any information; he promised the thief or 
 thieves the royal pardon if they would confess and desist ; 
 and he advertised in all places that the State would honour 
 and protect the man who should discover the thief, so that 
 no person might fear to reveal the matter. But all was 
 in vain. The thief was not discovered, although he was 
 stealing all this time, and even more than before. These 
 extra measures for his capture put Shabrang rather on his 
 mettle, and excited him to dare yet greater things. 
 
 The city was much disturbed. Everybody, from the 
 king himself down to the most menial subject, was in 
 constant fear of being robbed. By day and by night, 
 alihough every one kept a most careful watch over his 
 property, yet nobody felt safe. 
 
SHABRANG, PRINCE AND THIEF. 115 
 
 "What can be done?" inquired the deputy-inspector 
 on the evening of the seventh day. " No person can do 
 more than has already been done." 
 
 " True," replied the king ; " but take you the army also, 
 and order them as you will." 
 
 So on the seventh night soldiers as well as the police 
 were posted at near distances from one another all over 
 the city, and ordered to watch as for their own lives. 
 The deputy-inspector also walked about the whole night 
 supervising matters. In the midst of his peregrinations he 
 saw a figure moving stealthily along in a garden by the river- 
 side. " A thief, a thief ! " he shouted, and rushed up to it. 
 
 "Nay, nay," was the reply; "I am a poor gardener's 
 wife, and have come hither to draw water." 
 
 "Strange time to fetch water," said the deputy- 
 inspector. " Why did you not get it before ? " 
 
 " I was too busy," was the reply. 
 
 Then said the deputy-inspector, " Have you seen or 
 heard anything of the thief ? " 
 
 " Yes, yes ; but I was afraid to give any alarm, lest the 
 man should strike me. He has just been along here and 
 taken a lot of my hdJc}'* If you can wait a little you may 
 catch him, as he is most likely to come by here again. 
 He came from that quarter, and he has gone over there." 
 
 " Good news, good news, good news ! " said the deputy- 
 inspector ; " but how can I catch him ? There is not a bush 
 here to hide one ; and seeing me, he will run off." 
 
 " Put on my old pheranP- and pretend you are drawing 
 
 1" Vegetables. resistance offered by them to his 
 
 ^1 Pheran (Pers. Plrdhan) is the general, Qfcim Kh4n, endeavoured to 
 
 chief garment worn by the Kashmiri, unman and degrade the people of this 
 
 male or female, Pandit or MusalraS.n. country. And so he ordered them, 
 
 Its shape is not unlike a stout night- on pain of death, to wear pherans, 
 
 gown, but with sleeves very often which have effeminated them, and 
 
 half a yard wide and two or three hindered them in battle and in all 
 
 yards long. The women's sleeves are manly exercises. Before Akbar's 
 
 generally larger than the men's, time they all wore coats, vests, and 
 
 These pherans are made in all colours trousers, like we do. Bates' Gazetteer, 
 
 and in all kinds of cloth. Kashmiris I believe, has a short article on the 
 
 have a story that the Emperor Akbar, subject. Cf. also Vigne's Travels m 
 
 enraged at the brave and prolonged Kashmir, vol. ii. p. 142. 
 
ii6 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 water. He is almost certaia to come and take the rest of 
 my hdJc, and then you can go up to him and seize him." 
 
 Now the deputy-inspector did not like the idea- of 
 "going up " to a man of that character. However, he took 
 the pheran, and asked to be shown how to draw water. 
 The gardener's wife tied him to the weighted end of the 
 beam, which acted as a lever for drawing up the water, 
 and then told him to pull the string that was attached 
 to the other end.^^ He did so, and as will be supposed, 
 was carried up some twenty feet into the air. Then the 
 gardener's wife fastened the down end of the beam to a 
 peg in the ground, and taking up his clothes, left him. 
 
 " Oh, oh ! " exclaimed the deputy-inspector. 
 
 " Be quiet," said the gardener's wife on going away, " or 
 the thief will hear you and not come this way. Keep 
 quiet. You need not fear. The beam will not come 
 down of itself. When the thief is coming I will let you 
 down, and then you can catch him." 
 
 Within half an hour Shabrang (the gardener's wife !) 
 was sleeping in his bed. Within half an hour, also, there 
 being no sign of a second visit from the thief that night, the 
 deputy-inspector asked to be let down. But he received 
 no answer. 
 
 "Oh, let me down!" he shouted, thinking that the gar- 
 dener's wife had fallen asleep ; " let me down, for the thief 
 is not coming here again to-night. Let me down ; the wind 
 is blowing cold. What am I doing here, while the thief 
 is probably stealing in another place ? " Still no answer. 
 
 Then he shouted again, and threatened the gardener's 
 wife with heavy punishment, pretending that he knew her 
 name and her house. But still there was no reply. 
 
 " Alas ! " he cried at last, " what trickery is this ? The 
 wife of the gardener can be no other than the thief, and 
 the blackguard has fastened me up here ! " 
 
 •2 Tul is a contrivance consisting of to the other end, with a vessel full 
 
 a long wooden pole, so placed upon of water. It is employed in raising 
 
 anotlier fixed perpendicular pole that water out of a stream or well, 
 one end shall be nearly equal in weight 
 
SHABRANG, PRINCE AND THIEF. 117 
 
 Early the next morning other people complained to 
 the king that their property had been stolen. His 
 Majesty sent for the deputy-inspector to know what he 
 had done during the night; but the deputy-inspector was 
 not at home, and had not been to his house since the 
 previous evening. So the messenger went all over the 
 city hunting for him. At length he came by the garden 
 where the deputy-inspector had unfortunately entered, and 
 there found the poor wretched man, dressed in a woman's 
 pheran, sitting across the raised end of a well-beam, and 
 almost frozen with the cold. Lest the king should not 
 believe him, he begged His Majesty to come and see for 
 himself what had happened to the deputy-inspector. The 
 king went, and when he saw the man he could not refrain 
 from laughing — his position was so ridiculous. 
 
 As soon as the deputy-inspector's feet touched the 
 ground, he explained to the king how it had all happened, 
 and entreated him to take away his life, as he did not 
 care to live. 
 
 " What shall we do ? " inquired the king of his chief 
 wazir. "A great and terrible calamity will happen to 
 our country if it is not soon rid of this thief. How can it 
 be averted ? The people will not suffer the loss of their 
 goods much longer. Eather than live in this dreadful 
 uncertainty they will quit the country," 
 
 " This cannot and shall not be," replied the wazir. " If 
 Your Majesty will allow me, I will go this night and 
 search for the disturber of our peace." 
 
 The king assented. Just as it was beginning to get 
 dark the wazir mounted his horse and set out. Shabrang, 
 the thief, also went out, and in a little while appeared as 
 a poor mtosalmdni, wearing a ragged plieran and a greasy 
 red kasAha^^ over which a dirty ^life" was carelessly 
 thrown. He sat at the door of a mud hut, and ground 
 
 '3 Kasdba, a small red cap worn by is allowed to hang almost down to 
 
 Kashmiri musalmAnis. the heels of Kashmiri musalmftn 
 
 '< pats, a piece of cotton cloth womeu. 
 which is thrown over the head, and 
 
ii8 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 maize by the dim light of a little oil lamp, that ■was fixed 
 in the wall just behind. It came to pass, as Shabrang 
 quite expected, that the wazir arrived at the place, and 
 attracted by the sound of the grinding, drew up his horse, 
 and asked who was there. 
 
 "An old woman," was the answer. "I am grinding 
 maize ; " and then, as if observing for the first time that 
 the rider was the wazir, she said in a most piteous tone, 
 " Oh, sir, if you could catch the thief ! A man has just 
 been here and beat me, and taken away nearly all the 
 maize which I had ground for my dinner." 
 
 " A thief — what ! — where ! Tell me who it is. In 
 what direction has he gone 1 " 
 
 " There, down there," pointing to the bottom of the hill. 
 The wazir rode off and explored the neighbourhood, but 
 found not a trace of the thief, and therefore came back 
 again to the old woman to inquire further. 
 
 "I have told you everything," she replied; "but what 
 is the good ? Dressed as you are, and riding on a grand 
 horse, you will never catch the thief. Will you listen to 
 the advice of an old woman ? Change places with me. 
 Change clothes with me. You stay here, and I will go 
 quietly in search of the fellow. You remain here and 
 grind some maize. He may come by again, and then you 
 can catch him." 
 
 The plan seemed good, and so the wazir agreed. 
 Presently Shabrang, dressed as a grand wazir, and 
 mounted on a most beautiful horse, might have been seen 
 riding through the Mzdr of the city. An hour or so after 
 he might have been seen talking with some other of the 
 king's attendants in the court of the palace. 
 
 The next morning several other people came weeping 
 
 and complaining to the king about the loss of their pro^ 
 
 perty. Some had lost money, others jewels, others grain. 
 
 " Sorrows, a hundred sorrows ! What shall we do ? 
 
 Call the wazir," cried the king. 
 
 A messenger was at once despatched to the wazir's 
 
SHABRANG, PRINCE AND THIEF. 119 
 
 house, where it was heard that the wazir's horse had 
 arrived without its rider; and, consequently, the whole 
 family were almost mad with anxiety, supposing that the 
 wazir had met with the thief and had been slaiu by him. 
 
 When His Majesty heard this he was terribly grieved. 
 
 Ordering his horse, he bade some of his attendants — 
 Shabrang among the number — to accompany him at once 
 in search of the wazir. "It cannot be," he added, "that 
 one so wise and faithful should perish in this way." In 
 an hour or so, as the company were passing the little mud 
 hut, they found the missing wazir, dressed in all the dirty, 
 greasy rags of a poor musalmdni, and weeping most 
 pitifully. 
 
 " Tour Majesty, please go, please go," he cried. " Look 
 not on my shame. I can never lift up my face in this 
 country again ! " 
 
 " Not so," said the king. " Courage ! We shall yet 
 find the man who has thus disturbed our country and 
 disgraced our ivazir." His Majesty then ordered the wazir 
 to be taken to his house. 
 
 For the next night the thdnaddr'^^ offered to super- 
 intend arrangements, and notwithstanding his subordinate 
 position, was accepted by the king. 
 
 That night Shabrang disguised himself as the wazir's 
 daughter, and waited in the wazir's garden, hoping that 
 the thdnaddr would reach the place some time during the 
 early part of the night. He was not disappointed. Just 
 before khujahtan^^ the thdnaddr passed that way, and, 
 seeing somebody walking about the garden, he inquired 
 who it was. 
 
 "The wazir's daughter," was the answer. "What are 
 you looking for ? " 
 
 " The thief," said the thdnaddr. Yesterday he disgraced 
 your father, and before that the deputy-inspector; and 
 now to-night I am trying my fortune." 
 
 15 The chief magistrate of a parffana (a district). 
 
 " Eliuphtan (Pera. khuftan, to sleep), 9 P.M.-io p.m. Bedtime. 
 
120 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 "Well, what would you do with the man if you got 
 him?" 
 
 " I'd put him in the prison in chains, and flog him every 
 day as hard as the blackguard could bear it." 
 
 " Oh, let me see the prison ! " said the girl. " I've often 
 wished to see it, but my father never would let me. Now 
 is my opportunity. It is not far. I should so like to see 
 the place ! " 
 
 "You must wait for another time. I haven't leisure 
 now. And besides, your father would be angry if he 
 knew that you were outside the garden at this late hour." 
 
 " He will never know," replied the girl. " He is ill. 
 He was brought home ill yesterday. Make haste. I am 
 coming ! " 
 
 Thus constrained, the thdnaddr led the way to the 
 prison. Only one policeman was on guard there, as all 
 the rest had been ordered out to find the thief. At the 
 girl's request the thdnaddr showed her everything. He 
 even put on the chains, and went within the cell and 
 showed her how the thief would fare if he were caught 
 and put in the prison. Then Shabrang (the wazir's 
 daughter !) gave the thdnaddr a push and sent him 
 toppling, and closed the door of the cell ; and taking off 
 the girl's dress, he put on the thdnaddr's turban and 
 fastened the thdnaddr's belt round his waist, and went 
 straight to the thdnaddr's house. Speaking hurriedly to 
 the thdnaddr's wife, he said, " Give me some money and 
 the jewels. I must leave the city and seek a living 
 elsewhere. I have failed to find the thief, and therefore 
 the king will no more favour me. Let me have these 
 things and go. I will send you word where I am, and 
 how and when you are to come to me." 
 
 The woman immediately gave him the jewels and 
 several hundred rupees in cash. Shabrang then kissed 
 her and went. 
 
 The following morning the king sent for the thdnaddr, 
 and not finding him at home, caused search to be made 
 
SHABRANG, PRINCE AND THIEF. 12 1 
 
 for him throughout the city. Great was His Majesty's 
 astonishment when he heard that the thdnaddr had been 
 put into chains and placed within the innermost prison, 
 and that the thief had visited the thdnaddr's house and 
 obtained all the family jewels and the greater part of their 
 savings. He called an assembly of all the wise men in 
 his country to confer with them as to what should be 
 done under the present distress. "You see," he said, 
 " that it is useless to try and catch the thief. We may as 
 well try to lay hold of the wind. The whole of the 
 police and the greater part of the army have been watch- 
 ing for several days. Everybody has been on the alert. 
 For the last week several in each house have always been 
 awake. Greater precaution there could not have been, 
 and yet the people are robbed. Our wazir and deputy- 
 inspector and one of our thdnaddrs have been made 
 laughing-stocks in the city. What can we do ? If 
 any person can help us, or if the thief himself will 
 confess and promise to eschew his evil ways, we will 
 give him our daughter in marriage and the half of our 
 country." 
 
 On this Shabrang stepped forward and asked His 
 Majesty's permission to speak. " king, you have pro- 
 mised before all the great and wise in your land to give 
 your daughter and the half of your country to the thief if 
 he will only confess and desist from stealing." 
 
 " Yes," said His Majesty. 
 
 " Then know you, king, that I am the thief ; and to 
 prove my words, let Your Majesty be pleased to command 
 all those who have lost any money or property of any 
 kind during the last few weeks to attend at a certain 
 place outside the city on the morrow, and T wiU give them 
 back their goods." 
 
 The whole assembly was electrified with astonishment. 
 People stared at Shabrang as though he were a god. 
 Some thought that he was mad and knew not what 
 he said. At length, after some moments' dead pause, 
 
122 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 the king spoke and said, "It is well; it shall be so. 
 Shabrang, attend me." 
 
 The king left with Shabrang, and the assembly was dis- 
 missed. In private His Majesty repeated his promise, and 
 said that arrangements for the wedding and for the hand- 
 ing over of half of the country would be made as soon 
 as possible.^' 
 
 On the morrow all who had been robbed of anything 
 gathered together in a large field by the wall of the city, 
 and there, in the presence of the king and his wazirs, 
 Shabrang restored all the money and jewels and clothes 
 that he had taken. Everybody went away pleased, and 
 there was peace again in the land. 
 
 On returning to the palace Shabrang begged the king 
 to permit him to send for his mother, that he might get 
 her counsel and help concerning the marriage. The king 
 agreed, and Shabrang's mother was sent for. 
 
 She arrived as quickly as she could, and at once had an 
 interview with the king. His Majesty received her most 
 graciously, and expressed himself as most glad to be able 
 to give his daughter to one so clever and handsome and 
 well-bred as her son. 
 
 " Your Majesty speaks kindly," she replied, " but this 
 marriage cannot be. It is not lawful to marry one's son 
 with one's daughter. A brother cannot marry his own 
 sister." 
 
 " I do not understand you," said the king. 
 
 " And no wonder," was the reply, " for you do not re- 
 member me ; but this ring and this handkerchief will 
 remind you of me. Take them, please, for they are yours, 
 and give me back the ring which I gave you in exchange." 
 
 She then told him everything — how that she was his 
 lawful wife ; and how that, because he had forsaken her, 
 she had visited him in disguise ; and how that Shabrang 
 
 vr Qf " The Clever Thief," in Tiftc- the king promises his daughter's 
 tan Tales, p. 43. In a story also hand to the robher, ■who- reveals him- 
 told by Herodotus (Bk. II. ch. cxxi.), self and receives the princess. 
 
SHABRANG, PRINCE AND THIEF. 123 
 
 had been born to bim ; and how, when he had grown up, 
 she had prevailed on him to go to the Kashmir court. 
 Now was fulfilled what she spoke to him that day when 
 they first met in her father's garden — " A boy should marry 
 his father's daughter." 
 
 Then and there the king of Kashmir was reconciled to 
 his wife, and Shabrang was acknowledged as prince and 
 heir to the throne. Henceforth all three lived together 
 for many many years in great joy and happiness." '^ 
 
 '' Ct. the twelfth story of the il/otda- Herodotus, vide Orientalist, vol. u. 
 
 ndkamdrdjankadai [The Dravidian p. 168. 
 
 Nights) for a parallel tale ; the com- Kashmiris tell many such tales of 
 
 mencement of the thirteenth tale of L£iiq Tsiir, and his companion Kabir 
 
 the £aitai PacAisS ; the story of " The 2'sur, and pupil Mahddev Bishta. 
 
 Master Thief" in Norse Tales; Ti- who is now alive in Srinagar jaiL 
 
 betan Tales, p. 43 ; Orientalist, vol. Compare also several incidents in the 
 
 iL Part iii.-iv. p. 48, and Part ix.-x. history of SheAA Nfiru'ddin as given 
 
 p. 167. The tale probably came from in the Sishindma. 
 
( 124 ) 
 
 THE TROUBLESOME FRIEND} 
 
 A MUQADDAM ^ became very friendly with another man of 
 his village, who eventually proved to be such a mercenary 
 individual that he determined to get rid of him. But this 
 was easier said than done, for a very close friendship had 
 sprung up between them, and he did not wish to seriously 
 offend the fellow, as he had revealed to him too much of 
 his own private affairs. 
 
 At last he hit on the following plan : — " Wife," said he, 
 " this man will certainly call just as we are sitting down 
 to dinner, in the hope that he also will get something to 
 eat. I will go out now, but will come back later on to 
 eat my food. You have a little, and put the rest aside, 
 and when he comes tell him that we have finished our 
 meal. If he says, 'Never mind. You can cook some- 
 thing else for me,' tell him that you dare not do so 
 shameful a thing without your husband's permission. Be 
 very civU. to him, but do not give him any food." 
 
 When the man came the woman did as her husband 
 had advised. "I am sorry, sir," she said, "that the 
 muqaddam is out. If he were here he would undoubtedly 
 kill a cock for you." 
 
 " Why are you sorry ? " he said. " It does not matter if 
 your husband is out. I am here, and I am not ashamed 
 to kill a cock." 
 
 " Never," said the woman. " If my husband heard of 
 such a thing he would be very angry with me. Please do 
 
 1 Narrator's name, a shawl-weaver mvqaddams and the officers immedi- 
 living in Srinagar. ately above them are the real oppres- 
 
 " The chief man of a village. These sors of the people in the valley. 
 
THE TROUBLESOME FRIEND. 125 
 
 not bother; but go, and come again at some other time 
 when the muqaddam is in." 
 
 However, the man was not to be put off so easily. 
 " Bother ! " said he. " Believe me, I shall really like to do 
 a little work. Come now, let me kill a cock while you pre- 
 pare a fire to cook it for me. I will explain matters to the 
 muqaddam when he returns." Saying this, he walked out 
 into the yard where the fowls were kept, and taking one 
 of the finest cocks he could catch, proceeded to kill it. 
 
 " Oh, please do not," cried the woman. " My husband 
 will be here soon, and will get some food for you." 
 
 But the man was not to be put off. He at once 
 killed a cock, and handing it to the woman, asked her 
 to cook it for him. Seeing no way of escape out of the 
 difficulty, the woman obeyed, but before the meal was 
 ready the muqaddam returned. 
 
 " Saldm, saldm," he said to his friend, and after the few 
 usual questions concerning his health and affairs, rushed 
 to the kitchen and asked his wife what she had done. 
 She told him everything. 
 
 " Very well," he said. " It is not of much consequence. 
 We will get the better of this man yet. Listen, — when 
 the cock is ready, mind you give him only a little, but 
 give it in the copper pot.* Give me the rest, but set it 
 before me in the earthen pot." 
 
 As soon as the meal was ready the woman did so. 
 However, the man was too sharp for them. He noticed 
 the meagre quantity placed before him, and the abund- 
 ance that was set before the muqaddam. " No, no," he 
 said. " Do you think that I am going to eat out of this 
 copper pot and you out of that earthen pot ? Never ! This 
 cannot be." Thus saying, he seized the muqaddam's pot, 
 and put the copper one before him instead. In vain all 
 remonstrance from the muqaddam. The latter might as 
 well have held his breath. 
 
 > Kaahmlri, tr&m, a copper vessel Hindlid do not make use of vessels 
 out of which the Musalm&ns eat. made of this metal. 
 
126 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 Seeing the state of affairs, the muqaddam looked most 
 significantly towards his wife, and said, " For several days 
 a dev has haunted our house. Once or twice he has ap- 
 peared about this time and put out all the lights." 
 
 " Indeed," said the visitor. 
 
 The woman took the hint, and at once extinguished the 
 lamp. When all was in total darkness the muqaddam put 
 out his hand to take the earthenware pot from his friend ; 
 but the friend perceived the movement, and placing the 
 pot in his left hand, seized the lamp-stand with the other 
 and began to beat the muqaddam most unmercifully. 
 
 " Oh ! oh ! " exclaimed the muqaddam. 
 
 " What are you doing to my husband ? " shouted the 
 woman. 
 
 "The dev is trying to steal my food," said the man. 
 " Be careful. Be careful ! " he shouted to the supposed 
 dev, and each time he struck him as hard as he could with 
 the lamp-stand. At last the lamp-stand was broken, and 
 the man ran out of the door, taking good care to carry the 
 earthenware pot and its contents with him.* 
 
 * Compare the story of "Vidamun- 78. Cf. also Sinhalese story in The 
 clan Kodamundan " from Madras, Orientalist, vol. ii. p. 147. 
 Indian Antiquary, vol. liv. pp. 77, 
 
( 127 ) 
 
 THE WICKED STEPMOTHER.^ 
 
 One day a Brahman adjured his wife not to eat anything 
 without him lest she should become a she-goat. In reply 
 the Brahmani begged him not to eat anything without 
 her, lest he should he changed into a tiger. A long time 
 passed by and neither of them broke their word, till one 
 day the Brahmanf, while giving food to her children, her- 
 self took a little to taste ; and her husband was not present. 
 That very moment she was changed into a goat. 
 
 When the Brahman came home and saw the she-goat 
 running about the house he was intensely grieved, because 
 he knew that it was none other than his own beloved 
 wife. He kept the goat tied up in the yard of his house, 
 and tended it very carefully. 
 
 In a few years he married again, but this wife was not 
 kind to the children. She at once took a dislike to them, 
 and treated them unkindly and gave them little food. 
 Their mother, the she-goat, heard their complainings, and 
 noticed that they were getting thin, and therefore called 
 one of them to her secretly, and bade the child tell the 
 others to strike her horns with a stick whenever they 
 were very hungry, and some food would fall down for 
 them. They did so, and instead of getting weaker and 
 thinner, as their stepmother had expected, they became 
 stronger and stronger. She was surprised to see them 
 getting so fat and strong while she was giving them so 
 little food. 
 
 In course of time a one-eyed daughter was born to 
 this wicked woman. She loved the girl with all her 
 
 ' Narrator's name, Shiva Bayti, Renawari, Srinagar. 
 
128 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 heart, and grudged not any expense or attention that she 
 thought the child required. One day, when the girl had 
 grown quite big and could walk and talk well, her mother 
 sent her to play with the other children, and ordered her 
 to notice how and whence they obtained anything to eat. 
 The girl promised to do so, and most rigidly stayed by 
 them the whole day, and saw all that happened. 
 
 On hearing that the goat supplied her step-children 
 with food the woman got very angry, and determined to 
 kill the beast as soon as possible. She pretended to be 
 very ill, and sending for the hakim, bribed him to pre- 
 scribe some goat's flesh for her. The Brahman was very 
 anxious about his wife's state, and although he grieved 
 to have to slay the goat (for he was obliged to kill the 
 goat, not having money to purchase another), yet he did 
 not mind if his wife really recovered. But the little 
 children wept when they heard this, and went to their 
 mother, the she-goat, in great distress, and told her every- 
 thing. 
 
 " Do not weep, my darlings," she said. " It is much 
 better for me to die than to live such a life as this. Do not 
 weep. I have no fear concerning you. Food will be pro- 
 vided for you, if you will attend to my instructions. Be 
 sure to gather my bones, and bury them all together in some 
 secret place, and whenever you are very hungry go to that 
 place and ask for food. Food will then be given you." 
 
 The poor she-goat gave this advice only just in time. 
 Scarcely had it finished these words and the children had 
 departed than the butcher came with a knife and slew it. 
 Its body was cut into pieces and cooked, and the step- 
 mother had the meat, but the step-children got the bones. 
 They did with them as they had been directed, and thus 
 got food regularly and in abundance. 
 
 Some time after the death of the she-goat one morning 
 one of the step-daughters was washing her face in the 
 stream that ran by the house, when her nose-ring un- 
 fastened and fell into the water. A fish happened to see 
 
THE WICKED STEPMOTHER. 
 
 129 
 
 it and swallowed it, and tliis fish was caught by a man 
 and sold to the king's cook for His Majesty's dinner.^ 
 Great was the surprise of the cook when, on opening the 
 fish to clean it, he found the nose-ring. He took it to 
 the king, who was so interested in ic that he issued 
 a proclamation and sent it to every town and village in 
 liis dominions, that whosoever had nussed a nose-ring 
 should apply to him. Within a few days the brother of 
 the girl reported to the king that the nose-ring belonged 
 to his sister, who had lost it one day while bathing her 
 face in the river. The king ordered the girl to appear 
 before him, and was so fascinated by her pretty face and 
 nice manner that he married her, and provided amply for 
 the support of her family." * 
 
 2 Cf. story ot "True Friendship" 
 in this collection. 
 
 s Cf. Servian story in Vuk Kara- 
 jick, No. 32 ; a Greek variant of the 
 »tory (Hahn, No. 2) ; the Sicilian tiile 
 (Pitri, No. 4r). This story evidently 
 belongs to the " CindereUa " cycle. 
 Vide Professor Balston's interesting 
 
 paper in the Nineteenth Century, 
 xxxiii. pp. 832-854. One of the most 
 significant features of these stories is 
 that which refers to the dead mother*s 
 guardianship of her distressed chil- 
 dren. " The idea that such a protec- 
 tion might be exercised is of great 
 antiquity and of wide circulation." 
 
( 13° ) 
 
 TRUE FRIENDSHIP.^ 
 
 A KING and his chief wazir were in great trouble. Neither 
 of them had been blest with a son. 
 
 A like trouble had bound the king and wazir very much 
 together. They appeared happy only in one another's 
 society. Very rarely were they to be seen separate. 
 Where the king was, there the wazir also would certainly 
 be ; and where the wazir was, there the king also would 
 assuredly be found. One morning they went hunting 
 together in a jungle, where they came across a gosdin 
 squatting before a fire and evidently worshipping, for he 
 did not look up or in any way notice his illustrious 
 visitors. 
 
 "Let us speak to him," said the king. "Maybe the 
 good man will do something for us." Accordingly they 
 both prostrated themselves before the man and told him 
 all their trouble. 
 
 " Grieve not," replied the gosdin, still bending down his 
 head, " grieve not. Take these two mangoes, and give one 
 to one wife, and the other to the other wife, and bid them 
 eat. Then they each shall bear a son." 
 
 Thanking the gosdin, the king and the wazir returned 
 and carried out his instructions ; and in the course of nine 
 months and nine days their wives gave birth to two fine 
 boys. What rejoicings there were in the palace, and in 
 the wazir's house, and in the city, and in all the country 
 round when these two boys were born ! Gifts were 
 lavished without measure on the brahmans, the poor 
 were feasted everywhere, and all prisoners were re- 
 
 ' NaiTator's name, Shiva B&yii, Besaw&ri, Srinagar. 
 
TRUE FRIENDSHIP. 13I 
 
 leased. Never was there such a time known in the land 
 before. 
 
 As will be supposed, great care was bestowed on the 
 young scions of such noble houses. While they were 
 infants they were attended to by several experienced 
 ddis, and when they were of an age to learn they were 
 instructed by the best masters. No pains or money were 
 spared to make them proficient in every way ; and so 
 much did they profit with all these advantages, that they 
 both became prodigies in learning and prowess and art. 
 
 Like their fathers, they too became much attached to 
 one another, and were generally to be found together. 
 One day they went together to a certain jungle to hunt. 
 They rode about the place for several hours, till the prince 
 becoming very tired and thirsty, they dismounted. The 
 horses were fastened to a tree, and the prince sat down by 
 them, while the wazir's son went in quest of water. He 
 quickly found a stream, and forgetting the prince, started 
 off to discover its source. He went on a mile or so, till 
 he came to a little spring, where he beheld a lovely fairy 
 reclining beside a great lion. He noticed, too, that the 
 beast seemed afraid of the fairy. Surprised at this strange 
 sight he immediately turned and ran back to the prince 
 as fast as he could, taking with him a little water on the 
 way. 
 
 "Where have you been so long? Why do you look 
 so? What has happened?" inquired the prince when 
 the wazir's son appeared. 
 
 " Oh ! nothing," replied the wazir's son. 
 
 "But something has occurred," persisted the prince. 
 " I can see it in your face." 
 
 " brother," replied the wazir's son, " I have seen the 
 most lovely creature in the world, and a lion was by her 
 side, and the animal seemed afraid of her, — such was the 
 power of her beauty." 
 
 "I also would like to see this woman. Come along, 
 take me to her," said the prince. 
 
132 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 The wazir's son agreed. So they both went together to 
 the place, and found the lion asleep, with its head in the 
 fairy's lap. 
 
 "Don't he afraid," said the wazir's son. "Let us go 
 right up and seize the woman while the beast is sleeping." 
 
 They both went close up, and the wazir's son raised the 
 lion's head and laid it on the ground, while the prince 
 took the fairy's hand and led her away. The wazir's son 
 remained. 
 
 When the lion awoke, and saw nobody there except the 
 wazir's son, it said, " What has become of the fairy ? " 
 
 " My friend has taken her away," replied the wazir's son. 
 
 " Your friend ? " repeated the lion. " Is he your friend 
 who has left you to die alone ? Surely such a one is your 
 most bitter enemy. No real friend would act like this. 
 Listen to me, and I will tell you a story of some true 
 friends : — 
 
 " Once upon a time there were three friends ; one was a 
 prince, the other was a brahman, and the third was a car- 
 penter.^ Each of them had some special gift. The prince 
 was well qualified in settling hard and difficult disputes ; 
 the brahman could raise the dead to life again ; and the 
 carpenter could make a house of sandal wood that would 
 go here and there at the command of its owner. 
 
 "One day the brahman was banished from his home. 
 Something unpleasant had cropped up between him and 
 his parents ; so the latter turned him away. In the hour 
 of his distress he sought his two friends, and told them 
 everything, and entreated them to depart with him to 
 some distant country. The prince and the carpenter 
 both agreed. Accordingly they all started together. They 
 had not gone far, when the prince for some reason or 
 other stopped. T^e others, however, proceeded on their 
 way. After a while the prince hastened forward, thinking 
 to overtake them ; but he unfortunately followed a wrong 
 path, and did not find them. On and on he went, how- 
 
 2 Cf. Wide-Awake Stories, pp. 48, 256 ; Bilochi Stories, p. 33. 
 
TRUE FRIENDSHIP. 133 
 
 ever, hoping to reach them, and wondering why they were 
 walking so fast. Meanwhile the brahman and the car- 
 penter were going on very slowly and wondering why the 
 prince lagged behind, till at last they gave him up, think- 
 ing that he had become home-sick and returned to the 
 palace. 
 
 " In the course of his wanderings the prince arrived at 
 an immense plain, in the midst of which was a grand and 
 lofty building. ' Who lives here ? ' thought he. ' Some 
 mighty potentate most assuredly. I will go and inquire.' 
 On entering the building a most beautiful woman came 
 forward to meet him. 
 
 " ' Come in,' she said in a most kindly tone, and began 
 to weep. 
 
 "'Why do you weep ?' he asked. 
 
 " ' Because,' she replied, ' your beauty and your youth 
 excite my compassion for you. In your ignorance you 
 have wandered to the gates of death. Oh ! why did you 
 not inquire before venturing on this journey? Knew you 
 not that a rdkshasa resides here, who has eaten every 
 human being for many a mile around ? Alas ! alas ! what 
 shall I say ? I am afraid that you too will be devoured 
 by him.' 
 
 "'No, no,' said the prince. ' Speak not so despondingly. 
 Advise me, please, and I shall be saved.' 
 
 " ' But I really do not know what to do for your safety,' 
 said the woman, and sobbed. At length, however, she led 
 him to a room at the back of the house, and shut him up 
 in a big box that was there. ' Now remain here quietly 
 till I come again,' she said, ' and may Parameshwar pre- 
 serve you.' 
 
 " In the evening the rdJcshasa returned. His keen sense 
 of smell soon detected the presence of another human 
 being in the place. 'Another person is here besides 
 yourself,' he said. ' Who is it ? Tell me quickly. I 
 am hungry.' 
 
 "'You cannot be very well to-day,' replied the woman. 
 
134 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 ' No person has been here. Who do you suppose would 
 dare to approach this place, which has become the terror 
 of all the world ? ' 
 
 "On this the rdkshasa was quiet; and the woman, seeing 
 the effect of her words, gained confidence and played with 
 him, and among other conversation asked him to inform 
 her of the secret of his life. ' You leave me every day,' 
 she said ; ' and when you go I know not when you will 
 return. I sometimes fear that you will never come back, 
 and then I — what shall I do ? whither shall I go ? The 
 people hate me for your sake, and will come and kill me. 
 Oh ! tell me that there is no cause for fear.' 
 
 " ' My darling,' said the rdkshasa, ' do not weep. I shall 
 never die. Except this pillar be broken,' pointing to one 
 of the massive pillars that supported the front verandah 
 of the building, 'I cannot die. But who is there that 
 knows this thing to do it ? ' 
 
 "The following morning the rdkshasa went forth as 
 usual, and directly he was out of sight the woman went 
 and released the prince, and related to him all the adven- 
 tures of the night. The prince was very glad when he 
 heard what had happened. ' Now is the time,' said he. 
 ' I will immediately destroy this pillar, and rid the land 
 of the monster.' Thus saying, he struck the pillar again 
 and again, till it was broken into several pieces ; and it 
 was as if each stroke had fallen on the rdkshasa, for he 
 howled most loudly and trembled exceedingly every 
 time the prince hit the pillar, until at last, when the 
 pillar fell down, the rdkshasa also fell down and gave up 
 the ghost. 
 
 "The prince stayed with the beautiful woman in the 
 grand house, and people came in crowds to thank him 
 for slaying the rdkshasa. Henceforth peace and plenty 
 reigned in the country. The surrounding land was again 
 cultivated, villages were again inhabited, and the air 
 was again filled with the songs of a happy and prosperous 
 people. But true happiness does not flow on in even 
 
TRUE FRIENDSHIP. 135 
 
 course for ever. One day the woman was arranging her 
 hair by a window of the house, when a crow flew down and 
 carried off the comb that she had placed on the sill. The 
 bird carried it far away to the sea and let it drop. There 
 it was swallowed by a big fish, and this fish chanced to be 
 caught by a fisherman, and being a fine fish, was carried 
 to the palace to be prepared for the king. In cleaning 
 the fish the comb was found. Thinking it very curious, 
 the cook showed it to the king. When His Majesty saw 
 the comb he expressed a great wish to behold its former 
 owner. He despatched messengers in every direction to 
 try to find the woman, and promised an immense reward 
 to any person who would bring her to him. After a while 
 a woman was found who recognised the comb, and pro- 
 mised to introduce the owner of it to the king as soon as 
 she could conveniently do so. She visited the wife of the 
 prince, and quickly contrived to ingratiate herself in her 
 favour. She got an invitation to come and stay at the 
 house altogether, which she accepted. When she saw 
 that she could not possibly accomplish her purpose so long 
 as the prince was alive she poisoned the prince, and 
 bribed the hakim to declare that he had died a natural 
 death. Oh how the wife of the prince grieved when he 
 died! People thought that she too would die. She 
 would not give up the corpse, but had it placed in a big 
 strong box and kept in her own private room. She had 
 often heard of her husband's two friends, and what they 
 could do, and hoped much to see them some day and get 
 her husband restored to life. 
 
 "At the earliest opportunity the wicked go-between 
 persuaded the woman to leave the house, the scene of 
 so much trouble, and to come and reside with her for a 
 time. The woman agreed. As soon as she had got her into 
 her house the go-between sent to the king and secretly 
 informed him of her success, whereupon His Majesty 
 came and took the woman away by force to his palace 
 and entreated her to live with him as his wife. She 
 
136 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 said that she would, but asked him to defer the marriage 
 for six months, because her religious adviser had per- 
 suaded her to do so. The king was intensely happy in 
 the thought of her affection, and waited anxiously for the 
 day. He had a little palace built expressly for her 
 near the roadside, and allowed her to live alone in it. 
 Meanwhile the woman was praying and longing for 
 some news of her deceased husband's friends. She 
 was inquiring everywhere, and was watching from her 
 window every day, lest peradventure they should pass 
 that way, 
 
 "One day she saw two men coming along together in 
 the direction of the house. ' Who are you, and whence 
 do you come ? ' she asked. 
 
 " ' We are travellers,' they said, ' and after much journey- 
 ing have reached this place. We have lost our prince and 
 friend, and are looking for him everywhere.' 
 
 " ' Come in,' she said, ' and rest a while. Come in and 
 tell me more of your friend who is lost. Perhaps I can 
 help you to find him.' 
 
 " ' Show us,' said they, ' where the prince is, and we 
 shall be happy.' So they both entered the palace, and 
 sitting down with the woman, told her all their history. 
 
 " ' Praise, praise ! ' she exclaimed. ' I can tell you what 
 has become of your friend ; but, alas ! he is dead.' 
 
 '" Never mind,' said the brahman; 'I can restore him 
 to life again. Thanks, a thousand thanks, that we have 
 reached this place ! May Parameshwar bless you, lady, 
 with all that heart can desire ! Show us the body of our 
 beloved friend once more.' 
 
 " ' But stay,' said she. ' We must act with great caution. 
 The king of this country is deeply in love with me. I 
 have plighted myself to him. Nearly six months has he 
 waited for the marriage at my request, and now the day 
 is near when he will come and fetch me. We must be 
 very careful, because His Majesty has surrounded me with 
 servants, who give information of all that transpires here. 
 
TRUE FRIENDSHIP. 137 
 
 Without doubt he has already been informed of your 
 presence in this place. How can we escape ? ' 
 
 " ' Fear not, lady,' said the carpenter. ' If you can 
 procure me a little sandal wood, I will construct for you 
 a house that wUl remove from place to place at the 
 owner's pleasure.' 
 
 " ' Very well,' said the woman ; ' I will try to get it 
 for you.' 
 
 "Presently a messenger was speeding to the king's 
 palace with a letter written after this manner : — ' king, 
 I have betrothed myself to you. The day of our wedding 
 draws nigh. Be pleased, I pray you, to send me three 
 hundred maunds of sandal wood.' The king complied 
 at once with her request. When the house was quite 
 ready the woman sent another letter to the king after 
 this manner : — ' king, most gracious and good ! The 
 day of our wedding is at hand. Be pleased, I pray you, 
 to allow my sister-in-law and tlie wife of my brother- 
 in-law to come to me without delay. There are some 
 matters on which I wish to have their counsel.' The 
 king complied with this request also. 
 
 "As soon as the two women reached the sandal wood 
 house, where the woman and her friends were waiting 
 for them, the carpenter ordered the building to transport 
 them to the rdkshasa's palace, where they would find the 
 prince, and be able to enjoy themselves, and be safe from 
 aU. attacks of the king. Away the house went, and so 
 quietly, that the women knew not what was happening. 
 They were talking to one another and admiring the 
 beauty of the structure, when suddenly they found them- 
 selves looking at the lovely palace of the dead rdkshasa. 
 There the brahman was shown the corpse of the prince, 
 whom he restored to life again by touching his hand. 
 
 " Now all was joy and gladness again. The prince was 
 formally married to the lovely woman, who turned out 
 to be the daughter of one of the mightiest kings of that 
 time ; and his two friends the brahman and the carpenter 
 
138 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 were married to her sister-in-law and brother-in-law's 
 wife. And they all lived happily together to the end 
 of their days in the rdhshascCs palace. 
 
 " wazir's son ! " said the lion on finishing the story, 
 " such men as the brahman and the carpenter are friends. 
 Speak not of the prince, who has gone off with the fairy 
 and left you here to perish alone — speak not of him as a 
 friend. However, you shall not perish. I will not harm 
 you. Depart to your house, and may peace be with 
 you." 3 
 
 3 Compare variant in 7nc?mn ^n^t- "The Shipwrecked Prince" in thi» 
 quary, vol. x. p. 228 ff. ; also tale of collection. 
 
( '39 ) 
 
 THREE BLIND MEN} 
 
 "0 NIeIyan, grant me, I beseech thee, one hundred 
 rupees, and I will give ten of them in thy name to the 
 poor." Thus ejaculated a poor brahman one day as he 
 walked along the bdzdr, wondering how he should get the 
 next meal. Narayan had pity on him, and heard his 
 prayer. The brahman at once received the money, part 
 of which he kept in one hand open, ready for distribution 
 among the poor, and the remainder he held in the other 
 hand, tied up in a handkerchief. Presently he came 
 across a blind man begging, and gave him ten rupees, as 
 he had promised in his prayer. 
 
 Astonished at such unwonted liberality, the blind man 
 inquired, " Why have you given me this money ? " 
 
 The brahman replied, "Narayan has just sent me one 
 hundred rupees on the condition that I give ten of them 
 in his name to the poor." 
 
 " May you be blessed ! " said the blind man. " Please 
 show me all the money. I have never felt a hundred 
 rupees all together in my life. Do please let me feel 
 them." 
 
 Nothing suspecting, the brahman readily put the hand- 
 kerchief into the beggar's hand. Foolish man ! he must 
 have been simple to do so. Of course the blind man 
 immediately pretended that all the money was his, and 
 when the brahman remonstrated with him and laid hold 
 of the handkerchief again, the fellow shouted with all 
 his might, " Help, help ! This man is a thief, and is 
 
 ' Narraior'3 name, Shiva £&m, Banah Mahal, Srinagar. 
 
HO FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 trying to take away all that I possess. Seize him, 
 people ! I have not sufficient strength to hold him any 
 longer." ^ 
 
 " What has he done ? " cried they all. 
 
 " He has taken my money," was the reply. " See ! he 
 has it here in his hand — ninety rupees altogether. Counb 
 them, and prove my words." 
 
 The people seized the brdhman, and counted the rupees ; 
 and finding the money to he the same as the blind beggar 
 had said, they naturally believed him, and gave him the 
 money. In vain the brahman protested. The people 
 would not believe him. His tale seemed most unlikely. 
 Accordingly he left the place, and walked home as fast 
 as he could. 
 
 " What a fool you were to show the money ! " said his 
 wife, when she heard what had happened. "Have you 
 not yet discovered the cunning of these blind men ? Go 
 now and follow up this fellow, and watch where he puts 
 the money." 
 
 The brahman soon discovered the blind beggar. He 
 was slowly walking towards a mosque, on reaching which 
 he entered and sat down. " Nobody is here," he said to 
 himself after a brief pause. However, to make quite sure, 
 he felt with his stick all over the place. " Yes, the place 
 is quite empty," said he ; "I am quite safe." Then he went 
 to a corner of the mosque and removed an inch or so of 
 the earth, and put the hundred rupees into an earthen pot 
 which he had secreted there. " Thank God ! " he ex- 
 claimed. " I had only one thousand rupees this morning; 
 but now I have eleven hundred. Thanks be to God ! " 
 
 When the brahman heard these words he was very glad. 
 As soon as the beggar came out of the mosque he went 
 in, and quickly took out the earthen pot of rupees and 
 carried it to his house. 
 
 On arrival his wife praised him, and said, " Now you 
 
 ' Cf. Old Deccan Days, p. 264. 
 
THREE BLIND MEN. 141 
 
 must go again, and see what the blind man will do. Keep 
 your wits about you." 
 
 The brahman went. All the next day he steadfastly 
 followed the beggar, until he again found himself in the 
 mosque, where the man had gone as usual to deposit the 
 ■ few pdiisas that he had received during the day. 
 
 Great was the grief of the blind man when he found 
 the earthen pot and all his treasure taken away. He beat 
 his face and breast, and made such a noise that the malah 
 went in to see what was the matter. iJ^ow this malah 
 also was blind, and a great scamp. 
 
 " What are you doing," he asked, " disturbing the neigh- 
 bourhood and desecrating this place ? Out with you. 
 You will bring a curse on us and the mosque. Be off at 
 once, or I will call the people, and you will suffer for this 
 behaviour." 
 
 " Oh, sir," cried the beggar, " I have been robbed of 
 everything that I possess. Some thief has visited this 
 place and taken every pdiisa of mine. What shall I do ? 
 What shall I do ? " 
 
 " You are a great fool ! " said the malah. " Stop your 
 crying and learn better for the future. Who ever heard of 
 a man keeping eleven hundred rupees in an earthen pot 
 hidden just under the ground of a public place like this 
 mosque, where people are accustomed to come and go at 
 all hours of the day ? If you had managed as I have done 
 this would never have happened." 
 
 " How do you manage ? " asked the poor beggar. 
 
 "Listen," replied the malah. "1 have a big hollow 
 stick, in which I keep all my money. This stick I always 
 have by me. See, here it is ; " and he touched the beggar 
 on the foot with it. " Go and get another stick like it, and 
 you shall have no fear about your money." 
 
 On hearing this the brahman carefully watched the 
 blind malah, in the hope of getting his money also. He 
 cut a big hollow stick, something like the malah's stick ; 
 and as soon as he found opportunity he changed the sticks. 
 
142 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 The malah always put his stick into the ground when he 
 prayed, and as he prayed frequently the brahman was not 
 kept waiting very long. 
 
 His wife again praised him when she heard what he 
 had done and saw the piles of rupees that he had brought 
 back with him. " Go again," she said to him, " and see 
 what this malah will do. May be that you will discover 
 more treasure." 
 
 The brahman obeyed, and found the old malah sitting 
 by another blind malah, and weeping bitterly over his 
 great loss. 
 
 " Curses be on you,'' said the other blind malah, " for 
 your foolishness ! Listen, and I will tell you what I do 
 with my money. All my money I keep sewed up in my 
 clothes. Who can take it from me ? I advise you to do 
 likewise." 
 
 When he heard these words the brahman went and 
 bought a hive full of bees. This hive he placed at the 
 bottom of a large earthen jar, and over the hive he spread 
 a thick layer of honey. " Ha, ha ! this will frighten him," 
 said he, as he walked disguised as a musalmdn to the 
 house of the other blind malah, to present him with the 
 jar full of honey (?) 
 
 The malah was very pleased with the gift, and blessed 
 the man. Then the brahman left. But he only went a 
 short distance, for he wished to keep near the house till 
 the malah had finished the honey. 
 
 As soon as the man had left the malah . began to take 
 out the honey and to put it into smaller vessels, as he did 
 not wish to be seen with so much of the good thing in his 
 possession at one time. He filled one or two small pots, 
 and began to poke the hive about to get out some more, 
 when the bees, not liking such rough treatment, flew out 
 and stung him. 
 
 In vain he ran about and beat himself ; the bees were 
 most determined, and had no mercy. There was no help 
 for it ; the blind malah was obliged to take off his cloak 
 
THREE BLIND MEN. 143 
 
 and throw it aside, and then to escape into his house. 
 All the bees followed him. Poor man ! he would have been 
 stung to death by them if his wife had not arrived with a 
 thick branch of a mulberry-tree, and beat them off. 
 
 Meanwhile the brahman had carried off the cloak. On 
 reaching home his wife praised him more than ever. " We 
 are very rich now," she said, " and shall not need anything 
 more for the rest of our lives." 
 
 As soon as the malah recovered from the stings, and 
 knew that his precious cloak had been stolen, he was 
 much distressed. He went and told his trouble to the 
 other blind malah, and they both went together and 
 informed the blind beggar. After a while the three 
 blind men determined to get an interview with the king, 
 and to ask him to cause strict search to be made for the 
 thief: 
 
 His Majesty listened most attentively, and was exceed- 
 ingly interested in their stories, and wished very much 
 to know who it was that could thus deceive three such 
 shrewd, clever men. He ordered proclamation by drum to 
 be made throughout the city, that whosoever had done 
 this thing, and would confess it, should obtain free pardon 
 from the king, and be abundantly rewarded. 
 
 Accordingly the brahman went and explained every- 
 thing to His Majesty, and the king said, "Shdbdsh P But 
 have you done this of yourself, or has another advised 
 you?" 
 
 "My wife prompted me, Your Majesty," replied the 
 brahman, " and I did so." 
 
 " It is well," said the king, who gave him many presents, 
 and then sent him away.* 
 
 3 A well-known exclamation, mean- the Bast. Vide " AU lor a, Pdnsa,'' 
 
 ing" Bravo!" "The Stupid Husband and Clever 
 
 * The sharpness of a woman's wits Wife," and "Why the T'ish Talked," 
 
 forms the theme of scores of tales in in this collection. 
 
( '44 ) 
 
 ALL FOR A PANSA.^ 
 
 There lived in the valley a very wealthy merchant, who 
 had an exceedingly stupid and ignorant son. Although 
 the best teachers were provided for the lad, yet he learnt 
 nothing. He was too idle, too careless, too thick-headed 
 to exert himself or to profit by what he heard ; he pre- 
 ferred to loll away his time instead. One does not wonder, 
 therefore, that his father gradually got to despise him; 
 but his mother, as was natural, hoped for the best, and 
 was always making excuses for him. 
 
 When the lad had reached a marriageable age his 
 mother begged the merchant to seek out a suitable wife 
 for him. The merchant, however, was too much ashamed 
 and grieved to have anything to do or say about his stupid 
 son, and in his own mind had fully determined never to 
 have him married. But the mother had set her heart on 
 this. It was the one thing that she had been looking 
 forward to for years. To have the lad remain a bachelor 
 all his life would be an intolerable disgrace ; it would also 
 be contrary to all religion and practice. She would not 
 consent to this for a moment. And so she urged other 
 excuses on her son's behalf. She professed to have now 
 and again noticed extraordinary traits of wisdom and 
 intelligence in him. This sorb of speech only aggravated 
 the merchant. " Look here," he said to her one day, when 
 she had been eulogising her son, " I have heard this many 
 times before, but never once proved it. I do not believe 
 there is a particle of truth in it. Mothers are blind. 
 However, to assure you, I will give the fool another trial. 
 
 ' Narrator's name, Makund B&yfi, Suthti, Srlnagar. 
 
ALL FOR A PANSA. 145 
 
 Send for him, and give him these three pdnsas. Tell him 
 to go to the bdzdr, and with one pdMa to buy something 
 for himself, to throw another pdiisa into the river, and 
 with the remaining 'pdiisa to get at least five things — • 
 something to eat, something to drink, something to gnaw, 
 something to sow in the garden, and some food for the 
 cow." 2 
 
 The woman did so, and the boy left. 
 
 He went to the hdzdr and bought a ^^Tlsa-worth of 
 something for himself, and ate it. He then came to the 
 river, and was on the point of throwing a pdhsa into the 
 water, when he suddenly perceived the absurdity of so 
 doing, and checked himself. " What is the good of doing 
 this ? " he said aloud. " If I throw the pd'Asa into the 
 river I shall have only one left. What can I buy with 
 one pdiisa — to eat and drink and be all the other things 
 my mother asks for ? And yet if I do not throw this 
 pdhsa away I shall be acting disobediently." 
 
 In the midst of this soliloquy the daughter of an iron- 
 smith came up, and seeing his distressed countenance, 
 asked what was the matter. He told her all that his 
 mother had ordered him to do, and that he thought it 
 extremely stupid to obey. But what was he to do ? He 
 did not wish to disobey his mother. 
 
 " I will advise you," she said. " Go and buy a water- 
 melon with one pdnsa, and keep the other in your pocket. 
 Do not throw it into the river. The water-melon contains 
 all the five things you need. Get one, and give it to your 
 mother, and she will be pleased." 
 
 The boy did so. 
 
 When the merchant's wife saw the cleverness of her 
 son she was very glad. She really thought that he was 
 exceedingly wise. " Look," she said to her husband as 
 soon as he came in, " this is our son's work." 
 
 2 The Kashmiri words used were : is also a riddle, of which the answer 
 Khyun, chun, tah trakun, tah wdrih is HSndawSnd, a water-melon. 
 wawun, tah gov kyut khurdk. This 
 
 K 
 
146 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 On seeing the water-melon the merchant was surprised, 
 and replied,* " I do not believe that the lad has done this 
 of himself. He would never have had the sense. Some- 
 body has been advising him." And then, turning to the 
 boy, he asked, " Who told you to do this ? " 
 
 The lad replied, " The daughter of an ironsmith." 
 
 " You see," said the merchant to his wife. " I knew 
 this was not the work of that stupid. However, let him 
 be married — and if you agree and he wishes it — to this 
 ironsmith's daughter, who has so interested herself in him, 
 and seems so very clever." 
 
 " Yes, yes," replied the woman ; " nothing could be 
 better." 
 
 In a few days the merchant visited the ironsmith's 
 house, and saw the girl that had helped his son. " Are 
 you alone ? " he inquired. 
 
 " Yes," she replied. 
 
 " Where are your parents ? " 
 
 " My father," she said, " has gone to buy a ruby for a 
 cowrie, and my mother has gone to sell some words. But 
 they both will be here presently. Please to wait till they 
 come." 
 
 " Very weir," said the merchant, much perplexed by the 
 girl's words. " Where did you say your parents had 
 gone ? " 
 
 " My father ■tas gone to get a cowrie's worth of ruby, 
 i.e., he has gone to buy some oil for the lamp ; and my 
 mother has gone to sell a few words, i.e., she has gone to 
 try and arrange a marriage for somebody." 
 
 The merchant was much struck with the girl's clever- 
 ness ; but he reserved his thoughts. 
 
 Presently both the ironsmith and his wife returned. 
 They were astonished to see the great and wealthy mer- 
 chant in their humble abode. Giving him a most respect- 
 ful saldm, they inquired, " Why have you thus honoured 
 our house ? " 
 
 3 Ct.Madan%kamArdjankadai {The Dravidian Nights), p. 63. 
 
ALL FOR A PANSA. 147 
 
 He informed them that he wanted their daughter as a 
 ■wife for his son. Of course, the offer was readily accepted. 
 A day was fixed for the wedding, and the merchant 
 returned to his house. 
 
 " It is all right," he said to his wife. " The people have 
 agreed to the marriage, and the day has been arranged." 
 
 The wind carried the news everywhere, and people 
 began to talk among themselves concerning the supposed 
 severity of the merchant in marrying his son to one so 
 much lower in rank than himself. Some busybodies even 
 went so far as to prejudice the merchant's son against the 
 girl. They advised him to warn her father that if he 
 continued to sanction this unsuitable union, and the 
 marriage really took place, he would beat the girl seven 
 times a day with a shoe. They thought that when the 
 ironsmith heard this, he would be frightened and break off 
 the engagement. " However," they added, " even suppos- 
 ing that the man is not frightened and the marriage is 
 celebrated, it will be a good thing if you thus treat your 
 wife at first. She will in this way learn obedience and 
 never give you any trouble." * 
 
 The stupid fellow thought this was a splendid plan, and 
 acted accordingly. 
 
 The ironsmith was very much disturbed. As soon as he 
 saw his daughter he informed her what the merchant's son 
 had said, and begged her to have nothing to do with the man. 
 " It were better," he said, " never to be married, than to be 
 joined to one who would treat you like a dog-thief." 
 
 "Do not be distressed, dear father," she replied. 
 " Evidently this man has been influenced by some wicked 
 persons to come to you and say this thing. But be not 
 troubled. It will never be. There is a wide gap between 
 what a man says and what a man does. Do not fear for 
 me. What he says will never come to pass." 
 
 On the appointed day the marriage was celebrated. At 
 
 ' Cf. Dictionary of Kashmiri Proverbs and Saying), p. 35 ; also Persian 
 "Story of Beating the Cat." 
 
148 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 midnight the bridegroom arose. Thinking his wife was 
 fast asleep, he took up a shoe and was about to strike her, 
 when she opened her eyes. '' Do not so," she said. " It 
 is a bad omen to quarrel on one's wedding-day. To- 
 morrow if you still desire to strike me, then strike me ; 
 but do not let us quarrel to-day." The following night 
 the bridegroom again lifted his shoe to strike her, but she 
 again begged him to desist, saying, " It is a bad omen 
 when husband and wife disagree during the first week of 
 their marriage. I know that you are a wise man and will 
 hear me. Defer this purpose of yours till the eighth day, 
 and then beat me as much as you think proper." The man 
 agreed, and flung the shoe on one side. On the seventh 
 day the woman returned to her father's house, according to 
 the custom of all muhammadan brides. 
 
 " Aha ! aha ! " said the young man's friends when they 
 met him. " So she has got the better of you. Aha ! what 
 a fool you are ! We knew it would be so." 
 
 Meanwhile the merchant's wife had been planning for 
 her son's future. She thought it was quite time he 
 occupied an independent position. She said, therefore, to 
 her husband, " Give him some merchandise, and let him 
 travel." 
 
 " Never," replied the merchant. " It would be like 
 throwing money into the water to give it into his hands. 
 He would only squander it away." 
 
 " Never mind," persisted the wife. " He will learn wis- 
 dom in this way only. Give him some money, and let 
 him visit distant countries. If he makes money, then we 
 may hope that he will value it. If he loses the money, 
 and becomes a beggar, then we may hope, also, that he 
 will value it when he again gets it. By either experience 
 he will profit. Without one of these experiences he will 
 never be fit for anything." 
 
 The merchant was persuaded, and calling his son, gave 
 him a certain amount of money and some goods and 
 servants, and bidding him be careful, sent him away. The 
 
ALL FOR A PANSA. 149 
 
 young merchant set out with his wife and a great company 
 of servants. The caravan had not proceeded far before 
 they passed a large garden, which was completely sur- 
 rounded by thick high walls. "What is this place?' 
 asked the young merchant. " Go and see what is inside.'' 
 The servants went, and came back and informed their 
 master that they had seen a grand, lofty building in the 
 midst of a beautiful garden. Then the young merchant 
 himself went and entered the garden. On looking at the 
 grand building he saw a lovely woman, who beckoned to 
 him to come and play a game of nard 5 with her. This 
 woman was an inveterate gambler. She was acquainted 
 with all manner of tricks for getting her opponent's 
 money. One of her favourite tricks was this : while play- 
 ing she kept by her side a cat that she had taught at a 
 given sign to brush by the lamp and extinguish the light- 
 This sign she always gave when the game was going 
 against her. In this way, of course, she obtained im- 
 mense wealth. She practised the cat-trick on the young 
 merchant much to his loss. Everything went — his 
 money, his merchandise, his wife, his servants, himself; 
 and then, when there was nothing left, he was put in 
 prison. Here he was treated with great harshness. Often 
 he lifted up his voice and prayed that God would take 
 him out of this troublous world. 
 
 One day he saw a man pass by the prison-gate. He 
 hailed him, and inquired whence he had come. " I come 
 ~ from such-and-such a country," replied the man, mention- 
 ing the country where the young merchant's father lived. 
 
 "It is well," said the prisoner. "Will you do me a 
 great kindness ? You see I am shut up in this place. I 
 cannot get free till I have paid a great debt that I owe. 
 I want you to deliver these two letters to my father and 
 wife. Here is the letter for my father, and this is for my 
 wife. If you will do this for me I shall be eternally 
 grateful to you." 
 
 ' Chess, draughts, &c. Any game pliiyed with counters. 
 
ijo FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 The man consented, took the two letters, and went on 
 las way.* 
 
 In one letter the young merchant told his father all 
 that had happened ; and in the other for his wife he 
 dissembled matters, saying that he now had a large 
 amount of money, and would soon return and beat her 
 head with the shoe, as he had forewarned her. 
 
 As soon as the man had transacted the little business 
 which he had to do in that place, he went back to his 
 country and delivered the two letters ; but, being ignorant 
 of writing, he gave the letter which was intended for the 
 father to the wife, and that which was meant for the wife 
 to the father ! On reading the good news the father was 
 exceedingly glad. He could not understand, however, 
 why the letter was addressed to his daughter-in-law and 
 not to himself, and why his son threatened her with a 
 severe beating on his return. When the daughter-in-law 
 read her husband's letter, telling of his misfortune and 
 distress, she became very sad, and wondered why he had 
 sent the letter in her father-in-law's name and not in her 
 own. In her peiplexity she went to her father-in-law. 
 The surprise of both will be more easily imagined than 
 described, when they compared the two accounts. It was 
 a mystery. 
 
 After a little conversation the daughter-in-law — wise, 
 brave woman like she was — determined to go and see 
 her husband, and, if possible, to set him free. The old 
 merchant also sanctioned her going, and gave her some 
 money for the expenses of the way. 
 
 Disguised as a man, the brave woman started, and 
 reached the place where the lovely woman dwelt. She 
 informed the gambler that she was the son of a wealthy 
 merchant, and knowing something of the game, wished to 
 try his skill with her. The gambler readily consented. 
 In the evening they were to play. Meanwhile the 
 would-be merchant's son visited the wicked woman's 
 
 " Of. Wide-Awake Stories, pp. 277-279 and 427. 
 
ALL FOR A PANSA. 151 
 
 servants, and begged them to acquaint her with the 
 trickery by which the woman won so much money. At 
 first the servants demurred, but when they saw the piles 
 of ashrafis and the beautiful things that the young 
 merchant temptingly placed before them they were per- 
 suaded, and informed her of everything. Moreover, they 
 told her that their mistress would probably try the cat- 
 trick again that evening. Then the would-be merchant's 
 son left. By the evening, when she arrived and sent in 
 her saldm to the woman, she had provided herself with a 
 mouse, which she kept concealed in the folds of a sleeve of 
 her jerkin. 
 
 The play commenced. Being an exceedingly good 
 player, the would-be merchant's son soon began to win. 
 Noticing this, the wicked gambling woman gave a sign 
 to her cat. The cat moved towards the lamp, when the 
 would-be young merchant let the mouse run free. Away 
 went the mouse quickly, and away went the cat after it^ 
 helter-skelter all over the room. 
 
 "Can't we go on with the game?" said the would-be 
 young merchant after a brief pause. Nothing hindering, 
 she soon won the game, and a second game, and a third, 
 and a fourth, till she had not only got back all that her 
 stupid husband had lost, but the grand house, and servants, 
 and wicked woman also. 
 
 Puttiug all her easily gotten treasure into large boxes, 
 she then sent to the prison and released all the prisoners. 
 Her husband came with others to thank her, but did not 
 recognise his benefactress. She, however, specially noticed 
 him, and asked if he would like to be her sarddr.^ Being 
 thoroughly helpless, he agreed; and presently, having 
 changed his ragged prison-garments for some suitable 
 raiment that the young would-be merchant had sent for 
 him, he appeared to arrange for her departure. His old 
 ragged garments were placed in a little box by themselves. 
 All the keys of the various boxes were entrusted to the 
 
 ' Head-man. 
 
152 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 sarddr, but the key of the box wherein these ragged 
 clothes were packed was kept by the would-be young 
 merchant. Everything ready, they left, taking the 
 wicked gambling woman with them. 
 
 On arriving near her own country the would-be young 
 merchant said to her sarddr, "I am going on a private 
 business in this direction. But do not bother about me. 
 Go straight to the city and take these things with you, 
 and keep them carefully in your house till I come. I 
 know your father, and can trust you. If I should not 
 come to you within twenty full days, then these things 
 will be yours." 
 
 By a circuitous path she went to her home. Her sar- 
 ddr also, with the wicked gambling woman and all the 
 servants, and all the baggage except the box containing 
 the ragged garments, went straight to his home. On 
 reaching her home she told her father of her great suc- 
 cess, and begged him to keep the matter quiet. In a few 
 days she visited her father-in-law. As soon as her hus- 
 band saw her he said — 
 
 "Do you remember how many times I have to beat 
 you ? " and saying this, he pretended to take off one of 
 his shoes. 
 
 " Oh, fie ! fie ! " said his parents, " would you spoil this 
 grand home-coming by such mean and cruel acts ? " 
 
 And said his wife, "Now I see. I thought that you 
 would certainly have learnt wisdom ; but you have not. 
 You are the same stupid that you always were. Look 
 here. Bring that box to me — the little box that I have 
 had in my own keeping all the way — bring it to me. 
 Whose are these dirty garments ? Yours or another's ? 
 Look on these and remember how the jailers treated you — 
 how severely they beat you, what little and what bad food 
 they gave you, and what bad names they threw at you! 
 Ah! you tremble, and well may you tremble. Listen ! I 
 am the wealthy merchant's son who delivered you. The 
 letter addressed to your father was brought to me. I read 
 
ALL FOR A PANSA. 153 
 
 of your distress, and at once set out, and disguised as a 
 young merchant, introduced myself to the woman who 
 fooled you. I played with the woman, and won back 
 everything that you had lost, and the woman's house and 
 property besides. There is the woman. Go and ask her 
 if she recognises me." 
 
 "Yes, yes," said the gambling woman. 
 
 The merchant's son said nothing ; he was confounded. 
 The merchant's wife looked on her daughter-in-law and 
 blessed her. The merchant himself was too angry and 
 disappointed with his stupid son to say or do anything. 
 At last he said, turning to his wife, " Now do you believe 
 that your son is a fool ? Let all these goods and jewels be 
 retained by his wife. She is too good for him." 
 
( 154 ) 
 
 PRIDE ABASED} 
 
 In times long past there lived- a certain king, who was 
 so occupied with and so proud of his own thoughts and 
 words and actions, that his name became a proverb in the 
 land. " As selfish as our king," " As proud as our king," 
 the people used to say. As will be supposed, the courtiers 
 and wazirs of this king were thoroughly tired of hearing 
 him, and of having to add fuel to the fire by assent and 
 flattery. 
 
 "Ah! where is there such another country as this — 
 such soil, so well irrigated and so fertile ? " he would ask. 
 
 "Nowhere, king!" thewazirs and courtiers would reply. 
 
 " Where are there such just and clever laws, and such a 
 prospsrous people ? " 
 
 " Nowhere else, king ! " 
 
 " Where is there such a splendid palace as mine ? " 
 
 " Nowhere anything to be compared with it, king ! " 
 
 " Ah ! yes ; " and then His Majesty would stroke his 
 beard and draw a long breath, as though overburdened 
 with a sense of his own greatness. 
 
 Nearly every audience of the king was disturbed by 
 such performances as these. It was becoming very weari- 
 some ; and the more so as the king was a man of moderate 
 attainments, and his country and people also were of an 
 ordinary character. At length some of the wazirs deter- 
 mined to answer him truthfully the next time he put such 
 questions to them. They had not long to wait for" an 
 opportunity. 
 
 " Think you," said His Majesty, " that there is another 
 
 1 Narrator's name, Makund Bayti, wlio resides at Suthfi, Srinagar. 
 
PRIDE ABASED. 155 
 
 king greater than I, or another kingdom more powerful 
 and glorious than mine ? " 
 
 " Yes, king, there are," they replied. 
 
 On hearing this unusual answer His Majesty got very 
 angry. " Where is this king ? Tell me quickly," he said, 
 " that I may take my army and go to fight with him." 
 
 " Be not hasty, king," they replied. " Consider, we 
 pray you, before you act, lest you be defeated and your 
 country ruined." 
 
 But the king became more angry than before. He 
 ordered his whole army to be assembled, and as soon as 
 they were ready he rode forth at their head, and sent mes- 
 sengers in every direction to challenge the people to fight. 
 
 For a considerable time he would seem to have inspired 
 all countries and all peoples with awe, because nobody 
 accepted the challenge, there being no pretext for such 
 slaughter as there would be in a big battle, unless it was 
 to satisfy this selfish and proud king. But at last another 
 king appeared with his army, and defeated the selfish and 
 proud king, and took away all his kingdom and all his 
 glory and all his power. 
 
 Here was an end to his pride. Crushed in spirit, he 
 disguised himself and escaped with his queen and two 
 sons to some place by the side of the sea, where he found 
 a ship ready to sail. He asked the captain to take him 
 and his little family on board, and land them at the place 
 whither he was sailing. The captain agreed ; but when he 
 got a glimpse of the beautiful queen he changed his mind,, 
 and determined to fulfil only a part of the agreement, and, 
 to take the woman alone. " What a beautiful mistress she 
 would make ! " he thought ; " and what a lot of money I 
 could get if I wished to sell her ! " So when the moment 
 for starting arrived the queen first embarked ; and then, 
 just as the king and his two sons were about to follow, 
 some strong, rough men, who had been suborned by the 
 captain, prevented them and held them tight, till the ship 
 was well out to sea. 
 
IS6 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 Loudly wept the queen when she saw that her husband 
 and two -boys were being left behind. She smote her fore- 
 head, tore her clothes, and threw herself upon the deck in 
 great distress, and finally swooned away. It was a long 
 swoon, and although the captain used several kinds of 
 restoratives, yet for more than an hour she remained as one 
 dead. At last she revived. The captain was very atten- 
 tive. He arranged a nice bed for her, brought her the 
 best of food, and spoke very kindly ; but it was all to no 
 purpose, for the queen refused to look at him or speak to 
 him. This continued for several days, till the captain 
 despaired of ever getting her love, and therefore determined 
 to sell her. 
 
 Now there was in the same ship a great merchant, who, 
 seeing the queen's exceeding beauty, and hearing her 
 refuse the captain's suit day after day, thought that per- 
 haps he might buy her, and win over her affection. 
 Accordingly he offered the captain a large sum of money 
 for the woman, and she was handed over to him. Most 
 earnestly and perseveringly the merchant tried to please 
 her and make her love him, and eventually he so far suc- 
 ceeded, that when he told her that he had bought her for a 
 large sum of money, and therefore she ought to consent to 
 marry him, she said, " Although the bargain between you 
 and the captain is void, because the captain had no right 
 to dispose of me, I not being his, yet I like you, and will 
 marry you, if you will agree to wait for two years, and if 
 during this period I do not meet my husband and sons 
 again." The merchant complied, and looked forward in blest 
 anticipation to the completion of the period of probation. 
 
 As soon as the vessel was out of sight the hired men 
 released the king and his two boys. It was useless to 
 seek revenge, even if His Majesty had any desire for it ; 
 and so he turned his back on the sea, and walked fast and 
 far with the two boys, who wept and lamented as they ran 
 along by his side, till he reached a river, somewhat shallow 
 but flowing swiftly. 
 
PRIDE ABASED. 157 
 
 The king wished to cross this river, but there was not 
 any boat or bridge, and so he was obliged to wade it. 
 Finding his way very carefully, he got across ■ safely with 
 one of his sons, and was returning to fetch the other, when 
 the force of the current overcame him, and he was drawn 
 down beneath the waters and drowned.^ 
 
 When the two boys perceived that their father had 
 perished they wept bitterly. Their separation, too, was a 
 further cause for grief. There they stood, the one on this 
 side of the river and the other on that side of it, with no 
 means of reaching one another. They shouted to each 
 other, and ran about hither and thither in their grief, till 
 they had almost wearied themselves to sleep, when a 
 fisherman came by in his boat. Seeing the great distress 
 of the boys, he took them both into it, and asked them 
 who they were, and who were their parents. And they 
 told him all that happened. 
 
 When he had heard their story he said, " You have not 
 a father or mother, and I have not a child. Evidently 
 God has sent you to me. Will you be my own children, 
 and learn to fish, and live in my house ? " Of course, the 
 poor boys were only too glad to find a friend and shelter. 
 " Come," said the fisherman kindly, leading them out of 
 the boat to a house close by, " I will look after you." 
 The boys followed most happily, and went into the fisher- 
 man's house ; and when they saw his wife they were still 
 better pleased, for she was very kind to them, and treated 
 them like her own real sons. 
 
 The two boys got on splendidly in their new home. 
 They went to school, and in a very short time learnt all 
 that the master could teach them. They then began to 
 help their adopted father, and in a little while became 
 most diligent and expert young fishermen. 
 
 Thus time was passing with them, when it happened 
 that a great fish threw itself on to the bank of the river, 
 
 ^ Compare the legend of Sanrar and NIr, Legends of the Panjdb, vol. iii. 
 p. 97ff. 
 
158 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 and could not get back into the water. Everybody in the 
 village went to see the immense fish, and nearly everybody 
 cut o£f a slice of it and took it home. Some few people 
 also went from the neighbouring villages, and amongst 
 them was a maker of earthenware. His wife had heard 
 of the great fish, and urged him to go and get some of 
 it. Accordingly he went, although the hour was late. 
 On arrival he found nobody there, as all the people had 
 satisfied themselves and returned. The potter took an 
 axe with him, thinking that the bones would be so thick 
 as to require its aid before they could be broken. When 
 he struck the first blow a voice came out of the fish, as of 
 some one in pain. The potter was very much surprised. 
 " Perhaps," thought he, " the fish is possessed by a hhHt. 
 I'll try again ; " whereupon he again struck. Again a 
 voice came forth from the fish, saying, " Woe is me ! Woe 
 is me ! " On hearing this the potter thought, " Well, this 
 is not a hhiit evidently, but the voice of an ordinary man. 
 I'll cut the flesh carefully. Maybe I shall find some 
 poor distressed person." He began to cut away the flesh 
 carefully, and presently came upon a man's foot; then 
 the legs appeared ; then the body and head, all entire.* 
 " Praise, praise be to God ! " he cried aloud, " the soul is in 
 him yet." He carried the man to his house as fast as 
 he could, and on arrival did everything in his power to 
 recover him. A great fire was soon got ready, and tea 
 and soup given. The joy of the potter and his wife was 
 very great when they saw that the stranger was reviving. 
 For some months the stranger lived with these good 
 people, and learnt how to make pots and pans and other 
 articles, and thus helped them much. Now it happened 
 just then that the king of that country died (for kings die 
 as well as other people), and it was the custom of the 
 people in that country to take for their sovereign whoso- 
 
 s Cf. Indian Fairy Tales, pp, 66, Stories, p. 411, -where instances of 
 
 75, 76; Kings of Kashmiri, p. 91; "living in animals' bellies" are 
 
 and tale of ''Tlie Three Caskets," in enumerated. 
 Gcsta Romanorum J also Wide-Awake 
 
PRIDE ABASED. 159 
 
 ever the late king's elephant and hawk might select. On 
 the death of the king the elephant was driven all over the 
 country, and the hawk was made to fly here, there, and 
 everywhere in search of a successor; and it came to pass 
 that before whomsoever the elephant bowed and on who- 
 soever's hand the hawk alighted he was supposed to be 
 the divinely chosen one. So the elephant and hawk went 
 everywhere, and in the course of their wanderings came 
 by the house of the potter and his wife who had so kindly 
 sheltered the poor stranger that was found in the stomach 
 of the fish. It chanced that as they passed the place the 
 stranger was standing by the door — and behold ! no sooner 
 did the elephant and hawk see him than the one bowed 
 down before him and the other perched on his hand. 
 
 " Let him be king, let him be king ! " shouted the people 
 who were in attendance on the elephant, as they prostrated 
 themselves before the stranger and begged him to go before 
 them to the palace.* 
 
 The ministers were glad when they heard the news, and 
 most respectfully welcomed their new king. As soon as 
 the rites and ceremonies necessary for the installation of 
 a king had been fulfilled His Majesty entered on his 
 duties. The first thing he did was to send for the potter 
 and his wife and grant them some land and money. In 
 this and other ways, such as just judgments, proper rules, 
 and kindly notices of any and all who were clever and 
 good, he won for himself the best opinions of every 
 subject, and prospered exceedingly. 
 
 * Very rarely a hawk shares -with gal, p. 100 ; Madanahamdrdjankadai 
 the elephant the right of selection of {The Dravidian Nights), pp. 126, 127 ; 
 a, successor to the throne. Amongst The Orientalist, p. 151 ; Tlie Indian 
 most Eastern nations, when a king Antiquary, vol iii. p. 11, vol. iv. 
 died the choice of his successor lay p. 261, vol. vi. p. 333 ; M'Crindle's 
 wholly with the elephant on which India as Described by Megasthenes 
 the deceased king was accustomed to and Arrian, pp. 118, 119 ; also Wide- 
 ride. The animal was decked in all Awake Stories, pp. 140, 327, to whicli 
 its splendid coverings, and led along especially refer. Otlier tales in tliis 
 the streets, or allowed to wander collection in which reference is made 
 about the streets of the town; and to this incident are, the "Twd 
 before whomsoever the elephant Brothers," " Metempsychosis," and 
 knelt, that fortunate individual was " How the Princess Found her 
 chosen king. Cf. Folk-Tales of Sen- Husband." 
 
i6o FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 Within a few months, however, his health gave way. 
 Such strict attention to public affairs was too much for 
 him, and therefore the court physicians advised him to 
 seelf relaxation in out-door exercise. So sometimes His 
 Majesty went a-riding, sometimes a-shooting, and some- 
 times a-fishing. He got especially fond of the latter 
 amusement. Knowing this, a fisherman came to him one 
 day and said, " Be pleased. Your Majesty, to accept this 
 fish which came into my hands this day." The king was 
 delighted to see such a large fish, and inquired when and 
 how it had been caught. The fisherman explained every- 
 thing to the king, and manifested such knowledge of, and 
 interest in, his calling, that His Majesty got to like the 
 man, and ordered him to be ready at any time to go with 
 him on fishing expeditions, thac he (the king) might learn 
 everything about the art, and be able to land big fish like 
 the one just presented to him. 
 
 "Your Majesty is very good and gracious, and whatso- 
 ever Your Majesty commands is accepted of all men as 
 right and proper and just ; but be pleased to listen for 
 a moment to your servant. In my house are two sons, 
 who are stronger and cleverer than I am. If Your Majesty 
 will order it, I will take care that they are always ready 
 to attend on you." 
 
 The king agreed. Whenever he went a-fishing he 
 always took these two boys with him. A familiarity 
 sprang up between His Majesty and the boys in conse- 
 quence. His Majesty got exceedingly attached to them : 
 they were so sharp and clever and handsome and good, 
 that he finally arranged that they should generally be 
 with him, no matter what his occupation. 
 
 Just about this time the merchant who bought the wife 
 of the poor king, who had been supposed to be drowned, 
 visited that country for the purpose of trading. He 
 succeeded in obtaining an interview with the king, and 
 opened out all his precious stones and stuffs before him. 
 The king was very much pleased to see these wonderful 
 
PRIDE ABASED. i5l 
 
 treasures, and asked many questions about them and 
 about the countries whence they had been brought. The 
 merchant told him everything, and begged permission to 
 trade in that country, and sought protection from His 
 Majesty. The king readily granted the merchant's 
 request, and ordered that some soldiers were to be at 
 once told off for this special duty, and so arranged that 
 one of them should be on guard always in the courtyard 
 of the merchant. He also sent the fisherman's two sons 
 to sleep on the merchant's premises. 
 
 One night these two boys were not able to sleep for 
 some reason or other, when the younger asked his brother 
 to tell him a tale to enliven the occasion, as it was miser- 
 able lying down there with only the glimmering light of a 
 little oil lamp. The elder brother said, "All right, I'll 
 tell you one out of our own experience," and began : — 
 
 "Once upon a time there lived a very great, learned, 
 and wealthy king, but he was very proud. This pride led 
 the poor king to the direst ruin and grief. One day, while 
 going about with his army challenging other kings to 
 come and fight with him, one great and powerful king 
 appeared and conquered him. The defeated king escaped 
 with his wife and two sons to the sea, hoping to find some 
 vessel wherein he and his family might embark, and get 
 away to some foreign land, and there forget all their 
 troubles. After walking several miles they reached the 
 sea-shore, and found a vessel about to sail ; but, alas ! the 
 captain of that vessel proved to be a very wicked man. 
 He took the beautiful queeti, and then, when the king and 
 his two sons were going to embark, some men, hired by 
 the captain, kept them back till the vessel had sailed out 
 of sight. Oh ! what a terrible time that was for the poor 
 king! With what a sorrow-sick heart he turned away 
 with his two sons ! He walked many miles, not knowing 
 whither he went, till he came to a swiftly flowing river. As 
 there was no bridge or boat near he was obliged to wade 
 across. He took one of his boys and got over safely, and 
 
 L 
 
l62 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 then was returning for the other, when he stumbled over 
 a stone, lost his footing, and was carried away by the 
 fierce waters, and has not been heard of since. 
 
 "You can imagine the state of the two boys. It was 
 night, and they had neither food nor bedding, nor did they 
 know where to go, nor how to get to one another. At 
 length a fisherman came along in his boat, and seeing 
 these two boys crying, he took them into his boat, and 
 afterwards to his house, and got very fond of them, and 
 so did his wife, so that they both became like father and 
 mother to them. A year or two ago all this happened, 
 and the two boys are supposed by every one to be the 
 fisherman's two real sons. brother, we are these two 
 boys ! And there you have my story." 
 
 The story was so interesting and its finish so wonderful, 
 that the younger brother was more awake than before. Its 
 narration had also attracted the attention of another. The 
 merchant's promised wife, who happened to be lying awake 
 at the time, and whose room was separated from the shop 
 by the thinnest of partitions only, overheard all that had 
 been said. She thought within herself, " Surely these two 
 boys must be my own sons ! " 
 
 Presently she was sitting beside them, and began asking 
 them all sorts of questions. Two years or more had made 
 a great difference in both of the boys, but there were 
 certain signs that a hundred years would never efface 
 from a mother's memory. These, together with the 
 answers which she had elicited from them, assured her 
 that she had found her own sons again. The tears 
 •streamed down her face as she embraced them, and 
 revealed to them that she was the queen, their mother, 
 about whom they had just been speaking. 
 
 She told them all that happened to her since she had 
 been parted from them; how the captain of the vessel, 
 finding that he should never be able to get her to live 
 with him, had sold her to the rich merchant; how this 
 TJch merchant had been very kind to her, and really loved 
 
PRIDE ABASED. 16-3 
 
 her, and -was a thoroughly good man, besides being clever 
 and wealthy ; and how she, thinking that she should 
 never meet with her husband, their father, again, had 
 promised to marry this merchant at the end of two years, 
 only three days of which remained now. She said, too, 
 that she did not like the merchant enough to become his 
 wife, and so she wished to contrive some plan for getting 
 rid of him. 
 
 "The plan is," she said, "for me to pretend to the 
 merchant that you attempted to violate me. I will 
 pretend to be very angry, and not give him any peace 
 till he goes to the king and asks His Majesty to punish 
 you. Then the king will send for you in great wr.ith, and 
 will inquire about this matter. In reply you must say 
 that it is all a mistake, for you quite regard me as your 
 own mother, and in proof of this you will beg His Majesty 
 to send and fetch me, that I may corroborate what you 
 say. Then will I declare you to be my own dear sons, 
 and beseech the king to allow me to go free of this 
 merchant and live with you, where I may choose for the 
 rest of my days." 
 
 The sons consented to her proposal, and the next night, 
 when the merchant also was sleeping on the premises, 
 the woman raised a great shout, so that everybody was 
 awakened by the noise. The merchant askej^ what was 
 the matter. 
 
 "The two boys who look after your shop have tried 
 to violate me; so I shouted, in order that they might 
 desist." 
 
 Hearing this, the merchant was much enraged. He im- 
 mediately bound the two boys, and as soon as there was 
 any chance of seeing the king, he had them taken before 
 His Majesty, and explained the reason of their thus 
 appearing before him. 
 
 " What have you to say in defence of yourselves ? " 
 inquired the king. " Because if this is true we shall at 
 once order the execution of both of you. Is this the 
 
l64 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 gratitude you manifest for all my kindness and condescen- 
 sion towards you ? Say quickly what you may have to 
 say." 
 
 " king, our benefactor, we are not affrighted by your 
 words and looks, for we are true servants. We have 
 not betrayed Your Majesty's trust in us, but have always 
 tried to fufil Your Majesty's wish to the utmost of our 
 power. The charges brought against us by the merchant 
 are not correct. We have not attempted to violate his 
 wife ; we have rather always regarded her as our own 
 mother. May it please Your Majesty to send for the 
 woman and inquire further into the matter." 
 
 The king assented, and the woman was brought. " Is 
 this true,'' he said, "which the merchant, your affianced 
 husband, witnesses against the two boys ? " 
 
 " king," she replied, " the boys whom you gave to 
 help the merchant have most carefully tried to carry out 
 your wishes. But the night before last I overheard theif 
 conversation. The elder was telling the younger brother 
 a tale — made up out of his own experience, so he said. 
 It was a tale of a conceited king who had been conquered 
 by another mightier than he, and obliged to fly with his 
 wife and two children to the sea. There, through the 
 vile trickery of the captain of a vessel, the wife was 
 stolen, and taken away to far distant regions, where she 
 became engaged to a wealthy trader; while the exiled 
 king and his two sons wandered in another direction, till 
 they came to a river, where the king was drowned. The 
 two boys were found by a fisherman, and brought up by 
 him as his own sons. 
 
 " These two boys, king, are before you, and I am 
 their mother, who was taken away and sold as a wife to 
 the trader, and who after two days must altogether live 
 with him ; for I promised that if within a certain space of 
 time I should not meet with my dear husband and two 
 sons again, then I would be his wife. But I beseech 
 Your Majesty to relieve me of this man. I do not wish to 
 
PRIDE ABASED. 165 
 
 marry again, now tliat I have my two sons. In order 
 that I might get an audience of Your Majesty, this trick 
 was arranged with the two boys." 
 
 By the time the woman had finished her story the 
 king's face was suffused with tears, and he was trembling 
 visibly. Presently, when he had slightly recovered, he 
 left the throne, and walking towards the woman and the 
 two boys, embraced them long and fervently. " You are 
 my own dear wife and children," he cried ; " God has sent 
 you back to me. I, the king, your husband, your father, 
 was not drowned as you supposed, but was swallowed by 
 a big fish and nourished by it for some days, and then the 
 monster threw itself upon the shore and I was extricated. 
 A potter and his wife had pity on me, and taught me 
 their trade, and I was just beginning to earn my living 
 by making earthen vessels when the late king of this 
 country died, and I was chosen king by the elephant and 
 the falcon — I, who am now standing here." 
 
 Then His Majesty ordered the queen and her two sons 
 to be taken to the palace, and he explained his conduct to 
 the people assembled. The merchant was politely dis- 
 missed from the country. As soon as the two princes 
 were old enough to govern the country the king com- 
 mitted to them the charge of all affairs, while he retired 
 with his wife to some quiet place and spent the rest of his 
 days in peace. ^ 
 
 ' This story should be compared Gautami," pp. 222, 223. A third 
 
 with its most iDteresting variant, variant is " Swet-Basacta " in JFolk- 
 
 "Placidus," a tale from the Gesta tales of Bengal, ■pj). g^-ioj. Another 
 
 Homanorum. is that of " Sarwar and Nir" in the 
 
 Another variant is to be found in Legends of the Punjab, vol. iii. 
 
 libelan Tales, the story of " Krisa p. 97 ff. 
 
( '66 ) 
 
 THE TWO BROTHERS} 
 
 Happily passed the days in the palace, for the king was 
 intensely fond of his wife, who thoroughly reciprocated his 
 affection ; while their children, two fine handsome boys, 
 were clever, good, and obedient, and thought nobody equal 
 to their parents throughout the wide wide world. In such 
 a household happiness was obliged to reign, till Yama sent 
 his dogs to summon any of them to their doom.^ 
 
 Every morning His Majesty was accustomed to sit with 
 his wife for a while in one of the verandahs of the palace, 
 during which quiet time together they were often interested 
 in watching a pair of birds carrying food for their young- 
 lings. One day they noticed a strange female bird flying 
 with the other towards the nest, and carrying some 
 thorns in her bill. Curious to know what had happened, 
 the king ordered one of the attendants to climb the tree 
 and inquire ; when it was discovered that the male bird 
 had lost his consort, and therefore had taken unto himself 
 another ; and the new bird, not liking to have to work 
 for a nest of younglings which she had not hatched, 
 thought that she would fetch them some thorns to eat 
 and get rid of them ; which she did, and the little birds 
 were choked and died. All of them were seen lying 
 over the corpse of their mother. 
 
 1 Narrator's name, Shiva Earn of which guard the road to his abode, 
 Bdnah Mahal, Srinagar. and which the departed are advised 
 
 2 Yama is the regent of the realms to hurry past with all possible speed, 
 of death. " He is still to some ex- These dogs are said to wander about 
 tent an object of terror. He is re- among men as his messengers, no 
 presented as having two insatiable doubt for the purpose of summoning 
 dogs with four eyes and wide nostrils, them to their master." — Dr. Muir. 
 
THE TWO BROTHERS. ■ 167 
 
 When the king and queen heard this they were both 
 very sad. 
 
 " Is this the way with us and with the birds ? " asked 
 the king. 
 
 " Yes," replied the queen. " But may it never be so in 
 our case. Promise me, my beloved, that if I die first you 
 will never marry again." 
 
 " Give me your hand, my darling," said the king. " I 
 promise most faithfully never to take to myself another 
 wife, whether you are alive or dead, lest the same mis- 
 fortune should happen to our two sons that has come 
 upon these poor young birds." 
 
 Then was the queen comforted, and loved the king more 
 than ever before. Strange to say, not long after this little 
 incident Her Majesty died. What a grief it was to the 
 king ! People thought for some time that he also would 
 die, so much did he grieve over her death. At length, 
 however, he rallied, and again occupied himself in the 
 affairs of his country. When a convenient space of time 
 had elapsed the wazirs and courtiers and other great men 
 of the place commissioned some of their number to speak 
 to the king about marrying again. As will be imagined, 
 this proved a most difficult and disagreeable task. At 
 first His Majesty would not see them ; but they persisted 
 in their request, till he promised to reconsider the mat- 
 ter, and at last consented. One of the chief wazir's 
 daughters was proposed and accepted, and the marriage 
 was celebrated. 
 
 Unhappy day ! As was expected, the new queen soon 
 became jealous of the two princes, and began to plot 
 against them. They tried hard to please her by antici- 
 pating her wants and never crossing her wish in any 
 matter, but all in vain. The queen hated them, and 
 longed for the day when she could secure their ruin 
 and banishment. She bided her time, till she saw that 
 the king was exceedingly fond of her and would do 
 anything for her, and then she began to malign the 
 
i68 . FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 princes, saying how very disobedient and very abusive 
 they were to her, and how she could not have endured 
 their behaviour if the king had not been good and kind 
 to her. The king was exceedingly angry when he heard 
 this, and immediately gave orders for the princes to be 
 secretly taken to a jungle and slain. 
 
 Never having been accustomed to question even their 
 father's orders, the two young fellows went most gladly 
 with the soldiers. They knew not of their father's cruel 
 order, but thought that he wished them to ride and see 
 the jungle. When, therefore, on reaching the place, the 
 soldiers drew their swords and made as if to strike them, 
 they were much surprised, and knew not what to do. 
 " Bhagawant, help us," they cried ; and their cry vras 
 accepted. The swords of steel were changed into swords 
 of wood,^ and the stern hearts of the soldiers were filled 
 with pity, so that they dared not slay them, but let them 
 go free. 
 
 Full of thankfulness to the Deity for His mercy 
 towards them, the princes rode off on their horses as fast 
 as they could, and determined never to return to their own 
 country. They rode on far and fast, till they came to a 
 spring of water pure like crystal, by which they thought 
 they would dine and rest. They arranged that both of 
 them should not be asleep at the same time, lest a robber 
 or a wild beast should come and destroy them and the 
 horses. So the elder brother went to sleep first, and the 
 younger brother watched. While he watched two birds 
 named Sudabror and Budabror came and perched on a 
 tree close by, and began talking with one another. 
 
 " See," said Sudabror, " there are two singing birds in 
 that tree overhanging the spring. Do you know what 
 kind of birds they are ? " 
 
 "Yes," replied Budabror; "they are most wonderful 
 birds. I have heard say that whosoever eats the flesh of 
 one of them will become a king, and whosoever eats the 
 
 ^ Cf. story of " H4ya Bund and Zukra Khotan " in tliis collection. 
 
THE TWO BROTHERS. 169 
 
 flesh of the other will become a wazir, and the wealthiest 
 man in the world, for every morning he will find under- 
 neath him, in the place where he lay, seven jewels, whose 
 value cannot be estimated.^ 
 
 The younger prince was very much excited when he 
 heards these words, and at once shot an arrow at these 
 birds and killed them. He cooked both the birds, took 
 one himself, and left the other for his brother, who ate ifc 
 as soon as he a^yoke. The following morning they resumed 
 their journey. On the way the younger brother suddenly 
 remembered that his whip had been left behind. This 
 whip he valued very highly, and therefore went back for 
 it. He found it by the spring, and was going to dismount 
 to pick it up, when a great dragon ^ came out of the water 
 and bit his foot, so that he fell down senseless. In this 
 state he continued for some hours. 
 
 Meanwhile his brother got very tired of waiting, and 
 therefore went on, thinking his brother would overtake 
 him before the evening. He reached a certain city, 
 whereof the king had recently died, and the people were 
 in a state of great excitement concerning his successor. 
 It appears that they had a custom of sending round an 
 elephant to select their kings for them. Whomsoever the 
 elephant acknowledged they acknowledged, be he rich or 
 poor, learned or ignorant, of their own country and speech, 
 or of another. This elephant was circumambulating the 
 
 * The story of the mystic fowl will Volksmarchen Berlin, 1856; "Der 
 
 be familiar to readers of European seltsame Togel," Miklosioh, Ueber die 
 
 folk-tales. Cf. Wide-Awake Stories, Mundarten der Zigevner, iv. No. 6 ; 
 
 Tf^.T.3<3,3z6\ Madanakamdr&jankadai Die Diamentem legende Senvc. Cf. 
 
 (Dravidian Nights), p. 126 ; Grimm's also story of ' ' Saiyid and Said " in 
 
 Household Stories, pp. 193, 383 ; Rus- this collection. The "golden egg" in 
 
 sian Popular Tales, v. No. 53, viii. some of these stories is supposed to 
 
 No, 26, and pp. 464-467 ; Tibetan represent the sun," which may be 
 
 Tales, p. 129 : also the footnote, in looked upon as a gleaming egg laid 
 
 which Professor Schiefner calls atten- every morning by the brooding Night" 
 
 tion to several other variants — Gaal, (Firfe Gubernatis, Zoological Mytho- 
 
 Mdrchen der Magyaren, Wieu, 1882, log;/, ii.p. 311). "But the king-maJcing 
 
 p. 196; Der Vogel Goldschweif, especi- power attributed to the bird's eaten 
 
 ally p. 213 ; Eabn, Gr. und alb. flesh remains a mystery." 
 
 Mareken, Leipzig, 1864, i. 227 ; Das ^ Azddr (Persian izhduhd, izhddr, 
 
 goldene Huhn ; Haltricfa, Deutsche or izhdar). 
 
I70 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 place when the eldest prince arrived, and on seeing him at 
 once bowed down before him. Accordingly he was pro- 
 claimed king of the country and conducted to the palace. 
 
 The younger prince was restored to life in the following 
 manner. Living near the spring was a,jogi, who was accus- 
 tomed to visit it once every six months for the purpose of 
 getting a little water thence. The day the prince was 
 bitten by the dragon happened to be the day of the good 
 man's coming. When he reached the place and saw the 
 lifeless body of the young man he was filled with pity. 
 He knew that the dragon of the spring had done this ; 
 so he muttered an incantation, and the waters dried up 
 and the monster appeared, 
 
 " Why have you emptied the spring ? " said the dragon . 
 
 " Because you have slain this young man. Why did 
 you this thing ? " the jogi replied. 
 
 " jogi ! " said the dragon, " there were two birds that 
 often visited this place, and filled the air with their songs. 
 The prince killed them. Therefore did I bite him." 
 
 "You have done wickedly," said the jogi. "Listen. 
 Extract the poison from the man's foot, so that he live 
 again, or you shall die." 
 
 "Porgive me," said the dragon, " and I will obey you." 
 
 Thus the prince was restored to life. After thanking 
 the jogi he departed. However, he unfortunately took 
 the wrong road, and instead of following after his brother, 
 arrived at a village that was the resort of a band of fierce 
 robbers. By chance he called at the house of one of these 
 robbers and asked for hospitality, which was readily granted. 
 They gave him a most hearty welcome, and provided him 
 with the best of cheer ; but, alas ! when he went to lie 
 down at night the bedstead and he descended right through 
 the flooring, down into a most loathsome dungeon. Poor 
 fellow ! he would have died there if the daughter of one 
 of the robbers had not seen him and fallen in love with 
 him. She thoroughly knew the ins and outs of the house, 
 and guessing that the stranger had been precipitated into 
 
THE TWO BROTHERS. 171 
 
 the grave, as they called it, she secretly visited him and 
 carried him some food, ia return for which the prince 
 gave her seven jewels.® This she did every morning, and 
 got seven jewels each time. During these visits the girl's 
 love increased rapidly, and as she was very beautiful 
 and very clever, the prince reciprocated her affection, and 
 promised to marry her as soon as possible. At last they 
 both got free from the place, and escaped as fast as the 
 swift horse would carry them to the seaside, M'here they 
 immediately embarked in a ship about to sail. Among 
 other passengers in that ship was a merchant, who was 
 so captivated with the girl's beauty that he desired to 
 kill the prince and make her his wife. Accordingly one 
 day, while he and the prince were playing nard in the 
 prow of the vessel, the prince bent forward over the ship- 
 side to spit, when the merchant gave him a push.^ For- 
 tunately his wife happened to be standing by one of the 
 port-holes, and seeing her husband's body appearing, put 
 out her hands and saved him. There was great sorrow 
 among the crew and the passengers when the report was 
 circulated that the prince had fallen overboard ; for the 
 prince had ordered his wife not to discover the matter 
 till they reached their destination. The merchant pro- 
 fessed to be more grieved than any one, except the beauti- 
 ful wife. However, he soon recovered, and commenced 
 paying attentions to her, and at length asked her to marry 
 him. The girl put him off for six months, saying that 
 if she did not hear anything about her husband during 
 that time she would be his wife.* 
 
 In a few months the ship readied her destination, where 
 the prince revealed himself, and charged the merchant 
 with attempting to drown him ; whereupon the man was 
 
 * Note the number seven. Cf. also number iu Aryan faith {Zoological 
 
 tales, " Good King Hatam," "Seven- Mythology, vol. i. p. 6). 
 
 legged Beast," " Jogi's Daughter," ' Cf. ii ManipnrA tale in Indian 
 
 "The Ogress-Qupen," in this coUeo- Antiquary, vol. iv. p. 260. 
 
 tion. Vide also Wide-Awake Stories, ' Cf . Wide-Awake Stories, p. 429, for 
 
 pp. 432, 433. Seven is a sacred enforced marriages postponed for a 
 
 season. 
 
172 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 put into prison to await his trial. By a remarkable 
 coincidence they disembarked by the chief city of the 
 country over which the eldest prince was reigning. This 
 king was in great sorrow at the time, wondering what 
 had become of his brother ; so, to comfort himself, he had 
 given orders to his chief wazir to tell him a tale every 
 evening. He hoped, also, that in this way he should 
 hear something of his brother, as the wazir often related 
 stories founded on what he had seen and heard during 
 the day. The day the ship arrived this wazii's daughter 
 came down to the shore, and heard the strange story of the 
 prince and his wife and the wicked merchant, which she 
 repeated to her father in the evening. On the following 
 evening the wazir related to the king what he had heard. 
 
 "Where is the prince and his wife?" inquired the 
 king, much excited. " Send for them immediately. At 
 last I have found my long-lost brother ! " 
 
 We can imagine what a joyous meeting there was be- 
 tween the two brothers. They fell on each other's necks 
 and wept. 
 
 The younger prince was appointed chief wazir of the 
 country, and the wicked merchant was hanged. 
 
 In course of a few years some messengers from their 
 father reached that country, and said that the old king was 
 longing to see them, as he had discovered his wife's wicked- 
 ness and had slain her. Accordingly the two brothers 
 started without delay to see their father. They reached 
 safely, and saw the old man, and were reconciled. Soon 
 afterwards their father died, when the elder brother suc- 
 ceeded to the throne, and the younger went and governed 
 the country that had belonged to the other prince. Both 
 of them prospered exceedingly, and were famed for their 
 skill and justice and kindness.* ^^ 
 
 9 In nearly every country, and at monster, or dragon, as it is generally 
 
 all times, there have been legends con- called, is supposed to be the symboli- 
 
 cerning the existence of a huge mon- cal representative of arrogant power 
 
 ster which went abroad devouring and cruelty, whose sole object is to 
 
 and devastating all before it. This oppose order and peace. Although it 
 
THE TWO BROTHERS. 
 
 173 
 
 is possible, as Bra.nd says, that the 
 dragon is one of those shapes which 
 fear has created to itself, neverthe- 
 less, from tlie generality of the legeuds 
 concerning this winged saurian, it is 
 possible that the existence of some 
 species of the pterodactyl, in very re- 
 mote times, may have originated the 
 superstition. However this may have 
 been, it is certain that this mythical 
 animal, in all ages, has been regai-ded 
 as a minister of evil, the destruction 
 of which was considered one of the 
 grandest objects of human energy. 
 The task was usually allotted to gods 
 and heroes. Apollo killed the Py- 
 thon, and Perseus slew the dragon, and 
 saved Andromeda. Hercules is also 
 represented as a dragon-slayer. In 
 the Nibelungen Lied Siegfried is re- 
 presented as killing a dragon. Cf. 
 also the " Epic of Beowolf . " Among 
 the Scandinavians, Thor was described 
 as a dragon-slayer. In the Middle 
 Ages the dragon was regarded as the 
 
 representative of sin. Saints and 
 martyrs are frequently depicted as 
 trampling the reptile under foot. It 
 is also used with this signification in 
 the figure of St. George and the Dra- 
 gon. Vide Beeton's Dictionary, whence 
 these notes have been quoted. 
 
 ^^ Compare the Kashmiri variant in 
 Wide-Awake Stories, p. 138 ; S. Indian 
 variant in MadanakamdrdjanJcadai 
 (Dravidian Nights), the sixth story; 
 the Tibetan variant in Tibetan Tales, 
 p. 279, which Professor Schiefner 
 translated from the Kah-gyur, all the 
 legends and fables of which are merely 
 Tibetan versions of Sanskrit writings 
 introduced into the country in the 
 twelfth and thirteenth centuries ; 
 the Egyptian variant, " The Tale of 
 Two Brothers ; " the German variant, 
 Grimm's Household Stories, p. 192 ; 
 and the English variant, viz., the 
 legend of " St. George and the 
 Dragon," as recorded in the ballad 
 given in Percy's Eeliques. 
 
( 174 } 
 
 THE BASE FRIENDS 
 
 Once upon a time a very great and wealthy king deter- 
 mined to send his son out into the world as a merchant 
 in order that he might get to know something of the 
 people and country, and thus be more prepared to govern 
 wisely, when the time should come for him to sit on the 
 throne. So he gave him plenty of money and several 
 bales of goods, and told him to go whithersoever he wished, 
 to keep his eyes open, and to make as much money as 
 possible. 
 
 As soon as convenieiit the prince started, attended by the 
 wazir's son, his great friend, and a large retinue of servants 
 and horses. After much wandering about they came to 
 some place by the sea, where they found a ship ready to 
 weigh anchor, and being of an adventu rous disposition 
 they embarked, and started for some foreign country. All 
 went well for a while, till they passed under a certain 
 island and cast anchor. Here the prince got out and 
 walked about alone, as the wazir's son, not wishing to go, 
 had feigned sickness. Wicked fellow ! he persuaded the 
 prince to go on shore and take a long walk round the 
 island, while he bribed the captain and the sailors of the 
 vessel to start without him. He got them to take the 
 ship back again by a circuitous course to the place that 
 they had recently left, and there he disposed of all the 
 merchandise, and afterwards returned to the king. 
 
 ■ " You have come back quickly. Where is the prince ? " 
 said His Majesty. 
 "The prince is dead. Your Majesty. We were sailing 
 
 ' Narrator's name, Pandit Ldl Chand of Khunamub in the Yihi pargaiia. 
 
THE BASE FRIEND. 175 
 
 happily along by a certain island, when a wind suddenly 
 arose, and increased so, that the ship capsized, and all that 
 were in it were thrown into the water. I tried to save 
 the prince, but, alas! I could not. It was with the 
 greatest difficulty that I myself escaped." 
 
 When the king heard these words he was intensely 
 grieved. He wept for his son many days, during which 
 he seemed like one mad, not caring for anyone or any- 
 thing, only raving about his son. 
 
 Meanwhile affairs were prospering with the prince. As 
 soon as he discovered the treachery of his friend he began 
 to look about for quarters for the night. He arranged a 
 little " shantee " for himself by the side of a clear crystal 
 spring, and then lay down to sleep, hoping for better 
 things on the morrow. While he was sleeping, at mid- 
 night, a heavenly woman came out of the spring, attended 
 by several soldiers, and sat down to eat. When she had 
 satisfied herself she went towards the prince, and waking 
 him up, offered him some food, which the prince took, and 
 for which he was very grateful, as he had not tasted any- 
 thing since he had landed. 
 
 " But tell me, fair lady," said he, " whence you came 
 and who you are." 
 
 " Sir," she replied, " I am a heavenly woman. Please 
 tell me your history. I may be able to help you." 
 
 " Fair lady," said he, " I am a prince. I am travelling 
 about at my father's request in search of experience and 
 knowledge, in order that I may be better able to rule the 
 country after him. I was sailing to some place with a 
 large quantity of goods, when the vessel put in here for a 
 few hours while I got out to see the island, and when I 
 returned at the time advised by the captain of the ship 
 I discovered that she had started without me. No doubt 
 this was done at the instigation of my friend, the wazir's 
 son, who was accompanying me on my travels." 
 
 " The villain ! " exclaimed the heavenly woman. " He 
 shall suffer for this baseness. Sleep on now, sir. In the 
 
176 FULK-TALBS OF KASHMIR. 
 
 morning I will cause you to reach your father's place, 
 whither this man has probably returned. You can then 
 denounce him face to face." 
 
 On saying this, she disappeared by way of the spring, 
 and the soldiers after her. At dawn she came again, and 
 rousing him, gave him several most valuable jewels to 
 make up for his losses, and then told him to go. Accord- 
 ingly the prince started, and attended by several soldiers, 
 presently found himself walking up the path to his 
 father's palace. 
 
 " Who can this be coming ? " asked the king, as he 
 watched the procession from his bedroom window. 
 " Quick ! run," said he to the sentry at the door, " and 
 give the man this bunch of pearls. How know we that 
 he is not some powerful enemy ? " 
 
 " Go back and tell your king," said the prince to the 
 soldier, " that I am a friend, and that I come to inquire 
 concerning his son. Certain strange reports have reached 
 my ears of late." 
 
 On hearing this the king bade him welcome to the 
 palace, and received him most graciously. He told him 
 with tearful eyes the sad news of the prince's shipwreck, 
 and called the son of the vjazir to corroborate what 
 he said. 
 
 " father," said the prince, unable to dissemble any 
 longer, " wipe away those tears. Your son has returned 
 to you. I am he. !N"o wind beset our ship, no waves 
 destroyed me ; but I was basely left on a little barren un- 
 inhabited island to starve. That man " (pointing to the 
 wazir's son) " bribed the captain and crew to sail without 
 me, in order that he might sell the goods and get all the 
 profit for himself." 
 
 " Base villain ! " cried the king. " Order the executioners 
 to rid us of the presence of such a man in our midst." 
 
 Great was the joy of the king when he saw his son 
 again. Not long after this His Majesty died, and the 
 prince, his son, reigned in his stead. 
 
( 177 ) 
 
 HAY A BAND AND ZUHRA KHOTAN. 
 
 You must know that not to have a son is accounted a 
 great sorrow and shame. Well, in days long gone by, a 
 certain rich merchant of this country was in great distress 
 because he had not a son. Who would continue his name ? 
 Who would carry on the business ? To whom should he 
 bequeath his immense wealth? These questions were 
 constantly revolving in his mind, and the sorrowful 
 answer came back from his despairing soul, " I have no 
 son ! I have no son ! " He earnestly prayed at the stated 
 times, and was very attentive to the appointed fasts and 
 the giving of alms, but it seemed as if God's eye was not 
 upon him for good, and His ears not open to his cries. 
 But it only seemed so. God's thoughts are not to be com- 
 pared with man's thoughts. It was the Divine intention 
 to bless him with a son ; so at the right time a little boy 
 was born. The merchant named him H£ya Band. When 
 he was five years old his father sent him to school, and he 
 prosecuted his studies up to the age of ten years. 
 
 One day, while the merchant was sitting by his shop- 
 window, he saw two ragged little boys going by. He 
 called them and inquired why they were so poor, and 
 they told hini that their father and mother and brother 
 were dead, and they did not know of any relatives or 
 friends to whom they could apply for help. Whereupon 
 the merchant had pity on them, and took them into his 
 home and educated them with his own boy, thinking they 
 would be agreeable companions for him, and be able to do 
 some odd jobs about the shop as well. However, the boys 
 
 ^ Narrator's name, Pandit Shiva Kim of B&nah Mahal, Srinagar. 
 
 M 
 
178 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 turned out badly, as we shall see. Instead of being 
 grateful to their kind master and affectionate playmate, 
 and helping them in every way, they eventually plotted 
 against them and tried to bring them to shame. Every 
 day they went regularly to school with the merchant's 
 son ; but while Haya Band worked diligently, and became 
 very good and learned, they were idle and careless, and 
 learnt nothing, except all manner of wickedness, that they 
 picked up from other boys of the school of the same 
 character. One morning, as they all three were going to 
 school together, they chanced to talk about marriage. 
 " Look here," said they to Haya Band, " we know that you 
 are going to be married very shortly. Could not you 
 arrange with your father to marry us also ? " 
 
 " Why not ? " replied Haya Band. " Nay, I will beg my 
 father to marry you first, and me afterwards.'' 
 
 A little while after this the merchant sent a go-between 
 to several houses to try and procure a girl of wealthy 
 parents, of great beauty, educated, wise, and virtuous. 
 The go-between quickly fulfilled his commission, and a 
 marriage was arranged. 
 
 On the day appointed the merchant gave a great feast to 
 his friends and distributed much alms among the poor, and 
 then, dressing his son in king-like apparel, sent him to the 
 house of the bride. The two wicked boys knew all about 
 this, and went on before, and tried to estrapge the minds 
 of the father and mother of the bride by declaring that 
 Haya Band was demented; whereupon they were both 
 very angry, and would have broken off the engagement, 
 but what could they do ? It was too late. The bride- 
 groom was already on the way to the house. Then the 
 wretched boys returned to meet Haya Band, and contrived 
 somehow to get him to eat some drugged fruit, whereby 
 he became very stupid. Afterwards they went as fast as 
 they could to the merchant's house, and told him with 
 tears in their eyes, as though they were awfully sorry 
 at the discovery, that the woman to whom he had plighted 
 
HAY A BAND AND ZUHRA KHOTAN. 179 
 
 his son was an ogress and devoured human beings. 
 When he heard this the merchant was very angry, and 
 would have broken ofif tlie match ; but what could he do ? 
 The hour was approaching, and everybody was in expecta- 
 tion of the bridegroom. 
 
 On reaching the bride's house Haya Band was severely 
 scrutinised by his intended father-in-law and mother-in- 
 law, who, when they saw him in such a sleepy, stupid 
 condition, felt certain that the words of their wicked in- 
 formants were true, and refused to give their daughter to 
 him. However, tlie wise and virtuous bride, whose name 
 was Zuhra Khotan, suspected some trickery, and forced 
 her parents to allow the marriage. She was certain that 
 Haya Band's father was too good and honest a man to 
 deceive. Accordingly the hymeneal rites were performed. 
 Towards evening Haya Band began to recover from tlie 
 effects of the drug. He soon came to his senses and 
 recognised his wife, and was delighted with her. 
 
 In a few days they started together for his house, ac- 
 cording to custom. As the way was rather long, they 
 arranged to do it in two marches. They halted at a house 
 in one of the villages about half-way, and determined to 
 spend the night there. When retiring to rest, Zuhra 
 Khotan suddenly discovered that she had not brought 
 any present for her mother-in-law. Alas ! what could she 
 do ? It would be such a disgrace to go to her husband's 
 house empty-handed. The poor girl was in great distress. 
 However, kind sleep at last closed her eyes. While she 
 slept she dreamed a dream, in which she saw a man 
 coming to her and saying, " virtuous woman, be not 
 afraid, but go to the river, and you will find a corpse 
 floating on the water, on whose arm is a most valuable 
 bracelet. Call the corpse towards you — it will obey — 
 and take off the bracelet and carry it to your mother- 
 in-law." This wonderful dream woke the woman. She 
 immediately arose and walked to the river-side, where she 
 saw a corpse floating at a little distance. She called it to 
 
i8o FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 her, and taking off the beautiful bracelet which was on its 
 arm, returned to the cottage. All would have gone on 
 well now had it not been for the two wicked boys. They 
 were hankering about the place, and had seen everything. 
 This was just what they wanted. They had only to 
 sprinkle some sheep's blood along the path to the river 
 and on the river-bank, and then run with all haste to the 
 merchant, their master, and tell him to come and see his 
 daughter-in-law's last exploit, to confirm their terrible life 
 to him about her. This they did, and the merchant came 
 and saw the blood-marks, and wept like a man about to die. 
 In the morning he went to his son and told him what he 
 had seen and heard, but his son would not believe it, and 
 got very angry. Presently, however, the ddi affirmed 
 that her mistress went out of the cottage about midnight 
 for a little while, but for what purpose she did not know. 
 Hay a Band was then very much surprised, and felt 
 obliged to credit the wicked story, and kept away from 
 his wife. It was a very sad wedding party that arrived 
 at the merchant's house that afternoon. Zuhra Khotan 
 was at once placed in a separate room, and nobody went 
 near her except the ddi. One day her mother-in-law 
 essayed to look at her through an open door, and nearly 
 fainted from fright. A long time thus passed, during 
 which Haya Band worked in his father's business together 
 with his two wicked companions, whom he treated as 
 friends, and the more so, imagining them to have told him 
 the truth about his wife, and thus saved him from a most 
 horrible death. 
 
 One day the merchant suggested that his son and the 
 two young men (for they were getting quite young men by 
 this time) should go on a little trading expedition. He 
 did this, because he saw that Haya Band was grieving 
 about his wife, and therefore wished to divert his thoughts. 
 The three youths started, and went- several miles, when 
 Haya Band suddenly remembered that he had left his 
 account-books behind, and rode back for them, promising 
 
HAY A BAND AND ZUHRA KNOT AN. iSi 
 
 to meet'his companions at the end of the march in tlie 
 evening. Now these account-books were in Zuhra Kho- 
 tan's room. Why they had been placed there we do not 
 know. So when Haya Band returned he immediately 
 rushed up to that room to fetch them. Of course he saw 
 his wife. Beautiful she looked in her sorrow, and so good 
 and pure and loving ! Haya Band could not resist. He 
 drew her to him in fond embrace and kissed her. He 
 stayed with her for a month or so, and then left secretly, 
 to see wha;t had become of his companions and the goods. 
 He found them at the end of the first march, where he 
 had p'romised to meet them. They had not stirred from the 
 place, nor tried to dispose of the merchandise, but had spent 
 their time in drinking and gambling and other suchlike 
 occupations. Haya Band was very angry when he heard 
 this, and sharply reproving them, went on alone ; while 
 these two wicked fellows returned. Enraged beyond 
 measure, they resolved to wreak vengeance on Haya Band. 
 They disguised themselves as faqirs, and learnt a few of 
 the tricks of these people, and then went to the merchant's 
 house and cried, " Oh, sir, be warned in time ! There is an 
 ogress in your house, who has lain with man and has con- 
 ceived. Eor God's sake, for your own sake, turn her out 
 of the place, lest she bring destruction on you and on 
 those around you." On saying this they went away. 
 
 We can imagine that such words, coming from the lips 
 of such people, would make a great impression on the mer- 
 chant and his wife. They could not rest or do anything 
 till they had ascertained the truth. They searched the 
 premises, and had every woman examined, but found 
 nothing as the faqirs had said. They then emboldened 
 themselves to inquire of Zuhra Khotan, and found that 
 she was enciente. In vain she protested that she was not 
 an ogress, but a virtuous woman. The merchant sent to 
 the diwdn and got 'a writ for her execution. She was. 
 taken to a jungle, where her head was to be cut of£ On 
 reaching the jungle she prayed the executioners to have 
 
1 82 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 mercy on her. " men," she cried, " ye will not be so 
 cruel and unjust as to slay an innocent woman. I have 
 done nothing worthy of death, nor can anything be proved 
 against me. Wherefore do ye slay me ? " 
 
 " We have received our orders," they replied. 
 
 Then the woman prostrated herself on the ground and 
 prayed, " God, have mercy on me. Thou knowest that 
 I have not sinned. Intervene for me and deliver me." 
 
 On this one of the soldiers went forward and raised his 
 sword to slay her, when behold ! it was turned into wood. 
 Then another soldier attempted to raise his sword, but he 
 could not, for his hands were fastened in some invisible 
 way behind him. Afterwards a third man went forward 
 to do the deed, and he fell down senseless. Thus God 
 heard the woman's prayer, and defeated the counsels of 
 the wicked. 
 
 When the soldiers saw what had happened they be- 
 lieved that God was against the deed. " woman," they 
 said, " we will not slay you ; but tell us, we beseech you, 
 how we can save ourselves, for when the diwdn and the 
 merchant find that we have not fulfilled their orders they 
 will be angry with us and punish us. Our orders were to 
 slay you and carry back your head." 
 
 " Fear not," said Zuhra Khotan, gathering some earth 
 and making clay of it. " I will form a head out of this." 
 Thus saying, she shaped a head out of the clay like unto 
 her own head, and entreated God to change it into flesh 
 and blood. God heard this prayer also. The clay head 
 was at once changed into a human head, and dripped 
 with blood. " Take this," she said, " and give it to the 
 merchant." And the soldiers took it and went. 
 
 When the merchant saw the gory head he was very 
 glad. He hung it up outside his garden. 
 
 Zuhra Khotan lived in the jungle for some time, and ate 
 such fruit and vegetables as she could find there. After- 
 wards, when she wished to leave that place, she told 
 one of the trees to look for Haya Band and inform him 
 
HAYA BAND AND ZUHRA KHOTAN. 185 
 
 whither she had gone. She went to another country, 
 and lodged with a poor old widow whom she met there. 
 By day she was going out to gather sticks and other such 
 things as she could sell, and by night she slept in the old 
 woman's house. By-and-by she gave birth to a fine little 
 boy. 
 
 Now it chanced that at that time the queen also was 
 expecting her confinement. She was praying and hoping 
 that it would be a son, as the king had threatened to take 
 away her life if a boy should not be born. The poor 
 woman was very anxious. She sent for the royal mid- 
 wives, and inquired wliether she was going to have a son 
 or not. They all replied in the negative, and advised her 
 to get a newly-born male child, and put away the little 
 girl, that they felt sure was about to be born. The queen 
 accepted their advice, and sent messengers in all directions 
 to search out such a child for her. One of these mes- 
 sengers happened to call at the house of the old widow, 
 and seeing the little baby there, begged her to sell him to 
 the queen. Being a very greedy, covetous old creature, 
 she consented, and gave the child to the man, who quickly 
 carried it to the queen. In due time the child's birth 
 was proclaimed, and there was great rejoicing in the 
 city. 
 
 As soon as the messenger had left, the old widow 
 collected a few big stones, one of which she put in the 
 place where the baby used to sleep, and the others she 
 put in a cupboard. When Zuhra Khotan returned she 
 pretended that a heavenly woman had visited the place 
 and changed the child for a stone, as they had done to 
 several of her children — witness the stones in the cup- 
 board. This heavenly woman visited the place once 
 a year, she added. Poor Zuhra Khotan ! how she wept 
 for the loss of her baby ! Deprived of her husband, and 
 now deprived of her child, she earnestly wished to die. 
 This world was too wicked,, too troublesome, for her. 
 What had she to live for ? It was a mournful existence 
 
l84 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 for her — day after day collecting fruit and wood and such 
 things as she could live by, and night after night returning, 
 to the wretched old widow and comfortless home. 
 
 Meanwhile her son (the prince) grew up to be a big, 
 clever, and pious youth. In his peregrinations he often 
 passed the widow's house. One day he caught sight of 
 Zuhra Khotan as she was returning from her day's wander- 
 ings, and was so struck with her beauty that he ascertained 
 where she resided ; and when he got back to the palace he 
 went to the king and entreated him to arrange for his 
 marriage with her.^ The king promised to think over the 
 matter, and summoned Zuhra Khotan to the palace. He 
 also was struck with her beauty and modest manner. He 
 told her of the prince's ardent affection for her, and asked 
 whether she would be his wife ; to which she replied that 
 she was a wife already, and knew not that her husband was 
 dead ; but she promised that if she heard nothing about 
 him for the next six months she would marry the prince. 
 The king complied with her request, and so the matter 
 ended for a while. 
 
 All through that year and several years afterwards 
 Haya Band was travelling about the world, visiting diffe- 
 rent countries for purposes of trade. At last, about .this 
 time, he returned to his house a very wealthy man. He 
 thought to find his wife, and to hear that she had been 
 proved harmless and received into the family. We can 
 imagine, therefore, his intense grief when he heard what 
 had been done to her. He asked his parents which way 
 the executioners had taken his wife, and where they had 
 carried out the cruel order, and when they told him he 
 packed up some things and started off on the same road. 
 By the goodness of God he reached this jungle, and passed 
 by the tree that Zuhra Khotan had asked to inform him 
 of her whereabouts. " Your wife is not dead," said the 
 tree. " The head which was carried back to your father 
 
 ' Cf. whole story of " Swet-Basanta " in Folk-Tales of Bengal. 
 
HAYA BAND AND ZUHRA KHOTAN. 185 
 
 •was not your wife's head. Your wife is alive. Go on 
 without delay till you reach a certain country, where you 
 will find her whom you seek. Go, and God watch over 
 you." 
 
 After some days journeying the young merchant 
 reached that country; and one morning, while he was 
 walking about the Mzdr of the chief city, he chanced to 
 see some women carrying things to the old widow's house. 
 
 " For whom are these things ? " asked he. " Where are 
 you going ? " 
 
 " There is a woman here called Zuhra Khotan, who is 
 about to be married to the prince, and since she is very 
 poor the king is sending her some clothes and jewels for 
 the wedding. She came here several years ago from some 
 other country." 
 
 On hearing these words Haya Band gave the old widow 
 his signet ring, and begged her to show it to Zuhra Khotan. 
 He would accompany her as far as the door, and there 
 wait. The woman did so, and Zuhra Khotan at once re- 
 cognised it, and went out and embraced her long-lost 
 husband. Information of his coming was at once sent to 
 the palace. The king was very disappointed; but the 
 prince was exasperated. In a fit of desperation he ran off 
 at once to Zuhra Khotan 's lodgings and tried to prevail on 
 her to go wkh him, when lo ! he was somehow recognised 
 and declared to be her son. Everything was fully proved. 
 The queen confessed everything, and the old widow con- 
 fessed everything, and the messenger who took the child 
 away confessed everything; but besides these witnesses 
 the strongest evidence was the great likeness of the child 
 to both his father and mother. 
 
 The king was exceedingly enraged when he heard of 
 this, and at once banished the queen, and had the old 
 widow put to death. 
 
 Haya Band and his wife and son returned to their own 
 country, where they lived happily together ever afterwards.* 
 
 3 Cf. Wide-Awake Stories, p. 396, note (d). 
 
( i86 ) 
 
 THE CLEVER JACKAL."- 
 
 It was plougliing-time. A farmer started early for his 
 fields, bidding his wife follow him soon with a pot of food. 
 When the rice was ready the woman carried some to her 
 husband, and put it down in the field at a little distance 
 from him, saying, "Here is your food. I cannot stay 
 now." In a little while, when the farmer went to look 
 for his food, he found the pot empty. He was very angry 
 at this, and when he got home in the evening sharply 
 reproved his wife for playing tricks with him. She, of 
 course, thought he was telling a lie, and felt very much 
 aggrieved. 
 
 On the following morning, before going out, he repeated 
 his request that she would bring him some food, and not 
 allow him to starve like a dog. That day she carried a 
 double quantity of rice to him in a large earthen pot, and 
 put it down in the field again, saying, " Look now, here is 
 your dinner. Don't say I did not bring it. I cannot 
 stay, as there is nobody left to look after the house." 
 Thus saying, she went. 
 
 In a little while a jackal came — the same as came on 
 the previous day and ate up the man's food — and put its 
 head into the pot. So eager was the beast to get at the 
 rice, that it forced its head into the narrow neck of the 
 pot, and could not take it out again. It was in a dreadful 
 state. It ran about shaking its head and beating the pot 
 against the ground to try and break it. 
 
 At last the farmer saw what was the matter, and came 
 
 1 Narrator's name, Pandit Wasah Kol of Kahipura in the KriihSu 
 pargana. 
 
THE CLEVER JACKAL. 187 
 
 running up with a knife, and exclaiming, "You thief! 
 You stole my dinner, did you ? " 
 
 " Oh, let me go ! " cried the jackal. " G-et me out of this 
 pot and I will give you anything you may wish for." 
 
 " Very well," said the farmer, and at once smashed the 
 pot and extricated the animal. 
 
 "Thank you," said the jackal. "You shall not regret 
 to-day's adventure." On this the beast wished the man 
 "Good-day," and started for a king's palace some miles 
 distant. 
 
 ■* " king," it said on entering the royal chamber, " give 
 me permission and I will arrange for your daughter's 
 marriage. Be not angry with me. I should not have 
 presumed to speak to Your Majesty on this matter if I had 
 not lately seen one who is worthy in every way of the 
 hand of the princess." 
 
 " You can bring the man here," replied the king, " and 
 I will see him." 
 
 Then the jackal immediately started back for the 
 farmer's house, and entering, asked him to prepare him- 
 self quickly for a visit to the king of the neighbouring 
 country, who was desirous of seeing him with a view of 
 making him his son-in-law. At lirst the farmer demurred, 
 on account of his ignorance and poverty. How would he 
 know what to say to a king ? how would he know how to 
 behave in the company of so high a personage ? and whence 
 could he obtain suitable clothes for the visit ? But even- 
 tually the jackal prevailed on him to accept the king's 
 invitation, and promised to help him in every possible 
 way. So the jackal and the farmer started. When they 
 arrived at the king's palace the jackal went in search of 
 His Majesty, while the farmer squatted on the floor of 
 the entrance-hall by the palace, where the shoes were 
 kept, and waited. 
 
 "I have brought the man of whom I spoke to Your 
 Majesty the other day," said the jackal, going up to the 
 king. " He has come in ordinary clothes and without any 
 
i88 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 retinue or show, as he thought Your Majesty would be 
 inconvenienced by having to arrange accommodation for 
 so many people. Your Majesty must not be offended in 
 this thing, but the rather should see in it a proof of the 
 man's good sense.'' 
 
 " Most certainly," said the king, rising up ; " lead me to 
 him." 
 
 " There he is," said the jackal. 
 
 " "What ! " that man squatting by the shoes ? " exclaimed 
 His Majesty. " Friend, why do you sit in such a place ? " 
 he asked the farmer. 
 
 " It is a nice clean place, Your Majesty, and good enough 
 for a poor man like me," replied the farmer. 
 
 " Observe the humility of the man," interposed the 
 jackal. 
 
 " You will stay in the palace this evening," said the 
 king. " There are a few matters concerning which I wish 
 to converse with you. To-morrow, if convenient, I shal] 
 go and see your abode." 
 
 That evening the king, the farmer, and the jackal 
 talked much together. As will be supposed, the farmer 
 constantly betrayed his humble position, but the clever 
 jackal contrived to arrange matters so that the king on 
 the whole was rather favourable to the match. 
 
 But what about the morrow ? The jackal had been 
 revolving the matter over in its mind during the night. 
 As soon as the king and the farmer started it asked for 
 permission to go on ahead. It ran as fast as it could to 
 the farmer's house and set it on fire, and when they drew 
 near, went forth to meet them, crying, " king, come not 
 any fartlier, I beseech you. The man's house and pro- 
 perty are destroyed. Some enemy's hand must have done 
 this. Both of you turn back, I pray you." 
 
 So the poor simple king turned back. In due time 
 he married his daughter to the ignorant farmer.* 
 
 ^ Folk-TalesofSenga!, -pp. 226-236; p. 299; also Mongolian tale in same 
 Chilian story, " Don Juan Bolon- journal, vol. iv. p. 32. 
 dron," in FoVc-Lore Journal, vol. iii. 
 
( i89 ) 
 
 A STUPID BOY.^ 
 
 A POOR widow's misery was increased by the knowledge 
 that her son, her only son, around whom she had built up 
 many many hopes, was a half-wit. One day she sent him 
 to the bdzdr with some cloth, and told him to sell it for 
 four rupees. The boy went, and sat down in the most 
 public thoroughfare of the city. 
 
 " How much do you want for that piece of cloth ? " 
 asked a man. 
 
 " Four rupees," replied the boy. 
 
 " All right ; I'll give you six rupees for it. It is worth 
 it. Here, take the money." 
 
 " No, no," said the boy ; " its price is four rupees." 
 
 " You scamp ! " exclaimed the man angrily, and went 
 on. He thought the boy was joking with him. 
 
 On reaching home in the evening he informed his 
 mother of this incident, and she was grieved that he had 
 not taken the money. 
 
 Another day she sent him to the bdzdr, and advised him 
 to saldm everybody, saying that nothing was ever lost by 
 politeness, but, on the contrary, everything was sometimes 
 gained by it. The stupid boy sallied forth, and began 
 making saldms to everybody and everything he met — a 
 sweeper, a horse, some little children, a house. A number 
 of asses, too, passed by with loads on their backs, and he 
 said "Saldm" to them also. 
 
 " Hey ! you fool ! what are you doing ? " said the 
 donkey-driver in charge. " Don't you know that we say 
 
 ^ Narrator's name, a Panditini, collected for me by Pandit Anand Kol 
 of Zainah Kadal, Srinagar. 
 
igo FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 'Fri friV"^ wliereupoa the boy commenced saying "Fri 
 fri " to every person and thing. He passed a man who had 
 just spread a snare for a bird that he very much wished 
 to catch, when " Fri fri " shouted the boy, and most effec- 
 tually frightened away the bird. 
 
 " You blackguard ! what are you doing ? " said the man. 
 " You should say ' Lag lag,' in a very soft tone." 
 
 Then the boy began to say "Zag lag." He was wander- 
 ing about crying "Zag lag," when he came across some 
 thieves coming out of a garden, where they had just been 
 stealing the fruit. 
 
 " What do you mean ? " said they. " Be quiet, you 
 fool, or say something else. Go and shout, ' Let go one 
 and take the other.' " 
 
 So the boy did, and while he was shouting these words 
 a funeral cortege passed by. 
 
 "Be quiet," said some of the mourners. "Have you 
 so little respect for the dead ? Get along home." 
 
 At length, disappointed and disheartened, not knowing 
 what to do or what to say, the half-wit returned to his 
 mother and told her everything. 
 
 ° Fri fri is an exclamation used for urging on donkeya. 
 
( 191 } 
 
 FOUR PRINCES TURNED INTO STONES.'- 
 
 In olden times there lived a king that had four sons, 
 whom he ordered to patrol the country in turn by day and 
 by night. One morning the eldest prince in the course of 
 his wanderings came across a Jogi, who was sitting by a 
 pond, near which four horses were grazing. Seeing that 
 the horses were of a better and different breed to any that 
 his father possessed, the prince went up to the j'ogi, and 
 said, " Jogi, who are you ? Whence have you come ? 
 What do you want here ? " 
 
 " I want you," replied the j'ogi. 
 
 " Me ! " exclaimed the prince. " I am the eldest son of 
 the king of this country, and my father has ordered me to 
 look after this place, and to see that nobody wants for 
 anything. Tell me if you are in need." 
 
 " prince," replied the Jogi, " I want nothing except 
 you. But if you need anything, then tell me, and I will 
 procure it for you." 
 
 " jogi, I wish to ride one of your beautiful horses," 
 said the prince. 
 
 " Very well," said the jogi. " Take it, but be careful to 
 return it this evening, when I shall see you, and hope to 
 hear some of your experience during the day." 
 
 So the prince took the horse and rode off. As soon as 
 he had mounted, the animal ran away as fast at it could 
 to a jungle, and there stopped by a little vegetable garden, 
 which was so fenced round on every side that nobody 
 could enter it. After riding a little farther into the jungle 
 
 ' Narr.itor's name, Makuad B&yti, Suthii, Srinagar, who heard it from a 
 Masalm&n. 
 
igz 
 
 FOLK -TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 the prince turned to go back. On the way he saw that 
 all the sticks of the fence had changed into sickles ^ and 
 were cutting the vegetables. He was astonished to see 
 this, but could not tell the reason of it. On reaching the 
 iogi's place in the evening the good man asked him if he 
 had had a pleasant ride and what he had seen. 
 
 " I have seen," he replied, " a garden fenced in on all 
 sides with an impenetrable fence; and I have seen the 
 sticks of this same fence changed into sickles and cutting 
 the vegetables." 
 
 " Well, what does it mean ? " asked the jogi. 
 
 " I don't know," the prince replied. 
 
 " Don't know ! " repeated the jogi, " and you commis- 
 sioned by your father to supervise affairs ! Be turned 
 into a stone." And it was so. That 'very moment the 
 prince became a pillar of stone.* 
 
 2 The word here 'was drot, a small 
 sickle with teeth, used by gardeners 
 and grasscutters. 
 
 s Concerning metamorphoses of 
 human beings into stones, cf. Old 
 Beccan Days, pp. lo, 55, 75 ; Indian 
 Fuiry Tales, p. 140 ; Madanakamdrd- 
 jankadai, p. 149; and Vana-parva, 
 the third book of the Mahdbhdrata, 
 where DaiTiiyanti is said to have 
 cursed a hunter, who was at once 
 changed into a stone ; a Greek story, 
 " Das sohloss des Helios" {Schmidt's 
 Griecldsche Maerchen, Sagen and 
 Yolkslieder, p. 106) ; the tale of the 
 " Two Brothers," in Grimm's House- 
 hold Stories, p. 204 : Indian Anti- 
 quary, vol. xix. pt. oxcvii. p. 191 ; 
 B.A.S. Journal, vol. xix, p. 398; also 
 "Tale of Four Princes" and ''The 
 Wicked Queens," in this collection. 
 
 In the Rishindma it is said that one 
 spring ShejfcA Kfiru'ddin, accompanied 
 by some of his disciples, visited the 
 Pir Pants&l. He had reached a place 
 at the foot of the mountain called 
 Zezah NS,r, now called LS.1 GhuUm, 
 where a black dev was in the habit of 
 seizing passers by and eating them. 
 The dev'a name was Dahkadii. In 
 consequence of this the SheM's dis- 
 ciples turned to him in great distress 
 and besought him to deliver them. 
 The SheiA heard their petition, and 
 
 taking hold of one of the ears of the 
 dev, threw him over the mountain. 
 As soon as the body touched the 
 ground on the other side it was meta- 
 morphosed into a stone, which may 
 be seen there, in the form 'of a man, 
 to the present day. If any person 
 should doubt this thing, that it was 
 or is not within the experience of God's 
 saints, let him read the following; — 
 " Auliyd rd hast qudrat az Ildh 
 Urijastah bdz garddnad si rdk.'' 
 Several of these stones, called in 
 Kashmiri dumata, are to be seen 
 about the valley. People think them 
 to be as old as the P&nda'vas, and 
 believe they are .the petrified bodies 
 of wicked men, whom some good folk 
 in olden times cursed because they 
 were troubled by them. Near Hari 
 Parbat, a hill in Srinagar, are five or 
 six of these stones, which people 
 declare were formerly chatdi-farosh 
 {sellers of matting), whom Lakshrai, 
 the goddess, cursed because they 
 would not sell some matting cheap. 
 There is one, also, at Z6wan, in the 
 Wular pargana — the petrified body 
 of a gar (a milkman) ; and there is 
 another in the dal (lake) near Srina- 
 gar ; while near Shupiyon there are 
 a lot of them in a ring, that are said 
 to be the metamorphoses of a wedding 
 party. In Kashmir, at any rate, this 
 
FOUR PRINCES TURNED INTO STONES. 193 
 
 The next morning the second son, while looking for his 
 brother, passed by the jogi's place, and seeing the horses, 
 he stopped and inquired who the jogi was, and whence he 
 came. 
 
 " I am travelling in this country for a while," the jogi 
 replied. " These four horses are mine. Would you like 
 to ride one of them ? Yesterday the king's eldest son 
 came to me and asked permission to take one of the horses. 
 I caused him to be turned into stone, because he could not 
 explain something that he saw during his ride." 
 
 " Indeed ! " the second prince exclaimed ; " and what 
 did he see ? " 
 
 Then the jogi told him, and promised that if he could 
 explain why the sticks of the fence were changed into 
 sickles that cut the vegetables, he would restore his 
 brother to life and former self." 
 
 " You ask a hard thing," said the prince. " How can 
 I explain what I have never seen ? But if I may use 
 one of your beautiful horses, I will go and examine this 
 thing, and give you an answer." 
 
 Accordingly he mounted one of the horses and rode 
 away. On reaching the jungle he saw a newly-born calf 
 suckling its mother. He tarried a long time looking at 
 this strange sight, and then returned to the jogi. 
 
 " Well, what have you seen ? " the holy man inquired. 
 
 " jogi," the prince answered, " I have seen a calf 
 giving milk to its mother." 
 
 " Do you know what this means ? " asked the jogi. 
 
 " No," said the prince. 
 
 " What ! you don't know ? " 
 
 The prince did not reply a second time ; consequently 
 the jogi cursed him, and he became a pillar of stone. 
 
 On the following morning the third prince came by 
 
 idea of metamorpliosis into stone ous metamorphosis folk-tales are to 
 "would appear to be a popular at- be explained as folk attempts at ex- 
 tempt to account for the existence of plaining the existence of mouolithes 
 remarkable and unexplained mono- in other parts of the world, 
 lithes. Perhaps some of our numer- 
 
 N 
 
194 FOLK -TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 the place where the jogi was staying, and attracted by 
 the horses, went up to the jogi and asked him who he 
 was and how he had obtained such beautiful animals. 
 Evading these questions, the good man begged him to sit 
 down ; and when, in course of conversation, he got to know 
 that this young man also was a son of the king of that 
 country, and was searching for his two brothers, he in- 
 formed him what had happened to these princes. " But," 
 he added, " they shall be restored to their former selves, if 
 you can tell me why the sticks of the fence were changed 
 into sickles and why the calf gave suck to the cow." 
 
 " Thank you," replied the prince. " If you will lend me 
 one of your horses I will go and see these strange things." 
 
 " Certainly," said the Jogi. " Take one of the horses 
 and go and see ; but mind and come back by the evening." 
 
 So the prince rode off, and as he entered the jungle he 
 saw a man carrying a load of wood on his back, who, not 
 content with what he had already gathered, still went on 
 picking up whatever lay in his path. 
 
 " What does this mean ? " thought the prince. " What 
 shall I say to the jogi when he questions me ? " 
 
 Alas ! alas ! this prince too was unable to explain the 
 strange sight, and therefore was turned into a pillar of 
 stone. 
 
 The next morning the last and youngest brother appeared 
 and saluted the jogi. " jogi," he said, " have you seen 
 my three brothers ? " 
 
 " Yes," he replied. " They are all there— look," and so 
 saying, he pointed to the three pillars of stone. " I metar 
 morphosed them because they could not explain a few 
 things that they saw in yonder jungle. But I will restore 
 them to their former selves if you can tell me the meaning 
 of these things." Hereupon he related what the princes 
 had seen. 
 
 " I will try," said the prince, "if you will please allow 
 me to use one of your horses. I should like to ride to the 
 jungle and see for myself." 
 
FOUR PRINCES TURNED INTO STONES. 195 
 
 Permission having been given, the prince started. On 
 reaching the jungle he noticed a pond, from which water 
 was flowing and filling other ponds. Presently the big 
 pond was empty, having exhausted itself over these other 
 ponds. When he returned in the evening he told the jogi 
 what he had seen, and confessed his inability to explain 
 its meaning. Consequently he too was metamorphosed 
 into a pillar of stone. 
 
 When the king of the country found that not one of his 
 sons had been heard of for several days he suspected that 
 some harm had happened to them, and went in search of 
 them. In the course of his wanderings he passed by the 
 jogi. " Jogi" said he, " have you seen or heard anything 
 of my four sons ? " 
 
 T\\QJogi pointed to the four pillars of stone. 
 
 " What ! " exclaimed the king. " You do not mean to 
 say that they have been changed into stones ? " 
 
 " There they are," replied the jogi. " I metamorphosed 
 them because they could not tell me the meaning of some 
 sights that they saw in the jungle. However, they shall 
 be restored if you can explain those things for them. 
 You can have one of my horses if you like to go to the 
 jungle." 
 
 " No, thank you," said the king. " But if you will tell me 
 what my sons' difficulties were, I will try to unravel them." 
 
 Then the jogi told him, " The eldest prince saw a garden 
 of vegetables fenced all round so that no man could enter 
 it ; and the sticks of the fence thereof became sickles, and 
 cut the vegetables." 
 
 Then the king replied, " This is a picture of the man 
 in whose care some money has been placed, and when the 
 owner of the money asks for it, the man hides or spends 
 the money, so that the owner cannot get at it. ' 
 
 Directly the king uttered these words the eldest prince 
 appeared, standing before him, and alive and well. 
 
 " The second prince saw a calf giving milk to a cow," 
 said the jogi. 
 
196 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 " Strange that lie was not reminded of a woman who 
 lives on her daughter's hire," said the king ; and on saying 
 this the second prince stood up before him. 
 
 " The third prince saw a man with a load of wood on 
 his back, and as the man walked he picked up other 
 sticks and added them to the load," said the Jogi. 
 
 " One thinks of those people who are never satisfied 
 with their wealth, but are always adding every cowrie 
 they can get," said the king ; and no sooner had the king 
 spoken these words than the third prince was restored, 
 and stood before him. 
 
 " Your youngest son saw a pond that had emptied itself 
 to supply six other ponds," said the Jogi. 
 
 " Just like the world," said the king. " One man may 
 spend and be spent for the sake of others, and what return 
 does he get ? " 
 
 Assoon as he said this the youngest prince stood before 
 him. 
 
 Glad and happy, the king and his four sons then re- 
 turned to the palace. Soon after this His Majesty gave 
 up the government of the country to his sons, and devoted 
 himself entirely to the religious life. 
 
( 197 ) 
 
 THE BRAVE PRINCESS} 
 
 There were two great and wealthy kings. The one had a 
 very handsome son, and the other had a most beautiful 
 daughter. Both these, the prince and princess, were of a 
 marriageable age ; and so the two kings were sending and 
 inquiring everywhere for suitable partners. As luck 
 would have it, one day the messengers of these two kings 
 met, and in course of conversation each told the other the 
 purport of his errand. They were very much surprised 
 and rejoiced when they found that their errand was the 
 same, that the two kings were of a fairly equal position in 
 the world, and that the prince and princess were in every 
 way a good match. ^ 
 
 When the kings heard of the success of their messengers 
 they immediately communicated witli one another. A 
 match was arranged ; the day was fixed ; and the bride- 
 groom went to the house of the father of the bride. After 
 the usual preliminaries the wedding took place, and every- 
 thing passed off splendidly. 
 
 But now a cloud came over the scene. How short- 
 lived is joy ! No sooner does a man snatch at it than it 
 disappears and the hand closes on a shadow. Alas! alas! 
 while the prince was returning with his bride he halted in 
 a certain garden that happened to be the favourite resort of 
 a company of fairies. These creatures came to the place 
 at night, and when they saw the prince they were so 
 fascinated with him that they determined to make him 
 
 ' Narrator's name, Makund B&yli, a Kam," and "How the Princess 
 Suthfi, Srinagar. Found her Husband," in this ooUec- 
 
 " Of. tale of "Prince who Became tlon. 
 
198 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 their own, and therefore charmed him into a death-like 
 sleep. In vain the princess and others tried to rouse 
 him on the following morning. They thought he was 
 dead, and wept and mourned for him exceedingly, as for 
 one whose spirit had departed, and with whom they 
 should not converse any more. It was a terrible time. 
 Meanwhile Sudabror and Budabror* came and perched on 
 a tree close to the little company of mourners, and com- 
 menced talking together. Sudabror said, "This prince 
 should not be buried." 
 
 " Why ? " said Budabror. 
 
 " Because he is not dead," replied Sudabror. " In a few 
 days perhaps he will revive.'' 
 
 These words fell like nectar in the ears of the princess, 
 who at once gave orders to leave the corpse as and where 
 it was, and promised to tell them afterwards why she had 
 thus ordered. Accordingly the prince was left in the 
 garden, and the people went away to their homes — the 
 sad bride and her retinue one way, and the people belong- 
 ing to the prince another way. Great was the grief of the 
 king and queen when they heard the cruel fate of their 
 son-in-law. The poor princess wept day and night, and 
 would not be comforted. Every minute she was looking 
 for the return of her husband ; but he did not come. At 
 length she could not bear her grief any longer, and there- 
 fore craved permission from her father to leave the palace 
 for a while and to wander about the country whitherso- 
 ever she wished. The king did not like to grant her 
 request, but eventually he was moved to do so at the 
 advice of his ministers, who thought that unless the 
 princess had her wish she would become insane. The 
 princess wandered here and there on the highway be- 
 moaning her sad lot. " Have you seen the prince ? Have 
 you seen the prince ? " she inquired from every passer-by. 
 Thus many days were spent, and nobody could tell her 
 anything of the object of her anxious search. At last an 
 
 2 These birds appear in the story of the " Two Brothers." 
 
THE BRAVE PRINCESS. 199 
 
 old man approached. " Have you seen the prince ? " she 
 asked. 
 
 " I have passed through a garden," replied the old man, 
 " and in this garden I saw a handsome youth sleeping on 
 the ground. Wondering why he had selected such a spot 
 for a rest, I stopped, and behold ! within a few minutes I 
 saw some fairy-like women come and place a wand under 
 his head, and he sat up and talked with them, and then 
 they took the wand and placed it under his feet, and the 
 youth fell back into sleep again. This I saw, and I 
 wondered what this strange sight might be." 
 
 " Very curious ! " exclaimed the princess. " Can you 
 direct me to the garden where this youth lies sleeping ? " 
 
 " Yes," replied the old man, who at once led her towards 
 the ill-fated spot. 
 
 On their arrival they found the body of the prince lying 
 on the ground, apparently lifeless. Quickly seizing the 
 wand that was placed under his feet, the princess removed 
 it and put it under his head, when, as the old man had 
 said, the prince awoke and sat up.* 
 
 " Who are you ? " he said to the princess. 
 
 " I am your wife," she answered. " Do you not know 
 me?" 
 
 " How did you get here ? " he said. 
 
 " By the help of yonder old man," she replied, pointing to 
 her guide, who had tarried at a little distance from fear. 
 "Get up and come — escape with me from this terrible 
 place." 
 
 " Alas ! I cannot," he said, " for the fairies will soon 
 discover my absence, and come after me and kill me. Oh ! 
 if you love me, place the wand under my feet, and go." 
 
 " Never," she said. 
 
 " Then hide yourself quickly in the hollow of that tree, 
 for you are not safe here now. The fairies may return at 
 any moment." 
 
 * Cf. Folk-Tales of Bengal, p. 81 ; pp. 190-211. In English fairy tales a 
 Indian Antiquary, vol. i. pp. 115- "sleep-thorn" or other somniferous 
 219 ; and the same journal, vol. xvi. piece of wood is generally employed. 
 
200 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 The princess did so, and as soon as she had got within 
 her hiding-place the fairies came. 
 
 " Ah ! what do I smell ? " said one. 
 
 " Some human being has been here," said another. 
 
 On this two or three of them went to try and discover 
 the stranger who had dared to invade their retreat, but 
 they were unsuccessful. They then woke the prince and 
 asked him if he knew of any human being that had ven- 
 tured near. Of course he told them, " No." 
 
 " But we are certain there is somebody here near," they 
 said, " for the smell of a human being fills the air. Any- 
 how, we will leave here to-morrow for another place." 
 
 So the next morning the fairies explored the garden, 
 which was of immense size, and found another retreat 
 for themselves, where they thought they would be free 
 from the intrusion of any human being ; and while they 
 were away the prince called the princess, and said, "What 
 will you do now, my wife ? They will take me away to 
 another place, where you will not be able to come, and 
 I shall never see you again. Ah me ! ah me ! " 
 
 "Not so," replied the brave princess. "See, I will 
 gather some flowers, Strew these," she continued, giving 
 him a little bouquet of a certain kind of flower. " I shall 
 then be able to track you." 
 
 The prince took the flowers and hid them in his 
 clothes, and the princess ran away to the hollow in the 
 tree. 
 
 In a little while the fairies appeared in sight, and 
 beckoned to the prince to come after them. As the 
 prince went he now and again dropped a flower. The 
 following day the princess carefully followed the track 
 until she reached a very large and grand building, which 
 looked like a palace. This was the abode of a dev who in- 
 structed the fairies in all manner of magic. Nothing 
 daunted, the princess entered the building, and not find- 
 ing anybody inside, she sat down on one of the low seats 
 and rested herself. 
 
THE BRAVE PRINCESS. 201 
 
 Within an hour the dev arrived. Seeing the princess, he 
 thought she was his daughter, whom some other dev had 
 tecently taken away by force. " My darling daughter," 
 he exclaimed, rushing up to her, " how did you get back ? 
 How did you escape from that wretch ? " 
 
 The princess quickly perceived the circumstances of 
 the case, and replied, " Yes, I contrived to get out of his 
 clutches while he was asleep." 
 
 " My darling ! my darling ! " he exclaimed. 
 
 For some time the princess lived in the dev's house, and 
 was recognised by him and all the fairies as his daughter. 
 She had full power to do what she liked and to go where 
 she liked ; and at her earnest request the dev taught her 
 many of his tricks : how to make a man dead and then 
 alive again, how to find anything that had been hidden, 
 and several others. One day, by virtue of her extra- 
 ordinary powers, the princess noticed her husband con- 
 cealed in an ornament that was hanging from the ear of 
 one of the fairies. This earring she pretended to like 
 very much, and asked the fairy to give it to her. The 
 fairy refused ; but at last, fearing to offend her teacher's 
 daughter, she gave the earring to her, on the condition 
 that it should be returned on the morrow. The princess 
 promised. As soon as the fairy T/as out of sight the 
 princess extricated her husband. 
 
 " beloved, do you know me ? " she asked, when the 
 prince looked round on her and on everything with great 
 surprise. " Do you not know me ? I am your wife. For 
 your sake I have left my father's house ; for your sake 
 I have dared to visit this garden and to follow you even to 
 this dei/s abode ; for your sake I have endured his kisses 
 and caresses. Oh ! do you not know me ? " 
 
 Then the prince, having recovered his senses, recognised 
 her, and wept for joy. 
 
 " Come, come now," she said, " I will tell you what we 
 must do. The dev and all the people thoroughly believe 
 that I am his daughter, who was carried away forcibly by 
 
202 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 another. I shall take you to him, and profess that while 
 I was escaping from the dev I met you, and overcome by 
 your beauty, I married you. I shall also inform him of 
 your royal station, and entreat him to sanction the mar- 
 riage. He will be very glad when he hears this. Do not 
 be afraid. Come and see." 
 
 The princess was not disappointed. The dev was ex- 
 ceedingly happy to hear of his daughter's good fortune, and 
 made a great feast in her honour, to which he invited all 
 the members of the fairy community. 
 
 For some weeks the prince and princess stayed with 
 the dev, and then the prince quite naturally expressed a 
 great wish to visit his home, and the princess wanted to 
 go with him. Much as the dev wished to keep them both 
 with him, he did not think it reasonable to refuse his per- 
 mission, and so loaded them with presents and bade them 
 return to him as soon as possible. Amongst other things 
 he gave them a pith, which, on any person sitting in it 
 and wishing, would go to the place wished for. This 
 was the very thing for the prince and, princess, who at 
 once packed their treasures in it, and then, saying farewell 
 to their (beloved ?) hhtit, and to all the fairies who had 
 assembled to witness their departure, they sat in thepith and 
 began to float away in the air in the direction of the palace 
 of the father of the princess. This was soon reached. 
 
 There was much joy in the palace and in the city that 
 day and for long afterwards because the king's daughter 
 had returned, and the prince, her handsome husband, was 
 not dead, but was alive and well, and was with her. 
 
( 203 ) 
 
 THE THREE PRINCES} 
 
 Once upon a time there lived a king, who was celebrated 
 foT his learning, power, and prowess. This king had three 
 sons, who were all in every way worthy of such a father ; 
 for they were brave, and clever, and handsome, and wise, 
 and good. 
 
 One day the king, wishing to arrange for a successor to 
 his throne, summoned the wa%irs, and bade them help 
 him in the matter. " Take the princes,'' he said, " and 
 thoroughly examine them, and the one whom you approve 
 I will appoint to sit on the throne after me." 
 
 In the course of a few days the wazirs waited on His 
 Majesty with their answer. The chief wazir was spokes- 
 man, and said — 
 
 " Concernicg the appointment of a successor let the 
 king not be angry, and we will speak. Our counsel is to 
 send the princes out into the world and bid them to trade, 
 and it shall be that whoever among them amasses the 
 greatest fortune shall be king." 
 
 Upon this all the wazirs bowed their heads in token of 
 their unanimous approval of the plan. 
 
 " Be it so," said the king, and immediately told his 
 pleasure to the princes. 
 
 When everything was ready the three princes started. 
 They all travelled together to the sea, and there took ship 
 for some foreign country. As soon as they reached their 
 destination they parted. One went in this direction, 
 another in that, and the third in another ; but before they 
 
 1 Narrator's name, Makund BSyii of Suthfi, Sriaagar. 
 
204 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 separated they each bound themselves to return by a 
 certain time to the spot whence they had parted. 
 
 The two elder brothers went and traded with their 
 money, and gained immense wealth, but the youngest 
 brother wandered along the sea-coast, encamping here and 
 there as it pleased him. 
 
 While he was meditating what he should do with his 
 money, a gosdin came and stayed with him for three 
 days. The holy man was so pleased with the respect and 
 attention shown to him, that he determined to reward 
 the prince. 
 
 "I am very grateful for your piety and goodness," he 
 said. " Tell me your name, whence you came, and whither 
 you are going." 
 
 The prince explained everything to him. 
 
 " I understand," said the gosdin. " You must stay here. 
 Do not go any farther, but remain here till your brothers 
 return. Send your servants into the city to buy as much 
 corn as possible, and when they bring it throw some of it 
 into the sea every day till it is all gone. Then wait, and 
 you shall reap an abundant harvest." Saying this, the 
 holy man blessed him and departed. 
 
 The prince acted according to the advice of the gosdin. 
 He bought an immense quantity of corn, and had it piled 
 up near his encampment. Every day for about six months 
 he threw a certain measure of it into the sea, till the whole 
 was spent. " Now," thought he, " I shall have my reward." 
 
 He waited in great expectation for several days, but 
 nothing appeared. " The gosdin has deceived me," he said 
 to himself. " I am a ruined man ! Why was I so foolish 
 as to listen to his wicked advice ? What will my father 
 and my brothers say to me when they hear that I have 
 thrown all my money into the sea ? How they will laugh 
 at m3 ! I shall never be able to show my face to them 
 again ! Ah me ! Ah me ! I will now go to another 
 country. The day after to-morrow I will leave this 
 cursed place." 
 
THE THREE PRINCES. 205 
 
 But these words were hastily spoken. When all was 
 ready, and the prince and his retinue were about to start, 
 something happened. The corn that the prince had thrown 
 into the river had been eaten by a big fish,^ and as the 
 news of the prince's liberality spread far and wide in the 
 waters, shoals upon shoals of fish came together to the 
 place. The king of the fish ^ also came with them. At 
 last the supply was suddenly stopped. 
 
 " Why is this 1 " the king-fish asked. " We have been 
 receiving corn for the last six months, and now for several 
 days we have had nothing. Has the prince been rewarded 
 for his kindness to us ? " 
 
 " No ! " said the whole company. " We have not 
 received any order to that effect." 
 
 " Then hear the order," said the king-fish. " Go imme- 
 diately and recompense the prince. Each one of you 
 take a ruby and give it to him." 
 
 Away went all the company of fishes and deposited 
 each one a ruby on the shore near to the place * where the 
 prince was standing, and looking mournfully across the 
 sea. Attracted by the great noise in the water, the prince 
 turned towards them, and saw the long row of rubies on 
 the sand. " Wicked man that I am ! " he exclaiimed. 
 " Why am I thus rewarded ? My little faith does not 
 deserve this." Saying this, he at once gave an order to 
 have all the preparations for departure stopped. 
 
 " I shall remain here," said he, " till my brothers 
 return. Pitch the tents again." 
 
 While the encampment was once more being got ready 
 he and his head-man were occupied in collecting the long 
 row of precious rubies which the fishes had brought. 
 
 " Be careful," he said to the man, " that nothing of this 
 matter reaches the ears of the people of the city or any 
 other person whom we may meet. Let no mention of it 
 
 2 Kashmiri, matsh (Sanskrit, mats- in Tibetan Tales, p. 291, the Leviii- 
 
 ya), a fish; the fish avatdra of than. 
 
 Vishnu. * Cf. Chap. xvi. of Hikdydtu's 
 
 ^ In Indian Fairy Tales, p. 67, the Sdlihin ; Indian Fairy Tales, p. 66 ; 
 
 alligator appears as king of the fishes ; Folk-Tales of Bengal, p. 221. 
 
2o6 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 be made to my brothers either. I charge you ; see to 
 it that you fulfil your trust. You and the rest of my 
 retinue shall not go unrewarded if you obey me." 
 
 The man promised, and every day after this, as long as 
 the prince was in that place, the fishes were daily fed 
 with abundance of corn. 
 
 Now, in order that his valuable treasures might not be 
 discovered, the prince had them placed in cakes of dung, 
 which were dried in the sun.^ After a while the day 
 arrived for him to leave, so that he might reach the place • 
 where he was to meet his brothers by the appointed time. 
 He was so punctual, that he arrived there a day or two 
 earlier than the other two princes. 
 
 " Well, what luck ? " they said to each other when they 
 all met. 
 
 Said the eldest prince, " I have been trading as a cloth 
 merchant, and have gained such-and-such wealth," men- 
 tioning an enormous sum of money. 
 
 " Well done ! " exclaimed the other two brothers. 
 
 Said the second prince, "I have been trading as a 
 haniyd, and have amassed such-and-such money," also 
 mentioning an enormous amount. 
 
 " Well done ! " exclaimed the other two brothers. 
 
 Then spoke the youngest prince. " You see, brothers, 
 my fortune," and he pointed towards several loads of 
 dung-cakes. 
 
 " Hie, hie ! " cried the other two princes. " What made 
 our brother choose such a disgusting and unprofitable 
 business ? " 
 
 As soon as possible a ship was hired, and the three 
 princes, with their attendants, set sail for their own 
 country. Now, it happened that a most foolish arrange- 
 ment had been made about wood for the voyage. Before 
 they had got half-way they had run short of that 
 
 ' Kashmiri Lubar or Dramhar (if ordure for cooking and for heating 
 
 a big one). Those used by potters their little braziers, as any one will 
 
 are called Munar or Kond, which soon discover who comes into close 
 
 generally have a little hole in the contact with them (in the winter) or 
 
 middle. Poor people and others burn visits their hcuses at coolcing-time. 
 
THE THREE PRINCES. 207 
 
 indispensable article, and therefore the two elder princes 
 and the captain of the ship came to the youngest prince 
 and begged him to allow them to use some piles of his 
 dung-cakes, promising to pay him as soon as they landed. 
 
 The youngest prince consented, and the next morning 
 gave them sufficient for the rest of the voyage, after 
 ha^ang tal^en out the ruby that was in each of the cakes. 
 Thus in due time the ship arrived at her destination, 
 and the royal passengers disembarked. They immediately 
 started for their father's palace, and the day after their 
 return the king summoned the whole populace to a grand 
 meeting to witness the appointment of his successor to 
 the throne. 
 
 Accordingly there was an immense gathering. The 
 king, attended by all his court, sat in state, and the people 
 crowded round on all sides. Then the princes were sum- 
 moned before His Majesty and the people to show their 
 wealth and tell their experience. First came the eldest 
 prince, who in a loud voice declared all that he had done 
 and what fortune had attended him. Afterwards came 
 the second prince, and did likewise. And when the people 
 heard their words they cried, " Let him be king ! Let him 
 be king ! " But when the youngest prince appeared and 
 showed his piles of dung-cakes the king and all the people 
 laughed at him, and told him to go. 
 
 "Be not hasty, my father," he said, and then he 
 turned and frowned on the people. " You laugh," he said 
 to them all ; " but presently you wiU repent of your laugh- 
 ter. See, in each of these dung-cakes there is a ruby 
 whose price is beyond value ; " and he broke open one of 
 the cakes and let fall a ruby. " Look here ! Look here ! 
 Look here ! Look here ! " he shouted several times, and 
 each time broke one of the dung-cakes and let fall a 
 ruby !* Then all the people wondered ! 
 
 " I have never seen such rubies before," said the king. 
 " Truly their value cannot be estimated. This my 
 
 ' Sometimes valuables (talien on si Cf. other talcs in this collection ; also 
 joumey)aTe placed in bread or infruit. introduction to BailalPadiisL 
 
2o8 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 youngest son has got more wealth than the other two 
 princes and I and all the people put together. He shall 
 be king." 
 
 " Yes, yes, let him be king ! " was the reply of the 
 whole assembly; and after this they were dismissed to 
 their homes. 
 
 Not long afterwards the old king died and was cre- 
 mated, and the younger prince reigned in his stead, while 
 the other two princes were appointed to the two chief 
 positions under himJ 8 
 
 ' Why are Kashmiris so fond of often inquire about the bod samundar 
 
 "ship" stories? (i.) Perhaps the (great sea) and the hadi johas (the 
 
 extensive communication carried on great ships), that sail upon it. The 
 
 by boat in the "Valley is responsible Tibetans, too, have sea stories. 
 for much of the idea. (a.) TJn- ^ Folk-tales of ten make the younger 
 
 doubtedly, too, the Sindibad tales or youngest son the most fortunate, 
 
 have somewhat influenced the people, —perhaps as a recompense for his 
 
 who are constantly reading and re- position in the family, which is one of 
 
 peating them. Very few Kashmiris inferiority, and sometimes of poverty, 
 
 have seen the sea or a ship, but they Of. Folk-Lort Journal, vol, iv, p. 73. 
 
( 209 ) 
 
 THE DILIGENT KING."- 
 
 Often it happens that wicked men pursue their evil 
 course and prosper, while the righteous are hindered in 
 their doings. 
 
 Once upon a time there lived a very kind and just 
 king, whose great desire was, that his people should 
 prosper in every way. One day he suddenly discovered 
 that the inhabitants of his country were getting less and 
 less. How to account for it he did not know. The 
 laws were just and good ; the taxes were very light ; and 
 the crops generally very prosperous. Why, therefore, this 
 sudden depopulation ? 
 
 In order to inquire the cause the king disguised him- 
 self as a /aq{r and went about the country. In this way 
 he learned that a great jinn was constantly visiting the 
 different towns and villages, and making depredations 
 wherever he went. In the course of his peregrinations 
 the king came across this monster, though he recognised 
 him not, because he appeared to him as an ordinary man. 
 His Majesty had reached a barren, desolate spot some 
 distance from the city, when he saw a man kneeling on 
 the ground with his eyes shut and his fingers in his ears, 
 and beating the earth with his head. 
 
 " man," said the king, " what are you doing ? Are 
 you mad ? " 
 
 " No, no," replied he. " I have come here to meditate. 
 My eyes I keep shut, that I may not look upon any- 
 thing which the eyes ought not to see; my ears do I 
 close, that I may not hear anything wrong ; and with 
 my head do I beat the ground, that all insects may be 
 
 I Narrator's name, Pandit Chandra Kol of Srinagar. 
 
 
 
2IO FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 frightened away, lest I tread on one, and so be guilty of 
 slaying life." 
 
 " holy man," said the king, " where do you live ? " 
 
 " Yonder," replied he. " Come, return with me and stay 
 the night, if you haye nothing better to do. I perceive 
 that you too are a man whose thoughts are not altogether 
 occupied with the things of this world." 
 
 The king accepted, and so Ipey both went to the holy 
 man's house, on arriving at wlj[ich he ordered his wife to 
 get some warm water and wash their guest's feet, while 
 he went outside for a minute or so. Filled with pity for 
 the stranger, the woman, while bathing his feet, told him 
 that her husband was a Mmydgar^ and would slay him, 
 as he had done hundreds of people lately. She advised 
 him to take three kmichas, and to go immediately. Her 
 husband would be back presently, and on his return 
 would ask for him, and not finding him, would set a 
 hunting dog after him. But he was not to be afraid, 
 she continued, because if he threw down one of the 
 Jiulichas the dog would eat it and return. The kimydgar 
 would then send another dog, when he was to throw 
 down another kulicha. Afterwards a third dog would 
 overtake him, when he was to throw down the third 
 kulicha. By that time he would have reached the city, 
 whither the dogs would not follow him. 
 
 The king thanked the woman and departed. He ran 
 as fast as he could. A dog soon came after him, and 
 then another, and another — great ferocious brutes, that 
 would have torn him to pieces if he had not diverted 
 their attention with the kulichas. When he reached the 
 city he went to his palace, and resuming his royal gar- 
 ments, without delay summoned a company of soldiers, 
 and ordered them to go and slay the kimydgar and bring 
 his wife to him. So the kimydgar died, and his wife was 
 appointed to the charge of the king's zandna. Hence- 
 forth there was peace and prosperity in the country. 
 
 - Au alchemist, a deceiver. 
 
( 211 ) 
 
 THE IVORY CITY AND ITS FAIRY 
 PRINCESS.^ 
 
 One day a young prince was out practising archery with 
 the son of his father's chief wazir, when one of the arrows 
 accidentally struck the wife of a merchant, who was 
 walking about in an upper room of a house close by. 
 The prince aimed at a bird that was perched on the 
 window-sill of that room, and had not the slightest idea 
 that anybody was at hand, or he would not have shot in 
 that direction. Consequently, not knowing what had 
 happened, he and the wazir's son walked away, the wazir's 
 son chaf&ng him because he had missed the bird. 
 
 Presently the merchant went to ask his wife about 
 something, and found her lying, to all appearance, dead in 
 the middle of the room, and an arrow iixed in the ground 
 within haK a yard of her head. Supposing that she was 
 dead, he rushed to the window and shrieked, " Thieves ! 
 Thieves' They have killed my wife." The neighbours 
 quickly gathered, and the servants came running upstairs 
 to see what was the matter. It happened that the woman 
 had fainted, and that there was only a very slight wound 
 in her breast where the arrow had grazed. 
 
 As soon as the woman recovered her senses she told 
 them that two young men had passed by the place with 
 their bows and arrows, and that one of them had most 
 deliberately aimed at her as she stood by the window. 
 
 On hearing this the merchant went to the king, and 
 told him what had taken place. His Majesty was much 
 enraged at such audacious wickedness, and swore that 
 
 1 Narrator's name, Shiva B4yli of Eenawavf, Srfnagar. 
 
212 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 most terrible punishment should be visited on the offender 
 if he could be discovered. He ordered the merchant to go 
 back and ascertain whether his wife could recognise the 
 young men if she saw them again. 
 
 "Oh yes," replied the woman, "I should know them 
 again among all the people in the city." 
 
 " Then," said the king, when the merchant brought back 
 this reply, " to-morrow I will cause all the male inhabitants 
 of this city to pass before your house, and your wife will 
 stand at the window and watch for the man who did this 
 wanton deed." 
 
 A royal proclamation was issued to this effect. So the 
 next day all the men and boys of the city, from the age of 
 tens years upwards, assembled and marched by the house 
 of the merchant. By chance (for they both had been 
 excused from obeying this order) the king's son and the 
 wa^lr's son were also in the company, and passed by in 
 the crowd. They came to see the tamdshd. 
 
 As soon as these two appeared in front of the merchant's 
 window they were recognised by the merchant's wife, and 
 at once reported to the king, 
 
 " My own son and the son of my chieiwasir/ " exclaimed 
 the king, who had been present from the commencement. 
 " What examples for the people ! Let them both be 
 executed." 
 
 "Not so, Your Majesty," said the wazir, " I beseech you. 
 Let the facts of the case be thoroughly investigated. How 
 is it?" he continued, turning to the two young men. 
 " Why have you done this cruel thing ? " 
 
 " I shot an arrow at a bird that was sitting on the sill 
 of an open window in yonder house, and missed," answered 
 the prince. " I suppose the arrow struck the merchant's 
 wife. Had I known that she or anybody had been near I 
 should not have shot in that direction." 
 
 "We will speak of this later on," said the king, on 
 hearing this answer. "Dismiss the people. Their pre- 
 sence is no longer needed." 
 
THE IVORY CITY AND ITS FAIRY PRINCESS. 213 
 
 In the evening His Majesty and the ivazir had a long 
 and earnest talk about their two sons. The king wished 
 both of them to be executed ; but the wazir thought that 
 the prince only should be punished, and he suggested that, 
 since the king's anger was such that he could never look 
 on his son's face again, the prince should be banished from 
 the country. This finally was agreed to. 
 
 Accordingly, on the following morning a little company 
 of soldiers escorted the prince out of the city. When they 
 reached the last custom-house the wazlr's son overtook 
 them. He had come with all haste, bringing with him 
 four bags of muhrs on four horses. " I am come," he said, 
 throwing his arms round the prince's neck, "because I 
 cannot let you go alone. We have lived together, we will 
 be exiled together, and we will die together. Turn me not 
 back, if you love me." 
 
 " Consider," the prince answered, " what you are doing. 
 All kinds of trial may be before me. Why should you 
 leave your home and country to be with me ? " 
 
 "Because I love you," he said, "and shall never be 
 happy without you." 
 
 So the two friends walked along hand in hand as fast as 
 they could to get out of the country, and behind them 
 marched the soldiers and tlie horses with their valuable 
 burdens. On reaching a certain place on the borders of 
 the king's dominions the prince gave the soldiers some 
 gold, and ordered them to return. The soldiers took the 
 money and left ; they did not, however, go very far, but 
 hid themselves behind rocks and stones, and waited till 
 they were quite sure that the prince did not intend to 
 come back. 
 
 On and on the exiles walked, till they arrived at a 
 certain village, where they determined to spend the night 
 under one of the big trees of the place. The prince made 
 preparations for a fire, and arranged the few articles of 
 bedding that they had with them, while the wazir's son 
 went to the laniyd and the baker and the butcher to get 
 
214 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 something for their dinner. For some reason he was 
 delayed; perhaps the tsut was not quite ready, or the 
 haniyd had not got all the spices prepared. After waiting 
 half an hour the prince became impatient, and rose up 
 and walked about. 
 
 He saw a pretty, clear little brook running along not 
 far from their resting-place, and hearing that its source 
 was not far distant, he started off to find it. The source 
 was a beautiful lake, which at that time was covered with 
 the magnificent lotus flower and other water plants. The 
 prince sat down on the bank, and being thirsty, took up 
 some of tbe water in his hand. Fortunately he looked 
 into his hand before drinking, and there, to his great 
 astonishment, he saw reflected whole and clear the image 
 of a beautiful fairy. He looked round, hoping to see the 
 reality ; but seeing no person, he drank the water, and put 
 out his hand to take some more. Again he saw the reflec- 
 tion in the water which was in his palm. He looked around 
 as before, and this time discovered a fairy sitting by the 
 bank on the opposite side of the lake. On seeing her he 
 fell down insensible. 
 
 When the wazir's son returned, and found the fire 
 lighted, the horses securely fastened, and the bags of 
 muhrs lying altogether in a heap, but no prince, he did 
 not know what to think. He waited a little while, and 
 then shouted ; but not getting any reply, he got up and 
 went to the brook. There he came across the footmarks 
 of his friend. Seeing these, he went back at once for the 
 money and the horses, and bringing them with him, he 
 tracked the prince to the lake, where he found him lying 
 to all appearance dead. 
 
 " Alas ! alas ! " he cried, and, lifting up the prince, he 
 poured some water over his head and face. " Alas ! my 
 brother, what is this ? Oh ! do not die and leave me thus. 
 Speak, speak ! God, I cannot bear this ! " 
 
 In a few minutes the prince, revived by the water, 
 opened his eyes, and looked about wildly. 
 
THE IVORY CITY AND ITS FAIRY PRINCESS. 21; 
 
 " Thank God ! " exclaimed the wazir's son. '' But what 
 is the matter, brother ? " 
 
 " Go away," replied the prince. " I don't want to say 
 anjrthing to you, or to see you. Go away." 
 
 "Come, come; let us leave this place. Look, I have 
 brought some food for you, and the horses, and everything. 
 Let us eat and depart." 
 
 "Go alone," replied the prince. 
 
 " Never," said the wazir's son. " What has happened to 
 suddenly estrange you from me ? A little while ago we 
 were brethren, but now you detest the sight of me." 
 
 "I have looked upon a fairy," the prince said. "But a 
 moment I saw her face ; for when she noticed that I was 
 looking at her she covered her face with lotus petals. Oh, 
 how beautiful she was ! And while I gazed she took out 
 of her bosom an ivory box, and held it up to me. Then 
 I fainted. Oh ! if you can get me that fairy for my wife, 
 I will go anywhere with you." 
 
 "0 brother," said the wazir's son, "you have indeed 
 seen a fairy. She is a fairy of the fairies. This is none 
 other than Gul'izar of Shahr-i-'Aj.^ I know this from the 
 hints that she gave you. I'rom her covering her face with 
 lotus petals I learn her name, and from her showing you 
 the ivory box I learn where she lives. Be patient, and 
 rest assured that I will arrange your marriage with her." 
 
 "When the prince heard these encouraging words he felt 
 much comforted, rose up, and ate, and then went away 
 gladly with his friend. 
 
 On the way they met two men. These two men be- 
 longed to a family of robbers. There were eleven of them 
 altogether. One, an elderly sister, stayed at home and 
 cooked the food, and the other ten — all brothers — went 
 out, two and two, and walked about the four different 
 ways that ran through that part of the country, robbing 
 those travellers who could not resist them, and inviting 
 
 ' Gul'izar or Cful'uzdr (Persian), rosy-cheeked ; Shahr-i-'Aj, the city of 
 ivory. 
 
2i6 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 others, who were too powerful for two of them to manage, 
 to come and rest at their house, where the whole family 
 attacked them and stole their goods. These thieves lived 
 in a kind of tower, which had several strong-rooms in it, 
 and under which was a great pit, wherein they threw the 
 corpses of the poor unfortunates who chanced to fall into 
 their power. 
 
 The two men came forward, and politely accosting 
 them, begged them to come and stay at their house for 
 the night. " It is late," they said, " and there is not 
 another village within several miles." 
 
 " Shall we accept this good man's invitation, brother ? " 
 .asked the prince. 
 
 The wazir's son frowned sUghtly in token of disapproval ; 
 but the prince was tired, and thinking that it was only a 
 whim of his friend's, he said to the men, " Very well. It 
 is very kind of you to ask us." 
 
 So they all four went to the robbers' tower. 
 Seated in a room, with the door fastened on the outside, 
 the two travellers bemoaned their fate. 
 
 " It is no good groaning," said the wazir's son. " I will 
 climb to the window, and see whether there are any means 
 of escape. Yes! yes!" he whispered, when he had reached 
 the window-hole. " Below there is a ditch surrounded by 
 a high wall. I will jump down and reconnoitre. You 
 stay here, and wait till I return." 
 
 Presently he came back and told the prince that he 
 had seen a most ugly wom'an, whom he supposed was 
 the robbers' housekeeper. His plan was to explain every- 
 thing to this wretched creature, and then get her to 
 release them on the promise of her marriage with the 
 prince. He would bring her back with him to their room. 
 She would certainly demand this promise as payment for 
 their escape. At first the prince was to pretend to demur, 
 but afterwards he was to comply. The prince consented. 
 When the wazir's son came up to the woman she wept. 
 "Why do you weep ?" he asked. 
 
THE IVORY CITY AND ITS FAIRY PRINCESS. 217 
 
 "Because of the short time you have to live," she 
 replied, 
 
 " Weep not/' he said, " but come and be married to the 
 prince. Come now and ask his consent to this plan." 
 
 They went, and on reaching the room the wazir's son 
 besought the prince to promise to marry the woman ; but 
 he refused, saying that he would sooner rot in the tower 
 than give his hand to such as she was ; whereupon the 
 wazir's son fell at his feet and besought him more earnestly, 
 till the prince yielded. 
 
 Glad and happy, the woman then led the way out of 
 the enclosure by a secret door. 
 
 " But where are the horses and the goods ? " the wazir's 
 son inquired. 
 
 "You cannot bring them," the woman said. "To go 
 out by any other way would be to thrust oneself into 
 the grave." 
 
 " All jight, then ; they also shall go out by this door. 
 I have a charm, whereby I can make them thin or fat." 
 So the wazir's son fetched the horses without any person 
 knowing it, and repeating the charm, he made them pass 
 through the narrow doorway like pieces of cloth, and 
 when they were all outside restored them to their former 
 condition. He at once mounted his horse and laid hold of 
 the halter of one of the other horses, and then beckoning 
 to the prince to do likewise, he rode off. The prince saw 
 his opportunity, and in a moment was riding after him, 
 having hold of the other horse. 
 
 " Stop, stop ! " shrieked the woman, " Leave me not. 
 My brothers will discover my act and kill me." 
 
 " Eun along, then," the wazir's son shouted. " Look^ 
 we are not riding so very fast." 
 
 The woman ran as fast as she could, and managed to 
 keep within a fair distance of the riders. When the 
 wazir's son perceived that they were out of range of 
 danger he dismounted, and seizing the breathless woman, 
 he tied her to a tree and whipped her. "Now," said 
 
2i8 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 he, " you ugly creature, if your brothers find you, you can 
 say that we are devs, and thus escaped." 
 
 On, on they rode, until they reached a village, where 
 they stayed the night. The following morning they were 
 off again, and asked for Shahr-i-'Aj from every passer-by. 
 At length they came to this famous city, and put up at 
 a little hut that belonged to an old woman, from whom 
 they feared no harm, and with whom, therefore, they 
 could abide in peace and comfort. At first the old 
 woman did not like the idea of these travellers staying 
 in her house, but the sight of a muhr, which the prince 
 dropped in the bottom of a cup in which she had given 
 him water, and a present of another muhr from the wazir's 
 son, quickly made her change her mind. She agreed to 
 let them stay there for a few days. 
 
 As soon as her work was over the old woman came 
 and sat down with her lodgers. The wazir's son pretended 
 to be utterly ignorant of the place and people. "Has 
 this city a name ? " he asked the old woman. 
 
 "Of course it has, you stupid. Every little village, 
 much more a city, and such a city as this, has a name." 
 
 " What is the name of this city ? " 
 
 " Shahr-i-'Aj. Don't you know that? I thought the 
 name was known all over the world." 
 
 On the mention of the name Shahr-i-'Aj the prince 
 gave a deep sigh. The wazir's son looked as much as to 
 say, "Keep quiet, or you'll discover :the secret." 
 
 " Is there a king of this country ? " continued the 
 wazir's son. 
 
 " Of course there is, and a queen, and a princess." 
 
 " What are their names ? " 
 
 " The name of the princess is Gul'izar, and the name of 
 the queeh" 
 
 The wazir's son interrupted the old woman by turning 
 to look at the prince, who was staring like a madman. 
 " Yes," he said to him afterwards, " we are in the right 
 country. We shall see the beautiful princess." 
 
THE IVORY CITY AND ITS FAIRY PRINCESS. 219 
 
 One morning the two travellers noticed the old woman's 
 most careful toilette : how careful she was in the arrange- 
 ment of her hair and the set of her Icasdiah and puts. 
 
 " Who is coming ? " said the wazir's son. 
 
 " Nohody," the old woman replied. 
 
 " Then where are you going ? " 
 
 " I am going to see my daughter, who is a servant of 
 the princess Gul'izar. I see her and the princess every 
 day. I should have gone yesterday, if you had not been 
 here and monopolised all my time." 
 
 " Ah-h-h ! Be careful not to say anything about us 
 in the hearing of the princess." The wazir's son asked 
 her not to speak about them at the palace, hoping that, 
 because she had been told not to do so, she would 
 mention their arrival, and thus the princess would be 
 informed of their coming. 
 
 On seeing her mother the girl pretended to be very 
 angry. " Why have you not been for two days ? " she asked. 
 
 "Because, my dear," the old woman answered, "two 
 young travellers, a prince and the son of some great wazir, 
 have taken up their abode in my hut, and demand so much 
 of my attention. It is nothing but cooking and cleaning, 
 and cleaning and cooking, all day long. I can't understand 
 the men," she added; "one of them especially appears 
 very stupid. He asked me the name of this country and 
 the name of the king. N"ow where can these men have 
 come from, that they do not know these things ? How- 
 ever, they are very great and very rich. They each give 
 me a muhr every morning and every evening." 
 
 After this the old woman went and repeated almost the 
 same words to the princess ; on the hearing of which the 
 princess beat her severely, and threatened her with a 
 severer punishment if she ever again spoke of strange men 
 before her. 
 
 In the evening, when the old woman had returned to 
 her hut, she told the wazir's son how sorry she was that 
 she could not help breaking her promise, and how the 
 
220 • FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 princess had struck her because she mentioned their 
 coming and all about them. 
 
 "Alas! alas!" said the prince, who had eagerly listened 
 to every word. "What, then, will be her anger at the 
 sight of a man ? " 
 
 " Anger ? " said the wazir's son, with an astonished air. 
 " She would be exceedingly glad to see one man. I 
 know this. In this treatment of the old woman I see her 
 request that you will go and see her during the coming 
 dark fortnight." 
 
 " God be praised !" the prince exclaimed. 
 
 The next time the old woman went to the palace Gul'izar 
 called one of her servants and ordered her to rush into the 
 room while she was conversing with the old woman ; and 
 if the old woman asked what was the matter, she was to 
 say that the king's elephants had gone mad, and were 
 rushing about the city and Idzdr in every direction, and 
 destroying everything in their way. 
 
 The servant obeyed, and the old woman, fearing lest the 
 elephants should go and push down her hut and kill the 
 prince and his friend, begged the princess to let her depart. 
 Now Gul'izar had obtained a kind of charmed swing, that 
 landed whoever sat on it at the place whither they wished 
 to be. " Get the swing," she said to one of the servants 
 standing by. When it was brought she bade the old woman 
 step into it and desire to be at home. 
 
 The old woman did so, and was at once carried through 
 the air quickly and safely to her hut, where she found her 
 two lodgers safe and sound. " Oh ! " she cried, " I thought 
 that both of you would be killed by this time. The royal 
 elephants have- got loose and are running about wildly. 
 When I heard this I was anxious about you. So the 
 princess gave me this charmed swing to return in. But 
 come, let us get outside before the elephants arrive and 
 batter down the place." 
 
 " Don't believe this," said the wazir's son. " It is a 
 mere hoax. They have been playing tricks with you." 
 
THE IVORY CITY AND ITS FAIRY PRINCESS. 221 
 
 " You will soon have your heart's desire," he whispered 
 aside to the prince. " These things are signs." 
 
 Two days of the dark fortnight had elapsed, when the 
 prince and the wazir's son seated themselves in the swing, 
 and wished themselves within the grounds of the palace. 
 In a moment they were there, and there too was the 
 object of their search standing by one of the palace gates, 
 and longing to see the prince quite as much as he was 
 longing to see her. 
 
 Oh, what a happy meeting it was ! 
 
 " At last," said Gral'izar, " I have seen my beloved, my 
 husband." 
 
 " A thousand thanks to God for bringing me to you," 
 said the prince. 
 
 Other appointments were arranged of course, and then 
 the prince and Gul'izar kissed one another and parted, the 
 one for the hut and the other for the palace, both of them 
 feeling happier than they had ever been before. 
 
 Henceforth the prince visited Gul'izar every day and 
 returned to the hut every night. One morning Gul'izar 
 begged him to stay with her always, as she liked not his 
 going away at night. She was constantly afraid of some 
 evil happening to him — perhaps robbers would slay him, 
 or sickness attack him, and then she would be deprived of 
 him. She could not live without seeing him. The prince 
 showed, her that there was no real cause for fear, and 
 said that he felt he ought to return to his friend at night, 
 because he had left his home and country and risked his 
 life for him, and, moreover, if it had not been for his 
 friend's help he would never have met with her. 
 
 Gul'izar for the time assented, but she determined in 
 her heart to get rid of the wazir's son as soon as possible. 
 A few days after this conversation she ordered one of her 
 maids to make a-pildv. She gave special directions that a 
 certain poison was to be mixed into it while cooking, and 
 as soon as it was ready the cover was to be placed on the 
 saucepan, so that the poisonous steam might not escape. 
 
222 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 When the pildv was ready she sent it at once by the hand 
 of a servant to the wazir's son with this message: — 
 " G-ul'izar, the princess, sends you an offering in the name 
 of her dead uncle." 
 
 On receiving the present the wazir's son thought that 
 the prince had spoken gratefully of him to the princess, 
 and therefore she had thus remembered him. Accordingly 
 he sent back his saldm and expressions of thankfulness. 
 
 When it was dinner-time he took the saucepan of pildv, 
 and went out to eat it by the stream. Taking off the lid, 
 he threw it aside on the grass and then washed his hands. 
 During the minute or so that he was performing these 
 ablutions, the green grass under the cover of the saucepan 
 turned quite yellow. He was astonished, and suspect- 
 ing that there was poison in the pildv, he took a little and 
 threw it to some crows that were hopping about. The 
 moment the crows ate what was thrown to them they fell 
 down dead.* 
 
 " God be praised," exclaimed the wazir's son, " who has 
 preserved me from death at this time ! " 
 
 On the return of the prince that evening the loasir's son 
 was very reticent and depressed. The prince noticed this 
 change in him, and asked what was the reason, "Is it 
 because I am away so much at the palace ? " The wazir's 
 son saw that the prince had nothing to do with the send- 
 ing of the pildv, and therefore told him everything. 
 
 "Look here," he said, "in this handkerchief is some 
 pildv that the princess sent me this morning in the name 
 of her deceased uncle. It is saturated with poison. Thank 
 God, I discovered it in time ! " 
 
 " brother ! who can have done this thing ? Who is 
 there that entertains enmity against you ? " 
 
 " The princess, Gul'izar. Listen, The next time you go 
 to see her, I entreat you to take some snow with you ; 
 and just before seeing the princess put a little of it into 
 
 3 Cf. Folk-Tales of Bengal, pp. go, tale "Lack of Rupees for a Bit of 
 157 y Indian Fairy Tales, 212 ; the Advice " in this coUection. 
 first story in Baital Pachisi ; also 
 
THE IVORY CITY AND ITS FAIRY PRINCESS. 223 
 
 both your eyes. It will provoke tears, and Gul'izar will 
 ask you why you are crying. Tell her that you weep for 
 the loss of your friend, who died suddenly this morning. 
 Look ! take, too, this wine and this shovel, and when you 
 have feigned intense grief at the death of your friend, bid 
 the princess to drink a little of the wine. It is strong, 
 and will immediately send her into a deep sleep. Then, 
 while she is asleep, heat the shovel and mark her back 
 with it.* Remember to bring back the shovel again, and 
 also to take her pearl necklace. This done, return. Now 
 fear not to execute these instructions, because on the ful- 
 filment of them depends your fortune and happiness. I 
 wiU arrange that your marriage with the princess shall be 
 accepted by the king, her father, and all the court." 
 
 The prince promised that he would do everything as 
 the wazir's son had advised him; and he kept his promise. 
 
 The following night, on the return of the prince from 
 his visit to Gul'izar, he and the wazir's son, taking the 
 horses and bags of muhrs, went to a graveyard about a 
 mile or so distant. It was arranged that the wazir's son 
 should act the part of a faqir, and the prince the part of 
 the faqir's disciple and servant. 
 
 In the morning, when Gul'izar had returned to her 
 senses, she felt a smarting pain in her back, and noticed 
 that her pearl necklace was gone. She went at once and 
 informed the king of the loss of her necklace, but said 
 nothing to him about the pain in her back. 
 
 The king was very angry when he heard of the theft, 
 and caused proclamation concerning it to be made through- 
 out all the city and surrounding country. 
 
 " It is well," said the tvazir's son, when he heard of this 
 proclamation. " Fear not, my brother, but go and take 
 this necklace, and try to sell it in the bdzir.'' 
 
 The prince took it to a goldsmith and asked him to 
 buy it. 
 
 " How much do you want for it ? " asked the man. 
 
 * Cf. Indian Fairy- Tales, p. 134. 
 
22+ FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 " Fifty thousand rupees," the prince replied. 
 
 " All right," said the man " wait here while I go and 
 fetch the money." 
 
 The prince waited and waited, till at last the goldsmith 
 retiirned, and with him the hotwdl, who at once took the 
 prince into custody on the charge of stealing the princess's 
 necklace. 
 
 " How did you get the necklace 1 " the kotwdl asked. 
 
 " A faqir, whose servant I am, gave it to me to sell in 
 the bdzdr," the prince replied. "Permit me, and I will 
 show you where he is." 
 
 The prince directed the hotwdl and the policemen to the 
 place where he had left the wazir's son, and there they 
 found the faqir with his eyes shut and engaged in prayer. 
 Presently, when he had finished his devotions, the kotwdl 
 asked him to explain how he had obtained possession of 
 the princess's necklace. 
 
 " Call the king hither," he replied, " and then I will tell 
 His Majesty face to face." 
 
 On this some men went to the king and told him what 
 the faqir had said. His Majesty came, and seeing the 
 faqir so solemn and earnest in his devotions, he was afraid 
 to rouse his anger, lest peradventure God's displeasure 
 should descend on him, and so he placed his hands 
 together in the attitude of a supplicant, and asked, " How 
 did you get my daughter's necklace ? " 
 
 " Last night," replied the faqir, " we were sitting here 
 by this tomb worshipping God, when a woman, dressed as 
 a princess, came and exhumed a body that had been buried 
 a few days ago, and ate it. On seeing this I was filled 
 with anger, and beat her back with that shovel, which 
 was lying on the fire at the time. While running away 
 from me her necklace got loose and dropped. You wonder 
 at these words, but they are not difficult to prove. Exa- 
 mine your daughter, and you will find the marks of the 
 burn on her back. Go, and if it is as I say, send the 
 princess to me, and I will punish her." 
 
THE IVORY CITY AND ITS FAIRY PRINCESS. 225 
 
 The king went back to the palace, and at once ordered 
 the princess's back to be examined. 
 
 " It is so," said the maid-servant ; " the burn is there." 
 
 " Then let , the girl be slain immediately," the king 
 shouted. 
 
 " No, no, Your Majesty," they replied. " Let us send 
 her to the faqir who discovered this thing, that he may do 
 whatever he wishes with her." 
 
 The king agreed, and so the princess was taken to the 
 graveyard. 
 
 "Let her be shut up in a cage, and be kept near the 
 grave whence she took out the corpse," said the faqir. 
 
 This was done, and in a little while the faqir and his 
 disciple and the princess were left alone in the graveyard. 
 Night had not long cast its dark mantle over the scene 
 when the fa^ir and his disciple threw off their disguise, 
 and taking their horses and luggage, appeared before the 
 cage. They released the princess, rubbed some ointment 
 over the scars on her back, and then sat her upon one of 
 their horses, behind the prince. Away they rode fast 
 and far, and by the morning were able to rest and talk 
 over their plans in safety. The wazir's son showed the 
 princess some of the poisoned pildv that she had sent him, 
 and asked whether she had repented of her ingratitude. 
 The princess wept, and acknowledged that he was her 
 greatest helper and friend. 
 
 A letter was sent to the chief wazir telling him of all 
 that had happened to our heroes since they had left their 
 country. "When the wazir read the letter he went and 
 informed the king. The king caused a reply to be sent 
 to the two exiles, in which he ordered them not to return, 
 but to send a letter to Gul'izar's father, and inform him of 
 everything. Accordingly they did this ; the prince wrote 
 the letter at the wazir's son's dictation. 
 
 On reading the letter Gul'izar's father was much enraged 
 with his wa&irs and other officials for not_ discovering the 
 presence in his country of these illustrious visitors, as he 
 
 p 
 
226 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 was especially anxious to ingratiate himself in the favour 
 of the prince and the wazir's son. He ordered the execu- 
 tion of some of the wazirs on a certain date. 
 
 " Come," he wrote back to the wazir's son, " and stay at 
 the palace. And if the prince desires it, I will arrange 
 for his marriage with Gul'izar as soon as possible." 
 
 The prince and the wazir's son most gladly accepted 
 the invitation, and received a right noble welcome from 
 the king. The marriage soon took place, and then after a 
 few weeks the king gave them presents of horses and 
 elephants, and jewels and rich cloths, and bade them 
 start for their own land; for he was sure that the king 
 would now receive them. The night before they left the 
 wazirs and others whom the king intended to have exe- 
 cuted as soon as his visitors had left came and besought 
 the wazir's son to plead for them, and promised that they 
 each would give him a daughter in marriage. He com- 
 plied, and succeeded in obtaining their pardon. 
 
 Then the prince, with his beautiful bride, Gul'izar, and 
 the wazir's son, with his numerous beautiful wives, the 
 daughters of the wazirs, attended by a troop of soldiers, 
 and a large number of camels and horses bearing very 
 much treasure, left for their own land. In the midst of 
 the way they passed the tower of the robbers, and with 
 the help of the soldiers they razed it to the ground, slew 
 all its inmates, and seized the treasures which they had 
 been amassing there for several years. 
 
 At length they reached their own country, and when 
 the king saw his son's beautiful wife and his magnificent 
 retinue he was at once reconciled, and ordered him to 
 enter the city and take up his abode there. 
 
 Henceforth all was sunshine on the path of the prince. 
 He became a great favourite, and in due time succeeded 
 to the throne, and ruled the country for many many years 
 in peace and happiness.^ 
 
 ' Compare the first tale of Baital Madanakamdrdjankadai {Dravidian 
 PacMsi ; Indian Fairy Tales, pp. 207- Nights). 
 215 ; also whole of the introduction to 
 
( 227 ) 
 
 A STRANGE REQUEST.^ 
 
 One day a king was shooting in a jungle, when he came 
 across afaqir. 
 
 " Saldm ! " said he. " Can I do anything for you ? " 
 
 " No, thank you," replied the faqir. " Can I do any- 
 thing for you ? " 
 
 " Yes," said the king. " I want a wife exactly like my- 
 self in appearance and height." 
 
 " Alas ! " said the faqir, " you have asked a hard thing ; 
 nevertheless I can do it for you. But be warned; the 
 woman will prove unfaithful." 
 
 " Never mind," said His Majesty. " If you can grant 
 me this request, please do so." 
 
 On this the faqir arose, and flourishing an axe, clave 
 the king's head in two, and then buried the body. 
 
 " God," cried he, " hear my prayer, and cause the 
 king to appear again and a woman exactly like him in 
 height and appearance." 
 
 The prayer was heard. Tlie king rose again, and after 
 him a woman like him. 
 
 In a little while His Majesty had^a special palace built 
 for his new wife in the jungle, and went to live with her 
 there as often as he could. But, alas ! the woman proved 
 faithless, as the faqir had said. One day, when the king 
 was absent, she noticed one of the wazirs passing by. 
 He was a young and handsome fellow, and the woman 
 immediately fell in love with him. She beckoned to him 
 to come to her, and he went. In this way they often met, 
 and became very much attached to one another. One 
 
 ' Narrator's oame, Pandit Anand Kol of Zainah Kadal, Srinagar. 
 
228 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 morning they were nearly discovered. The king happened 
 to reach the place when everybody thought he was far 
 away. Therefore they decided to arrange so as to preclude 
 every possibility of discovery. Their plan was to contract 
 with a potter called Kital to dig a subterranean passage 
 from the city to the palace, in order that the wazir might 
 come and go just as he liked. This was done privately, 
 and for a time all went well. At length, however, their 
 wickedness was found out. 
 
 The wazir prepared a great feast, and invited the king to 
 grace the company with his presence. The king accepted, 
 and went. The woman also was present, but in disguise. 
 However, His Majesty recognised her. 
 
 " Is it a dream ? " thought he. " No, it is she. I will 
 make a little mark on her clothes, whereby I shall be able 
 to tell on my return whether I am deceived or not.'' 
 
 So presently he just touched the corner of her wrap 
 with a little turmeric, and then passed on as if nothing 
 had happened. On reaching his palace at night he found 
 the woman there waiting for him, and the stain was on 
 her wrap. " Adulteress ! " he cried, and drew his sword ; 
 and with one stroke he severed her head from her body. 
 
 On the following morning he resigned his throne and 
 became a/aqir. 
 
( 229 ) 
 
 THE UNJUST KING AND WICKED GOLD- 
 SMITH?- 
 
 Once upon a time a king was walking in his garden, 
 when a stag broke through the fence and began to run 
 about and trample down the flowers. On seeing this the 
 king was exceedingly angry, and ordered his servants to 
 surround the place and catch the animal. He himself 
 also rode after it, with a drawn sword in his hand. 
 Suddenly the stag escaped from the garden. Off it went, 
 as only stags can go, and the king riding close after it. 
 His Majesty followed it for several miles, right up to the 
 border of his territory, but did not overtake it. Not 
 wishing to go farther, he stopped there, and being very hot 
 and thirsty, dismounted and stripped himself for a bathe. 
 While he was bathing some wicked person stole his horse 
 and clothes. Here was a strange position for a king to 
 be in! "What shall I do?" thought His Majesty. 
 " How can I return to my palace naked ? I cannot do it. 
 I should be a laughing-stock to my people for many a 
 day." Accordingly His Majesty determined to wander 
 about the neighbouring king's country. In the course of 
 his wanderings he picked up a pearl necklace of great 
 value. "Thank God, thank God!" he exclaimed. "I 
 shall be able to get some clothes and a horse with this. 
 I will go into the city and try to sell it." So he walked 
 on and on till he reached the chief city of that king, and 
 at once sought out the head goldsmith there. 
 
 " Sir," said he, " will you buy a pearl necklace ? I 
 have a very valuable one to dispose of. I found it one 
 morning as I was crossing a stream." 
 
 ^ Narrator's name, Shiva BSyfi, EenawSri, Srinagar. 
 
230 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 " Show it to me," replied the goldsmith. " You thief ! " 
 he continued when he saw the necklace. " How did you 
 steal this ? I made two necklaces like this for the king, 
 and could not discover what had become of one of them. 
 You impudent thief ! Come with me to the king." 
 
 Thus saying, he called a policeman, and bade him bring 
 the fellow after him to the king. His Majesty heard the 
 goldsmith's petition, and commanded the man's feet to be 
 amputated. 
 
 When the queen of that country, who was as humane 
 and just as her husband was cruel and unjust, heard of 
 the stern order of her husband she remonstrated with 
 him, " How could you give such a terrible order," she 
 said, " when there seemed to be so little evidence to sup- 
 port the case ? And those goldsmiths are generally such 
 wicked men. You know how they lie and deceive to 
 make money. Truly, I would as soon have believed the 
 poor man's words as the words of that goldsmith." 
 
 '■' Hold your tongue," said the king. " What business 
 have you to interfere with my affairs ? " 
 
 " I shall not be quiet," said the queen. " Lately I have 
 been much grieved by your sternness in the darhdr. 
 Your counsellors are displeased with you, and your people 
 are ready to rebel. If you continue in this course you 
 will bring your country to ruin." 
 
 The king was very angry with the woman, and told her 
 to leave the room. On the following morning he ordered 
 her to be sent out of the country with the man whose 
 feet had been cut off.^ The queen minded not this thing. 
 On the contrary, she was very glad to be released from 
 such a husband. She went to the footless man and in- 
 formed him of the king's order, and then put him into a 
 long basket and carried him on her back to some place 
 without the city, where she tended him, like a wife, till 
 
 2 Favourite form of punishment, der VolkalitteratWr der tiifkoschen 
 
 Cf . several tales quoted in Folk- Lore Stamnte Sud-Siba-iens, vol. iii. pp. 
 
 Journal, vol. iv. 308-349; story of 347-334! also tale of "Karm yft 
 
 "Nuru'ddin 'AH and Badru'ddin Dharm " in this collection. 
 Hasan " in Arabian Nights ; Proben 
 
THE UNJUST KING AND WICKED GOLDSMITH. 231 
 
 his wounds were healed. She soon got very fond of him, 
 and as he reciprocated her affections, she became his real 
 wife, and a little son was born to them. For a living she 
 used to cut wood and go and sell it in the city. One day, 
 while she was away in the city, her husband fell asleep, 
 and the little boy, who had been left in his care, taking 
 advantage of the occasion, crawled to the brink of a well 
 that was near and tumbled in. When the man awoke 
 and saw not the child his grief knew no bounds. He was 
 like a wild fellow. " Some beast has devoured my child," 
 he cried. " What shall I do ? " 
 
 In the evening his wife returned. She too was grieved 
 beyond expression ; but being a brave and sensible woman, 
 she controlled herself, and tried to comfort her husband 
 by saying, " This is written in our lot." 
 
 At night the king could not sleep for thinking of, and 
 wishing for, his little boy. And happily for him that 
 he could not sleep, because about the end of the second 
 watch two birds called Sudabror and Budabror came and 
 perched on a tree close by their open door, and began 
 talking together about them. 
 
 " What a world of trouble is this ! " remarked Sudabror 
 to his friend. "Listen to what has happened to this 
 man. He has been obliged to leave his country; he 
 has lived like a beggar in another country, where he was 
 most unjustly punished; and now he is bemoaning the 
 loss of his beautiful infant son. The boy was drowned 
 in that well yesterday afternoon." 
 
 " What trouble for these poor creatures ! " said Budabror. 
 " Can nothing be done for them ? " 
 
 " Oh yes," replied Sudabror. " If the king would jump 
 into this well he could easily rescue the boy, and would 
 regain his feet too." 
 
 The king heard all that the birds had said, and was 
 very much surprised and glad. As soon as the day 
 dawned he told his wife what had happened, and asked 
 her advice. 
 
232 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 " Obey the birds, of course," she said, " and jump into 
 the well." 
 
 The man did so, and thus saved his child and regained 
 his feet. 
 
 Some time after this the king met his chief wazir, who 
 had been wandering ahout everywhere inquiring after 
 his master ever since His Majesty had left. From him 
 the king learnt that all the people were longing for his 
 return. Accordingly he went back, accompanied by his 
 wife and child, and sat on the throne again, and governed 
 the country as before. 
 
 The first thing he did after his return was to send his 
 army to fight with the king who had so ill-treated him. 
 His army was victorious, and the other king, very much 
 ashamed of himself, was obliged to come and beg for 
 mercy. He said that he had thus acted because of the 
 wicked goldsmith, whom he would immediately cause to 
 be executed. So the king pardoned him and let him go. 
 Henceforth all was peace and joy. His Majesty lived 
 very happily with the other king's banished wife, had 
 many children, and finally died at a good old age, much 
 to the grief of all his people. 
 
( 233 ) 
 
 THE PHILOSOPHER'S STONED 
 
 In olden times there lived a king, who one day went to 
 the Phak pargana to hunt. He was near the village of 
 Dachhigam, when he saw a stajz, to which he gave chase, 
 and followed it for several miles, till it disappeared into 
 some woods and was lost. His Majesty was very angry 
 and disappointed at this bad luck. 
 
 As he was returning to his camp he heard a cry, as of 
 some person weeping, behind the hedge on the roadside. 
 He looked to see who it was and found a most beautiful 
 woman about seventeen years of age, and was fascinated 
 with the sight. 
 
 " Who are you ? "What are you doing here ? " he asked 
 most tenderly. 
 
 " Oh, sir," she replied, I am the daughter of one of the 
 kings of Cliina.^ My father was taken prisoner in battle, 
 
 '' Narrator's name, Makund Bayii 
 Suthii, Srinagar, who heard it from 
 a Pandit living at N&gam. 
 
 ^ [a.) Tradition s.ays that Kashmir 
 was once a tributary of China ; and 
 because there was not much money 
 in the valley and cattle was difScuIt 
 of transport, men and women were 
 sent yearly as tribute to that country. 
 When Zainu'labadin obtained posses- 
 sion of Kashmir he declined to pay 
 the tribute, whereupon the ShS-h-i- 
 Chin sent a parwdna, censuring him, 
 and threatening him that if he did 
 not quickly comply with the custom 
 of his predecessors in the valley he 
 would make war on him, and ruin 
 him and every one and everything be- 
 longing to him. 
 
 Now Zainul&badin had heard of 
 the Chinese, of their vast numbers, 
 and power, and cleverness, and there- 
 fore was somewhat frightened by 
 these stern words. He took counsel 
 
 with his ministers and friends as to 
 what he should do, but they could 
 not help him. He then sought &i- 
 vice iroTa faqlrs. At that time there 
 lived in Kashmir a very famous /flgz?* 
 by the name of Bahddin, who begged 
 the king not to be distressed, and 
 promised to arrange the matter for 
 him. This faqir, by virtue of his 
 sanctity, flew over to China in the 
 twinkling of an eye, and brought 
 back the Shah-i-Chin lying on his 
 bed to his own humble abode. In 
 the morning, when the Shah awoke 
 and found himself in a meagre hut, 
 he was very much surprised. 
 
 "Oh, holy man," said he to the 
 faqir, "I perceive that you have done 
 this thing. Tell me, I pr.iy you, why 
 you have brought me here. " 
 
 "I have transported you hither," 
 replied Bahadin, "in order tliat you 
 might meet face to face with Zainu- 
 'Idbadiii, and promise him that you. 
 
234 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 and I, fearing to become the slave of my father's enemies, 
 fled. I first came to some place, where I attempted to 
 drown myself in a well, but the villagers were apprised of 
 my state, and came and saved me. Afterwards I came 
 here. You have heard my story ; now please tell me 
 yours." 
 
 " Fair maiden," he replied, " I am the king of this 
 country, and am now out on a hunting excursion. Lucky 
 day that brought me in your path." 
 
 On this the girl wept. 
 
 "Why do you weep, pretty maiden?" continued the 
 king. 
 
 " king, I weep for my father, for my mother, and for 
 my country. I weep for myself. What shall I do here ? 
 Friendless and homeless, how can I live ? " she replied. 
 
 "Weep no more," said he. "Henceforth I will look 
 after you. Come to my palace and spend your days." 
 
 " That gladly will I do,'' said the girl. " Nay, ask me 
 to be your wife. I. can refuse you nothing," 
 
 " My beloved, my darling," said the king, " come with 
 me." 
 
 Accordingly a marriage was arranged, and the king 
 
 will abolish this wicked custom. Give countries. Cf. Vigne's Travels in 
 
 it up, and God will bless you, and Kashmh; &c., vol. ii. pp. 199-202. 
 
 the people of tliis country will thank Several allusions to China occur 
 
 you." ■ also in Kaslimiri songs, &c. For ex- 
 
 The Sh&h-i-Cbin was pricked to the ample: Itang i roi Machln, "The 
 
 heart by these words, and catting his bloom on your cheeks is that of 
 
 finger, so that the blood oozed out, China,;" KusManichhuKdmutchdnih. 
 
 he called for a pen and some paper, bumbahranff karanah ! "WhatMani 
 
 anil at once wrote an order declaring has been and painted youreyebrows?" 
 
 Kashmir an independent state. Then This is, of course, the celebrated 
 
 Ijah&diii presented him with some Persian painter, who went in disguise 
 
 peaches, apricots, walnuts, and other to China, whom Vigne makes out to 
 
 fruits, and caused him to arrive at have been the preacher of the Mani- 
 
 his country again. When the ShS,h fliaean heresy, for he travelled," says 
 
 related to liis people what had hap- Mirkhoud, "through Kashmir into 
 
 peued to him and what he had seen, India, and thence proceeded to Tur- 
 
 his people would not believe him ; kestan, Kathai, and China." 
 
 but afterwards, wlien he showed (c.) It should also be noticed that 
 
 them the different fruits that the it is a common way of explain- 
 
 fagir had given him, they were con- ing the origin of unknown girls in 
 
 vinced, and applauded his deed. Musalm&n tales, to call them women 
 
 (6.) Nasim i^&n, who accompanied of China, handmaidens of the Em- 
 Mr. Vigne to Isk5,rdo, tells many peror in China. Cf., en passant, the 
 stories of the Chinese and their story of " Aladdin, or the Wonderful 
 doings in Tibet and surrounding liSLmp " in Arabian JVii/hts. 
 
THE PHILOSOPHER'S STONE. 235 
 
 became more and more fond of his wife from China. He 
 built a beautiful five-storeyed building for her on the 
 banks of the Dal,* close to Ishibar,* and spent as much 
 time as he possibly could with her, to the entire exclusion 
 of his other wives. Little did he know then what a 
 terrible creature she was on whom he was lavishing his 
 affection ; and little did he know the awful disease that 
 living with her had brought on him. By-and-by, however, 
 he began to feel great pains in his stomach, and sent for 
 the hakims, some of whom advised him this and some 
 that ; but none of them could cure him. At last a jogi, 
 who was in the habit of flying over to this country every 
 day to get some water from the Dud Ganga^and some 
 earth from Hari Parbat^ for his master and teacher, 
 noticed the grand building that the king had constructed, 
 and wishing to rest, went and entered it ; and putting the 
 sacred water in one comer of the room, and the sacred 
 earth in another corner, and a box of precious ointment 
 under his pillow, he stretched himself on the king's bed, 
 and was soon asleep. Meanwhile His Majesty arrived, 
 and was much surprised to find the jogi sleeping on his 
 bed. He noticed the little ointment-box under the pillow, 
 and the sacred water and earth, and wondered what they 
 meant. Curious to see what the jo^'i would do when he 
 awoke, he sat down and waited. The jogi did not keep 
 him very long. How astonished he was to see the king, 
 and how terrified when he could not find the little box of 
 ointment and the sacred water and earth ! The king had 
 taken them. " Do not be afraid, jogi" said he. " I 
 have got all your things, safely. Tell me how and why 
 you came here, and you shall have them again." Then 
 the yo^'^ told him everything, and received back the things, 
 and bowing to the king, left the palace. He flew back as 
 
 'The city lake close to Srinagar. ^ A hill in Srinagar on which stands 
 
 * A village on the eastern side of the fort protecting the city. In the 
 
 the lake. It contains a very sacred month of March there is a Hindu 
 
 spring. festival in honour of Shdrika held on 
 
 5 A sacred stream crossed on the this hill, 
 way to Bdmfi. 
 
236 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 fast as possible to his master, who asked him the reason 
 of his delay, whereupon the jogi related to him how he 
 had been discovered sleeping in the king's bed, and how 
 His Majesty had spoken to him. 
 
 " A good man ! " exclaimed the teacher when he heard 
 these words. " I am thankful that he gave you back the 
 sacred ointment and the other things. Come, lead me to 
 him." 
 
 Accordingly they both flew to this country by the aid 
 of the ointment, and went before the king. 
 
 " king," said the jogi, " my master and teacher has 
 come to see you, and to thank you for returning those 
 things to me." 
 
 Then said the rishi, "Yes, to thank you I have come, 
 king. Be pleased to ask anything at my hands and it 
 shall be done for you." 
 
 "0 holy man," replied the king, prostrating himself 
 before him, "I have been caught with a disease in my 
 stomach which all the skill and learning of the hakims 
 have as yet failed to alleviate. If you can cure me of this 
 disease I shall be eternally grateful to you." 
 
 " Let me examine your body," said the 7-ishi, looking 
 earnestly at him. " Have you recently married a wife ? " 
 
 " Yes," replied the king, and related to him the circum- 
 stances of meeting with his new wife and everything 
 about her. 
 
 " I suspected this," said the rishL " king, you are 
 really very ill. Forty days more without relief would 
 have killed you. But now you are safe. I can cure you. 
 Do what I tell you, and fear not. Order your cook to put 
 extra salt into your wife's dinner this evening, and see 
 that there is not any water in the room where she will 
 sleep.^ You yourself keep awake all the night and watch, 
 and tell me in the morning whatever happens. Be not 
 afraid. Ko harm shall come to you." 
 
 His Majesty implicitly followed the rishi's directions. 
 
 ' Cf. Folk-Lore Jovrnal, vol. iv. p. 24. 
 
THE PHILOSOPHER'S STONE. 237 
 
 As was expected, the womau got very thirsty in the night, 
 and rose up to drink some water ; but not finding any 
 water in the room, she first looked to see if her husband 
 was asleep, and then assumed the shape of a snake and 
 went out. She went to the lake to drink. When she 
 had done this she returned, and changing herself back to 
 a woman, lay down to sleep again. The king saw all 
 this, and in the morning informed the rishi. When the 
 ■rishi heard everything he said, " king, this is not a 
 woman, but a vihd. Listen. If for the space of one 
 hundred years the sight of no human eye falls on a snake 
 a crest forms on its head, and it becomes a sJidhmdr; if 
 for another hundred years it comes not into the sight of 
 a man, it is changed into an ajdar; and if for three 
 hundred years it has never been looked on by a human 
 being it becomes a vihd. A vihd can stretch itself to any 
 length, possesses enormous power, and can change its 
 appearance at will ; it is very fond of assuming the form 
 of a woman, in order that it may live with men.* Such is 
 your wife, king." 
 
 " Horrors ! " exclaimed the king. " Would that I had 
 known this before. But is there no way of escape from 
 this wretched creature ? " 
 
 " Yes, certainly," replied the rishi; " but you must be 
 patient. Go regularly to your wife, and act towards her 
 just the same as you have always done. Otherwise she 
 will suspect you, and will destroy you. One breath of hers 
 would blast the whole country. Meanwhile build a house 
 of lachh^ and cover the lachh with a white washing, so that 
 it may not appear. The house should contain four rooms 
 — a sitting-room, dining-room, bedroom, and bathroom, 
 and in one corner of the dining-room there should be a 
 big strong oven with a cover. When everything is quite 
 ready pretend that you are ill, and get the haldm to pre- 
 scribe forty days' solitary confinement in the house of lachh, 
 and to strictly order nobody but the woman to visit you." 
 
 8 Cf. Indian Antiquary, vol. xi. pp. " A resinous substance, the basis of 
 230-235. varnishes and lacquers. 
 
238 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 All of which was done, and the woman was very glad 
 to have the king all to herself, and to do everything for 
 him in his sickness. This went on for a few days, when 
 the risM got to speak to the king. He advised him to 
 heat the great oven in the dining-room, and to order the 
 woman to make a special kind of bread for him. Then 
 while she was busy looking to see how the bread was 
 progressing, he was to pitch her into the furnace, and 
 shut it up as soon as possible, lest by any means she 
 should escape and destroy the whole country. This also 
 was done, and to increase the force of the heat, the house 
 too was ignited,!" 
 
 "You have done well," said the rishi, when he heard 
 what the king had done. " Now go to your palace, and 
 wait there for two days, and on the third day come to me, 
 and I will show you a wonderful sight." 
 
 On the third day His Majesty, accompanied by the rishi, 
 went to the place where the fire was, and found nothing 
 but ashes. 
 
 " Look carefully," said the rishi, " and you will find a 
 pebble amongst them." 
 
 " Yes," replied the king after a few minutes' search ; 
 " here it is." 
 
 " It is well," said the rishi. " Which will you have, the 
 pebble or the ashes ? " 
 
 " The pebble," answered the king. 
 
 "Very well," said the rishi. "Then I will take the 
 ashes." Whereupon he carefully collected the ashes into 
 his wrap and disappeared with his disciple, and the king 
 went to his palace. 
 
 From that hour His Majesty was cured of his disease. 
 The pebble that he had chosen turned out to be the sangi- 
 pdras,^^ the stone which, on touching any metal, immedi- 
 ately converted it into gold. But what particular virtue 
 
 10 Miy4n Singh, Sikh governor of wife because she was accused of in- 
 the Valley in Eanjlt Singh's time, is trigue. 
 said to have baked alive his favourite ii The classical Sparsha-mani. 
 
THE PHILOSOPHER'S STONE. 239 
 
 there was in the ashes he never knew, as he never saw 
 the rishi or the jo(/i again.^^ 
 
 A VARIANT/ 
 
 'AlI Mardan KhKh^ a former king of Kashmir, was one 
 day hunting in the jungle near Shalimar,^ when two old 
 men came up to him and said, " king, be pleased to hear 
 us. We beseech you to proceed no farther, lest you be 
 swallowed by a fierce ajdar that frequents this place." 
 
 " Nonsense," said the king. 
 
 "Nay, king, but we have seen the monster," said 
 they. " It goes down to the lake every evening to drink 
 water, and comes by way of this jungle. Be warned, we 
 pray you, and return." 
 
 " Very well," said the king, and turning his horse rode 
 back to the palace. On arrival he sent for his wazirs to 
 tell them what he had heard, and to ask their advice as to 
 what steps he should take for the destruction of the 
 monster. They advised him to order several sheepskins 
 filled with lime to be thrown along the way by which the 
 ajdar came down to the lake, and also to have two pits 
 dug and filled with oil near to the place where the 
 monster was wont to drink. Their idea was, that the 
 ajdar would suppose the sheepskins of lime to be real 
 sheep and would swallow them, and consequently get 
 very thirsty ; and then, thinking the oil-pits to be filled 
 with water, would quench its thirst from them. A burn- 
 ing heat inside would of course ensue, and the ajdar 
 
 '^ Compare Variants Wide-Awake speak of him as a king, yet 'All 
 
 iStories, pp. 189-195, 330-332 ; tale of MardSn Klri,n was only governor of 
 
 "Lower than tlie Beasts,'' in Gesta Kashmir in the Emperor ShiiK 
 
 Bomanomm; Kashmiri Pruverbs JahS.n's lUiys (cir. 1650). He whs 
 
 and Sayivgs, pp. 184-186 ; and In- a Persian noble, and the same as 
 
 (iian Notes and Queries^ vol. iv. p. acted as governor of Zandahdr for 
 
 153. , some time. 
 
 ^ Narrator's name, Piiiidit Anand ^ The name of the famous royal 
 
 Kol of Srinagar. gardens by the Tayilba hill, on the 
 
 - Although the people invariably shores of tlie City lake. 
 
240 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 ■would die. The king approved of the idea, and there- 
 fore it was carried into execution, and the ajdar was 
 slain. 
 
 'Ali Mardan Khan went to see the carcass, and ordered 
 the soldiers to fire on it. He also, with the help of the 
 two old men, discovered its cave and entered it. Within 
 the place was a closed door, which he opened. This door 
 led into a room, where he found a peculiar little box ; and 
 inside this little box there was a pebble. This pebble 
 chanced to be the veritable sangi-pdras by the touch of 
 which everything is immediately changed into gold. 
 
 ANOTHER STOKY.^ 
 
 Once upon a time a man set out to climb the TaMt-i- 
 Sulaiman.2 Feeling very thirsty on the way up, the day 
 being rather hot, he took a pear out of his pocket and 
 began to peel it. While doing so the knife slipped and 
 cut his hand. The man cleaned off some of the blood 
 with the knife, and then rubbed the knife against a stone 
 and put it back in his pocket. On reaching the top of the 
 hill he sat down, and feeling rather hungry, took out 
 another pear, and was going to skin it, when he noticed 
 that the blade of his knife had been turned into gold. 
 How could this have happened? Undoubtedly on the 
 way up the hill he had rubbed it against the sangi-pdras. 
 He retraced his steps with all speed, but, alas ! he could 
 not find the stone again, so, for all we know, it probably 
 remains somewhere about the T&kht to this day. 
 
 1 Narrator's name, L&l Chand of is called by the Pandits Sir-i-Shur, or 
 
 Klmnamuh, in the Wular parr/ana. Shiva's Head, or Shankar&ch^ya, 
 
 ^ A hill near Srinagar, about looo after the great Hindu ascetic of that 
 
 feet above the level of the Valley. It name. 
 
( 241 ) 
 
 HOW THE WICKED SONS WERE DUPED} 
 
 A VEEY wealthy old man, imagining that he was on the 
 point of death, sent for his sons and divided his property 
 among them. However, he did not die for several years 
 afterwards ; and miserable years many of them were. 
 Besides the weariness of old age, the old fellow had to 
 hear with much abuse and cruelty from his sons. 
 Wretched, selfish ingrates ! Previously they vied with 
 one another in trying to please their father, hoping thus 
 to receive more money, but now they had received their 
 patrimony, they cared not how soon he left them — nay, 
 the sooner the better, because he was only a needless 
 trouble and expense. This, as we may suppose, was a 
 great grief to the old man. 
 
 One day he met a friend and related to him all his 
 troubles. The friend sympathised very much with him, 
 and promised to think over the matter, and call in a 
 little while and tell him what to do. He did so ; in a 
 few days he visited the old man and put down four bags 
 full of stones and gravel before him. 
 
 " Look here, friend," said he. " Your sons will get to 
 know of my coming here to-day, and will inquire about 
 it. Tou must pretend that I came to discharge a long- 
 standing debt with you, and that you are several thousands 
 of rupees richer than you thought you were. Keep these 
 bags in your own hands, and on no account let your sons 
 get to them as long as you are alive. You will soon find 
 them change their conduct towards you. Saldm. I will 
 come again soon to see how you were getting on." 
 
 When the young men got to hear of this further in- 
 
 1 Narrator's name, Shiva B^yfi, Eenawirl, Srinagar. 
 
 Q 
 
242 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 crease of wealth they began to be more attentive and 
 pleasing to their father than ever before. And thus they 
 continued to the day of the old man's demise, when the 
 bags were greedily opened, and found to contain only 
 stones and gravel ! 
 
( 243 ) 
 
 A STUPID HUSBAND AND HIS CLEVER 
 WIFE."- 
 
 A MEKCHANT when dying called his beloved and only son 
 to his bedside and said, " Dear son, I am about to depart, 
 and shall not return. You will be left alone in the 
 world. I charge you to remember five pieces of advice 
 which I now give you. Walk not in the sunshine from 
 your house to the shop. Let pildv be your daily food. 
 Take unto yourself a fresh wife every week. On wishing 
 to drink wine go to the vat and drink it. If you want 
 to gamble, then gamble with experienced gamblers." 
 
 Having spoken these words the merchant groaned and 
 gave up the ghost. 
 
 Now the son, although good and obedient in all things, 
 was also a very stupid fellow. He did not in the least 
 comprehend his father's real meaning. He thought that 
 these words were to be understood literally, and there- 
 fore immediately set about erecting a covered way from 
 his house to the place of business. It cost him a large 
 sum of money, and seemed most needless and ridiculous. 
 Some of his friends suspected that he was mad, and 
 others that he was proud. However, he minded not 
 their remarks and coldness, but finished the building, and 
 every day walked beneath it in the shade to and fro from 
 his house to the shop. 
 
 He also ordered the cook to prepare pildv for him 
 every day, and ate nothing else, as his father had directed 
 him. 
 
 In the matter of getting a fresh wife every week he 
 
 I Narrator's name, Pandit Makund Biyii, Suth<i, Srinagar. 
 
244 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 experienced very great difficulty. Some of the wives, by 
 reason of their ugliness, or bad tempers, or slovenly man- 
 ners, or unfaithfulness and other wickednesses, deserved 
 to be turned off. But there were others who were beauti- 
 ful, and good, and kind, and loving, and clean, and tidy, 
 and these the young merchant found it extremely hard to 
 get rid of. He had to provoke them to anger or to in- 
 difference before he could invent an excuse for sending 
 them away. Many many poor women were thus ruined 
 by him. 
 
 At last an exceedingly clever woman heard of the 
 deceased merchant's advice, and having perceived the 
 true meaning, she determined to try and arrange for her 
 marriage with the young merchant. Being both beautiful 
 and clever, she soon succeeded. The young merchant 
 could not detect any fault in her or her work, though he 
 was constantly on the watch for anything wrong. She 
 did everything strictly according to his wishes, and was 
 exceedingly careful about her speech, and dress, and 
 manner, and work. Six days thus passed. On the seventh 
 and last day of the week, his last opportunity, the young 
 merchant ordered her to have some fish pildv ready for 
 his evening meal, intending to grumble with it, and to 
 pretend that he wanted a different kind of fish to that 
 prepared. His wife promised that it should be ready for 
 him as soon as he returned. 
 
 Soon after he left she went to the bdzdr and purchased 
 two or three kinds of fish. At the proper time she pre- 
 pared them in different ways, some with spices, and 
 some without spices, some with sugar, some with salt, 
 and so on. On the young merchant's return the dinner 
 was waiting. 
 
 " Is dinner ready ? " he shouted. 
 
 " Yes," replied the wife, and immediately put a dish of 
 steaming sweet pildv in front of him. 
 
 " Oh ! " he said, looking up in a rage, " I want a salt 
 pildv." 
 
A STUPID HUSBAND AND HIS CLEVER WIFE. 245 
 
 " Very well," she replied. " I thought perhaps you would, 
 and so got that also ready. Here it is," and she set a big 
 dish of steaming salt pildv before him. 
 
 " Yes, yes," said he, still in a rage apparently, " but not 
 this kind of fish. It is all bone." 
 
 "Very well," she replied ; " then have this kind." 
 
 " But I don't mean this kind," he shouted ; and he 
 looked as if he would like to throw the contents of the 
 dish at her head. " I would sooner eat dung than this." 
 
 " Then have it," she replied, " by all means." 
 
 Saying this, she kicked aside a small basket and dis- 
 covered to his astonished gaze the dung of some animal 
 tliat had been prowling about the place while she was pre- 
 paring the dinner, but which she had not had time to 
 remove, and therefore had thrown a basket over it, lest 
 her husband should notice it and be offended. 
 
 Thoroughly defeated, the young merchant then said no 
 more. After eating a little from two or three of the dishes 
 he went to bed. During the night his wife made him 
 promise to visit her father's house on the morrow, and to 
 spend the day there. 
 
 In the morning the young merchant and his wife went 
 together to the house of the latter. On arrival the wife 
 told her parents all that had happened to her and all her 
 secrets, and begged them not to cook anything special on 
 account of their visit, but to prepare simply some phuhic- 
 rih^ and give it to her when she should ask for it. They 
 said that they would do so. 
 
 When they had been there some hours she took her 
 husband into a little room, and asked him to wait there 
 for the dinner, which would be ready presently. The 
 young merchant waited a long time, until at last he got 
 so hungry that he went and called his wife and entreated 
 her to bring something to eat. 
 
 " Yes," she said, " in a few minutes. We are waiting 
 for other guests, who ought to have been here a long time 
 
 2 The plural of phuhur, burnt rice or bread. 
 
246 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 ago. As soon as they arrive the food will be served 
 up." 
 
 " But I am too hungry to wait," said the young mer- 
 chant. " Give me something to eat at once. I do not" 
 wish to eat with these people, if your parents will excuse 
 me." 
 
 "Very well," she replied; "but there is nothing but 
 phuhurih. If you like to have that, I will go and 
 bring it." 
 
 " All right," he said. " Bring it." 
 
 So she went and fetched some ph/iihurih, and he ate it 
 gladly. When he had finished the plateful he said, 
 " The taste of this phuhurih is better than pildv to me at 
 this time." 
 
 Deeming it a good opportunity, she said, " Oh, why, 
 then, do you always eat pildv in your house ? " 
 
 " Because my father ordered me to do this, just before 
 he died," he replied. 
 
 " Nonsense," said she, " you have mistaken his mean- 
 ing." 
 
 " No, I have not," he said. " He advised me on several 
 other points also." He then told her all that his father 
 had said to him. 
 
 " Well ! " she exclaimed. " On this account you built 
 the covered way from the house to the shop, you eat 
 pildv every day, and marry a wife every week ! Are you 
 really so stupid as to suppose for one moment that your 
 wise and kind father wished you thus to understand him ? 
 Why, such a course of life will very soon bring you to 
 ruin, besides making your life miserable and your name a 
 reproach in the land ! Listen ! When your father advised 
 you to go and come from your shop in the shade he 
 meant that you should attend to your business, rising up 
 early and retiring late, if you wished to prosper and to 
 become great. When he told you to eat pildv every day, 
 he meant that you should be economical in the way of 
 food, and eat only to satisfy hunger. When he said. 
 
A STUPID HUSBAND AND HIS CLEVER WIFE. 247 
 
 ' Marry a new wife every week,' he meant that you should 
 not he too much with your wife. When the wife is away 
 you want her. If you saw your wife only once a week 
 you would return to her as to a new wife and enjoy her 
 society more." 
 
 " Alas ! alas ! " he cried, " what have I heen doing ? 
 How foolishly have I acted ! my dear father, that I 
 should have thus misunderstood you ! My dear wife, you 
 have spoken wisely. Henceforth I will endeavour to 
 atone for my stupidity. But you have not explained the 
 rest of my father's words, that I may know what else 
 to do." 
 
 " I will tell you," she replied". " But let us first go and 
 bid my parents good-bye. I will explain the meaning to 
 you on the way home." 
 
 As they were walking back she turned aside to a 
 gambling-den, and showed her husband the wretchedness 
 and villainy depicted on the countenances of nearly every 
 one of the company. 
 
 "Look," she said, "at their terrible condition and be 
 warned. Your father evidently wished you to see such a 
 sight, that you might shun the path that leads to this 
 state." 
 
 Then she took him to a large wine-shop that was near 
 their house, and pointing to the immense vats of wine, told 
 him to climb one of them and drink to his heart's content. 
 He went up the ladder and looked over into the vat, but 
 the stench was* so great that he did not wish to remain 
 there a moment, much less to drink. 
 
 "I will not drink any of the wine to-day," he said on 
 reaching the bottom of the ladder. 
 
 " This is precisely the conclusion your father wished to 
 arrive at," she said ; " and therefore he told you to go and 
 drink the wine from the vat whenever you wished to 
 drink it." 
 
 " I see, I see,'' he replied. " Let us go home." 
 
( 248 ) 
 
 THE PRAYERFUL FAQIR} 
 
 Once upon a time there lived a poor man with his two 
 children, a son and a daughter. He was so reduced in 
 circumstances that he had not food or clothing for them, 
 and was obliged to beg alms from house to house in almost 
 a nude condition. One day, in the course of their peregri- 
 nations in quest of food, they met with a very holy, con- 
 tinent, and virtuous /ag''^r, concerning whom it was reported 
 that he never failed to obtain direct answers to his prayers. 
 On seeing this holy man they made their saldms, and 
 begged him to pray for the relief of their poverty. The 
 faqir directed them to a certain place, saying that if they 
 would enter that place one by one and heartily offer up 
 their prayers it should be granted them. "But be very 
 careful," he added, " and only ask for one thing." Then 
 the faqir departed. 
 
 The daughter was the first of the trio to enter. She 
 lifted up her voice and prayed for beauty, and her request 
 was vouchsafed. She came forth to her father and 
 brother a blushing, beautiful girl, with whom the king, 
 who at that moment happened to be passing by, was 
 thoroughly fascinated. His Majesty stopped, at once 
 offered marriage, and was accepted. The quickjly-found 
 lovers rode off together. 
 
 But the father did not quite agree to this sudden 
 separation from his daughter, and, besides this, he was 
 exasperated by her remaining so long within the praying- 
 pla9e. Accordingly, full of angry thoughts, he entered 
 this place, and asked most earnestly that the Mighty One 
 would afflict his disobedient, faithless daughter with a 
 
 1 Narrator's name. Pandit KaiUs Kol, Tunkipfir, Srinagar. 
 
THE PRAYERFUL FAQtR. 249 
 
 sore.^ This prayer also was accepted, and the king 
 noticing the sore upon his fair lady's neck, became dis- 
 gusted with her and cast her off on the way. 
 
 At last the boy went within the place appointed and 
 prayed thus : — " Merciful One, grant me two things. I 
 wish to be a king, and I wish to be wealthy." 
 
 This prayer, however, being contrary to the directions of 
 thefaqir, was refused. 
 
 Then the wretched beggar with his recreant daughter 
 and foolish son went on their way in the same state as 
 they came, hungry and jad'Asaless. 
 
 2 Cf. Folk-Tales of Bmgal, pp. 113, 114. 
 
( 25° ) 
 
 UNITY IS STRENGTH.^ 
 
 A TERRIBLE famine,^ like a great ogre, stalked through the 
 land of Kashmir, committing the most fearful depredation 
 on every side. There was much distress and lamentation . 
 in many families whose dear ones had been slain or 
 wounded by his cruel hand. 
 
 At such a time a company of four brothers determined 
 to fly from the country. On a certain day, having packed 
 up whatever was necessary for the way, they started on 
 their journey. They had proceeded some distance, when 
 they came to a spring, whose crystal waters invited them 
 to stop and rest a while. The place was abundantly shaded 
 by a large tree, in the long spreading branches of which a 
 little bird was singing most merrily and sweetly. It was 
 a lovely spot wherein to rest. Conversation as to their 
 future prospects was indulged in freely, and various plans 
 were suggested and talked over, till all were fast asleep. 
 About midnight they were suddenly aroused by the shrill, 
 insinuating cries of the little bird. The elder brother, in 
 his rage, ordered one of the party to catch the bird, a 
 second to take out his knife and kill it, and the third to 
 get some wood ready for a fire whereby to cook it. All 
 immediately bestirred themselves, rose up, and went 
 quickly to fulfil their elder brother's commands. 
 
 Now this bird was an intelligent creature, and therefore 
 had perfectly comprehended all that had been said. So, 
 while the three brothers were going about to fulfil their 
 
 1 Narrator's name, Rahm&n, a badness of the roads and the diffi- 
 oarpenter living in Srinagar. oulty of transport, are sometimes 
 
 2 Notwithstanding the usual fer- very terrible, especially as they are 
 tility of the soil famines occur oo- usually followed by an outbreak of 
 casionally, and the consequences to cholera or some other epidemic. 
 
 the inhabitants, chiefly from the 
 
UNITY IS STRENGTH. 251 
 
 several tasks, it said to the eldest of the party, " Why do 
 you wish to catch me ? Why do you send for a knife and 
 wood?" 
 
 The young man replied, " It is my intention to kill you, 
 and afterwards to roast and eat you." 
 
 In a voice tremulous with terror the poor bird entreated 
 for its life. " Spare, oh ! spare me, and I will show you 
 a treasury of wealth." 
 
 " Very well," said the man. " I will spare you if you 
 will fulfil your promise." 
 
 "Then my life is spared," said the bird. "Dig, dig 
 around the trunk of the tree, and you will find treasure 
 untold." 
 
 The four brothers did so, and found as the bird had 
 said. 
 
 " What reason have we now for continuing the journey? 
 We have," said they, " enough and to spare. Let us go 
 back to our country." 
 
 Four other brothers, of another family who were living 
 in the neighbourhood of the grand building wherein the 
 four wealthy brothers had taken up their abode, chanced 
 to hear of the extraordinary manner in which they had 
 met with their wealth, and they too, being driven to great 
 straits by the famine, determined to visit the spring, the 
 scene of the late find, and try their luck. They went ; they 
 saw the spring ; they rested under the shadow of the big 
 tree; they heard the pretty warblings of the bird; and 
 sweated with curiosity and expectation. At length the 
 eldest brother ordered his brethren to do as the eldest 
 brother of the other party had ordered his brothers ; but 
 they would not obey him. 
 
 One said, " I cannot go." 
 
 Another replied, " Wherefore should I bring a knife ? " 
 
 And the third pleaded, " I am too tired to fetch any 
 wood. Go and get it yourself." 
 
 When the little bird saw the unwillingness and dis- 
 obedience it said to the eldest brother, " Go back. Your 
 
252 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 errand is in vain. You will never ol)tain anything till 
 you have first obtained command over your brethren. 
 The men who preceded you were successful because they 
 were united. They had but one will, one mind, one eye, 
 one ear, one body." 
 
( 253 ) 
 
 THE PIR OF PHATTAPUR} 
 
 A pIb ^ once visited a certain village of which he was 
 the spiritual guide to see his disciples. On his arrival 
 they all gathered round to welcome him, and all promised 
 to send him food. However, when evening had come, each 
 one, hoping that some others would look after the pir, did 
 not bother. The consequence was the j?ir got nothing, and 
 was obliged to fast. Tor his own credit's sake he could 
 not go out and beg. During the night a great wind 
 sprang up and constantly burst open the door of the 
 mosque where he was staying. Each time he thought 
 bhat somebody had come, and rose up to receive them ; 
 but, alas ! it was only the wind. On the following morn- 
 ing his disciples gathered round him and asked whether 
 he had been comfortable, when he reproached them for 
 their negligence ; whereupon the people began to abuse one 
 another for not bringing some food for the pir. " Ohdnih 
 pirah korih nikdh ! Ohdnih pirah korih h'Ani niwdn / 
 Chdnih pirah korih rani ! " * said they, which words mean, 
 " May your pir's daughter be married ! May your pir's 
 daughter be carried off by a dog ! May your pir's daughter 
 (have lots of) husbands ! " Of course all the abuse fell on 
 the head of the pir, who was so disgusted with them that 
 he took up his wrap and went. 
 
 ^ Narrator's name, Lil Singh of special powers of pleading before 
 
 Kh&dany^r, near B^ramula. Fhatta- God. This conviction, of course, has 
 
 pfir is a village in the B4ngil pargcma. to be supported, encouraged, and 
 
 ^ These pin (spiritual guides !) are connived at ; otherwise the poor 
 
 a wretched lot of fellows — ^ignorant, ignorant, superstitions villagers would 
 
 negligent, sensual, selfish. They are withdraw their support, 
 
 supported by the inhabitants of their * This is one of the worst forms of 
 
 different villages, and are thought Kashmiri abuse. 
 to be possessed of sanctity and of 
 
( 254 ) 
 
 THE SAGACIOUS GOVERNOR. 
 
 1.1 
 
 One day the governor was sitting in darhdr, when a 
 crow came flying into the hall and made a great noise. 
 The servants in attendance turned it out two or three 
 times, but it persisted in flying in and making a great 
 " caw, caw," as before. 
 
 " Evidently the bird has a petition,'' said the governor. 
 " Inquire what is the matter." 
 
 Accordingly a soldier was sent on this errand, and as he 
 left the hall the bird came and flew along before him. It 
 led the way to the Guri Daur,^ where a woodcutter was 
 lopping a poplar, upon a branch of which the crow had 
 built its nest. " Caw, caw, caw ! " said the bird most 
 lustily when it arrived at the tree, and then flew up to its 
 nest. The soldier at once saw what was the matter, and 
 ordering the woodcutter to stop his work, returned and 
 told the governor. 
 
 II.3 
 
 Another day, when the governor was present in darhdr, 
 two men came and presented their petitions. They both 
 claimed a certain foal. It was a very curious case. 
 According to the custom of the country, they, being 
 townsmen, had sent their ponies (mares) to the hills to 
 
 1 Narrator's name, Mihtar Sher ' Narrator's name, Mihtar Sher 
 Singh, Officiating Governor, Srinagar. Singh, Officiating Governor, Srina- 
 
 2 The native racecourse near Sher gar. 
 Garhi, Srinagar. 
 
THE SAGACIOUS GOVERNOR. 255 
 
 graze. Both of the mares were with young, and while 
 they were in the shepherd's charge gave birth to two foals, 
 one of which was stillborn and the other lived. However, 
 the living colt sucked milk from both. The shepherd was 
 not present at the time of its birth, and therefore when he 
 came and saw this he could not tell to which mare the 
 colt belonged. Of course, when the season was over and 
 the owners came for their ponies, both of them claimed 
 the colt ; and as neither of them seemed inclined to give 
 way to the other, they went to the court about it. 
 
 After a little deliberation the governor ordered the men 
 to take both the ponies and the colt down to the water, 
 and to put the colt into a boat and paddle out into the 
 middle of the river. " The mother of the colt," said he, 
 " will swim after it ; but the other pony will remain on 
 the bank." Thus was the case decided. 
 
 III.* 
 
 A MAN refused to support his mother, who was a widow 
 and had no other son. So the poor old woman, not know- 
 ing what else to do, went to the governor, and falling on 
 her knees, before him, begged him to help her. " my 
 lord," she cried, '' I am a widow, and have only one son, 
 who declines to give me a little food and clothing, or even 
 a corner in his house to lie down in. What shall I do ? 
 I cannot work. My eyes are failing and my strength is 
 gone. Your honour is famous for wisdom and under- 
 standing. Please advise me." 
 
 On hearing her complaint the governor summoned the 
 son of the old widow, and sharply upbraided him for 
 not supporting her, to whom he was indebted beyond 
 repayment. 
 
 " I do not owe her anything," replied the young man. 
 " She never lent me a pdiisa. On the contrary, she owes 
 
 * Narrator's name. Pandit Lil Chand, of Khunarauh, in the Vihi pargana. 
 
256 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 me very much. I have entirely supported her for the 
 last three years. But now I cannot provide for her any 
 longer. I have a wife and family of my own to feed and 
 clothe and care for." 
 
 " Tor shame ! " said the governor. " Is it necessary that 
 I should tell you how much you owe your mother ? — yea, 
 even your life and health and strength? Who carried 
 you ahout every moment for nine long weary months ? 
 "Who suckled you for twice that time ? Who taught you 
 to walk ? Who taught you to talk ? Who fed you with 
 food convenient for you ? Who saved you from many a 
 fall, from many a burn, and from many a scald ? Who 
 pounded the rice and prepared your food for several years, 
 till you were able to marry and get a wife to do these 
 things for you ? " 
 
 "These are things that every mother has to do and 
 likes to do,'' said the young man. " She would not wish 
 to live if she could not perform them." 
 
 " True to a certain point, but " Here the governor 
 
 stopped, and turning to one of the wazirs in attendance, 
 ordered him to see that this young unthankful fellow 
 pounded four sers of rice ^ with a skin of water fastened 
 round his stomach, and to beat him if he did not accom- 
 plish the task well and quickly. 
 
 The man soon got tired. The perspiration ran down 
 over his face and neck. At last he could not lift the 
 pestle any more; and the rice was not half pounded. 
 Thwack, thwack, thwack, came down the whip on his 
 bare shoulders, but it was no good, he could not pound 
 another grain. He was then carried before the governor 
 in a dead-alive condition. 
 
 " I need not say anything more to you," said the governor 
 to him. "You have learnt something of what your mother 
 endured for you. Go and repay the debt with kind 
 words and kind deeds." 
 
 '' It is the wife's business to pound the rice for her household. 
 
THE SAGACIOUS GOVERNOR. 257 
 
 IV.6 
 
 A MusalmIn owed some rupees to a Pandit, but refused 
 to pay him. At length the case was carried before the 
 governor, who heard what they had to say, and then put 
 both the men into separate rooms. In a little while he 
 ordered the Pandit to appear, and asked him whether 
 his claim was a true one. The Pandit replied in the 
 affirmative. 
 
 " Then take this knife and go and cut off the man's nose 
 for his dishonesty," said the governor. 
 
 But the Pandit begged to be excused, saying that he did 
 not care so much for the money that he would cut off a 
 man's nose for it. 
 
 Then the governor ordered him to return to his place, 
 and, as soon as he was out of hearing, sent for the Musal- 
 man, and asked him if he owed the Pandit anything. The 
 man replied in the negative. 
 
 " Then take this knife and go and cut off the Pandit's 
 ear for his false accusation," said the governor. 
 
 The wicked Musalman took the knife, and left with the 
 intention of doing so. 
 
 But the governor called him back. " I see," said he ; 
 " you must pay the sum demanded by the Pandit, and a 
 fine besides. Tell me no more lies. The man who would 
 not scruple to deprive a fellow-creature of an ear for a 
 trifle is not the man to be trusted." 
 
 8 Narrator's name, Mihtar Sher Singh, Officiating Governor, Srinagar. 
 
( 258 ) 
 
 THEIR ONLY RUBY} 
 
 Once upon a time there lived a king who was obliged to 
 banish his son on account of the young man's extravagance 
 and wickedness. The prince left the country, attended by 
 three friends, who would not be separated from him. He 
 took with him a bag of rubies for the expenses of the way. 
 Unfortunately, however, this bag was stolen one night 
 while he and his companions were asleep, so that only one 
 ruby was left to them which one of the party happened to 
 have with him. On reaching the city the four friends 
 visited the hdzdr and tried to sell it, and while they were 
 arguing with a merchant concerning its price the king of 
 that country passed by. 
 
 " What have you there ? " asked His Majesty. 
 
 " A ruby that we wish to sell, but we cannot find any 
 person rich enough to buy it, king," replied the prince. 
 
 " Show it to me," said the king. 
 
 When His Majesty saw the beautiful stone he was 
 desirous of having it, and therefore pretended that it was 
 his, and that the young man must have stolen it from his 
 treasury. " This is mine," he exclaimed. " I recognise it. 
 You must have stolen it." And then, turning to the officer 
 in command of the detachment of soldiers who were with 
 him, he ordered the men to be seized and put in ward 
 till further inquiries had been made. 
 
 The prince and his companions were much astonished 
 at this behaviour. " Hear our story, king," they said, 
 "and you will change your opinion concerning us. We 
 are not thieves, but honest men. One of us is the son of 
 a king, as great in honour and power and wealth as Your 
 
 I Narrator's name, Pandit Anand H&m, EenawAri, Srinagar. 
 
THEIR ONLY RUBY. 259 
 
 Majesty. Banished from his country, he has wandered 
 hither ; and the rest of us are his friends, who have elected 
 to follow him. Between us all we have only this one 
 ruby. Take not from us, we beseech Your Majesty, our 
 only means of subsistence." 
 
 Touched with pity for them, the king promised that the 
 ruby should be returned to them if they could point out 
 the box it was in. His Majesty had five boxes prepared, 
 and put a ruby in each. In one of the boxes, of course, 
 he put the ruby belonging to the prince's friend. 
 
 When the time of ordeal arrived, the prince and his 
 companions prayed earnestly to be guided to the right 
 box, and immediately they had prayed the box that con- 
 tained their ruby flew open of its own accord. Surprised 
 and pleased at this wonderful thing, the king not only 
 gave them their own ruby, but four other rubies too, and 
 invited them to stay at his palace. Here the prince 
 behaved himself so well and became so popular, that the 
 king gave him his daughter in marriage and appointed 
 him his heir, while the prince's companions were honoured 
 with high ofB.ces under him. 
 
( 26o ) 
 
 THE JACKAL-KING} 
 
 Once upon a time the jackals assembled together to elect 
 a king for themselves. The lions had a king, the tigers 
 had a king, the leopards had a king, the wolves had a 
 king, the dogs and other animals had their kings ; so they 
 thought that they too ought to appoint one, who should be 
 their chief, who should guide them in counsel and lead 
 them forth to war. 
 
 " Elect your king," cried the old jackal, anxious to begin 
 the meeting. 
 
 Whereupon all the jackals shouted, " You are our king ! 
 You are our king ! You are our senior in age and superior 
 in experience. Who is there so fit as yourself to rule 
 over us ? " 
 
 And the old jackal consented, and by way of distinction 
 allowed his fur to be dyed blue, and an old broken win- 
 nowing fan to be fastened round his neck. 
 
 One day the king was walking about his dominions 
 attended by a large number of his jackal subjects, when a 
 tiger suddenly appeared and made a rush at them. The 
 whole company fled and forgot their old king. His Majesty 
 tried to escape into a narrow cave, but, alas ! his head 
 stuck in the hole, by reason of the winnowing fan that 
 was around his neck. Seeing their leader thus, the tiger 
 came and seized him, and carried him away to his lair, 
 where it fastened him by a rope so that he could not run 
 away. In a short while, however, the jackal-king did 
 escape and get back to his subjects, who again wished him 
 to be their king and to reign over them. But the jackal 
 
 1 Karrator's name, Makiind Bky<i, Suthd, Srinagar. 
 
THE JACKAL-KING. 261 
 
 had had enough of it, and therefore replied, " No, thank you. 
 I am quite satisfied. Once being a king is quite sufficient 
 for a man's lifetime." ^ 
 
 2 Cf. Jdtaka Book, vol. ii. (No. 241) padesha, iii. 7 ; A. Weber, Indische 
 
 p. 293 ; Tibetan Tales, pp. IXV.-356 ; Studien, iii. pp. 349-366 ; also Die- 
 
 Pancha-tantra, i. 10, and Benfey's tionary of Kashmiri Proverhs and 
 
 remarks thereon, pp. 224, 225 ; Hito- Sayings, pp. 192, 193. 
 
( 262 ) 
 
 THE BLACK AND WHITE BEARDS} 
 
 Two men, though differing much in age, had formed a 
 very thick friendship with one another. They were 
 constantly in each other's society, and had not a secret 
 between them. The elder of the two possessed a fine 
 beard, as black as charcoal, but the younger man's beard 
 was quite grey. 
 
 " Why has your beard not turned grey before now ? 
 You are nearly twice my age," said the younger to the 
 other one day as they were out for a walk. 
 
 " The secret is this, my friend," replied the other. " My 
 house is a paradise, and my wife a pleasant plant therein, 
 whose branches are constantly bearing fruit, — comfort 
 and joy, and the perfumes of whose blossoms fill the 
 house with an odour of sanctity and love. In such a 
 dwelling man does not quickly become old. Come and 
 see my abode." 
 
 The young friend most readily complied. To tell the 
 truth, he was somewhat suspicious of the old man's story; 
 his own experience was so diametrically opposed to it. 
 Other conversation beguiled the rest of the way to the 
 house. On their arrival the black beard produced a hand- 
 kerchief full of sand, and giving it to his wife, ordered her 
 to make bread of it, while he and his companion took a 
 stroll outside. The good wife tried to blind her mind to 
 the fact of the impossibility of the thing. Her duty was 
 to endeavour to carry out her lord's behests. " Perhaps it 
 may be," she said to herself, and set to work cheerily. 
 
 The stroll being over, the two friends re-entered the 
 
 1 Narrator's name, Pandit Wasah Kol of Kahipiirah, in the KruhSn pargana. 
 
THE BLACK AND WHITE BEARDS. 263 
 
 house, and the old man inquired for the bread that he 
 ordered. 
 
 " Sir," said the woman, " I tried my best, but all to no 
 purpose. Please do not be angry, I could not do more 
 than I have already done." 
 
 The old man then beckoned his friend to come aside, 
 and said to him, " Notice how meek my wife is." 
 
 " Yes, indeed ! " replied he. 
 
 " But I will show you still more of her meekness and 
 patience," said the husband ; and then turning towards his 
 wife, ordered her to go to the top storey of the house and 
 bring down some of the water-melons that were there. 
 The woman went, but only found one water-melon, which 
 she brought and placed before her husband. She thought 
 that he had probably told a falsehood, — he knew there 
 was only one water-melon in the place, but had spoken as 
 if there were many, in order that he might appear great 
 before his guest. 
 
 " Go up," said he, " and bring down a larger one." 
 
 The woman took the melon away, and brought it back 
 again. 
 
 " There is another better than this in the loft. Go up 
 and bring it," said he. 
 
 The woman went, and returned again with the same 
 melon. This order was repeated ten times in various 
 ways, and ten times the good dame climbed the stairs. 
 Afterwards the old man nodded to his friend to come 
 upstairs with him, and showed him what his wife had 
 done. Poor woman ! she was quite fatigued by her exer- 
 tions, and sat down at the bottom of the ladder almost 
 ready to faint. 
 
 " Have I not a good wife ? " asked the proud husband. 
 
 " You have," replied his friend. " I see the secret of 
 your black beard — the dye of homfe-joy, home-peace, and 
 home-contentment, a wonderful triple mixture, warranted 
 to keep a man young for ever. Now come and see my 
 zandna." 
 
264 ' FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 " All right," said the other. 
 
 So away they went to the young grey-headed man's house. 
 When they entered the place a woman came forward with 
 angry countenance and shrieked out, " Where have you 
 been ? Where have you been wasting your time, while I 
 toil here in this dingy hole ? " 
 
 Her husband was too frightened to say anything. 
 Presently, however, when there was a lull in the storm, 
 he asked in a kind manner for some food for himself and 
 guest. The woman sulkily placed before them some 
 scraps, which were left over from her and the children's 
 meal — cold, grizzly scraps, fit only for the grovelling 
 pariahs that infested the neighbourhood. But the poor 
 man wanted some meat, and told her so. Now the woman 
 had been conjuring up all manner of grievances against 
 her husband, until a sea of anguish tossed and raged 
 within her breast. She could not restrain any longer ; so, 
 taking up a big earthenware pot, wherein some rice was 
 being prepared, she took deliberate aim at her husband's 
 head ; and as if this was not enough, she angrily demanded 
 the price of the broken pot that lay in shreds around his 
 feet. Poor fellow ! he was glad to make his exit. On 
 getting outside he said to his friend, " My house is as a 
 bad smell to me. I loathe the place. This is the cause of 
 my broken spirit and scraggy, prematurely grey beard." ^ 
 
 2 Cf. Dictionary of Kashmiri Proverbs and Sayings, pp. 39, 40. 
 
( 265 ) 
 
 THE STORY OF A WEAVER.^ 
 
 Once upon a time there lived a weaver who made a 
 beautiful piece of cloth every year and presented it to 
 the king, who was so pleased with it that he always gave 
 him two thousand rupees in return. 
 
 This weaver was a most ambitious man. Although the 
 kiog and the court praised his workmanship, yet was he 
 not satisfied, but strove each year to weave such a piece 
 of cloth as both in texture and beauty should excel the 
 cloth of the previous year. 
 
 One day a thief got to know all about the weaver's 
 affairs, and determined to possess himself of the next 
 piece of cloth, and go to the king and get more praise 
 than he. " The first night after he has finished it I will 
 enter the house and steal it," he said within himself. 
 
 This weaver was a religious man also. The neighbours 
 constantly heard him ejaculating this prayer, " God, 
 keep my tongue from evil words." The thief too heard 
 him, but he was too wicked a fellow to care much about 
 anything. These words, however, had a great effect over 
 him, as we shall see. 
 
 At length the piece of cloth was ready, and as there 
 was plenty of time, it being only the second watch of 
 the day when it was finished, the weaver washed and put 
 on his best clothes, and took it to the king. 
 
 " What a take-in ! " exclaimed the thief, when he met 
 the weaver going with the cloth to the palace. "The 
 man might have waited a little after finishing it." 
 
 When His Majesty saw the cloth he was more pleased 
 
 1 A Musalman story, collected for me by Pandit Baiak Tok of Fateh 
 Kadal, Srinagar. 
 
266 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 with it than with any other of former years, and gave the 
 weaver four thousand rupees. "Such workmanship de- 
 mands our fullest encouragement," he said to his wazirs 
 and others around. " But tell me how we can hest use 
 this beautiful cloth." 
 
 One wazir replied, " Your Majesty should make a table- 
 cloth of it, so that it may always be before you." 
 
 Another wazir replied, " Have a turban made from it. 
 Such cloth is worthy to cover the head of a king." 
 
 Another said, " Your Majesty should have the saddle of 
 your favourite horse covered with it." 
 
 But the king did not agree to any of these suggestions. 
 At last he turned to the weaver, and asked him what he 
 should do with the cloth. " God has given you under- 
 standing to make it. Perhaps you can also tell me what 
 use to make of it," he said. 
 
 " king, reserve it for your funeral. Let it cover your 
 corpse when they carry you to the grave," replied the 
 weaver. 
 
 On hearing these words the king became very angry. 
 He thought that the man was wishing for his death. 
 " Keep it for my own funeral pall ! " he repeated. " The 
 man is evidently plotting my death. Take the fellow and 
 behead him." 
 
 "0 king, king, stay the sentence, I beseech you. 
 Give thy servant permission, and I will speak," shouted the 
 tliief, who was present, and had seen and heard everything. 
 
 " Let the man come forward," the king said. 
 
 " king," pleaded the thief, " I pray you have mercy on 
 this weaver. Every hour he prays to God to preserve his 
 tongue from evil words, and now by chance he has been 
 stricken by his own tongue." 
 
 " Very well," said His Majesty, " I will forgive him ; but 
 let him be more careful in future, and never speak to a 
 king of death." 
 
( 267 ) 
 
 THE ROBBERS ROBBED.^ 
 
 In olden times there lived a great and wealthy king, whose 
 greatness and wealth were the envy of the world. Many 
 kings had assayed to fight' with him and had been defeated, 
 till at last he began to think that he was unconquerable, 
 and became careless and indifferent as to the state of his 
 army. Meanwhile another powerful king had been care- 
 fully training his forces. He saw the condition of affairs, 
 and determined to do battle with this king. The two armies 
 met on a large plain, «end fought bravely for several days. 
 For some time the battle seemed to be equal, but at last 
 the great and wealthy king was slain and his forces 
 scattered- ."; The strange king then entered the city and 
 reigned in his stead. His first act was to banish the late 
 king's wife and her two sons. They were sent out of the 
 country without the least means of subsistence, so that 
 the queen was obliged to pound rice for a ser of rice a day, 
 while the two boys got what they could by begging. 
 
 One day the woman advised one of her sons to go to 
 the jungle and cut some bundles of wood for sale. The 
 eldest went ; and while he was engaged in cutting wood 
 he saw at a little distance a small caravan of loaded camels 
 and mules attended by several men, who evidently were 
 robbers. The boy was frightened, because he thought 
 they would kill him if they knew he was there. So he 
 climbed up into a tree to hide himself. The caravan 
 halted by a small hut in a part of the jungle near to this 
 tree. He saw the men unload their beasts and place all 
 the bundles inside the hut, the door of which opened and 
 shut by itself at the mention of a certain charm that he 
 
 ^ Narrator's name, Shiva Biyii, RenawSri, Srinagar. 
 
268 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 heard quite plainly. He saw all this, and remembered the 
 words of the charm, and determined to enter the hut him- 
 self as soon as the robhers departed. 
 
 Accordingly on the morrow, when the robbers were 
 well out of sight and hearing, he came down from the 
 tree, went to the hut, and uttered the words of the charm 
 that he had heard. The door immediately opened to him, 
 and he entered. He found immense piles of valuable 
 treasure in the place — gold and silver, and precious stones, 
 and sundry articles of curious workmanship were stored 
 up there in abundance. He arranged as much of the 
 treasure as he could place on a camel that he found graz- 
 ing near, and then, repeating the charm, shut the door 
 and went home. His mother was delighted to see the 
 result of her son's day's work. 
 
 The following morning the younger prince thought that 
 he also would visit this jungle and try his luck. So he 
 quickly learnt the words of the charm and started. He 
 arrived at the jungle, and climbed the same tree near the 
 hut, and waited there patiently for the robbers' coming. 
 Just before dark they appeared, bringing with them 
 several loads of treasure. On reaching the hut they 
 entered by means of the charm, as before. Great was 
 their surprise and anger when they found that some per- 
 son had been to the place and taken some of the things. 
 They uttered such terrible oaths, and vowed such fearful 
 vengeance on the offender, that the prince up in the tree 
 trembled exceedingly, and began to repent his adventure. 
 
 In the morning the robbers again left ; and as soon as 
 they were well out df the way ihe boy descended the tree 
 and went and repeated the charm whereby the door of the 
 hut was opened. The door obeyed, and he entered. But, 
 alas ! the door closed as soon as he was inside, and would 
 not open again, although the boy shouted till he was 
 hoarse, and begged and prayed that he might be set free. 
 Evidently the poor boy had omitted or added something 
 to the words of the charm, and thus brought this mis- 
 
THE ROBBERS ROBBED. 269 
 
 fortune on himself. Terrible must have been his feelings 
 as he counted the hours to the robbers' return, and tried 
 to imagine what they would do to him, when they saw 
 him there ! It was vain to hope for escape. He was 
 shut up in a prison of his own making, and must bear the 
 consequences. 
 
 Before nightfall sounds of approaching footsteps were 
 heard, and presently the door opened and the robbers 
 came in. A savage gleam of delight passed over their 
 countenances as they saw the youngster crouching away 
 in a corner and weeping. " Oh ! oh ! " they exclaimed. 
 " This is the thief that dares to intrude into our quarters, 
 is it ? We'll cut him into pieces and strew them about 
 the place, that others may fear to follow in his steps." 
 This they really did, for they were bloodthirsty and had 
 no feeling, and then went to sleep. The next day they 
 started off on their marauding expeditions as usual, as if 
 nothing had happened. 
 
 While they were absent the eldest prince arrived to 
 see what had become of his brother, and to help him in 
 carrying away the spoil. His grief was inexpressible 
 when he saw the pieces of flesh strewn about the place. 
 " They shall rue this," he exclaimed, and caused the door 
 of the hut to be opened by means of the charm and 
 entered. He collected the most valuable articles that he 
 could lay hands on and put them into a sack. After- 
 wards he emptied the contents of another sack on the 
 ground outside the hut, and placed the pieces of his 
 brother's corpse in it. And then, having repeated the 
 charm and shut the door, he took up the two sacks, threw 
 them over his shoulder, and walked home. On reaching 
 home he had the pieces sewed up in a cloth and buried. 
 
 When the robbers returned that evening and discovered 
 what had happened they were very angry. They resolved 
 to find the thief, and took an oath to rob no more until 
 they had accomplished their desire. They went to the 
 city, and lodged in different parts of the Mzdr, in order 
 
270 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 that they might ascertain if any one was living there 
 who had suddenly become rich. One of the robbers 
 happened to meet with the tailor who had made the 
 grave-clothes for the young prince who had been so 
 foully slaughtered, and heard from him that the mother 
 and brother of the boy seemed to have got a lot of money 
 lately, but how he could not say. Some people said that 
 they were members of some royal family, but he did not 
 know. Accordingly the robber went and found out the 
 house where the queen and prince were living. He 
 marked it, so that he might know it again, and then 
 hastened to inform the rest of the band. However, the 
 prince had fortunately noticed the mark, and guessing 
 what it meant, went and marked several of the adjoining 
 houses in the same way. He thus thoroughly nonplussed 
 the robbers. 
 
 "This plan will not do," they said. "One of us had 
 better get to know through the tailor where these people 
 live, and then go to the house and cultivate their friend- 
 ship. An opportunity for despatching the prince would 
 soon be afforded." 
 
 This was agreed to unanimously, and the leader of the 
 robber band was voted to the work. He soon made 
 friends with the young prince and his mother, and was 
 received into the house at all times as a welcome guest. 
 One day, however, the woman observed a dagger hidden 
 beneath his coat, and from this and one or two other 
 things that she afterwards noticed, decided in her mind 
 that the man was no friend, but an enemy and a robber. 
 She wished to be rid of him. Consequently one evening 
 she suggested to her son and his friend that she should 
 dance before them, and they agreed. In her hand she 
 had a sword, which she waved about most gracefully. 
 Now she approached the robber, and now she receded 
 slowly and smoothly, and accommodated her gestures 
 to a song, till at length she saw her opportunity, and 
 running against the robber, struck off his head. 
 
THE ROBBERS ROBBED. 271 
 
 " What have you done, mother ? " exclaimed the priuce, 
 who was horror-struck, 
 
 "1 have simply clianged places with our friend," she 
 replied. "Instead of him murdering you, I have mur- 
 dered him. Look ! Behold tlie dagger with which he would 
 have slain you." 
 
 " mother," said the prince, " how shall I ever he ahle 
 TO repay you for your watchfulness over me. I did not 
 notice anything wrong about the man. I never saw his 
 dagger before. This must be one of the robbers, come 
 to wreak vengeaRce on me for taking some of their 
 treasure.' 
 
 When the robber band knew of the death of ti.eir 
 leader they divided the spoil and retired to their different 
 villages. 
 
 The young prince married, and became a banker and 
 prospered exceedingly.- 
 
 s Ct. story of '" All Bitba suwl the Mountain,'' in Grimm's KiK^ier Hnd 
 Forty ThiCTes " in Arabinn Xi,Au : HaHsmarckat. 
 and its Europestu Ywrijuit. "Simeli 
 
( 272 ) 
 
 THE YOUNG GAMBLING MERCHANT.^ 
 
 HIS CONVERSION AND AFTER-ADVENTUEES. 
 
 In times gone by there lived a very great and wealthy 
 merchant. Some affirm that he was a Kashmiri, and 
 resided in Srinagar ; others say, " No, he came from far ; " 
 while others again refuse to believe that there is anything 
 Kashmiri about the story. But, however this may be, we 
 will hear the tale and judge for ourselves. 
 
 Well, this great and wealthy merchant had a most 
 clever and learned son; but, alas ! the son was a confirmed 
 gambler. The merchant knew not what to do with him. 
 Every scrap of money or valuable that came within his 
 reach the son gambled away. He was shown the folly of 
 the thing ; he was warned that the family and business 
 would be ruined if he continued in it ; friends also spoke 
 to him earnestly and affectionately ; but all to no purpose, 
 for the gambling propensities developed more and more 
 every day.^ 
 
 Perceiving this, the merchant was exceedingly sorrowful. 
 Grief bent his back, stamped wrinkles on his brow, and 
 caused his legs to tremble as he walked. This trouble was 
 bringing him down to the grave. The thought of his 
 speedy dissolution, when the immense fortune that he 
 had amassed by dint of the greatest skill in trading and 
 
 ' Narrator's name. Pandit Makund other countryman in the world. The 
 
 B&yti, Suthfi, Srinagar. Rajnit, a Hindi work on the science 
 
 2 Several tales in which gambling of government, says : — " Cut off a 
 
 extraordinary and its attendant ruin gambler's nose and ears and remove 
 
 crop up are to be met with in many him from the country in order that 
 
 Indian Folk-tales. The native oer- other men may not gamble. Although 
 
 tainly has a great taste for gambling, a gambler's wife and children may be 
 
 whether with cards, dice, chess, lot- it) the house, do not consider them as 
 
 teries, or horse-racing, and in a few being there, because it is not known 
 
 years will be as proficient as any when he may lose them." 
 
THE YOUNG GAMBLING MERCHANT. 373 
 
 most strict economy in general expenses would pass into 
 the hands of such an unscrupulous gambler as his own 
 son, weighed terribly on his mind, threatening its sanity. 
 How could such a disaster be avoided ? " It were better,' 
 he exclaimed one day in a paroxysm of grief, "to bury 
 the treasures in the earth, than that he should have them 
 and waste them in a day. I know what I will do. I 
 will hide my money and valuables in the ground, and 
 then, pretending that I am not so rich as people imagine, I 
 will curtail expenses, and at my death I will appear to 
 leave but little for those who come after me." 
 
 When he got opportunity he dug several holes in the 
 ground-floor of some of the lower rooms of the house, and 
 put his gold and treasures into thein.^ Then he carefully 
 noticed the different places and made a list of them, which 
 list he afterwards enclosed in a golden bracelet and gave 
 to his son's wife, saying, " Take great care of this, for it 
 will be as a charm to you ; but if after my decease your 
 husband should be reduced to very great straits, you can 
 give it to him to sell." 
 
 Then the old merchant was comforted. He felt sure 
 that his son would soon spend the little money and pro- 
 perty that he would obtain at his death, and get to know 
 the misery of poverty ; and then his daughter-in-law would 
 give him the golden bracelet, and tell him what his father 
 liad said. On opening the bracelet he would see the list of 
 valuables, and taking them out of the ground, would find 
 himself a rich man again, and then, perhaps, would give 
 up gambling, and live quietly and happily the rest of his 
 life. 
 
 In a little while the merchant died. Great was the 
 grief in the city, and great was the grief in his family, for 
 the old man was very much respected and beloved by 
 
 ' Eashmiris, like all other Orientals, Musalmdns believe that God looks 
 
 are very fond of hiding money and after it, and will not permit it to 
 
 valuables in the ground. Pandits pass into the hands of any except 
 
 think that a snake watches over the those in whose qismat the discovery 
 
 treasure, and will not allow any but of it has been written, 
 the rightful owner to touch thereof. 
 
 S 
 
274 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 every one. His son faithfully performed all the necessary 
 funeral rites and srdddhas.* For ten successive days 
 after his father's death pindas ^ were offered, together with 
 libations of water, &c., to the preia,^ and then thrown into 
 the river, and on the eleventh day a great srdddha was 
 performed. On this occasion there was much feasting and 
 feeing of the brdhmans, who had been invited to assist in 
 the celebration ; large sums of money were also distributed 
 among the crowds of beggars of all classes who had flocked 
 to the place in expectation of the same. For six months 
 these srdddJias were regularly performed, and each time were 
 marked by much feasting and largesse; and therefore we 
 are not surprised to hear that at the conclusion of that 
 period, when the young merchant began to examine his 
 monetary position, he found that there was scarcely a 
 cowrie remaining to him. What with paying his father's 
 and his own debts, and what with the enormous expenses 
 incurred by the funeral ceremonies and srdddhas, he really 
 had nothing which he could call his own.^ 
 
 In his distress he went to his mother, but he got very 
 little sympathy from her. She only reproved him more 
 than before for not listening to his father's advice. 
 
 " Oh that I had given up the wretched practice which 
 has hastened my dear father's death, and brought the 
 family and myself to ruin ! " he exclaimed. 
 
 " It is of no use smiting the ground when the jackal has 
 gone," said his mother. " Be up and doing, and by a life 
 of industry and economy redeem your position." 
 
 " Yes," he replied, " I will renounce this gambling, and 
 I will work hard and save money, and I will send you all 
 that I may be able to put by. But meanwhile advise my 
 
 ^ Funeral obsequies, consistiDg in mouies and srdddhcts. Some Hindis 
 
 offering rice, fruit, &o., to tlie manes spend more than they can afford, 
 
 of ancestors. under the false idea that a debt is 
 
 ° Balls made of flour or rice offered warranted by the great solemnity of 
 
 to the manes ; they are afterwards the occasion, wliich is one of vast 
 
 thrown into the river or given to cows, merit in popular estimation. Cf. the 
 
 * The spirits of the dead. most interesting chapter on "Sick- 
 
 ' Incredible sums of money are ness. Death, and Shrad" in Hindiis 
 
 often spent on these funeral cere- as they are. 
 
THE YOUNG GAMBLING MERCHANT. 275 
 
 wife to go to her father's house, where she will get the 
 best of food and clothing and every care." 
 
 He then went to his wife and wished her farewell. On 
 hearing the reason of his sudden departure she offered 
 him the golden bracelet, and told him all that his father 
 had wished about it. But he would not take it, because 
 his father had given it to her, and because he feared that 
 he should be tempted to speculate with it ; " and besides 
 this," he added, " it was given to you as a charm." 
 
 So the young merchant started in quest of a living ; the 
 wife was sent to her own home ; and the mother stayed 
 behind to look after the house and the few things that 
 were left in it, and supported herself by spinning. 
 
 He wandered about for some time till he reached a 
 certain city. Here he soon got employment under a great 
 merchant of the place. At first he found it very difficult 
 and trying work, because he had been brought up in 
 rather a luxuriant way, and had not been accustomed to 
 serve ; but afterwards, when he had gained the confidence 
 of his master, and had therefore been placed by him in a 
 more responsible and affluent position, he got on very 
 happily. He regularly laid aside the greater part of his 
 earnings, intending to forward it to his mother in the best 
 way he could. 
 
 One day it happened that his master told him of the 
 approaching marriage of his son. 
 
 " I have arranged for his marriage," he said, " with the 
 second daughter of a rich merchant who lives in the same 
 city as you came from." 
 
 This rich merchant turned out to be none other than 
 the servant's father-in-law, and the second daughter the 
 servant's sister-in-law. However, he pretended to have no 
 special interest in the matter beyond his master's pleasure 
 and his young master's prosperity and happiness, and 
 quietly awaited the day. 
 
 In due time his master and young master and several 
 other relations and friends started for the home of the 
 
276 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 bride, whicli they reached safely. He, the deceased 
 merchant's son, also accompanied them. They found the 
 house in a state of great confusion. Preparations were 
 being concluded on a grand scale for the coming event, 
 and servants were rushing about hither and thither inside 
 the house, while outside crowds of all kinds of people were 
 waiting in great hope of a tamdshd and bakhshish; for the 
 house was rich and had a great name in the country. 
 
 During the evening dinner was served, and when the 
 company sat down to the feast, the servant, who was the 
 son of the deceased merchant, also sat down, but he kept 
 on his working clothes and sat down as last of all, and 
 in the lowest place. He did so from a feeling of pride ; he 
 would not court recognition from his rich relations, much 
 as he would have liked to have seen his dear wife again. 
 
 Nevertheless he saw his wife, for she had the superin- 
 tendence of the dinner arrangements. At her order the 
 servants divided the food and distributed it among the 
 numerous guests. When all except him had been served, 
 the deceased merchant's son found that every bit of meat 
 had been eaten, and that only vegetables and rice re- 
 mained. However, he said nothing, though his heart was 
 inexpressibly sad. There was a dinner worthy of a king, and 
 his own beautiful wife having the arrangemeut of it ; but 
 nothing, of it was for him, though others, many of whom 
 were very wicked men and of comparatively small position, 
 had their fill. He might have been under the ground — thus 
 was he ignored and forgotten. Well might he take his brass 
 vessel of rice and vegetables, and leaving the banquet-room, 
 go downstairs and out into the courtyard, and there, placing 
 his dinner on a window-sill, lie down and weep. 
 
 In an hour or so the guests began to depart, but the 
 poor man still lay there weeping. At last, when about 
 two hours of the night had passed, his wife came into the 
 courtyard, and after seeing that food was given to nume- 
 rous beggars and others assembled, she beckoned to one 
 man and told him to wait by the door, as she had a little 
 
THE YOUNG GAMBLING MERCHANT. 277 
 
 ■work for him to do. Then she re-entered the house, and 
 presently brought out a lighted , lamp,^ and a large brass 
 tray piled up with sweetmeats and other delicacies. Giving 
 the tray t6 the man, she bade him to follow her. The 
 man placed the sweetmeats on his shoulder and did as 
 he was ordered. The deceased merchant's son, who had 
 seen and heard everything, also went after them, but 
 unawares. 
 
 On the way the man stumbled and fell down, and the 
 trayful of sweetmeats also fell down and was broken, and 
 its contents spilt. The woman was very angry at this, 
 and sharply reproving the man for his carelessness, ordered 
 him to go back with her quickly to the house, and get 
 another trayful. They both went and got some more; 
 and the deceased merchant's son waited quietly till they 
 came again. Meanwhile he worked himself into a great 
 state of excitement, wondering at his wife's strange be- 
 haviour, and who was the person so dear to her that she 
 denied herself rest and sleep, ventured her reputation, and 
 risked her father's anger for him, and did not mind re- 
 turning to the house for another trayful of sweetmeats 
 in order that this person might not be disappointed. 
 
 Very soon they again arrived at the place, the woman 
 (his wife) in front carrying a lighted lamp, and the man 
 with the tray of sweetmeats walking after. They passed 
 the deceased merchant's son, who followed at a convenient 
 distance. Presently they reached the house of another great 
 merchant. Here the woman took the tray, and ordering 
 the man to go, knocked at the door. 
 
 Now it happened that this merchant was exceedingly 
 enraged about something just then, and did not want to 
 be interfered with by any person ; and so, when he heard 
 the woman's knock on the door, he rushed forward and 
 struck her with a stick, besides abusing her fearfully for 
 coming and disturbing him at that inopportune hour. 
 
 From the stroke of the stick the woman's gold bracelet 
 
 ' Dazavmn shama, a, lighted diwd. 
 
278 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 was broken — the bracelet which her father-in-law had 
 given her before his death. 
 
 " Be not so angry, my dearest," she said. " It is not my 
 fault that I have arrived so late. My sister's wedding 
 was celebrated to-day, and then as we were coming along 
 a knave of a fellow whom I asked to bring you some 
 sweetmeats stumbled and dropped them, and we had to 
 return and get a fresh supply." 
 
 The merchant was silent, and so the woman, who as yet 
 stood in the doorway from fear, picked up the golden 
 pieces of her bracelet and went inside. 
 
 Her husband, the deceased merchant's son, crawled up 
 stealthily, to the door and sat there. He saw the merchant 
 and the woman sitting together and eating the sweetmeats, 
 and when they had eaten as much as they \vished, he heard 
 the merchant ask her to show him the broken bracelet, 
 saying that perhaps he could get it mended. The woman 
 gave him the gold pieces, on examining which he found 
 the late merchant's list, and pulling this out, he read it, 
 and looked very much surprised. Noticing the expression 
 of surprise on his face, the woman asked him what was 
 the matter. 
 
 The merchant said, " Your husband was a very unfortu- 
 nate man. Gamblinc; ! Gambling ! How foolish ! Clever 
 idea of the old merchant ! " 
 
 " How do you know ? What idea ? " inquired the woman. 
 
 "Why, this paper tells me so," replied the merchant. 
 " Everything is written here. It appears that your father- 
 in-law was a very wealthy man, as we all thought him to 
 be, but were afterwards assured that he was not. He was 
 afraid to reveal all his wealth to his son, your husband, 
 lest the gambler should speculate with it and lose every- 
 thing ; and so he dissembled matters. He pretended that 
 he was worth so much money only (mentioning a small 
 amount), and hid the rest, the great bulk of his wealth. 
 You will find the different hiding-places of this gold and 
 treasure in the ground-floor of your hugband's house. 
 
THE YOUNG GAMBLING MERCHANT. 279 
 
 See, here is a list of the different places and of what 
 things are buried in each. Your father-in-law was a 
 wise man. He thought, ' My son will certainly continue 
 gambling till he is thoroughly ruined, and then maybe 
 he will learn a lesson. This golden bracelet, I know, like 
 all the other get-at-able valuables, will be turned into 
 money, and then this hidden wealth will be discovered. 
 Hearing that he has become rich again, he may be more 
 careful in future. Oh that he may remember with what 
 great trial and labour I have gained this wealth, and take 
 care of it as though it were the result of his own economy 
 and toil ! ' " 
 
 " Ah ! now I see," said the woman, " why my father-in- 
 law gave me the bracelet and charged me so strictly con- 
 cerning it before he died. I was to give it to my husband 
 only when he had reached a state of the direst distress." 
 
 Embracing the woman, the merchant asked her whether 
 she loved her husband more than she loved him. 
 
 The woman replied, " I love you more, because my hus- 
 band has troubled me very much, and has gone I know 
 not whither. The gods only can tell whether I shall ever 
 see him again." 
 
 "Then," said the merchant, "I know all about your 
 father-in-law's house. I will go there and get the treasure, 
 and afterwards, when it is all safely locked up here, I will 
 tell you, and we will live together in ease and pleasure all 
 our lives." 
 
 The woman agreed, and begged him to do all this 
 
 O ? CO 
 
 quickly ; " for," said she, " I long to be with you always." 
 The state of the wretched husband, who was sitting 
 outside the half-open door, and had heard and seen every- 
 thing, can be more easily imagined than described. "With 
 mingled feelings he walked back to his own house; he 
 was grieved because of his wife's unfaithfulness, but he 
 was rejoiced at the prospect of being a rich man once 
 more. Thus sorrow and joy, joy and sorrow, fought against 
 one another within his breast, so that he hardly knew. 
 
t28o FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 what to do, to laugh or to cry. In an hour or so he 
 reached his home, and saw his dear mother, and was 
 welcomed by her as one alive from the dead. 
 
 After some conversation as to all that had happened to 
 them both since they had been separated, the young mer- 
 chant explained how it was that his father had died so 
 comparatively poor. 
 
 "This wealth must be exhumed, dear mother," he 
 added ; " and since its whereabouts are known to others, 
 and those others are no friends of ours, but confirmed 
 enemies, it is necessary that we get spades and begin the 
 work this very night." 
 
 Before midnight they had found all the treasure — gold, 
 silver, and precious stones — a great heap, the value of 
 which could not be reckoned ; and long before the dawn 
 of the next day they had re-buried the things in other 
 holes, and filled up the old places with stones and rub- 
 bish. The next morning the late merchant's son was 
 going about in genteel, respectable clothes as usual, and 
 his mother was squatting by the door spinning as for her 
 living. The young merchant at once gave up the other 
 merchant's service and lived with his mother. In the course 
 of a week the other merchant, who had discovered all about 
 the deceased merchant's hidden wealth, disguised himself, 
 and pretended that he had just arrived from some foreign 
 country, and had brought some diamonds and other valu- 
 ables as a present for His Highness the Eaja of that 
 country. 
 
 Hearing this, the Eaja gave him an interview, and when 
 he saw the presents, he was exceedingly pleased with the 
 merchant, and said he should be glad to help him in 
 any way. The merchant thanked him, and said that he 
 should be grateful for a place to live in, where also he 
 could keep his goods. The Raja promised that he 
 should reside in one of his own houses. But this the 
 merchant did not wish ; he wanted a house in the city, 
 and told His Highness so, and begged that he would order 
 
THE YOUNG GAMBLING MERCHANT. 281 
 
 some person to help him in the choice of a place. So the 
 Eaja ordered his chief wazir to accompany the merchant 
 to the city, and to give him whatever house he might 
 select. 
 
 They had walked about together the greater part of the 
 day, and had seen all kinds of houses, but not one of them 
 had been approved of by the merchant ; and so they were 
 thinking of returning to the palace, when they came by 
 the deceased merchant's house. 
 
 " This is a fine building," said the merchant, " and is in 
 a good and busy part of the hdzdr. Whose is it ? " 
 
 The waz{r said, he thought the house had belonged 
 to a certain deceased merchant, and was now inhabited by 
 the widow, who would most likely be very glad to sell or 
 rent it. 
 
 Accordingly they knocked at the door and asked who 
 was there. The young merchant appeared and bade them 
 to come in. 
 
 " My friend," said the wazir, " wishes to rent this house. 
 How much money do you ask for it ? " 
 
 The merchant's son replied, " Two thousand rupees a 
 month." 
 
 " Very well," said the merchant ; " agreed." 
 
 The wazir, however, had not been accustomed to see 
 such a monstrous bargain concluded so easily, and there- 
 fore remonstrated. " No, no. Two thousand rupees ! 
 Tush ! the fellow is mad. It is more than I would give 
 for the place for a year. Take the house, and don't pay 
 the man a cowrie for his impudence. I will see that you 
 are not bothered by him." 
 
 But this mode of settling the matter, however much it 
 might have recommended itself to the merchant on any 
 other occasion, was not pleasing to him just then. " Two 
 thousand rupees ! What is that," he thought, " in com- 
 parison with the immense treasure concealed under the 
 ground of the lower apartments of the house ? " 
 
 And so it was arranged. The merchant paid down the 
 
282 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 sum demanded, and the young merchant and his mother 
 vacated the place and went elsewhere. 
 
 On the earliest opportunity the merchant dug up the 
 earth in the several places enumerated in the list that was 
 discove;red inside the golden bracelet, hut he found nothing 
 except stones. 
 
 " What a misfortune is this ! " he exclaimed. " Either 
 the deceased merchant has written this list to deceive, 
 or else some one got clue of this secret, and has been 
 here before me. Cursed be this place ! Cursed be all who 
 have any connection with it! Cursed be they in their 
 family, and cursed be they in their work ! I am ruined ! 
 [ am ruined ! " So saying, he seized his shawl and shoes, 
 and rushed like a madman to his own house, which, as we 
 have seen, was a little distance outside the city. 
 
 As soon as it was known that the merchant had gone, 
 the deceased merchant's son and mother came again and 
 took up their abode in the house. Gradually, the young 
 merchant revealed his wealthy position, so that nobody's 
 suspicious might be aroused, and in a little while he was 
 accounted one of the chief traders of the country, and was 
 respected quite as much as his father had ever been. 
 
 " The gods be praised that you have become great and 
 wealthy in the land," said his mother to him one day. 
 " Is it not meet that you should now send for your wife ? " 
 
 " Speak not to me on this matter," he replied. 
 
 But his mother was resolute, and went to the wife's 
 parents and got them to promise to try to persuade her 
 son to send for his wife again. In a day or two they 
 invited him to come and stay with them, and so pressed 
 their invitation that eventually he went. Great prepara- 
 tions were made for the reception of such an illustrious 
 member of the family as he had now become. The house 
 was grandly furnished, the best of provisions were obtained, 
 the father and mother were most attentive, while the wife 
 was all smiles and affection, and could not look at him 
 enough or do enough for him, for he had been absent such 
 
THE YOUNG GAMBLING MERCHANT. 283 
 
 a long time, she said, and she thought that she should never 
 see him again, and therefore she constantly wept. 
 
 At night, when the husband and wife were sleeping 
 together in the same room, and when all was perfectly- 
 quiet, the young merchant started violently in his sleep 
 and shrieked. " Oh ! " he exclaimed, " is it true ? Can it 
 be true ? " and then fell back on his bed again. Presently 
 he recovered, and said, " I have dreamed ; but oh ! such a 
 dream ! " 
 
 His wife, of course, asked him what he had been dream- 
 ing about. 
 
 " I saw," he replied, " as though there was a great mar- 
 riage in this house. Your sister was being married to 
 the son of a merchant who had come from some distant 
 country. I thought that I was one of the head servants 
 of that merchant, and accompanied him and the bride- 
 "room to the marriage. I sat down to dinner with the 
 rest of the guests. You were superintending the distribu- 
 tion of the food, and so managed that every one should 
 have meat and spices with their rice. and vegetables except 
 me, who appeared as the least of all in your sight. For very 
 shame I smothered my feelings, and taking up my vessel 
 of rice and vegetables, went out into the courtyard and 
 sat down among the beggars and others assembled there. 
 After a while you came and distributed some food to 
 those beggars, and then, calling one of them, bade him to 
 wait and help you to carry some sweetmeats to a certain 
 person whom you wished to visit. I saw you come forth 
 from the house with a lighted lamp and give a loaded tray 
 to the man, and then start ; and I followed you. In the 
 midst of the way the man tripped, and dropped the tray, 
 spilling its contents. And then I saw you go back and 
 fetch another trayful of sweetmeats and start again. I 
 watched you both till you reached the door of a certain 
 merchant, when you took the sweetmeats, and, telling 
 the beggar to go, knocked at the door. Evidently 
 the merchant was in a great rage because you arrived so 
 
284 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 late ; for I saw him strike you, and in the striking a 
 golden bracelet that my dear father gave you was broken 
 to pieces. All this I saw in my dream as plainly as I see 
 you now ; and therefore I started." 
 
 By the time he had got thus far in the narration of his 
 dream the woman had borne as much as, or more than, 
 she was able. The thought that she had been detected, 
 and that her husband was relating no dream, but what 
 was only too true, was more than she could bear ; she 
 there and then died from fear. 
 
 When the young merchant noticed that his wife did not 
 move, but was as one petrified, staring at him with eyes 
 ready to burst out of their sockets, he was afraid, and said, 
 " I must have killed the woman ! " There was no feeling 
 of sorrow, for all love went on the remembrance of his 
 wife's unfaithfulness. There was only a fear as to what 
 his father and mother-in-law might say, and what un- 
 favourable remarks his fellow-citizens might pass about 
 him when the circumstances of the case were known. 
 
 " I must get the body away," he said to himself. So he 
 put it in a big shawl, which he threw over his shoulder, 
 and carried to the house of the merchant who had seduced 
 the woman, and depositing it there on the doorstep, knocked 
 at the door. 
 
 The merchant, thinking that it was the woman coming 
 to him as usual, opened the door in a great rage, and com- 
 menced reproving her for staying so long with her husband. 
 He did all this without noticing whether the woman was 
 there or not. Presently, when nobody answered or came 
 in, he got up again to see who was there. When he saw the 
 dead body only he was very greatly astonished, and thought 
 that the woman must have died since she knocked at the 
 door. He took up the corpse, and wrapping it in a thdn * of 
 put}" laid it in one of the large open cupboards in his shop. 
 
 ' Thdn (also Hindustani), & piece of coarse woollen cloth manufactured 
 
 cloth measuring about nine yards in Kashmir. Cf. Vigne's Travels in 
 
 English. Kashmir, p. 127. 
 
 1° Put {pa{lii in the plains) is a 
 
THE YOUNG GAMBLING MERCHANT. 285 
 
 All this the young merchant saw from the outside of 
 the window, and then returned. 
 
 It was quite late the next morning before the young 
 merchant awoke, and even then he would not have got 
 up if his father-in-law had not sent to inquire the reason 
 of his not appearing at the morning meal. 
 
 " I was very tired," he said by way of excuse, " and 
 could not sleep the first part of the night, owing to the 
 strange behaviour of my wife, who got off the bed and 
 went out, I know not where." 
 
 Hearing this, his mother-in-law, who was thoroughly 
 aware of her daughter's intimacy with the other merchant, 
 and had, in fact, somewhat encouraged it, thinking that 
 the girl's husband was dead, made some apology for this 
 strange behaviour. "Perhaps the girl is ill," she remarked, 
 " and therefore went to sleep in another room. I will go 
 and inquire." 
 
 While she was inquiring the young merchant asked 
 his father-in-law to take him to his shop, as he wished 
 to buy several things which he had not in stock in his 
 own shop. The father-in-law agreed, and they started at 
 once. 
 
 The young merchant saw all the goods, but did not find 
 what he wanted. Then the father-in-law offered to take 
 him to the house of another merchant, a great friend of 
 his, who would most likely have the goods that he required. 
 " It is a long way," he said, " but the road is pleasant, and 
 the merchant is very clever and affable, and you ought to 
 make his acquaintance." So they both wended their steps 
 in the direction of the house of this very clever and 
 affable merchant. 
 
 This personage chanced to be none other than the very 
 man who had seduced the deceased merchant's son's wife. 
 Strange coincidence brought about by Param-eshwar for 
 the destruction of this wicked man ! On their arrival the 
 merchant welcomed them most heartily, and gladly showed 
 them most of his goods and treasures. But there were 
 
286 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 some thAns of put and pieces oi pashmina}'^ silk, and other 
 materials in a little inner room, which the young merchant 
 happened to get a glimpse of, and wished very much to see. 
 
 " Those are ordinary goods," the merchant objected, " and 
 like many others that you have seen, and therefore there 
 is no need to fetch them." 
 
 However, the late merchant's son persisted, and even 
 went forward in the direction of the room. Then the 
 merchant, seeing that he could not possibly avoid showing 
 the goods, and hoping that somehow the thdn of put in 
 which the corpse was concealed would escape attention, 
 had the cloths and other things brought out. Alas! 
 among other rolls of cloth, the bulky piece of put was 
 opened, and the dead body discovered ! 
 
 Imagine the condition of the three onlookers. The 
 father of the woman so horrified that he fell down in a 
 fit ; the merchant, his friend, so trembled with fear as to 
 the results of this discovery, that he had to support himself 
 by leaning against the wall; while the young merchant 
 rushed about the place apparently in the direst grief, 
 shouting, " My wife is dead ! My wife is dead !" and calling 
 for the deputy-inspector to investigate the case and 
 punish the murderer. 
 
 " Oh, keep quiet, keep quiet, my friend ! " said the mer- 
 chant. " You will bring the blood of this woman on my 
 head by your shouting." 
 
 " Let me alone ; I will explain everything to the police," 
 said the young merchant, shaking off the hand, which had 
 been placed tenderly on his shoulder. 
 
 " friend, consider ! What profit will there be to you 
 from the death of another ? The gods know that I am 
 guiltless." 
 
 11 Pashmina is a fine kind of wool- other qualities are generally called 
 len cloth manufactured in Kashmir. Kashmiri phamb ; though these, as 
 About aOjOoo people are thought to well as the former, are found only 
 be engaged in its manufacture. The on the animals who roam the wind- 
 finest goat's wool employed is brought swept steppes of Central Asia. Cf. 
 from T(irf4n, in Yarkand territory, also Vigne, Travels in Kashmir, pp. 
 This is called Tirphdni phamb ; all 124-134, 
 
THE YOUNG GAMBLING MERCHANT. 2S7 
 
 "Let me alone, I say," shouted the young merchant; 
 " I will have justice. You shall receive the due reward 
 of your cruel deed." 
 
 " friend," said the merchant, " I beseech you to refrain. 
 Ask of me what you will and you shall have it, but please 
 keep quiet. One word outside, together with the fact that 
 the body was found in my house, and wrapped up in a 
 thdn of my put, would be sufficient proof against me. Take 
 my wealth, my goods, my all, but save my family and 
 my name." 
 
 By this time the father of the woman had come to his 
 senses ; and he, on being consulted, agreed to think that 
 his daughter had died by the will of the gods, and that his 
 friend the merchant was blameless, and to take his friend's 
 money and goods as a bribe for thus thinking. 
 
 Then the merchant and his son-in-law returned. On 
 the way back the latter begged to be allowed to go to his 
 own house, and wished his father-in-law farewell. 
 
 His mother was surprised to see him again so quickly, 
 and without his wife also. He told her that he intended 
 to bring his wife after a while. He could not, however, 
 keep the secret very long, for friends and neighbours con- 
 tinued to inquire the reason of his wife's deferred coming, 
 till he was obliged to concoct some falsehood about her 
 sudden death. Then he was urged to marry again, but he 
 would not agree, saying that he had lost all confidence in 
 women. 
 
 " But," said they, " all women are noc alike. Some are 
 good and some are bad. Some are as a spreading buni ^^ 
 tree, under whose shade one lies down in refreshment and 
 peace, and others are like a bitch at the door, who is con- 
 stantly biting one's heels going out and coming in." 
 
 ^ Buni, or, as I have also heard ample, significant of its palmate leaves, 
 
 it, Buih, (Ve\s\?m, chindr), the Pla- its spreading branches, aud shady foli- 
 
 tanus orientalis, is a tree of great age, the pale green colour of whioli 
 
 beauty in the valley. It has a very last contrasts beautifully with the 
 
 extensive geographical range from silver bark of its lofty stem. Cf. 
 
 Kashmir westerly, and is admirably also Vigue, Travels in Kashmir, pp. 
 
 characterised by its derivative, irXam, 94-96, 
 
288 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 Thus his friends urged him, till at last he said, " Well, 
 perhaps it would be better for me to be married, but I 
 must be allowed to make my own choice. The woman 
 whose appearance, whose manner, and whose speech please 
 me I will marry, and no other." 
 
 In a few days he commenced his search for a wife. He 
 travelled towards the city where the merchant lived, whose 
 servant he had been for some years, and whose son had 
 married his sister-in-law. He reached the merchant's 
 house, and after seeing that his charm was right he 
 again applied for employment, and got the situation of 
 cook. 
 
 Now this merchant had a very wise, beautiful, and 
 chaste daughter. Her wisdom, beauty, and goodness 
 were famous in the country. In order to prove whether 
 she was as good as she was supposed to be, the young 
 merchant had again taken service with her father. 
 
 One day the merchant expressed a wish to visit a cer- 
 tain meld that was being held at some place a great 
 distance from his house. He wanted to take his wife and 
 family as well, but did not know how to manage it. So 
 he asked his wife, and she advised him to leave the beau- 
 tiful and good daughter behind, saying that she would 
 look after the house and goods; and besides, she ought 
 not to go out in public now that she was grown up and of 
 a marriageable age. She might remain certainly with the 
 old ddi and cook. The ddi would carry the food . to her 
 room. 
 
 So they all went off to the meld, except the good and 
 beautiful daughter, the ddi, and the cook. The latter had 
 express orders to take care of the house, and to be careful 
 about the girl's food, and on no account to enter her room 
 on peril of a heavy fine and dismissal. 
 
 The day after the merchant and his family left, the son 
 of the chief waeir of the country chanced to pass by the 
 merchant's house, and saw the beautiful girl standing by 
 the door. He fainted at the sight of her beauty, As 
 
THE YOUNG GAMBLING MERCHANT. 289 
 
 soon as he came to his senses he entered the house by the 
 door at which he had seen the merchant's daughter, and 
 meeting the cook, asked him to try and procure him an 
 interview with her, promising to give him a magnificent 
 present if he succeeded. 
 
 " It is in vain, your honour," replied the cook. " My 
 master has strictly forbidden me even to take her meals 
 to the room." 
 
 " But I entreat you to try and do this for me," urged 
 the wazir's son. 
 
 " It cannot be," said the cook. " Only the ddi goes to 
 the room. You might, perhaps, go and speak to her." 
 
 " Call her at once,'' said the wazir's son. " Only let this 
 meeting be accomplished, and both the ddi and you shall 
 be handsomely rewarded." 
 
 In a few minutes appeared the dAi, who, on receiving 
 a large present in money, immediately led the wazir's son 
 to her young mistress's room. On entering the room the 
 merchant's daughter asked him who he was and whence 
 he had come, — two very important questions to have 
 answered before she could tell how to receive him. 
 
 He answered, "Attracted by your beautiful face, I 
 came to converse with you. I am the son of the wazir." 
 
 "Be it so," she said; "but know that before I will 
 say another word with you you must give me a ladv of 
 rupees." 
 
 The wazir's son at once put his hand into his pocket, 
 and taking out a note for that amount, placed it before 
 her. 
 
 Then she said, " You have done bravely. Do you know 
 at what great risk you seek this interview ? Were your 
 father to know of it he would be very angry, and should 
 my father hear of your coming he would never forgive 
 me ; " and then turning to the ddi, who was squatting by 
 the door, she ordered her to go and fetch something to 
 drink ; and when this was brought she poured out two 
 cups, one for herself and one for the son of the wazir ; 
 
 T 
 
290 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 but she most adroitly dropped some stupefying drug into 
 the cup which she set before her visitor. Not knowing 
 this, he took the cup and drank off its contents at one 
 draught. After this but few words passed between them, 
 for it was a most potent drug, and began to operate 
 at once. Within a minute or two the son of the wazir 
 was fast asleep. When she saw this the merchant's 
 daughter bade the ddi to carry the man to the stables. 
 But the ddi could not lift him of herself, and had to ask 
 the cook to come and help her. 
 
 On recovering his senses the son of the wazir was 
 astonished to find himself in a stable and surrounded by 
 horses. 
 
 " Ah, the woman must have deceived me," he said to 
 himself as he got up and walked out. 
 
 However, nothing daunted, he went again the following 
 day and asked the ddi to get him another interview, and 
 again gave her a present of money. The young mistress 
 sent out word not to let the son of the wazir enter the 
 house unless he could pay another lack of rupees. He 
 paid the money, and was again admitted. On seeing him 
 the merchant's daughter ordered some food to be brought, 
 in one plate of which she mixed a powerful drug. This 
 plateful she placed before her guest, and he, suspecting 
 nothing, ate it, and was soon overpowered with sleep as 
 before, and fell on his side. Then the ddi and the cook 
 were summoned, and carried him for the second time to 
 the stables, where they laid him on the grass among the 
 horses. 
 
 When the son of the wazir recovered from the effects 
 of the drug, and found that the merchant's daughter had 
 again tricked him, he was very much ashamed and angry. 
 Still he did not despair, but determined to go and see her 
 again, and be more wary as to what he might eat and 
 drink. 
 
 He went to the house again on the following morning, 
 and as usual was asked for a loch of rupees, which he 
 
THE YOUNG GAMBLING MERCHANT. 291 
 
 readily paid, and was therefore readily admitted. As on 
 previous occasions, she returned his kind questions, and 
 then ordered some food to be brought. 
 
 " Please, do not trouble yourself," he said ; " I am not 
 feeling hungry this morning. I am not well to-day. 
 However, thinking you might urge your request for me to 
 eat something, I have brought some special food which the 
 hakim ordered for me." 
 
 " Then you have done wrongly," she replied, " How 
 strange — a guest who brings his own food ! " 
 
 " I beg you to pardon me," he said, " and if you are 
 going to eat anything, to allow me to order my servant to 
 warm that which I have brought." 
 
 " Go, ddi," she said, " and carry out these wishes." 
 
 The ddi went, and having received a hint from her mis- 
 tress, threw some of the drug into the plate as she handed 
 it to the servant of the wazir^s son to warm. Directly 
 the eatables were ready, the cook of the son of the wazir 
 brought his master's plate, and the ddi brought the mer- 
 chant's daughter's plate. Assured that nothing could pos- 
 sibly be wrong this time, the son of the wazir ate mode- 
 rately. He soon fell asleep again, when, for the third 
 time, the ddi and the cook were called to carry him to 
 the stables. 
 
 Within an hour or so he came to himself, and when he 
 found that he had beoji again duped, he exclaimed, " What 
 a fool I have been ! I have wasted three lacks of rupees 
 over this- woman. I will be wiser in the future." Saying 
 this he got up and went home, and never went near the 
 place again. 
 
 When the cook saw the chastity and .cleverness of the 
 girl he became very fond of her. "Many girls have I 
 seen," he said to himself — " many chaste and clever and 
 beautiful girls — but never one so chaste and clever and 
 beautiful as this. She shall be my wife." 
 
 In a little while the merchant and his family returned, 
 and then the cook asked to be paid his wages and let go, 
 
292 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 as he wished to see his mother and home again. The 
 merchant agreed, though he was very sorry to part with 
 such a good servant. So the cook went. 
 
 As soon as he reached home the young merchant's 
 friends and relations assembled to hear and to ask ques- 
 tions, as it had been a very long time since he went away 
 in search of a wife, and they were especially anxious to 
 hear whether he had succeeded in finding one. 
 
 He told them that he had succeeded, and that she was 
 the daughter of the merchant to whom he had hired him- 
 self as cook, and who lived in such-and-such a city. Then 
 were they all very glad when they heard this, and heartily 
 congratulated him, and begged him to arrange quickly for 
 the wedding. 
 
 A go-between ^^ was at once despatched to this merchant 
 to treat with him for the marriage. Everything was con- 
 cluded satisfactorily. In due time the wedding took place. 
 A grander wedding there could not have been, for botli 
 families spared not any expense. A more suitable wed- 
 ding, also, was impossible, because both the parties were 
 rich and young and beautiful. Stories of the wealth and 
 beauty of the bride and bridegroom were on the lips of 
 every one, and great was the joy in that city on the 
 wedding-day and for many days afterwax'ds. 
 
 When the bride was carried to her husband's house, and 
 they were alone together, she sat before him and began to 
 examine him, to see whether he was such a wise and sharp 
 man as she had heard and hoped. 
 
 But he said to her, " I am not the son of the wazir, that 
 you can deceive me or rob me of lacks of rupees." 
 
 She was surprised to hear these words, and suspected 
 that her husband was the man who had' served her father 
 in the position of cook, and therefore knew all her secrets. 
 
 ^'^ Manzimyor, masc, and inavzim' betweens frequently arrange matches 
 
 yarini, fern. .^Persian miydn-jl). Mar- for Hindus, but never a Hindu go- 
 
 riages in respectable' families are between for a" Musalmdn. Harali 
 
 generally effected in tliis way. Cf. L4nfch, i.e., Hara the Eunuch, is 
 
 Hijidiis as they are, p. 41. In Kiish- the favourite Hindi go-between in 
 
 mir Musalman male and female go- Sriragar. 
 
THE YOUNG GAMBLING MERCHANT. 293 
 
 She did not like this, and so got up and slept in a separate 
 bed. Thus several days elapsed ; they talked little with 
 one another, and they slept in separate beds, till the bride 
 was taken back to her father's house. Here she was left 
 for several years, because the young merchant, her hus- 
 band, never sent for her. 
 
 " Ah ! so, so, is it ? " said the forsaken wife, when she 
 thought that her husband did not want her. "I will 
 retaliate." 
 
 She bought a fine, sleek, beautiful horse and a beautiful 
 saddle and bridle, which were covered with the richest 
 cloth and studded with the most costly jewels. Then 
 she asked her father to allow her to go on a short 
 journey. Sanction having been obtained, she disguised 
 herself as a merchant's son, and rode on the horse at the 
 head of a little caravan bearing merchandise of different 
 kinds. Thus she visited many countries, and after some 
 time reached the country where her husband lived. 
 Having ascertained this, she called on the Eaja, and 
 presented him with many jewels and other valuables, 
 and told him that she was the son of a merchant, and 
 had come there to trade. The Eaja was much pleased 
 with the supposed merchant's son, and with the rich 
 presents that he had received, and gave orders that a 
 special house should be set apart for him as long as he 
 stayed in the city. 
 
 The supposed merchant's son got very popular on 
 account of her good looks, fair manner, and wise counsels. 
 Now and again she went to the darb&r on special invita- 
 tion, and sometimes she attended the Eaja when he went 
 out riding. One day His Highness asked her to sell him 
 the horse that she was riding. 
 
 " Your Highness shall have it," she said, " if you will 
 pay me four laehs of rupees." 
 
 "Four lacks!" said the king. "Well, never mind. I 
 do not need the horse so much as to pay that price 
 for it." 
 
294 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 The supposed merchant also made friends with her own 
 husband, who was thoroughly ignorant of her real char- 
 acter, although he had constantly seen her at darbdr, and 
 had often heard her speak. He got especially fond of his 
 friend, and when the supposed merchant's son intimated 
 her intention of departing for her own country he was 
 very sad. 
 
 " I too am sad at having to go and leave you," said the 
 supposed merchant ; " but let us not increase each other's 
 grief. Tell me what I can give you in token of our 
 friendship." 
 
 " One thing of yours I have always coveted since I first 
 saw it," said the son of the deceased merchant, " and that 
 is your beautiful horse." 
 
 "I am sorry," replied the supposed merchant, "that I 
 cannot part with it under four lacks of rupees. Give me 
 so much money and you shall have the horse." 
 
 " What do you mean ? " asked the deceased merchant's 
 son. "Are you joking ? Speak plainly, please, for I really 
 want the horse." 
 
 "Well," said the supposed merchant, "I will let you 
 have the beast for three lacks of rupees." 
 
 " Jest not, please," said the other, " but tell me its real 
 value, and I will pay you at once." 
 
 " Give me two lacks only, and the horse is yours." 
 
 " No, no, you are still trifling with me." 
 
 " I'll take one lack, then, because you are my very dear 
 friend." 
 
 "It is not thus one treats a friend, to try and steal 
 his money from him under pretence of giving him a 
 bargain.'' 
 
 " Very well, very well, I will not sell the horse to you, 
 for I love you, and wish you to have the animal. Take 
 it, and let me have two kisses in exchange." 
 
 " Done," said the deceased merchant's son, for he thought 
 that there was no harm in that, if nobody saw it. " All 
 right, but please do not tell any person." 
 
THE YOUNG GAMBLING MERCHANT. 295 
 
 Then the supposed merchant seized his friend's head 
 between both palms, and gave him such kisses that they 
 left a wound behind. Afterwards she handed over the 
 horse and took her departure. 
 
 After a while the citizens of the place began to ask the 
 late merchant's son why he did not send for his wife. 
 " Is she dead, or have you deserted her ? " they said. 
 
 " Oh no, no, no," he replied ; '' I intend going to fetch 
 her as soon as I can conveniently do so." 
 
 So one morning he set out, mounted on the horse 
 which he had obtained at the price of two kisses, and 
 went in the direction of his father-in-law's house. He 
 was received with great affection and respect. He re- 
 mained in the place for a month or more. The whole of 
 this time, although he was such a great and wealthy 
 man, he groomed his horse. He regularly rubbed him 
 down, gave him water and grass, and did all else that 
 was required. Noticing this, his wife asked him why he 
 did not order one of the grooms to do this work, as it 
 was really hard work, besides being most unbecoming 
 one of his position. He said that the horse was of great 
 value. It cost about four laclis of rupees, and he was 
 afraid lest from carelessness on the part of the servant 
 anything should happen to it. 
 
 " What ! do you think me stupid ? " exclaimed the wife. 
 "Four lacks of rupees! How can a horse be worth so 
 much? One could buy a whole stud of the best-bred 
 horses for that sum of money. Somebody has surely 
 been gulling you." 
 
 " Well," said the young merchant, very much annoyed 
 at his wife's words, " you can believe me or not believe 
 me, just as you like. I tell you that I paid four lacks of 
 rupees for the animal." 
 
 " I must disbelieve you, then," she replied, " because I 
 have very good authority for thinking differently. Did 
 not you get the horse for two kisses, the imprints of 
 which even now you bear on your cheek ? " 
 
296 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 When the young merehant heard these words he hung 
 down his head in shame. 
 
 " You spoke to me so confidently one day about your 
 cleverness and wisdom," she remarked, "that I thought 
 I would play you a trick and show you that you were 
 not so wise and sharp as you esteemed yourself." 
 
 " It is right," he said ; " you have taught me a lesson. 
 You are the master, I am the pupil. Forgive my conceit, 
 love me again thoroughly, and come back with me to 
 my house." 
 
 She consented; and on the following day they both 
 set out for the young merchant's country, which they 
 reached safely, and where they lived together many years 
 in great peace, happiness, and prosperity. 
 
( 297 ) 
 
 THE DAY-THIEF AND THE NIGHT-THIEF.' 
 
 Once upon a time there was a -woman who had two hus- 
 bands, one of whom lived with her by day, and the other 
 at night. Both of these men were thieves. One was 
 named Duhuli-Tsiir, because he prosecuted his nefarious 
 calling by day, and the other was named Eatuli-Tsur,^ 
 because he used to steal at night. Neither of these men 
 knew that their wife had another husband, as the day- 
 thief always left the house before daybreak, and did not 
 return till after dark, while the night-thief always left 
 the house just before dark, and did not return till after 
 daybreak. One day, however, they happened to meet, 
 and learnt all about one another. They were very 
 much surprised when they discovered that they were 
 living in the same house and having the same woman 
 as wife. At first they did not believe one another, but 
 when they went home and inquired from the woman 
 whose wife she was, the matter seemed clear enough. 
 She was the wife of both of them. Now this arrange- 
 ment, however satisfactory it might have worked as long 
 as they were ignorant of it, could not continue. 
 
 " We cannot both be your husband," they said to the 
 woman. " Therefore say you whom you prefer of us two ; 
 and the other will depart and find other lodgings." 
 
 The woman replied, " Him will I choose who will bring 
 me the most valuable spoil two days hence." 
 
 " Very well," said the thieves. 
 
 At early dawn the next morning the day-thief arose 
 
 1 Narrator's name, LalChand, Khu- ^ These names mean the Day-thief 
 namuh, WvlIht pargana. and the Night-thief. 
 
298 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 and put on rich apparel, and calling the night-thief, asked 
 him to attend him as his servant. The man agreed, and 
 they both went forth. The day-thief walked in a most 
 dignified manner to the shop of a very wealthy jeweller, 
 and after greeting him said, " The king has commissioned 
 me to buy some valuable jewels." 
 
 " Certainly, certainly," said the jewel merchant. " It is 
 very kind of you to remember me. Be pleased, I pray 
 you, to take a little refreshment." Whereupon he led the 
 thieves into an anteroom and placed several dishes of 
 delicious food before them. By the time the meal was 
 finished the jeweller had caused many cases of the most 
 valuable jewellery to be arranged for their inspection. 
 
 " Ah, yes ! " exclaimed the thief. " It will not take 
 very long to select the jewels. What an excellent dis- 
 play I I will take these diamonds, please — these pearls — 
 and some gold rings — and these few things, perhaps," he 
 said, pointing to a little pile of precious stones of sorts. 
 
 "You will not mind His Majesty seeing them first. 
 My servant will take them to the palace, while I sit 
 here." And then, without waiting for an answer, he turned 
 to the night-thief and ordered him to go to His Majesty 
 quickly and show him the things, and to bring from the 
 royal treasury the price of the articles which the king 
 would select. " Do not tarry," he added, as the man was 
 leaving the room. " I shall remain here till you return." 
 
 The night-thief went off at once, and carried the jewel- 
 lery straight to his wife. 
 
 Meanwhile the day-thief had a little nap and drank 
 some tea ; then in an hour or so he rose up and yawned 
 and inquired for the zaruri jagah.^ The merchant showed 
 him the place, and left him there. This was just what the 
 day-thief expected. He knew there was another door, that 
 led out into the street from that place, by the which he ac- 
 cordingly made his exit, and was soon sitting down with the 
 night-thief and his wife and laughing over his successes. 
 
 ** Necessary-house. 
 
THE DAY-THIEF AND THE NIGHT-THIEF. 299 
 
 The jeweller became demented as soon as he discovered 
 that he had been duped. 
 
 In the evening the night-thief roused himself, and called 
 to the day-thief to accompany him. " I helped you this 
 morning," he said. " Yoxi come and help me to-night." 
 
 The man agreed, and so they both went forth together. 
 They walked to the palace, where the night-thief climbed 
 up to the window of the king's bedroom and went inside. 
 There he saw a maid sitting at the king's feet. 
 
 " Speak a word and you die," he said, motioning to her 
 to get away and allow him to sit in her place. 
 
 Presently the king woke up, and asked the maid (as he 
 thought) at his feet to tell him a story; whereupon the 
 night-thief told him the story of the two thieves, Duhuli- 
 Tsiiv and Eatuli-T^siir. Before he had concluded the king 
 was fast asleep again. Then the night-thief whispered to 
 the maid to show him where the king kept his jewels. 
 Afraid for her life, the girl told him that His Majesty kept 
 all his special jewels inside a big golden fish that was 
 inside the pillow whereon his head was resting. The 
 night-thief then tickled the king, and made him turn over 
 on to his side, so that he could easily abstract the fish ; 
 the which having done successfully, he again warned the 
 girl to keep quiet, and left the bed-chamber by the same 
 way as he had entered it, and went home. 
 
 When the woman saw the spoil that her husbands 
 had brought home, she declared that they were equal, 
 and therefore they must try again. Accordingly they 
 both started off together on the following morning to 
 try their luck. They came across an immense caravan 
 bringing in much treasure from a distant country. They 
 contrived to seize some of the precious loads without 
 being noticed. In one of these loads was a quantity 
 of beautiful shoes worked in pure gold. The day- thief 
 noticed this, and a happy thought struck him. He would 
 try to steal from the other thief. So, jumping on to the 
 
30O FOLKTALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 pony that was carrying the load of shoes worked in gold, 
 he dashed off after the caravan on the pretence of wishing 
 to get some more spoil. He soon turned off, however, on 
 to a little path which led to the road home. When he 
 had reached that road, and had ascertained that the. night- 
 thief had not come up, he dropped one of the beautiful 
 shoes, and went on a little way and dropped another, and 
 then hid himself and the pony behind a hedge. 
 
 The night-thief could not understand why his com- 
 panion was so long absent. He waited for him until he 
 was tired, and then started home. " Wretched fellow ! " 
 he thought to himself, " he was not content with having 
 stolen as many loads as myself, and now he has gone and 
 been captured. I hope he will not say anything about me." 
 Thus musing, he came across a beautiful shoe on the road, 
 and picked it up ; but only finding one, he threw it away 
 again. A little farther on he saw its fellow. " What a 
 pity ! " he exclaimed. " I wish I had kept the other shoe. 
 However, there is plenty of time. I will fasten the pony 
 to this tree and run back for it. It cannot be far. It 
 will not take me long." And so he did. 
 
 Meanwhile the day-thief took his pony also, and whip- 
 ping it on before him, rode quickly home. " Look, look " 
 said he to his wife, " I have brought two pony-loads of 
 treasure for you, while the night-thief is coming along 
 behind with two little shoes only. Now listen to me. I 
 do not wish to speak to him this evening, and therefore I 
 will pretend to be dead. When he arrives, tell him with 
 tearful eyes that I died suddenly. 
 
 The night-thief reached home very late that evening, as 
 he had to walk the whole way. He appeared very angry, 
 and at once asked after the day- thief. 
 
 " He is dead," said the woman. 
 
 " Dead ! " he repeated. " Never ! I'll soon wake him 
 up. Where is his corpse ? " 
 
 The woman pointed to a bundle in a corner of the room 
 in reply. 
 
THE DAY-THIEF AND THE NIGHT-THIEF. 301 
 
 " Let us see if it will move," he said, walking over it, 
 and then emptying the contents of a crock of boiling water 
 over its feet. However, the day-thief did not move or 
 make the slightest noise. 
 
 "Yes, he is dead," said the night-thief. "Poor fellow ! 
 I will go out and bury him." 
 
 Accordingly he carried him out by the wayside for 
 burial. Before doing so, however, he climbed a tree close 
 by the open grave, and waited to see whether it really was 
 not a sham. 
 
 While he was sitting up in the tree a company of 
 thieves carrying much treasure approached the place. 
 
 " See, see ! " exclaimed one of them, " this is a holy 
 spot, for the dead has risen out of the grave." 
 
 " How foolishly you speak ! " said another. " Look here ! 
 I will punish the fellow for his impudence in trying to 
 frighten benighted wayfarers like ourselves." So saying, 
 he took up a stone and threw it at the man's mouth and 
 smashed some of his teeth. 
 
 This was too much for the day-thief. He could not refrain 
 from shouting, " Oh, oh ! " and then the night-thief, seeing 
 his opportunity, shrieked out, " Go away, you blackguards. 
 Who are you, disturbing the bodies of the dead ? " On this 
 all the thieves, dropping their loads, took to their heels and 
 soon disappeared. The day-thief then got up and helped 
 the night-thief to collect the things and went home. 
 
 The following morning the king discovered that his 
 private jewels had been stolen. He also heard of the 
 jewel merchant's robbery. Thinking that such dastard 
 acts necessitated strong measures, he issued an order for 
 the seizure and execution of all the thieves in the city. 
 The day-thief and the night-thief, however, were not 
 taken with the others, because they had never been con- 
 victed of any offence, and were generally supposed to be 
 honest and respectable citizens. 
 
 His Majesty, however, repented of this stern order; so 
 as the hour appointed for the execution of the thieves 
 
302 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 drew near, he issued a proclamation that if the thieves 
 Avould confess their wickedness they should receive full 
 pardon. Whereupon the day-thief and the night-thief 
 went and prostrated themselves before the king and 
 explained how they had done these things. His Majesty 
 was very much surprised and pleased when he heard of 
 their daring and cunning, and gave them many and great 
 presents. But the woman he commanded to be executed, 
 " because," said he, " the men would never have ventured 
 on these works if she had not instigated them." 
 
 The day-thief and the night-thief then restored ail that 
 they had stolen from the king and the jeweller, and spent 
 the remainder of their days as good and honest men.* 
 
 * Cf. "Adventures of Two Thieves Bengal; also John M. Morton's Farce 
 and of their Sons," in Folk-Tales of called "Box and Cox." 
 
( 303 ) 
 
 THE CUNNING GOLDSMITHS 
 
 A GOLDSMITH used to visit the small towns and villages 
 in the Valley, taking with him a box of brass bracelets 
 washed in gold, which he pretended were golden bracelets, 
 and charged for accordingly. In this way he deceived 
 many ignorant folk. One day, however, he was detected. 
 A shrewd farmer's wife, not liking the man's manner, 
 wished to have the gold tested. She took it to one of 
 her friends and found that, excepting a thin wash of 
 gold on the outside, the whole thing was brass. She was 
 very much enraged at this, and determined to retaliate. 
 So she begged her husband to nearly fill a nut^ with 
 earth, and to pour over the earth about a pound of gyav, 
 and then to carry the nut with its contents to the gold- 
 smith and get him to buy it as so much gyav. As was 
 fully expected, since a small price only was asked for it, 
 the goldsmith bought the gyav. The next day he dis- 
 covered the fraud, and instead of being angry, he was 
 so pleased with the idea that he sent for the farmer and 
 asked him if he wanted employment, because, if he did, he 
 would be very glad to give him something to do. The 
 farmer agreed, and with the help of his clever wife was 
 able to aid and abet the goldsmith in his wickednesses 
 most effectually. 
 
 Some time after this a great and wealthy merchant 
 died in the city. When he had been buried three or 
 four days, the goldsmith said to his servant the farmer, 
 " Look here, I think we can make something out of this 
 
 > Narrator's name, Q&dir, Amlr4 ^ Wut is an earthenware vessel 
 Kadal, Srinagar. called ghard in the plains. 
 
304 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 man even now. You go and lie down in his grave, and 
 I will call on the deceased merchant's family and explain 
 how that the good man had died in my debt to the 
 extent of 10,000 rupees. In case they deny this debt, 
 and most likely they will deny it, I shall ask them to 
 come and speak to the corpse on the subject. If they 
 come, I want you to tell them with sepulchral voice that 
 this is a true debt." 
 
 " All right," said the farmer, who at once went to the 
 grave and was interred. 
 
 The goldsmith went to the house of the late rich mer- 
 chant, and presented his claim on the estate. The late 
 merchant's relations were much surprised. They replied 
 that they had had many long and special conversations 
 with the late merchant about his accounts, and had also 
 thoroughly investigated the books, but nothing had they 
 heard or seen concerning this debt. "JIow was the debt 
 incurred ? Did the deceased borrow the money, or was 
 it for goods purchased ? What was the arrangement about 
 payment ? " To all these and other similar questions the 
 goldsmith gave plausible answers, and then, finding that 
 they were still unconvinced, he asked them all to attend 
 at the grave at a certain time on the following morning, 
 when he would prove incontestably the truth of his claim. 
 
 Accordingly the next morning all the family were 
 assembled round the grave praying, and the goldsmith 
 among them, when lo ! there came forth from the grave a 
 groan, and another groan, and lastly the voice of a man 
 was faintly heard saying, " help me ! I am in great dis- 
 tress. Allah has consigned me to hell, because I owe 10,000 
 rupees to the goldsmith, and have died without paying it. 
 Of your charity pay this money for me and relieve me 
 of this agony." 
 
 On hearing this the relations and friends of the late 
 merchant turned to the goldsmith, and begged his pardon, 
 and asked him to accompany them back to the house, 
 where they would pay him the sum stated. 
 
THE CUNNING GOLDSMITH. 305 
 
 Thus the goldsmith got the money; but he did not 
 remember the farmer in the grave. For two whole days 
 the man waited in that wretched hole till he could bear 
 it no longer, and therefore pushed aside the earth above 
 him and got out. He went straight to the house of the 
 goldsmith. As soon as the latter saw him he said to his 
 wife, " Listen ! I will lie down here and pretend to be 
 dead. You go to the door and meet that fellow, and ask 
 him with loud and angry voice what he has done to me." 
 
 When the farmer came up to the door and saw the 
 body of the goldsmith stretched out on the floor and 
 the angry countenance of the goldsmith's wife he rushed 
 away, fearing lest suspicion of murder should be cast on 
 him and he be executed. " Everybody knows that I am 
 his servant," he cried, " and will suppose that I have 
 murdered him because of this money which has just 
 come into his possession." So the farmer and his wife 
 escaped as fast as they could out of the country, and have 
 never been heard of since. 
 
( 306 ) 
 
 HOW THE PRINCESS FOUND HER 
 HUSBAND.^ 
 
 Once upon a time a king wished to marry his son, and 
 therefore sent his chief wazir to seek out a suitable match 
 for him. The wazir departed, and in the course of his 
 wanderings came across the chief wazir of another king, 
 who was travelling about in search of a suitable match 
 for his royal master's beautiful daughter. 
 
 " Well met ! " they exclaimed when they heard from 
 one another the like purport of their errands. " Our kings 
 are equal in wealth and power and might, and the prince and 
 princess seem in every way worthy of each other. Let us 
 return to our countries and endeavour to arrange a match." 
 
 This was not a very difficult matter, for both kings 
 readily accepted their proposals. The wedding-day was 
 appointed. But, alas ! before the time arrived the prince's 
 father died, and in consequence of this the other king 
 broke off the contract, and sought another prince as hus- 
 band for his daughter. The wedding-day was fixed, and 
 at the appointed time the prince who had been accepted 
 for the bride came, attended by a magnificent retinue, 
 riding through the country of the prince whose father 
 had just died, because that was the only way. Accordingly 
 the latter prince heard all about him and where he was 
 going, and he made friendship with him, and got an invi- 
 tation to the wedding. So, mounted on a beautiful swift 
 horse, with a servant on another horse behind him, he 
 went to see the tamdshd. On arrival he was appointed 
 to one of the places of honour and sat down to the feast. 
 But he did not eat anything ; his heart was too saddened 
 
 1 Nanjitor's name, Pandit Chandra Kol of Srinagar. 
 
HOW THE PRINCESS FOUND HER HUSBAND. 307 
 
 by his father's death and by the other king's conseqaent 
 rejection of him. According to custom, the bride was 
 present at this great banquet, and noticed the prince's 
 sorrowful demeanour and want of appetite. She pitied 
 him, and sent her maid to inquire why he did not 
 eat and enjoy himself like the rest of the guests; to 
 which the prince replied that the feast was forbidden to 
 him. The princess then went herself and asked what 
 was the matter with him, as she could not bear to see 
 him looking so sorrowful at such a time. 
 
 " O princess," he replied, " you are my lawful wife, but 
 your father is going to give you to another. Has my 
 father's death impoverished me? Has it rendered me 
 unholy ? Why, therefore, has he done this thing ? " 
 
 " I know not," said the maiden ; " but I will marry you. 
 If you have a swift horse bid me meet you at a certain 
 hour of the night, and I will go with you whithersoever 
 you wish." 
 
 The hour arranged was midnight, when the prince and 
 princess, mounted on the swift horse, and an attendant on 
 a horse after them, left the place as quietly as possible. 
 They had ridden several miles, when the princess suddenly 
 remembered some jewels that she very much wished to 
 have, and quite intended to bring with her. 
 
 " Never mind," said the prince when he saw how intent 
 she was on having them ; " tell me where they are, and I 
 will go and fetch them. They will not suspect anything 
 if they see me, and I can easily bribe the servants. Let 
 me go. You stay here with the servant. It will be all 
 right. Go to sleep. I shall be back soon." 
 
 So the princess told him where the jewels were, and 
 he went back and succeeded in getting them without 
 being discovered. But sorrow! a hundred sorrows 1 he 
 did not find the princess when he came again to the 
 place where he had left her. A robber had visited the 
 spot, and finding the princess and the servant asleep, had 
 carried off the princess on one of the horses. 
 
3c8 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 In the morning, when the king discovered his daughter's 
 absence, he was very much perplexed. He did not know 
 what to do. " Perhaps," thought he, " she has eloped with 
 some one, or perhaps she has been carried off by some 
 foul robber." However, he hoped for the best, and married 
 his second daughter to the prince in her stead. 
 
 It being dark, the princess did not notice the robber, 
 and therefore spoke to him as though he were the prince. 
 " How quickly you have ridden ! " she said. " Have you 
 succeeded in getting the jewels ? " 
 
 " Yes," replied the robber ; " but do not let us talk just 
 now." 
 
 The man did not care to expose himself just then, as 
 he was afraid the princess would shriek and wake the 
 servant. Therefore he replied thus. He made the horse 
 go as fast as it could, till he arrived at the edge of the 
 forest, when he turned off to a little isolated village, 
 where the princess wished to rest. 
 
 " Go," she said, " and get some food. Fasten the horse 
 to the tree and go." 
 
 So the robber went, thinking the woman would never 
 ride off alone, but he was mistaken. The princess had 
 been accustomed to ride ever since she was a little girl, 
 and was not afraid to mount the most restive steed. 
 She therefore got upon the horse as soon as the robber 
 was out of sight and rode off. She rode for several 
 miles, till she came to a goldsmith's house, where she 
 stopped and asked for a drink of water. Fascinated 
 with her beauty, the goldsmith desired to marry her, and 
 told her so ; and she agreed on the condition that he gave 
 her there and then a pair of gold earrings worth one 
 hundred rupees. At that time the goldsmith happened 
 to be making several gold ornaments for the queen, and 
 so had the very thing she wanted. He thought he would 
 give them to the woman and get her to marry him, and 
 take them away from her again afterwards. 
 
 The wedding was arranged for the following day, and 
 
HOW THE PRINCESS FOUND HER HUSBAND. 309 
 
 then the princess rode away. She went as fast as the 
 horse could carry her for several miles, and then stopped 
 at a hut belonging to a poor old man and his wife, to 
 whom she gave the gold earrings and all her valuable 
 jewels, and asked for some food and a lodging. She 
 stayed the night with them, and on the following morning 
 disguised herself as a man and left. 
 
 She rode on the horse to a certain city, where it hap- 
 pened that the king had recently died and left nobody to 
 sit on the throne after him. Accordingly the wazirs and 
 others had determined to send an elephant to choose his 
 successor. Before whomsoever the beast bowed down he 
 was to be king. Strange to relate, the elephant happened 
 to meet the princess as she approached the city, and bowed 
 down before her ; and so she was proclaimed king. 
 
 Meanwhile the prince's servant, who had been left with 
 the princess, had awoke, and iinding himself alone, without 
 horse or mistress, had turned his back on the world and 
 become a joiji. The prince, too, when he returned with 
 the jewels, and found neither the princess nor the servant, 
 thought that the servant had run away with her, and be- 
 came a,jogi. The thief, also, on finding how he had been 
 duped by the princess, determined to give up his wicked 
 profession and become 3.jogi. The goldsmith, also, sought 
 refuge in the religious life, as he was afraid that the king 
 would kill him, when he heard what had become of the 
 queen's earrings. Thus they all became jogis, and wan- 
 dered about sad and miserable, bemoaning their lot. 
 
 The princess reigned prosperously. Nobody had a 
 shadow of a suspicion that she was a woman, so perfectly 
 did she maintain her disguise. Again and again was she 
 urged to take unto herself a wife, but she always con- 
 trived to excuse herself. But she was not happy. She 
 longed to see the prince and to" speak to him. One 
 morning she summoned a celebrated artist, and attiring 
 herself as a woman, ordered him to paint her likeness, and 
 to make it appear as if she had been stabbed and was 
 
3IO FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 dying. This, of course, was all private. jN'obody but the 
 painter knew, and he had been bribed to say nothing 
 about it. When the picture was ready, she had it hung 
 on a wall in one of the public thoroughfares of the city, 
 and ordered a detective to take particular notice of every- 
 body that made any remark about it, and bring him before 
 her. 
 
 One day the thief passed by that way, and seeing 
 the picture, exclaimed, " Oh ! this is the picture of that 
 woman. How did you get away ? How came you to be 
 killed ? " Whereupon the detective seized him, and took 
 him before the king, who commanded him to be thrown 
 into prison. 
 
 At another time the servant passed by, and looking at 
 the picture, said, " Ah ! the prince took you away and left 
 me to die in the jungle. How did you die ? " on saying 
 which he was at once marched off to the king, who ap- 
 pointed him to the command of all the troops. 
 
 Afterwards the goldsmith passed by and saw the picture. 
 " Oh ! " said he, " you are the woman that deceived me. I 
 am glad you are dead ;" when he, too, was taken before the 
 king, who commanded him to be put into prison. 
 
 Then came by that way the old man and woman who 
 had been so kind to her, and when they saw the picture 
 they recognised her, and wept, whereupon they were car- 
 ried before the king, who gave orders for them to live in 
 the palace and have everything they wished. 
 
 And last of all the prince arrived, and seeing the picture, 
 fainted. By the time he recovered his senses he found 
 himself in the presence of the king, who inquired after 
 his welfare and bade him stay at the palace. In a little 
 while, much to the astonishment of many people, she made 
 him her chief wazir. Thus affairs continued for some 
 time, till the princess (the king) could not bear it any 
 longer, and therefore discovered herself to him. The 
 gladness of the prince was beyond expression when he 
 knew who the king really was. At a convenient time the 
 
HOW THE PRINCESS FOUND HER HUSBAND. 311 
 
 princess revealed everything to the people, and advised 
 them to transfer the kingship to her husband, to which the 
 people agreed. 
 
 Hencefortli all was joy and prosperity to the prince 
 (now king) and his wife. They had many children, lived 
 to a good old age, and at last died respected and regretted 
 by all the people. 
 
( 312 ) 
 
 THE CLEVER PARROT} 
 
 A faqIr had a very clever, talkative parrot, of which he 
 was very fond, and which he very much valued. 
 
 One day, when not feeling very well, he said to the 
 bird, " You do not tell me any news. You never tell me 
 anything." 
 
 The parrot replied, "Very well, I will do so. Hitherto 
 I have feared to do so, lest you should sometimes hear 
 things that you might not care to hear." 
 
 The faqir said, " Never mind. Tell me everything. 
 
 The following morning, previous to setting out for a 
 certain village that he had to visit, the faqir ordered his 
 wife to cook a fowl, and to eat half of it herself and keep 
 the other half warm for him. But the woman ate the 
 whole fowl. She was so hungry, and the meat tasted so 
 savoury that she could not resist. And when \h& faqir 
 returned in the evening and asked for his fowl, she told 
 him that the cat had eaten it. 
 
 " "Well, well, it cannot be helped," he said. " Get me 
 something else, for I am very hungry. I have had nothing 
 to eat since I left the house this morning." 
 
 While the woman was preparing the food the faqir 
 turned towards the parrot and asked, " Well, my pretty 
 bird, what news to-day ? " 
 
 " Your wife has told you a lie," replied the bird. " She 
 ate the fowl. I saw her eat the whole of it." ^ 
 
 Of course the woman altogether denied the truth of 
 the bird's statement ; and the faqir, in order to keep the 
 
 ^ Narrator's name, QS,dir, Amiri, and "Story of the Husband and the 
 Kadal, Srinagar. Parrot " in the Arabian Nights. 
 
 " Cf. Tibetan Talcs, pp. 172, 173 ; 
 
THE CLEVER PARROT. 313 
 
 peace, pretended to believe her. However, after this little 
 episode the woman never felt happy with such a bird 
 about the house. Not that she was a flirt, or an adul- 
 teress, or a thief, but she could not do auy little thing 
 out of the ordinary way without its being noticed by the 
 bird and being duly reported to the faqir; and so at last 
 she went to her husband and said, " We had better be 
 separated. The parrot seems everything to you now. You 
 believe its word in preference to mine. You like to talk 
 with it more than you do with me. I cannot bear this 
 any longer. Either send me or the parrot away ; for we 
 three cannot stay peaceably under one roof." 
 
 Now the faqir loved his wife very much, and when he 
 heard these words he felt exceedingly grieved, and pro- 
 mised to sell the parrot. 
 
 As he rode along the road on the following morning, 
 carrying with him the parrot, the bird said, " Hear me, 
 my master. Do not sell me to any person who will not 
 pay you the sum which I will mention." 
 
 "All right ; I understand," replied the faqir. 
 
 He rode as far as the sea-shore, which was a long way 
 from his house, and there determined to spend the night. 
 
 " I am very tired," he said to the parrot about midnight, 
 " but I cannot sleep. I am afraid that you and the mare 
 will take advantage of me and escape." 
 
 " Never," said the parrot. " Do you think us so disloyal ? 
 Trust us. Let the mare roam about at her pleasure, and 
 open the cage and set me free. I will not leave you, but 
 will fly to yonder tree and keep watch over the mare and 
 yourself during the night." 
 
 Believing that the bird was sincere, the faqir consented 
 to its request, and lay down to sleep. The parrot kept 
 careful watch. During the night it saw an animal some- 
 thing like a horse * come out of the water and jump on 
 to the mare, and then return to the water. 
 
 The faqir rose very early, and calling the , bird, put it 
 
 ^ The word here used was Zalrjitr, meaning literally a river-horse. 
 
314 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 back again in the cage. The parrot did not inform him 
 of the strange thing that it had witnessed during the 
 night. The faqzr rode along by the sea-shore till he 
 arrived at a great and prosperous city, where he met the 
 kotivdl. 
 
 " Scddm," said the Jcotwdl ; " do you wish to sell your 
 bird ? " 
 
 " Yes," replied the faqir. 
 
 " But you could not buy me," said the parrot. 
 
 " What a wonderful bird ' " exclaimed the hotwdl. " I 
 must go and inform the wazir of your arrival, because 
 he has been wishing for a long time to get such a bird. 
 Come along quickly with me, before the wazir goes to 
 darbdr." 
 
 So they walked together, and soon reached the wazir s 
 house. 
 
 " Thank you very much," said the wazir when he had 
 heard of the trouble that the hotwdl had taken ; " but I 
 cannot think of buying the bird for myself till I know 
 whether His Majesty the king wants it or not. I heard 
 the other day that he was inquiring after such a bird." 
 
 Accordingly they all three went to the palace. 
 
 " What is the price of the bird ? " inquired the king, 
 when he was informed of their errand. 
 
 " Ten thousand rupees," answered the parrot. 
 
 The king was so pleased with the bird's clear and ready 
 reply, that he instantly paid the money.* On receiving so 
 large a sum of money the faqir was very glad. Before he 
 left, the parrot, thinking it a good opportunity, made the 
 faqir promise in the presence of the king that he would 
 give His Majesty the next issue of his mare. 
 
 Henceforth the parrot lived in grand style. It was 
 placed in a beautiful silver cage, and had silver vessels 
 for its food and water. The cage, too, was hung up in the 
 king's zandna. The bird became a general favourite, and 
 
 * Cf. Tibetan Tales, p. 173 ; Old Bengal, pp. 209, aio ; and story of 
 Deccan Days, p. 107; Folk-Tales of " GuUdU Sliih " iu this collection. 
 
THE CLEVER PARROT. 315 
 
 was talked to, and played with, and petted by the king's 
 wives constantly. In this way time passed very plea- 
 santly, and nothing was left to be desired, till one day the 
 king's wives came up to the cage and asked the parrot 
 to give them its opinion of their looks. Nothing suspect- 
 ing, thinking that it was done in fun, the bird replied 
 that they were all very pretty except one, mentioning the 
 name of the woman who was especially beloved by the 
 king. Her face, he said, was like the face of a sow.^ On 
 hearing this the woman fell down in a swoon. 
 
 " Send for the king," she cried as soon as she recovered 
 possession of her senses. 
 
 Accordingly His Majesty was called. 
 
 " I am very ill," the woman said to him. " Give me the 
 flesh of this parrot, or I shall die." 
 
 The king was very sorry when he heard these words ; 
 but he loved the queen, and therefore ordered the parrot 
 to be killed. 
 
 " king," cried the poor bird, " spare me, I pray you, 
 for six days. For six days let me wander whither I will. 
 Afterwards I promise you most faithfully that I will 
 return and submit to whatever Your Majesty may think 
 right to do with me." 
 
 "It is granted," replied the king. "Mind you return 
 after six days." 
 
 So the parrot was set free, and at once flew away. It 
 had not flown very far before it met with twelve thousand 
 parrots, that were all flying together in a certain direction. 
 
 "Stay, stay!" shrieked the king's parrot. "Whither 
 are you going ? " 
 
 " friend," said they, " we are flying to an island 
 where a princess feeds us with pearls and candy. Come 
 with us and share our joy." 
 
 The parrot consented, and joined the company. They 
 soon reached the island, and were treated as the birds had 
 said. When the feast was over and the other birds were 
 ' Cf. Folk-Tales of Bengal, p. 223. 
 
3i6 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 going away the king's parrot feigned sickness and lay 
 stretched out on the ground. 
 
 " What is the matter with you, pretty parrot ? " asked 
 the princess coming up to the bird. " What is the matter ? 
 Are you ill? Come along with me. I will look after 
 you. You shall soon be all right again." Whereupon 
 the princess took it to the palace, and made a little nest 
 for it, and attended to it herself. She gave the bird many 
 pearls and much candy ; but the parrot pretended to care 
 for none of these things. 
 
 " princess," it said, " you are kind and good. You 
 give us pearls and candy. But my master, the great king, 
 whose dominions extend on all sides from north to south 
 and east to west, and whose is this island also, although 
 you know it not, — he scatters pearls and candy before 
 fowls. Oh that you knew him ! Would that you were 
 married to such a king, for he is worthy of you and you 
 are worthy of him, princess ! " 
 
 Excited by the words of the parrot, the princess went 
 to the king her father, and entreated him to allow her to 
 go on a visit to this king, and to marry him if it could be 
 so arranged. 
 
 " I cannot allow you to venture on this errand," replied 
 the king ; " but I wiU write a letter to this king and 
 send it by the parrot. I will ask the great king to come 
 himself on a certain day for the marriage. If all that the 
 bird says is true, the king will not fail to come. Fear not ; 
 I will arrange for your marriage." 
 
 The princess agreed, and the bird was immediately de- 
 spatched to his master with the letter of asking. 
 
 Just before the close of the fifth day the parrot flew in 
 before the king and dropped the letter. 
 
 "You have arrived in good time," said His Majesty. 
 
 "0 king," cried the bird, "I beseech you not to slay 
 me. I have not wronged you or any of your royal house- 
 hold. The women of your mndna asked me to say what 
 I thought of them, and I answered them. I spoke no 
 
THE CLEVER PARROT. 317 
 
 untruth, king. You surely will not kill me to satisfy 
 a mere whim of one of Your Majesty's wives. She will 
 not die even though I live. Her life does not depend on 
 my death. But even if it were so, king, I could pro- 
 cure for you another and far more beautiful wife in her 
 stead. Behold, here is a letter which I have brought from 
 the father of one of the most lovely princesses in the 
 world, asking for your acceptance of the hand of his 
 daughter in marriage." 
 
 Then said the king, " You speak fairly, and you have 
 always acted honestly. I will not slay you. I will agree 
 to your petition and marry this princess. But how can I 
 reach the island where these people live ? " 
 
 " Be not anxious, king," answered the parrot. " I 
 have not advised you thoughtlessly. If Your Majesty 
 wUl order the faqir to send you the foal that he promised 
 you, the journey can easily be accomplished." 
 
 " Very well," said the king, and immediately gave orders 
 for the foal to be brought. 
 
 Not knowing the valuable character of the animal, the 
 faqir sent it without the slightest hesitation. He was 
 rich, — what did he want of it ? And it was but a small 
 return, he thought, to make to one who had treated him 
 so generously. 
 
 Accordingly the king mounted the foal, and attended 
 by the parrot, started for the island. When His Majesty 
 arrived at the sea-shore and looked upon the mighty waters 
 his heart failed him, and he was about to turn back. 
 
 " How can we cross the great water ? " he inquired. 
 
 " Without any difficulty," replied the parrot. " The foal 
 that Your Majesty is riding is no ordinary beast. Thus 
 mounted Your Majesty can cross to any place. Fear not ; 
 but direct the foal into the water. It can go as easily in 
 the water as it can on land." 
 
 Eeassured by the parrot's reply, the king did so, and 
 quickly reached the island.^ 
 
 « Cf. Folk-Tales of Bengal, pp. 214-249. 
 
31 8 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 The king of the island gave him a most enthusiastic 
 reception, and the princess was glad beyond description. 
 
 On seeing her the king loved her, and asked that the 
 wedding might be arranged as quickly as possible. All 
 being of one mind, the ceremony was soon performed. 
 Everything was concluded most successfully; and then 
 the great king and his lovely bride departed. 
 
 They both rode on the foal, and the parrot flew before 
 to guide them. He did not return the same way as he 
 came, but by another way, in the midst of which there 
 was a certain uninhabited island. 
 
 " I wish to rest here," said His Majesty. " I am feel- 
 ing very tired." 
 
 "Please do not," said the bird, "for there is great 
 danger here.' 
 
 " Never mind," said the king ; " I cannot go any farther 
 without a rest. After a little sleep we will resume the 
 journey." 
 
 So the king and his wife landed on the island and went 
 to sleep; and the parrot perched on a branch of a tree 
 close by and watched. Within an hour a ship sailed up 
 to the island, and the captain, who was a great merchant, 
 noticing two people sleeping there, got out to see who 
 they were. Struck by the beauty of the queen, he took 
 her into his ship. He took the foal, also ; but the king 
 he left to sleep on. All this the parrot saw ; but it was 
 afraid to give any alarm, lest the merchant should shoot 
 at it and kill it. So the ship, with the queen and the foal, 
 sailed away, and then the parrot roused the king. 
 
 " Oh my parrot," exclaimed the king, " would that I had 
 listened to your advice and not halted here ! What shall 
 I do ? There is no food to be had here. There is no 
 animal here to carry me through the waters. What shall 
 I do ? Advise me, help me, if you can." 
 
 The bird replied, " king, there is only one thing left 
 to you. Cut down this tree and throw it into the sea, 
 and then throw yourself into the sea, and let the tree bear 
 
THE CLEVER PARROT. 319 
 
 you whithersoever God ■will. Besides this I know not 
 what you can do." 
 
 So the king cut down the tree and did as the bird 
 had advised. By the mercy of God a great eagle, that 
 was flying over the water at the time, noticed the tree, 
 and swooped down apd carried it off and the king with it. 
 The eagle carried the tree to a certain jungle, and there 
 let it fall. Thus was the king saved.^ 
 
 " Stay here now," said the faithful parrot, who had seen 
 all that had transpired. '' Do not stir from this place. I 
 will go and search for the queen and the foal, and will 
 come again to you." 
 
 The king promised. 
 
 After much wandering the parrot discovered the beautiful 
 queen. She had been taken by the merchant to his own 
 house, and was there living with him as his scds. When 
 she saw the parrot she cried for joy. 
 
 " Where have you been ? Where is my husband ? Is 
 he alive ? Tell me quickly," she said. 
 
 The parrot told her everything. 
 
 " Go back at once," she said, " and inform him of my 
 circumstances. Take these jewels and give them to him. 
 He may require them to buy food. Tell him to come 
 here quickly, and to get himself employed as sais to this 
 merchant, and then we shall be able to arrange to escape 
 together on the foal. Once on that foal nobody will be 
 able to overtake us by land or sea." 
 
 The parrot flew off as soon as possible, and informed the 
 king of his wife's state, and advised him to start at once 
 and release her. The king agreed, and in a few days 
 reached the merchant's house. 
 
 How joyful was the meeting between him and his wife ! 
 They had despaired of ever meeting one another again, but 
 God had mercy on them and brought them together again. 
 
 ' Cf. Old Deccan Days, pp. 14, 132. First and Second Voyages ; also story 
 Sindibad also escapes by holding on of "Saiyid and Said," p. 91, in this 
 to a big bird. Cf. Arabian Nights, collection. 
 
320 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 On the evening of the day that he arrived the king and 
 his beautiful bride rode out of that city on the wonderful 
 foal, and the parrot flew before to show them the way. 
 They soon reached the king's country, and were welcomed 
 by the people with much music and singing. 
 
 Afterwards the king lived in happiness to the end of 
 his days. The parrot was appointed chief wazir, and 
 helped not a little to preserve the kingdom in that state 
 of prosperity and honour for which it had so long been 
 famous.* 
 
 8 Cf., en passant, Old Deccan Days, pp. 126-153 
 
( 321 •) 
 
 THE MALECONTENT CURED} 
 
 One day a dissatisfied fellow was sitting under a walnut- 
 tree, and a great gourd ^ was growing close by. 
 
 " God," said the malecontent, " how foolish Thou art 
 to give such small nuts to this big tree, while yonder plant 
 is overborne by its immense fruit ! Now, if pumpkins 
 were growing on this tree and nuts on the gourd I should 
 have admired Thy wisdom." 
 
 On this a walnut fell down on the man's turban and 
 somewhat startled him. 
 
 "0 God," he continued, "Thou art right after all. If 
 the pumpkin had fallen on me from such a height I should 
 surely have been killed. •>. Great is Thy wisdom, and power, 
 and goodness. " ^ 
 
 1 Narrator, a zamlndSr at Bijbih&ra. * A German friend tells me that 
 
 2 Al {cucurbita maxima), the red this tale is current in his country- 
 gourd or pumpkin. also. 
 
( 32^ ) 
 
 THE STUPID PEASANT.^ 
 
 I. 
 
 One morning a peasant started off for his work with ten 
 chapdtis, his day's allowance, tied up in his loin-cloth. 
 He had not proceeded very far from the house when he 
 felt very hungry, and therefore sat down to eat. One, 
 two, three, four chapdtis disappeared, but he was not 
 satisfied. Four, five, six, seven, eight chapdtis were eaten ; 
 still he was hungry. However, he rose up and walked on. 
 
 "What shall I do ?" he thought. "I ought not to eat 
 all these chapdtis before commencing my work. If I do, 
 what will there be left for the rest of the day ? And yet 
 my stomach is not full." 
 
 Such reasonings, however, proved in vain. Hunger got 
 the better of the argument, and the peasant sat down 
 again and finished off the other two chapdtis, and then 
 felt happy. 
 
 " Alas ! " said he, " what a fool I was not to have eaten 
 these last two chapdtis first of all ! There would then have 
 been eight in my loin-cloth for the rest of the day. Now 
 I shall perish from hunger." 
 
 The foolish fellow thought that the first eight chapdtis 
 had not in the least helped to satisfy his hunger. 
 
 lU 
 
 Ten peasants were standing on the side of the road 
 weeping.^ They thought that one of their number had 
 
 ^ Karrator's name, Pandit Anand ' " The broad Herculean build and 
 
 Kol, Zaiiia Kadal, Srinagar. , manly features of the Kashmirian 
 
 2 Narrator's name, Pandit Anand peasant, contrasted with his winning 
 
 Eol, and timid disposition, if considered 
 
THE STUPID PEASANT. 323 
 
 been lost on the way, as each man had counted the com- 
 pany, and found them nine only. 
 
 "Ho, you! what is the matter?" asked a townsman 
 passing by. 
 
 " Oh, sir," said the peasants, " we were ten men when we 
 left the village, but now we are only nine." 
 
 The townsman saw at a glance what fools they were ; 
 each of them had omitted to count himself in the number. 
 He therefore told them to take off their topis * and place 
 them on the ground. This they did, and counted ten of 
 them, whereupon they supposed they were all there, and 
 were comforted. But they could not tell how it was. 
 
 A PEASANT went to a laniyd to buy a ^cijisa-worfch of 
 black pepper. The haniyd gave him about a handful. 
 Thinking this was merely a bit to taste, the peasant threw 
 it into his capacious mouth, and then opening his vetharan,'' 
 said, " Eather bitter ; but never mind. Weigh me a pdnsa- 
 worth quickly." 
 
 IV.' 
 
 A PEASAlfT was constantly praying to God to give him a 
 horse. One day, while out walking, he cried aloud, " 
 God, grant me a horse ! " when a Pathan appeared riding 
 on a mare, that gave birth to a foal just as it reached him. 
 As the foal could not immediately foUow its mother, the 
 tyrannical pathan forced the peasant to carry it along after 
 him to his house. When he arrived at the place he was 
 so tired with his load that he changed his mind, and cried, 
 
 apart from the effects of a long-con- the ample folds of the voluminous 
 
 tinued subjection to tyranny and turban, 
 
 despotism, may, perhaps, form a sub- ^ Narrator's name, Pandit Anand 
 
 ject for physiological speculation " Kol, Zaina Kadal, Srinagar. 
 
 (Vigne). * VHhwran, a sack made of grass, 
 
 * Topi or kalahposh, a skull - cap. and generally used by the poor ciilti- 
 
 This is often all the covering the poor vators of the soil in the Valley. 
 
 Musalm&DS have for their heads. In ' Narrator's name. Pandit LS.1 
 
 the case of those who are better off it Chand of Khunamuh, in the. Vihi 
 
 forms the foundation and support for pargana. 
 
324 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 " God, I thank Thee for answering my prayer by giving 
 me this foal, but pardon me if I return it. I do not want 
 a. horse now." Thus saying, he threw down the beast on 
 the ground and departed. 
 
 It was in the month of October, when a man from the 
 villages came to the city to sell his cotton. It was his 
 first visit. As he walked through the hdzdr he noticed 
 the goldsmiths constantly putting gold ornaments into the 
 fire, and then selling them directly afterwards. Thought 
 he, "There must be some trick in this. I will do the 
 same. Why should I wander all over the place to sell my 
 cotton when I can thus command purchasers?" So he 
 went to a blacksmith's shop and threw his basket of cotton 
 into the furnace, and then waited. Of course the cotton 
 was destroyed.* 
 
 Theke is a saying in Srinagar-City, '' Eupees come to 
 rupees," ^^ which is equivalent to the English, "Money 
 makes money." 
 
 Once upon a time a stupid peasant heard this saying, 
 and understanding it literally, went to a money-changer's 
 shop, where he saw two or three piles of silver and copper, 
 and put a rupee in one of the chinks of the wall, saying, 
 " Come, come, rupees, to my rupee." In his excitement the 
 foolish man put the rupee in so far that it tumbled down 
 inside the shop, and was counted among the money- 
 changer's money, whereupon he wept and went home. 
 
 8 Narrator's name, Pandit L^l i" Narrator's name, Ahmad Jfi, a 
 Chand of Khunamuh. ' huckster of Srinagar. 
 
 9 Customers nearly always oblige " BupeyiA nish chhSh i-upe wdidn. 
 the goldsmith to test the metal in the There is a parallel saying, Pdnsa 
 fire and on the touchstone. There is nishih chhuh pdnsa nhaidn, " Pdnsa 
 a Kashmiri proverb, "Gold is known bursts forth from pdnsas." 
 
 on the stone, whether it is alloyed or 
 pure." 
 
THE STUPID PEASANT. 325 
 
 Some time afterwards he met the person who had 
 quoted the saying to him, and told him how he had 
 proved the falsity of if. 
 
 "Not at all," said the man. "I spoke correctly. Your 
 rupee went to the money-changer's rupees. They, being 
 the more, had the greater power." 
 
( 326 ) 
 
 KARM YA DHARM} 
 
 A CERTAIN brahman was very much distressed at not 
 having a son. Day and night he cried unto Parameshwar, 
 gave much alms to the priests, and richly endowed many 
 temples, in the hope that his desire would be granted. At 
 length a son was born in his house. There was much 
 rejoicing, and many and liberal were the gifts that were 
 lavished upon the priests. 
 
 At the age of twelve years the boy was sent to school, 
 soon after which the brahman died. And then the boy 
 fell sick, and was nigh unto death for many a day. It 
 was a terrible time for the poor wife and mother. She 
 had just lost her husband, and now her son was about to 
 go. " Bhagawant, have mercy and save, have mercy 
 and save ! " she cried continually. Her prayer was heard. 
 A jogi visited her house, and promised her that if she 
 attended to his instructions the boy should live. 
 
 " Get me some fish, and Cook it as soon as possible," he said. 
 
 When the fish were ready she set them before her visitor. 
 
 " It is well," he said. He divided the fish into three 
 portions. One portion he himself ate, another portion he 
 gave to the brahmani, and the third portion he sent to 
 the sick boy, after uttering some words of incantation over 
 it. On eating the fish the boy was cured. 
 
 When she saw her boy's recovery the woman's gratitude 
 was indescribable. She fell on the ground at the jog's s 
 feet and entreated him never to leave them. " Oh, stay 
 with us," she pleaded. " It is little that we have. But it 
 may be that Parameshwar, throiigh you, will bless us and 
 increase our store." 
 
 1 Narrator's name, Shiva Biyfi, Eenaw&ri, Srinasar. 
 
KARM yI DHARM. 327 
 
 The jogi replied, "Pear not! Your future will be 
 chequered, but prosperous. Fear not ! " 
 
 A few days afterwards the jogi put some coUyrium over 
 the eyes of the boy, and the boy got wings and could fly 
 about like a bird. Then the jogi ordered him to go to the 
 royal treasury, fly in through the window, and get as much 
 money as he could lay hands on. The boy obeyed, and 
 brought back as much money as would enable them to 
 live in peace and plenty to the end of their days. 
 
 When the king's officers discovered the robbery they 
 were much troubled. They went to the king in great dis- 
 tress and informed him of all that had happened. They 
 tried every way to find out the thief, but failed. Then 
 the jogi went to the palace, and seeing the king's anger, 
 promised to discover the thief to him. 
 
 " Let the king order a great smoky fii'e to be raised in 
 such-and-such a place " (naming a spot near the brahmani's 
 house). 
 
 The king immediately gave the strange order, and it 
 was done. 
 
 Attracted by the blaze and smoke, the boy went out of 
 the house and stood by the fire. But the smoke was too 
 much for him. He was very soon obliged to withdraw to 
 a distance, rubbing his eyeS like the rest of the bystanders. 
 Alas ! that he did do so, for on rubbing his eyes he rubbed 
 off the collyrium, and on rubbing off the collyrium he lost 
 liis wings, and thus was discovered.^ 
 
 " There is the thief ! There is the thief ! " shouted the 
 jogi to the king, who was also present. " Take him." 
 
 The boy and his mother were turned out of their house, 
 and obliged to beg from door to door for their daily bread, 
 till one day a hanigd had pity on them and took the lad 
 into his employ. The lad was still working in the haniyd's 
 shop, when one evening the king of that country sent for 
 his two beautiful daughters and asked them which was 
 the greater, Kartn or Bharm. The younger daughter, 
 2 Cf. note on " Invisibility " in Wide-Awake Stories, p. 423. 
 
328 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 wh6 answered first, said " Karm," but' the elder said 
 " Bharm." * When he heard their answers the king was 
 so angry with his younger daughter that he gave her in 
 marriage to the young thief, the servant of the baniyd. 
 
 " You have answered," he said. " See now the proof of 
 your words." 
 
 It was a sad experience for the young princess to have 
 to sit and spin all day and to live on the coarse and meagre 
 meals that her and her poor husband's united labour 
 brought to them. However, she had unwavering faith in 
 her convictions, and was fully persuaded that there was a 
 glad day coming. She prayed continually and waited 
 patiently; but it was a hard struggle for her. 
 
 At last her faith and patience were rewarded. In that 
 country there was a tank which was such, that whoever 
 went near it became blind. One day the laniyd, for some 
 trifling matter, got angry with the brahman lad, and sent 
 him to this tank to get some water. The lad went, not 
 knowing the deadly property of the water ; and it came to 
 pass that when he reached the side of the tank a voice 
 came out therefrom, saying unto him — 
 
 " Oh, my son, I am beaten with pity for you. Why 
 , have you come here ? Do you not know that whoever 
 takes of this water will become blind ? " * 
 
 " I know it not," replied the lad. " My master bade me 
 come here and fetch some water." 
 
 " Cruel man ! He has some spite against you. How- 
 ever, I will not harm you. Fill your pot and take it to 
 your master. But mind you take also a little sand from 
 yonder spot, and tie it up in a corner of your wrap, and be 
 careful not to unfasten the knot until you reach home." 
 On saying this the voice stopped. 
 
 As soon as he reached the shop the lad gave the water 
 
 3 Karm (or Karma), fate. Dharm, Srinagar-City, by Sh&h Hamadin's 
 
 (or Dharma), duty— especially that zldrat. A big stone covers it. It is 
 
 enjoined by the Vedas. said that whoever lifts this stone 
 
 * There is a spring sacred to the and looks into the spring will be 
 
 goddess K&li, in the middle of blinded. 
 
KARM YA DHARM. 329 
 
 to his master, who made him a little present in money. 
 This was quite an unusual thing, but the haniyd thought 
 that the fellow would soon lose his sight and Avant the 
 money. 
 
 At night the lad went to his home. " Look here," he 
 said to his wife, " look, the baniyd has actually given me a 
 present. I cannot understand it. But I have such a strange 
 thing to tell you. When I reached the tank in such-and- 
 such a place," describing where he had been, " to get water 
 for the haniyd this morning, I heard a voice that told me 
 to take some of the sand on the side of the water, and to 
 tie it up in my wrap, and not to unfasten it till I reached 
 here. See, do you unfasten it." 
 
 The woman did so, and lo ! the sand was changed into 
 the most valuable precious stones. 
 
 " Karm is greater ! Karm is greater ! Karm is greater ! " 
 cried she. " I have not trusted in vain." 
 
 Henceforth the brahman and his wife were very rich. 
 At a convenient time the haniyd's service was given up. 
 The brahman discovered his wealth gradually, lest sus- 
 picion should be aroused ; and then, when he had obtained 
 an influential position in the country, he gave a great feast. 
 The king, also, was invited to come and grace the feast 
 with his royal presence, and he complied. It was a most 
 splendid entertainment. The rarest things were pro- 
 vided ; the most delicious perfumes filled the air ; the 
 sweetest music and singing sounded on all sides. Every- 
 thing was done to minister to the pleasure and comfort of 
 the guests, and the king was exceedingly pleased with all 
 the arrangements. 
 
 At the feast His Majesty was waited on principally by 
 his own daughter; but he knew not that she was his 
 daughter, for she had much altered since her marriage ; and 
 besides this, she appeared before her father in a different 
 dress each time that she brought anything to him. 
 
 At last, when the king was about to depart, she went 
 up to him and informed him that she was his younger 
 
33° 
 
 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 daughter, whom he had married to the poor laniyd's 
 boy. 
 
 " Tell me now, father," she said, " is not Karm greater 
 than Dharm ? Behold my husband's house, my husband's 
 wealth. There is not one in all the country so wealthy 
 and so great as he, save yourself, king." 
 
 Then was the king convinced of his wrong-thinking and 
 wrong-doing ; and embracing his daughter, he promised 
 to give the kingdom to her husband, for thus Karm ® had 
 determined.* 
 
 5 The common Hindunotionis, that 
 Brahma descends from his high abode 
 and notes upon the forehead of each 
 Hindu babe born into this world 
 everything that is destined for it. 
 ** No one escapes the decree of Brah- 
 ma." '*Tlie writing of Brahma will 
 not fail in the least," says the Tamil 
 proverb. '' However wisely man may 
 contrive for his good, it is in the 
 power of Fate to turn it to evil. H 
 there be a spark of fire, and man 
 wishes to put it out, and if Fate would 
 
 have it otherwise, the man mistakes 
 the pot of melted gyav for water, and 
 pours in on the fire,"siiys the JRdjd 
 Taranfjirii. But the popular idea con- 
 cerning fatalism among Hindiis must 
 not be confounded with Necessitarian, 
 ism in philosojihy orPredestiuarianism 
 in theology. Cf. an article on "Fate 
 in Bengali Folk-Tales " in Christian 
 College Magazine, vol. iv. pp. 409-419. 
 ^ Cf. a paper on ** The Outcast 
 Child " in Folk-Lore Journal, vol. iv. 
 pp. 308-349. 
 
( 331 ) 
 
 FOUR WICKED SONS AND THEIR LUCK?- 
 
 A CERTAIN king had four sons, all of whom were addicted 
 to intoxicating habits. One was fond of wine, another of 
 charas^ another of opium, and another of Ihang? A 
 more wretched, dissolute quartette of fellows could hardly 
 be found throughout the wide wide world* 
 
 One day a wazir, who was the king's special friend and 
 counsellor, informed His Majesty of the wicked doings of 
 the princes, and entreated him, for the sake of his country 
 and people and house, to put a check on them. The king 
 was very angry when he heard of his sons' wickednesses, 
 and ordered them to be immediately banished from the 
 country. He would adopt one from another family 
 rather than allow any such wicked fellows to sit ou the 
 throne after him. 
 
 Vowing vengeance on this wazir, the four princes packed 
 up a few necessaries and left the place. "Within a few 
 weeks they found themselves in another country, where 
 they sought an interview with the king to ask him for 
 some employment. But the king of that country was too 
 well acquainted with their vices to entrust any work to 
 them, and therefore dismissed them with orders to quit his 
 country as soon as possible. 
 
 In a little while they reached another country. Night 
 came on as they neared the chief city of that country, so 
 they fixed their quarters under a big tree, and laid down 
 just as they were to eat and sleep. 
 
 1 Narrator's name, Qidir, a barber ^ Othhdng,'hemy(CannibmSatwus) 
 living at AmirS, Kadal, Srinagar. of which an intoxicating potion is 
 
 2 Charas, the exudation of the made. 
 
 flowers of hemp collected with the * CE. tale xxi. of Baital Pachisl. 
 dew and prepared for use as an , 
 
 intoxicating drug. 
 
332 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 That very night a great merchant of the city had 
 died, and his friends were going about in search of 
 some person to watch by the corpse till the time of 
 burial. Strange to relate, they could not find any 
 person who was willing to do this thing. At last it 
 struck one of the party that, perhaps, a beggar or stranger 
 might be found just outside the city who would be 
 glad to do this act of kindness for the sake of a few 
 rupees ; so he went to the outskirts of the place, 
 and there came across the four princes sleeping on the 
 ground. 
 
 " Ho, ho ! " said he, waking them. " Would one of you 
 mind watching by a corpse this night ? A good present 
 will be given." 
 
 " Yes," said the princes. " We will help you ; but we 
 require four thousand rupees for the business." 
 
 " Very well," said the man. " Come along with me." 
 
 On arriving at the deceased merchant's house the four 
 men were shown the room where the dead body was lain. 
 They decided to watch in turn. Tor the first watch of 
 the night one of the princes sat up, while the others slept. 
 When one hour or so of his watch had elapsed, the dead 
 man sat up and began to speak. 
 
 " Will you play a game of nard with me ? " he said. 
 
 "Yes, certainly," replied the prince. " But what is the 
 stake 1" 
 
 " You pay me two thousand rupees if you lose," said the 
 corpse. 
 
 " But that is all one-sided," said the prince. " What 
 will you pay me if you lose ? " 
 
 " Oh, never mind that," said the deceased merchant. 
 ''There is plenty of treasure hidden in such-and-such a 
 place in this house. If you wish, you can go and take as 
 njuch as you can carry," 
 
 " All right," said the prince, and the play commenced. 
 The prince beat the deceased merchant twice, and would 
 have won another game if his watch had not been up. 
 
FOUR WICKED SONS AND THEIR LUCK. 333 
 
 As soon as he turned to wake up one of his brothers the 
 corpse reclined and was quiet again. 
 
 " Get up," said the prince to his brother. " It is your 
 turn to watch now. But do be careful, for the corpse is 
 possessed." 
 
 The second prince had not been long watching before 
 he wished to smoke. But the fire was outside, and how 
 could he leave the corpse for a moment with safety? 
 Four thousand rupees depended on their careful watching 
 that night. 
 
 " I know what to do," said the prince to himself. " I 
 will fasten the corpse to my back with my waistband." 
 
 While he was out lighting his chillam he saw what he 
 thought was another little fire a few yards distant, but it 
 turned out to be a one-eyed deviP looking at him with his 
 single eye as if he would like to slay him. 
 
 " Who are you ? " asked the prince. " What do you 
 want here ? Be off or I will kill you and tie you up to 
 my back like I have just done to this person," pointing to 
 the corpse on his back. 
 
 The one-eyed jinn was frightened at these words, and 
 begged the prince to have mercy on him, promising that 
 he would give him any thin he asked for. 
 
 " I do not require anything," said the prince ; " but you 
 can go, if you will, and divert the course of the river, so 
 that it may flow by the way of the king's palace." 
 
 " Certainly," said the jinn, and went at once and did so. 
 
 The second watch of the night was over ; so the prince 
 replaced the corpse on the bed, and woke up one of his 
 brothers to fulfil his time, and after admonishing him to 
 be very careful, as the corpse was possessed, went to sleep. 
 
 Within an hour or so the third prince heard the sound 
 of an ogress's voice, like the voice of an old woman weep- 
 ing. He fastened the corpse to his back and went out to 
 
 6 One-eyed is a certain sign of an 95, 96 ; also Wide-Awake Stories, p. 
 
 evil disposition. Cf. proverbs about 426. For one-eyed demon of. Wide- 
 
 the one-eyed man in Dictionary of Awake Stories, p. 29S ; and Fainj 
 
 Kashmiri Proverbs and Hayings, pp. I'alesfrom Bremtano, p. 118. 
 
334 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 see what was the matter. He discovered an old woma'u 
 standing outside the house, and supposing her to be an 
 ogress, he drew his knife and struck at her. The old 
 woman noticed the action, and turned to escape, when her 
 leg was cut off. The rest of the old woman disappeared. 
 
 " Very strange ! " exclaimed the prince, taking up the 
 woman's shoe and putting it inside his coat. " How could 
 she have got off with only one leg ? " 
 
 He then went inside and waited to the end of his 
 watch, when he roused the other prince to come and take 
 his place, warning him to be very careful, as the corpse 
 was possessed. 
 
 This prince was sitting by the dead body, when suddenly 
 he saw a Jinn pass by the door carrying the lovely daughter 
 of the king. He quickly fastened the corpse to his back 
 and followed the jinn. He saw the monster carry the 
 princess to a place about a mile distant. There he put her 
 down, and telling her not to go away, went off himself at 
 a great pace to the woods. He went to get some fire 
 wherewith to cook the princess. The prince conjec- 
 tured this, and therefore ran up to her and asked her 
 to change clothes with him, and to go immediately with 
 the corpse to the late merchant's house and watch by it 
 in his place. " I shall remain here," he said. " Do not 
 fear for me. I shall be all right." 
 
 In a very short time the devil returned with some fire 
 and a great pan of oil. A big fire was soon prepared, and 
 the pan of oil put over it. When the oil began to bubble 
 the jinn told the princess (as he thought) to walk around 
 it, but the prince begged to be excused, as he did not 
 understand. The jinn said it was not very difficult, and 
 walked round a few times to show what he meant. Evi- 
 dently the monster intended to push his victim into the 
 pan of oil during one of these circumambulations, but 
 the prince guessed his intention, and gave the jinn a shove 
 instead. Oh what a wail there was when the jinn's head 
 disappeared beneath the boiling oil ! It seemed as if the 
 
FOUR WICKED SONS AND THEIR LUCK. 335 
 
 very earth must split open.' Then the prince returned 
 to the deceased merchant's house, and sivins back her 
 clothes to the princess, bade her return to the palace. 
 Everything -was just finished in time to allow the prince 
 to resume his position beside the corpse when his watch 
 was ended. 
 
 It was now morning, and the friends and relations of 
 the late merchant came and handed over to the watchers 
 the four thousand rupees which they had promised. But 
 the princes would not accept the money. They demanded 
 twice the amount, and threatened to petition the king if 
 it was not given. They would not, however, explain the 
 reason of their demand. Of course the late merchant's 
 people would not assent. Accordingly the four princes 
 went and told their case to the king. " king," said 
 they, " we have been wronged. Eight thousand rupees 
 are due to us from these people, and they consent to 
 pay us half only. Be pleased to do justice in this 
 matter." Whereupon His Majesty summoned all the 
 relations and friends of the deceased merchant to appear 
 before him. The case excited great curiosity in the city ; 
 so the hall of audience was crowded. 
 
 " What is the truth of the matter ? " the king asked. 
 " These men declare that you owe them eight thousand 
 rupees, and wish to pay them four thousand rupees only." 
 
 " These men speak not the truth, king," they replied. 
 " We agreed to pay them four thousand rupees only for 
 watching by the dead body of our relation. Of this 
 arrangement we have many witnesses. You know us, 
 king ! We are not dishonest ; nor are we so poor that 
 we need to defraud any man of his right." 
 
 " Do you hear what they say ? " said His Majesty to 
 the four princes. 
 
 " Yes, king," they replied ; " but these men know 
 not what has transpired since this arrangement was made. 
 Listen, king, and judge the right. During the night 
 one of us played Tiard with the late merchant and won 
 
336 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 four thousand rupeps, which the deceased promised should 
 be paid out of some treasure that he had kept hidden in 
 such-and-such a place in his house." 
 
 " You have heard," said the king, turning to the late 
 merchant's relations. " Is this true ? " 
 
 " No, king," they replied ; " we do not know of any 
 hidden treasure." 
 
 Then the king ordered some soldiers to be sent to search 
 the house, and one of the princes — the prince who kept 
 the first watch — to accompany them. Every room in the 
 late merchant's house was well searched, till at last an 
 immense amount of treasure was discovered hidden under 
 the ground of one of the bedrooms. When the prince 
 and the soldiers returned and showed the treasure the 
 king was much surprised, and ordered the eight thousand 
 rupees to be paid. 
 
 Then the prince who kept the second watch went 
 forward and prostrated himself before the king. He in- 
 formed His Majesty how he had frightened MhQJinn, and 
 prevailed on him to cause the river to flow by the way of 
 the palace. Tlie king was very glad at this, and ordered 
 a suitable reward to be given to the prince. 
 
 On this the prince who had kept the third watch asked 
 permission to speak, and related how he had fought with 
 an ogress and cut off her leg. He then presented the king 
 with the ogress's shoe, with which His Majesty was so 
 pleased that he gave orders for a large reward to be 
 given to this prince also. 
 
 Lastly, the prince who had stayed by the corpse during 
 the last watch of the night went forward and explained 
 how he had saved the princess from the clutches of a 
 most terrible jinn, and killed the monster in a pan of oil 
 wherein he intended to boil his victim. When the kinw 
 heard this he was astonished beyond measure, and sent 
 for his daughter to inquire whether it was true or not. 
 On discovering that the prince had spoken the truth he 
 at once rose up and embraced him, and then handed the 
 
FOUR WICKED SONS AND THEIR LUCK. 337 
 
 princess to him, saying, " Take her. She is your wife. Many 
 have sought her hand in marriage, and I have refused 
 them; but now she is yours. Surely I shall never find 
 another so worthy of her as he who has preserved her 
 from such a terrible death." Whereupon all the people 
 shouted, " Blessings on the king ! Blessings on the 
 princess ! Blessings on her husband ! May they all live 
 long and prosper exceedingly ! " 
 
 That day and for many days afterwards there was great 
 rejoicing in the city, such as had been never before or 
 will be ever again. 
 
 The four princes stayed in that country for many years, 
 and were very much prospered. The prince who had 
 saved the princess was the acknowledged heir to the 
 throne, whUe his three brothers were appointed to the 
 three principal positions under him. However, they were 
 not thoroughly happy. They wished to see their own 
 country again. The king knew their wishes, and had 
 hitherto refused them, fearing lest they should depart 
 and never return. At length, however, moved by their 
 earnest and persistent entreaties, he was obliged to sanc- 
 tion their going, and gave them money and troops for the 
 journey. 
 
 On reaching their own country the four princes fought 
 with their father's troops and defeated them. When the 
 king, their father, heard that his own sons fought against 
 him, he went forth to meet them, and falling down on 
 the ground before them, begged them to stay the battle. 
 He told them that he had banished them at the advice 
 of his favourite wazir. Then was the old king reconciled 
 to his sons, and there was great joy in the city. 
 
 On the following day the wazir was executed. 
 
 Henceforth everything went on prosperously. Two of 
 the princes returned to the other country to help in 
 affairs there, while the two other princes abode with their 
 father and helped him. 
 
( 338 ) 
 
 SHARAF THE THIEF."- 
 
 A LITTLE before Eanjit Singh's time (born A.D. 1780) theft 
 and robbery were so very common, and were practised 
 with such proficiency in the " Happy Valley," that good 
 and honest folk were put to their wits' end to know how 
 to retain what they, by their industry and economy, had 
 gathered together. 
 
 One of the most celebrated of the thieves and robbers 
 in those days was Sharaf Tsxxt.^ So cunning, so daring, 
 and so successful was he, that his name was seldom men- 
 tioned without trembling, whilst his character was sup- 
 posed to be almost supernatural. Whether or not it was 
 that the common people thought that he possessed the 
 evil eye, or else some sort of mesmeric influence, they left 
 him alone to prosecute his plans without let or hindrance. 
 One or two of the more determined dispositions are 
 quoted as having brought the thief before the courts, but 
 as nothing could be thoroughly proved, nothing could be 
 really done, and so those bereaved of their property had 
 to submit, their only consolation being in the thought 
 that this was their qismat or lot. 
 
 Sharaf TsAv was the son of Kabir Ghanf, who was a 
 very great and wealthy shawl merchant, and lived near 
 the Zaina Kadal, the fourth of the seven bridges spanning 
 that part of the river Jhelam which flows through the 
 city of Srinagar, and forming the principal means of 
 intercommunication between the two sides of the city. 
 Supposing that he would inherit his father's wealth, 
 
 ' Niirrator's name, L&l Chaud, thief. Tliis man is known in the 
 Eenawa.ii, Srinagar, and otliers. Punjab under the name of Ashraf 
 
 2 Tsiv is the Kashmiri word for Chor. 
 
SHARAF THE THIEF. 339 
 
 Sharaf made no effort to learn his father's business or 
 to provide himself with any other means of livelihood. 
 Consequently he developed into a lazy, listless, and pro- 
 fligate fellow, apparently having as the only objects in 
 life eating, drinking, and spending money. One is not 
 surprised to find, therefore, that on his father's death he at 
 once appropriated all his goods and money, and had soon 
 squandered everything in magnificent feasts, expensive 
 ndches, and bad society. What was he to do now 1 He 
 could neither beg nor dig, so he determined to cultivate 
 the craft of thieving. 
 
 A few native friends have given me the following 
 stories still extant concerning this man, and as they form 
 part and parcel of the folk-lore of the country, being 
 quoted concerning others besides the hero of this chapter, 
 I have included them in this volume : — 
 
 I. 
 
 One day Sharaf visited a certain garden disguised in a 
 dress of great pomp and style. Some children of very 
 respectable parents were playing there in the shade of 
 the beautiful trees. Sharaf noticed that several of the 
 youngsters were wearing nice new shoes, and, going near, 
 told them to sit down. According to custom, the boys 
 took off their shoes before doing so, but the thief bade 
 them not to act thus on this occasion, as Sharaf Tsnv 
 might be near, and would certainly take them. The boys 
 laughed at the idea. " Take them ! " they said. " What 
 would you have us to think ? Are we fools or blind ? 
 These shoes are placed close by our side. How could 
 they possibly be removed without our noticing it ? " The 
 disguised thief, now finding his opportunity, replied, " Wait 
 a moment. I will show you how." Sharaf then went 
 away a little distance to well scan the neighbourhood, 
 and seeing that there was nobody to mind at hand, he 
 returned, took up all the shoes in a cloth, and again went' 
 away. A second time, however, he did not return, 
 
340 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 although the little company of boys shouted for him on 
 all sides, and waited anxiously for his appearance. They 
 had a suspicion that the man was Sharaf Tsu.v, and the 
 matter was blazed abroad over the city, but nothing could 
 be discovered. 
 
 11. 
 
 Batmalun is the name of a big village situated close 
 to the city of Srinagar. Bata} in Kashmiri, means food, 
 cooked rice, &c., and mdlun is probably derived from the 
 word mdl, which means desire for food. Hence, perhaps, 
 the meaning of Batmalun is fagir, i.e., one who kept under 
 his body, and was always more or less in want of food. 
 At any rate, there is a famous mosque in this place, sacred 
 to the memory of a celebrated fagir, from whom both the 
 village and the mosque derive their name. The holy 
 man's grave is to be seen close by the mosque. Sharaf 
 entered, and assuming the guise of an ividm, began to cry 
 the hdng.^ Many peasants, on hearing this, went and 
 entered the mosque, and at a given signal arranged them- 
 selves for prayer. Before commencing their devotions, 
 Sharaf advised them to collect their tsddars ^ (i.e., sheets 
 or woollen shawls, which they wear very much like 
 English ladies wore 'clouds' when they were in vogue), 
 and place them before them in a heap ; " because," said 
 he, " Sharaf Tsiir, I know, is wandering about near this 
 building, and is not at all particular whether he thieves 
 in a mosque, or in the bdzdr, or upon the highway." 
 And they did so. 
 
 Now every one who has watched a company of Musal- 
 mans praying knows with what regularity they go through 
 their genuflexions, according as the imdm proceeds with 
 the prayers. During one of the long prostrations Sharaf, 
 the pseudo-mdm, hastily got up, and quietly seizing the 
 bundle of woollen cloths, left the service by a little side- 
 
 2 Bhatd in the plains. ^ Chddar or clmdar in Hindustani, 
 
 * The Muhammadim call to prayer, and chddir in Persian. 
 
SHARAF THE THIEF. 341 
 
 door in the building. All this time, about the space of 
 a minute, the congregation were waiting and wondering 
 what the imdni was doing. Perhaps they thought that 
 he was a little faint. However, at last one worshipper 
 lifted his head, and on discovering that both their priest 
 and wraps had disappeared, shouted to his fellow-dupes, 
 " Sorrow, a hundred sorrows, brethren ! Sharaf Tsiir 
 has met with us. We have been led in prayer by an 
 unbelieving rogue ! " 
 
 III. 
 On another occasion it is reported that a weaver was 
 coming from a certain village, and bringing with him 
 some linen cloth to sell in Srinagar. Sharaf chanced to 
 be passing that way, and saluting the man, asked him for 
 how much he would dispose of his burden. The weaver 
 answered, "Three rupees." After a little flattery and 
 quibbling Sharaf again asked him once and for all to state 
 the proper price. The man then, calling upon the name of 
 God and His Prophet, said that the cloth cost him only 
 eight dnds less than he asked. " Was this too much profit 
 for all his labour ? " Sharaf, however, appeared not to be- 
 lieve him even then, but gathering some dust together and 
 smoothing it a little into shape, ordered the man to con- 
 sider it as the very tomb of Muhammad, and to swear 
 again accordingly, putting his hands in orthodox fashion 
 upon the little heap.® The good weaver, in all confidence, 
 did so ; but Sharaf had kept some dust in his hand, and 
 whilst the man was bending in all reverence over the sup- 
 posed grave, took a good aim at his eyes, and picking up 
 the bundle of cloth, ran away. It is not necessary to 
 add that the poor weaver was so blinded and surprised 
 
 1 
 
 ^ It is a common ordeal amongst hair and imagine it to be one from 
 ignorant people to stick a twig into the Prophet's own beard, and cause 
 the ground and suppose it to be the the friends with whom they are bar- 
 staff of Pir-i-Dastagir, the famous gaining or bantering to swear by it. 
 saint of Baghdad, who flourished It is astonishing the influence this 
 A.D. 1078-1166, and is better known exercises over the people, 
 as 'Abdu'l-Q4dir Jil^ni ; or to take a 
 
342 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 that he was unable to see or to do anything except to roll 
 about in agony lamenting his sad lot. 
 
 IV. 
 
 One day Sharaf sat by a tomb and pretended that he 
 was reading the fdtiha, or first chapter of the Qurdn. 
 Meanwhile a man passed by, whom Sharaf called to come 
 near to him. The man obeyed, and asked what he desired. 
 Sharaf replied, " May God bless you ! Please bring me 
 some bread. I will give you the money. I want the 
 bread for distribution among the poor in the name of my 
 deceased father." The man, considering this to be a real 
 work for God, gladly consented, and started to fetch the 
 bread. When he had gone a little distance Sharaf again 
 called to him, saying, " Come here. Perhaps you wiU not 
 return. Please to leave your wrap here with me until 
 you come again with the bread." As there was nothing 
 suspicious about this arrangement, the man unfastened his 
 cloth and deposited it by the side of the supposed devout 
 man. Alas ! no sooner had he got out of sight than Sharaf, 
 taking the linen cloth, departed in another direction. It 
 was rather a good bargain — a big strong cloth for a few 
 pdibsas ! 
 
 V. 
 
 A horse-dealer once unluckily happened to cross the 
 path of Sharaf. He was mounted upon a sleek, swift 
 horse. Sharaf in his heart admired the animal, and 
 wished to have it. "How much do you want for the 
 horse ? " he asked. " One hundred rupees," was the 
 reply. "Very well," said Sharaf. "I will try him, to 
 see if he has any vice or not. Let me get up." No 
 sooner was Sharaf upon the horse than he dug his heels 
 into the beast's sides, and was soon out of sight, far far 
 beyond the poor duped horse-dealer's shouts and cries." 
 
 ' This very trick was played upon horse being eventually recovered by 
 an official at Firozpfir in 1880, the the police at Jammu. 
 
SHARAF THE THIEF. 343 
 
 VI. 
 
 A pandit'' walking on the river-side happened to he 
 ■wearing a new well-made tsddar. Sharaf, seeing this, 
 jumped into an empty hoat which was fastened hy a 
 string to a post fixed in the bank, and pretending that he 
 was a boatman somewhat unwell, asked the pandit to 
 come and help him, in return for the short cut and ride in 
 the boat. The pandit readily consented. 
 
 It was some time before they arrived at their destina- 
 tion, and already darkness had set in ; so the boatman, 
 assuming an expression of great gratitude, said to the 
 pandit, " It is already late, and your home, you say, is yet 
 distant ; will you not take dinner here at my expense, and 
 sleep in the boat, and then in the freshness of the morning 
 go to your house ? Take this rupee, friend, which I will- 
 ingly offer you, and go and buy food." The pandit took 
 the money, and was going, to purchase some dinner with 
 it, when Sharaf called him, saying, " Come here. You 
 must be tired. I am quite recovered now, and can arrange 
 for your dinner. Sit here in the boat whilst I go and hire 
 a servant-to cook your dinner. And you had better give 
 me your blanket, so that the cook may bring the dinner 
 in it." The pandit, nothing suspecting and nothing loth, 
 gave up his blanket, and patiently waited in the boat for 
 some time ; but at last, cold for the want of his blanket, 
 and hungry for want of his dinner, he got low-spirited, 
 and after a little time longer wept aloud, exclaiming, " I 
 must have met with Sharaf Tsm:" 
 
 ' The term panijit in Kashmir does serviog that in Kashmir, which was 
 not necessarily mean a learned man. oneof the original homes of the Ai-yan 
 
 All Kashmiri Hindlis, on the assump- race, and also for many years secured 
 
 tion that they all belong to the by its position from foreign aggres- 
 
 Brihman caste, are called pandits. sion, there is to the present no dis- 
 
 Mr. Growse, in his book, Matkurd, tinction of caste, but all Hindtis are 
 
 a District Memoir, makes the follow- Erabmans. 
 
 ing remark : — In the genuine Veda Thus, too, the remarkable lines 
 
 there was no mention of caste what- from the Ma/td-Bhdrafa : — There is 
 
 ever, nor was it possible that there no distinction of castes ; the whole of 
 
 should be, on the hypothesis, that the the world is Brahmanioal as originally 
 
 institution of caste was the simple created by Brahma. It was only in 
 
 result of residence in a conquered consequence of men's action!) that it 
 
 country. This is confirmed by ob- has come into a state of caste divisions. 
 
344 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 VII. 
 
 The next is the story of another weaver, who also, like 
 the weaver before mentioned, was on his way to Srinagar 
 to try and sell his cloth. "We have noticed that Sharaf 
 had a special liking for cloth. Accordingly, like the cun- 
 ning fellow he was, he ran forward a little way, and then 
 lay down upon the path puffing and groaning, apparently 
 in great pain. Some men who were travelling in that 
 direction collected round him and expressed their sym- 
 pathy. The weaver too came up and looked on. 
 
 Sharaf gradually became better. He opened his eyes 
 and seemingly for the first time noticing the weaver's 
 bundle, he begged him in the name of God to lend it 
 to him, so that he might bind his loins therewith.^ The 
 weaver had compassion upon the man and lent him 
 the cloth. The effect of the bandage was marvellous. 
 Only a few minutes after he had tied it Sharaf said that he 
 was better, and begged the lookers-on to go, that he might 
 have more air. They all left except the weaver, to whom 
 Sharaf spoke in a most earnest tone — " God bless you for 
 all your kindness ! Please do one thing more for me. 
 Bring me some water from the well of yonder mosque, 
 that I may quench my thirst. This pain has dried up 
 my very soul." The man went for the water, doubting 
 nothing, and meanwhile Sharaf went also, so that when the 
 poor weaver returned he was nowhere to be seen. 
 
 VIII. 
 
 The natives are accustomed to keep their money and little 
 valuables either tied up in the waist-cloth or fastened in 
 a knot at the end of the foadar, or else secreted within the 
 turbans. The pir of whom we are now going to write 
 
 * Natives are in the habit of bind- seem to have discovered this way of 
 
 ing their heads or arms or feet or obtaining relief. We English used 
 
 legs just above the spot where the tight bandages very much in cases 
 
 pain is, as a g;ood strong binder has of operation before the discovery of 
 
 the effect of checking the blood, and chloroform, 
 fio lessening the pain. All nations 
 
SHARAF THE THIEF. 345 
 
 followed the latter plan. He had bought a piece of gold 
 from a certain goldsmith, and was on his way home, tired 
 and weary because of his hot and long journey. 
 
 Sharaf got to know that this pir was carrying a piece of 
 gold in his turban, and racked his brains to find means of 
 depriving the good man of it. He walked fast, and when 
 he had got well ahead he sat down by the wayside and 
 began to weep* When the pir had reached the spot he 
 requested him to sit down and rest and take some refresh- 
 ment, which he offered him in the name of his father. 
 The pir was very glad to do so, and was very soon enjoying 
 the meal and the exceedingly pleasant conversation of his 
 chance host. 
 
 Whether it was from eating some drugged bread or 
 because of his long and trying walk we do not know, but 
 it is certain that presently he began to feel drowsy, and 
 yielding to Sharaf's advice, soon lay down and slept. 
 Sharaf took off his turban for him, and in various other 
 ways soothed the pir until he was fast asleep. Now was 
 the opportunity for Sharaf, He took up the turban, and 
 with a look of contempt for his sleeping guest, walked off 
 quietly to some secret place, and there lay down himself 
 to sleep, exceedingly pleased with the day's business. The 
 piece of gold was worth at least one hundred rupees. 
 
 IX. 
 
 Another of Sharaf's dupes was a poor fellow who was 
 wont to go every day to the celebrated mosque of Bahau'd- 
 din, and there to pray for treasure. Like many others, he 
 supposed that the great God, through Shekh Bahau'd-din's 
 intercessions, would grant him the desire of his heart, and 
 so he went time after time praying with all sincerity, " 
 Bahau'd-dln, give me some treasure, give me some treasure." 
 One day Sbaraf was walking past the mosque, and over- 
 
 9 He sat down by the side of a as possible, in order that the devout 
 grave. Musalmaiis prefer to bury passers-by may oflEer up a prayer for 
 their dead as close to the public way them. 
 
346 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 heard the man at his devotions. He thought that he 
 might not only deceive him, but probably also make some 
 profit out of him. 
 
 Accordingly early on the following morning he went to 
 this mosque, and secreted himself in a very dark corner. 
 He waited till the man came as usual, and when he 
 uttered his request for treasure Sharaf, from out of the 
 darkness, replied, " holy man, you have certainly been 
 most assiduous in your devotions, and have been most 
 persistent in your request. Now understand that I am 
 well pleased with you, and am quite ready, yea willing, to 
 comply with your wishes." The man, thinking this to be 
 none other than Bahau'd-din himself, again pleaded, and 
 now with bolder voice, his request. Sharaf told him to 
 come at an appointed time with the tools and implements 
 necessary for unearthing the treasure. He was to bring 
 one hundred rupees also, and two tsddars for taking home 
 the treasure, and to be very careful not to broach the 
 matter to any one. The man returned to his house with 
 great joy, and could not sleep for the thought of the great 
 treasure which would be discovered to him on the morrow. 
 He was a very poor man, and not having one hundred 
 rupees at hand, was obliged to sell his property to get the 
 money. 
 
 On the morrow, at the dead of night, he was at the place 
 of meeting, tools on his shoulder and money in his blanket, 
 while another blanket was thrown over his other shoulder. 
 Sharaf came forth to greet him. After the usual saluta- 
 tion he led the way into a little jungle whither man 
 seldom wandered, and showed the treasure-seeker the 
 place where he would find the answer to his prayers. He 
 ordered him to dig two yards deep. The man soon accom- 
 plished half of his task, but the sweat-drops were upon 
 his brow. Sharaf noticed them, and told the man to take 
 off his clothes and lay them on one side, and then he 
 would be able to work easily. The man did so, and in a 
 short while had dug so deep that he could not be seen at 
 
SHARAF THE THIEF. 347 
 
 a short distance from the hole, nor could he see anything 
 outside. 
 
 Now his clothes had been laid well aside. Sharaf had 
 seen to this arrangement. So when the man had almost 
 dug the two yards and was at the pitch of excitement, ex- 
 pecting every moment that his spade would strike some- 
 thing hard, either gold or silver or some other precious 
 thing, Sharaf carefully took up the clothes, blankets, and 
 one hundred rupees, and was soon lost in the darkness 
 and intricacies of the jungle. 
 
 It is said that the poor treasure-seekei- worked on until 
 he had only just sufficient strength to draw himself up to 
 the top of the pit, and then, on seeing that his money, 
 wraps, blankets, and saint were not there, he loosened his 
 hold and fell back insensible into the pit. 
 
 X. 
 
 One day Sharaf met a poor peasant who was pushing 
 along a sheep to the market. Sharaf inquired the price 
 of the animal. The peasant replied, " Four rupees." After 
 a little wrangling the price was finally fixed at three 
 rupees, and Sharaf told the man to bring the sheep to his 
 house, where he would give him the money. The man 
 consented, glad to get rid of his burden so quickly. They 
 had not proceeded far before Sharaf noticed an empty 
 house, having a door in front and a door at the back. He 
 told the man that this was his humble abode, and tak- 
 ing the sheep, swung it over his shoulders and walked 
 inside. He then shut the front-door, and bade the man to 
 wait whilst he went for the money. As will be imagined, 
 while the peasant was most patiently and happily squat- 
 ting outside the door, Sharaf had gone out by the back- 
 door, and knowing every yard of the neighbourhood, and 
 being swift of foot also, he soon managed to elude all 
 possibility of being taken. After an hour or so another 
 man, in order to cut his journey short, had entered the 
 
348 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 same dwelling by the back-door, and was coming out by 
 the front-door, when the peasant seized him and demanded 
 his sheep. The traveller was rather annoyed at this sudden 
 and unwelcome interruption to his journey, and showed 
 his displeasure in a rather practical way. 
 
 The poor peasant, when he had recovered from the 
 beating which the traveller had given him, tried the 
 neighbours' houses ; but, alas ! no sheep and no purchaser 
 of the sheep, only blows and insults, until at length he 
 was obliged to depart, a sadder but wiser man, back to 
 his village, 
 
 XL 
 
 The following story will show that Sharaf s heart was in 
 his profession, and that he followed it not so much for the 
 gain which it brought to him as for the sport which it 
 afforded. 
 
 One day he noticed a very poorly dressed man pick up 
 a dead dove which was lying on the road. He pitied the 
 man's distressed look and state, and followed him, curious 
 to see what he would do with the dead bird.. As soon as 
 the man had reached his house and had shut the door, 
 Sharaf rushed up and bent down to see and listen. He 
 saw the little hungry-looking children standing, or rather 
 dancing, round their father, pulling at his ragged garments, 
 and asking whether he had brought them anything to eat. 
 The history of the family was a very sad one. They had 
 once been in affluent circumstances, but a change in the 
 government had not been in their favour, and they had 
 succumbed to their lot. 
 
 The man told the little ones, " Yes, I have got a dead 
 dove. Take it and roast it for dinner," 
 
 Sharaf Tsnv heard and saw everything, and his heart 
 was moved with compassion for the poor people. He 
 shouted to be allowed to come in, and on being permitted 
 to do so, he gave the man five rupees, saying, " Procure 
 ome food with this money, and throw the dead bird away. 
 
SHARAF THE THIEF. 349 
 
 I am Sharaf ^siir. Up to this time I have stolen and 
 robbed for my own aggrandisement, but henceforth I will 
 rob and steal for the great God. I promise you that I will 
 visit you again the day after to-morrow, and will hand 
 over to you, for your own use, as many rupees as I may 
 get by that time. Fear not, but hope with gladness. Your 
 adversity shall be turned into prosperity." 
 
 The poor man thanked him, and falling upon his knees 
 before him, said, " Your honour's pleasure. God bless you 
 abundantly ! " 
 
 On the following day Sharaf visited the mosque near 
 this man's dwelling, and spent much time in earnest 
 prayer. Prayer over, he sat to rest a while. Presently 
 the imdm came in. Sharaf at once commenced conversa- 
 tion with him, and spent the remainder of the day and 
 part of the succeeding night with him in the mosque. 
 Sharaf thought that he was never going to leave. At 
 last, about one in the morning, the imdm went to his 
 home. No sooner had he departed than Sharaf, who had 
 previously hired a swift and strong horse, started at post- 
 haste for Sopiir.^" 
 
 On arriving at Sopiir Sharaf made straight for the 
 treasury, and thence stole many bags of rupees. He 
 fastened these bags round his waist, and then again 
 mounting his horse, returned to the place whence he had 
 first started as quickly as he came. The bags of rupees 
 he at once took to the poor man whom he had pro- 
 mised to help, and then went and lay down again in the 
 mosque. He slept soundly the remaining half-hour of 
 the night. 
 
 The next morning the treasurer discovered that a 
 robbery had taken place. " Some bags have been taken," 
 he said. A report was at once sent to the Viceroy at 
 Srfnagar, with a hint that it was Sharaf Tsuv's work. 
 
 1" Soptir is a moderate-size town change mules and coolies for the 
 midway between Srinagar and Bara- boats on their way to the " HappJ 
 mula, the town where visitors ex- Valley." 
 
350 FOLK TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 The Viceroy instantly summoned Sharaf to appear be- 
 fore him. When he was brought he was at once ordered 
 to speak the truth and deliver up the money. 
 
 Sharaf assumed a look of intense surprise, and did not 
 appear in the least frightened. "When was the money 
 stolen ? " he asked. " Yesterday night," was the reply. 
 Sharaf then quietly asked them to allow the imdm, with 
 whom he spent the greater part of yesterday and yester- 
 day night, to be sent for. " Send for the imdm, please, 
 and inquire from him whether I was not with him at the 
 time of the robbery. How could I be here and at Sopiir 
 at one and the same time ? " 
 
 The imdm was brought, and testified to the truth of 
 Sharaf's words, and so the thief and robber was set at 
 liberty. 
 
 XII. 
 
 Another time Sharaf, arrayed in the dress of a great man, 
 went to pay his respects to a very famous pir. He sat 
 down in the presence of the holy man with an air of much 
 dignity. The pzr asked him whence he came and what he 
 wanted. Sharaf, after a little hesitation, informed him 
 that he was the son of a most respectable man, and know- 
 ing the pi'T to be a holy man and well instructed in the 
 faith, desired to be taught by him. The pir was exceed- 
 ingly pleased, and then and there began to teach him. 
 For three days Sharaf stayed in the pir's quarters, and 
 then, apparently overflowing with gratitude for the good 
 professedly received, he told the holy man how happy he 
 was, and how much he desired to make a feast for his 
 benefactor. " Send for a skilful cook," said he, " and please 
 order him to prepare various dishes. I will spend thirty 
 rupees on a really good dinner, and make the cook a pre- 
 sent besides." 
 
 The cook promised to do his very best, and asked for 
 the loan of some of the pir's saucepans and rice-pots, 
 which were at once handed over to him. 
 
SHARAF THE THIEF. 351 
 
 After some time had elapsed, and Sharaf knew that the 
 feast must be ready, he asked permission from the pir to 
 go and see to the arrangements. The cook's house was a 
 little distance off On arriving at the place Sharaf up- 
 braided him because of the delay, and ordered that on 
 account of this he should send the feast with him to the 
 Zaina Kadal, where he called a boatman and had the 
 things placed in a boat.. He himself then entered the boat, 
 and sent away the coolies who had brought the dinner. 
 
 On the promise of a good dinner the boatman paddled 
 right lustily, and they were soon beyond all hope of dis- 
 covery. After a short time the joir, whose appetite liad been 
 somewhat increased by expectation and delay, went to the 
 cook's shop, and was terribly astonished to find that his 
 friend and pupil had taken the dinner and utensils, and 
 left him to pay the expenses. 
 
 This p^r, however, was an obstinate character. He 
 made quite sure in his own mind that the deceiver was 
 Sharaf ^'siir, and in revenge he determined to bring the 
 matter before the Viceroy, at that time 'Ata Muhammad 
 Khan,^! and get the thief punished. The Viceroy listened 
 with great interest to the pir's story, and at once issued a 
 warrant for Sharaf's arrest. A day or two after this Sharaf 
 was brought before the Viceroy, and charged with having 
 stolen the saucepans, spoons, &c., of the pir, and in other 
 ways deceived him. The pir eyed Sharaf with such a 
 look that the thief at length pleaded guilty, and begged for 
 pardon, promising to supply the Viceroy with enormous 
 wealth if he would let him go free. 'Ata Muhammad 
 Khan, however, was immovable. He would not listen to 
 his pleadings for a moment, but gave strict orders that his 
 right hand should be cut off, so that he might be hindered 
 from carrying on his wicked profession in the future. 
 
 This was done ; but it is said that Sharaf got an iron 
 hand made, with sharp-pointed fingers, and that he would 
 
 " 'AtS, Muhammad KhSn was one the country remained a portion of the 
 of the fourteen Governors or Viceroys Durr&nJ empire, 
 during the sixty-Bix years (1753-1819) 
 
3S2 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 strike any one on the neck with this hand who would not 
 consent to give up his money or valuables. He killed 
 three or four people in this way. 
 
 There are many other stories extant in Srinagar and in 
 the villages concerning the cruelty and cunning of this 
 man too numerous to note here. 
 
 Some readers may wish to know something of Sharaf's 
 latter days. A great pir, named Buzurg Shah, sent for 
 him one day, and advised him to desist from such works 
 and give his mind a little to heavenly things. He promised 
 that if he would do this he would allow him to reside in 
 his house as a companion and help. Sharaf's heart was 
 touched by the kind offer and manner of the pir, and 
 being thoroughly weary of wrong-doing, he accepted the 
 proposal. 
 
 He remained in Buzurg Shah's house until his death, 
 and proved himself in every way worthy of the confidence 
 and esteem bestowed upon him by his benefactor. 
 
 It is not known when Sharaf TsAv died or where he 
 was buried. 
 
( 353 ) 
 
 A KING AND HIS TREACHEROUS WAZIR} 
 
 Once upon a time there lived a king who had a very- 
 wicked wazir. This wazir conceived the terrible desire 
 of murdering the king and seizing the kingdom. For- 
 tunately the king got to know of his great danger. One 
 day, when he went to the stables to look at his horses, a 
 favourite zalgur that was there wept exceedingly. Going 
 near the animal, His Majesty inquired what was the matter ; 
 whereupon the zalgur told him of the wazir's treachery, 
 and warned him to flee from the country as soon as 
 possible on its back. The king did so, and was soon 
 beyond all fear of pursuit. Being very tired, he went to 
 a butcher of the place, which he had reached, and asked 
 him for a night's lodging. The man agreed ; so the king 
 fastened the zalgur by a rope in the yard and went inside 
 the house to sleep. 
 
 Alas ! however, he had but escaped from one danger into 
 another, from the hands of one villain into the hands of 
 another villain. At midnight the butcher called to his 
 wife and asked for a big strong knife, because he intended 
 to kill the stranger and take his money and zalgur. The 
 king, who was lodging in the next room, overheard their 
 conversation, and, rising up, went to them and besought 
 them not to do this wickedness, and he would give them 
 all his money and the zalgur, and he himself would remain 
 with them as a slave. The butcher, of course, consented. 
 
 One day the wicked man ordered the king to clean the 
 paunch of a sheep. While the king was doing this the 
 daughter of the king of that country, who chanced to 
 
 1 Narrator's name, Pandit Shiva B^yii, Eenawfcl, Sriuagar. 
 
 Z 
 
354 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 be walking by the river at that time, noticed him, and 
 perceiving that he was of a noble mien and countenance, 
 was much surprised, and said in her heart, " This man 
 must be of some royal family.'' Accordingly she beckoned 
 to him to come forward, and asked him of his antecedents 
 and how he had come thither. Seeing that she was kind 
 and good, the king informed her everything of his sad 
 experience; whereupon the princess was struck to the 
 heart with love and pity, and determined to marry him. 
 She took him to her father, the king, and repeated all that 
 he had said, and entreated her father to allow her to marry 
 him. The king agreed, for he too was moved by the sad 
 tale, and noticed the superior manners and appearance of 
 the man. As soon as possible the marriage was celebrated. 
 Everything was done with great Mat, and everybody was 
 pleased. 
 
 The day after the wedding the wicked butcher was 
 beheaded, and the zalgur restored to the king. And 
 within a few months His Majesty, having received some 
 troops from his father-in-law, returned to his country and 
 slew the treacherous wazir who had conspired against 
 him. Henceforth all was peace and gladness. The king 
 lived to a good old age, had several children, and prospered 
 exceedingly. 
 
( 355 ) 
 
 THE SHIPWRECKED PRINCE.^ 
 
 There was a very wise and clever king, who had four 
 sons, and each of these sons was equally as wise and 
 clever as his father.^ One day the king, wishing to test 
 the wisdom and talents of these sons, called them all to 
 him, and among other questions asked them each one, 
 singly and privately, by whose good fortune it was that 
 he possessed such a large and powerful kingdom, and was 
 enabled to govern it so wisely and so well. Said he, " Is 
 it through my own good fortune, or your mother's, or 
 yours, or your brothers' ? " The eldest son replied, " It 
 is by your own good fortune, king, our father, that you 
 have this kingdom and this power." Likewise replied the 
 second and the third sons. But when the fourth and 
 youngest son was thus inquired of, he answered that all 
 this might and power and glory were obtained through his 
 own good fortune and not another's.^ 
 
 The king was as much enraged at the bold and decided 
 reply of his youngest son as he had been pleased with 
 the fawning, truckling answers of the other three sons. 
 In a wrathful tone he said, "Was not I a wise and 
 powerful king before thou wast conceived in the womb ? 
 This kingdom and power did not come with thy birth, 
 proud and stupid boy ! Away ! away ! " and then calling 
 the doorkeeper, he bade him remove the lad far from his 
 presence. ' 
 
 1 Narrator's name, Makund Biyd, than tlie other" {Yim dsi ak aki 
 Suthu, Srinagar. He heard it from sindih khutah gdtuli. ) 
 
 a Musalmin ; hence the constant oc- 3 The story of "The Fan Prince 
 currence of the word " God " in the in Indian Fairy Tales begins some- 
 story. • ■ thing like this ; cf. p. 193 ; compare 
 
 2 Literally, ■■ who were one cleverer also, en passant, Indian Antiquar)/, 
 
 vol. xvi. i>. 322. 
 
3S6 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 The boy, however, did not require any pressing to go. 
 Being of a most determined and independent disposition, 
 he hastened away, paclced up a few necessaries, and left 
 the palace. Soon afterwards, the king's anger having in 
 the meantime softened, when it was known throughout 
 the royal city that the youngest prince had really de- 
 parted, messengers from the throne were despatched in 
 all directions to find him and bring him back. He was 
 overtaken on a certain way ; — but it was in vain that the 
 messengers recounted to him the king's anguish, and how 
 His Majesty would load him with honours and presents 
 if he would only return. The young prince persisted in 
 going on. 
 
 Great was the sorrow in the court that day. A veil of 
 mourning and lamentation shrouded the city and people. 
 But none could tell the anguish of the exiled prince's 
 wife, and none could comfort her. She tore her beautiful 
 hair, she beat her milk-M'hite breasts, she cast aside hei 
 jewels and ornaments, and was as one mad and about to 
 die. Finally, she decided to follow her beloved, and re- 
 sisting her mother-in-law's and other relations' entreaties, 
 she dressed herself like a female faqir and went forth 
 penniless and unattended in search of her husband. 
 
 It was not long before she succeeded in reaching him, 
 for love had made her feet swift and her search keen. 
 The prince was overjoyed at seeing her, and lavished upon 
 her all the affection which she deserved. With her he 
 felt rich and happy, and cared not to occupy himself again 
 with the business and excitement of the court. " What 
 is thy thought, my beloved, the light of my eyes ? " 
 said he. " Shall we not abide here in the woods, and live 
 upon what this bow and sliag will bring us ? " 
 
 She consented, and for some time the days and weeks 
 passed pleasantly, until one day the bow and the sling 
 lost their charm, and no prey came to hand. This state of 
 affairs continued till at last, feeling very hungry, they 
 were obliged to leave their jungle-home and beg by the 
 
THE SHIPWRECKED PRINCE. 357 
 
 wayside and in the far-scattered villages around. In the 
 course of their wanderings they reached the sea. Great 
 was their surprise on seeing the boundless expanse of 
 waters ; and as they watched the tide, now rushing for- 
 ward and then receding, they thought that they were 
 living waters, and that they were trying to swallow them 
 up and all the country behind them. Nevertheless they 
 did not dread the sea, but the rather wished to live upon 
 it, and tried hard to get the sailors of some of the ships 
 which now and again touched at the port of that place to 
 let them sail with them. But the sailors always refused, 
 because the prince and his wife were so poor and had 
 nothing to give them. At length, however, one day a 
 trader, kind and wealthy, heard of their desire, and per- 
 ceiving that they were gentle-mannered people and of a 
 good countenance, he had compassion upon them, and 
 engaged for them a berth on board one of the vessels then 
 about to start on some distant voyage. Before they left 
 the trader inquired who they were and whence they 
 came and what was their intention. " For surely," he 
 said, " ye both are of a princely mien and countenance, 
 and by some foul trickery have become thus poor and 
 helpless." 
 
 . "True, true!" replied the young prince, weeping; and 
 he related to him all his history. 
 
 I am a prince, said he, 
 Of splendid destiny. 
 Through me alone the king doth rule and power obtain. 
 
 But on an evil day 
 Did my fond father say, 
 " Whose fortune is it — mine or thine — by which I rule 1 " 
 
 I told him, " Mine, O king." 
 Said he, " What— thine ! Wliat thing 
 Is this ? Away, O proud and foolish child, far hence ! " 
 
 And so my home I left, 
 Of father's love bereft, 
 And wandered far and lone unto the desert wilds. 
 
358 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 Then came my wife to me, 
 And we lived happily, 
 Till bow and string refused me help to strike the prey. 
 
 Next hunger drove us forth 
 East, west, and south and north, 
 To seek for bread anil slielteE with a beggai's cry. 
 
 And last God brought us here 
 To give us such good cheer 
 As thy kind sympathy and help provideth us. 
 
 friend, to thee long life 
 And happiness without strife, 
 And after death to dwell in richest joys above ! 
 
 The trader was so much moved by the prince's touching 
 tale that he could scarcely keep from weeping. " I know 
 that what you have said is correct," he said, " because as 
 soon as you left your father's kingdom my agent, who 
 lives there, sent me word that a foreign force had entered 
 the city, slain many of the inhabitants, and taken the 
 king and his brothers, together with their wives and 
 families, prisoners." 
 
 When the prince heard this, he wept bitterly, and 
 mourned his poverty and helplessness to afford succour 
 to his father and brethren and people, whom he so loved. 
 It was useless for his wife and the trader to try and cheer 
 him by saying how thankful he should be to have left the 
 city before these sad events occurred. The prince was of 
 far too noble a character to attend to such words ; nay, he 
 rather reproached himself the more, knowing that if he 
 had but tarried at home these things would not have 
 happened. 
 
 After a long time had elapsed they were sailing with a 
 boisterous wind not far from the country where they 
 hoped to disembark ; but the wind became fiercer and the 
 waves rolled mountains high, threatening every moment 
 to overwhelm the ship. All hands were at work, and 
 everything was done that could be done for the safety of 
 the crew. For hours and hours they thus lingered between 
 
THE SHIPWRECKED PRINCE. 359 
 
 life and death, until at last one great wave, swifter and 
 larger than the rest, broke upon the ship, so that it divided 
 into two pieces, and everyone and everything were swept 
 into the waters. Only two were saved, and these two were 
 the prince and his wife, who had caught hold of a spar 
 and a plank from the wreck, and were thus carried to the 
 shore. The prince, however, was carried to one part of 
 the countiy, whilst the princess floated to another part, per- 
 haps, of another country far distant. The place where the 
 princess landed was near a large garden, which had evi- 
 dently heen laid out with great care, but was flowerless 
 and leafless. As soon, however, as the princess approached 
 its walls the trees and shrubs began to freshen, and here 
 and there a tiny bud appeared. Great was the surprise of 
 the head-gardener when, on going his customary round of 
 inspection the following morning, he noticed these things. 
 He had come as usual to give orders concerning the 
 withered trees, that they might be uprooted and taken 
 away for fuel or other purposes ; but lo ! there was life in 
 them ; so he told the under-gardeners to go for that day, 
 as there was no work for them. The gardener then 
 hastened to inform his master, v/ho was the king of 
 that country, concerning the good news. The king was 
 exceedingly glad to hear it, and thought that at last God 
 would cause the trees to bring forth fruit and the flowers 
 to blossom in the garden, over which he had expended so 
 larc^e a sum of money. Then the gardener returned once 
 more to feast his eyes upon the new sight, and saw a 
 woman squatting by the gate. He inquired who she was, 
 whence she came, and what she had come for ; but never 
 a word escaped the princess's lips, and so he left her. 
 
 The place where the prince arrived turned out to be 
 close to the walls of a large and magnificent city. In the 
 course of his peregrinations through this city he came 
 upon a most beautiful garden, one blaze of colours and 
 redolent with perfumes. He looked within the entrance- 
 gate, but dared not venture right in, as, seeing no person 
 
,36o FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 there, he thought that people were prohibited from enter- 
 ing, and therefore stopped. He was still there, looking at 
 this wonderful sight, when the royal gardener came. See- 
 ing a man at the gate gazing with such longing eyes upon 
 the flowers, he suspected that he had trespassed inside the 
 garden and stolen some of them, and for the moment he 
 was filled with fear and trembling, not knowing what the 
 king would do to him if such were the case. But when he 
 discovered that no harm had been done, he felt rather 
 pleased with the stranger, and perceiving that he was 
 clever and gentle, he asked who he was and what business 
 he had there. 
 
 "I am a beggar come from a far country," was the 
 reply. 
 
 " Then follow me," said the gardener. " I will make 
 some arrangement for your food and clothes." 
 
 Of course the beggar-prince was only too delighted, and 
 followed the gardener to his house. There it was told how 
 that he was a poor man wandering upon the face of the 
 earth for a bit of bread ; and food was set before him and 
 clothes provided, and he was invited to draw near to the 
 fire and warm his shivering limbs. During conversation 
 the stranger-guest asked why the gardener had plucked 
 the flowers. The gardener replied that it was the order of 
 the king that fresh flowers should be provided every day 
 for the pleasure of the royal household. Hence his extreme 
 care over the garden that no flowers be stolen, lest there 
 should not be sufficient daily for the palace. 
 
 " I wish," said the prince, " that you would allow me to 
 arrange these flowers into bouquets. They would look so 
 much more beautiful, and His Majesty the king would be 
 so much better pleased with them." 
 
 The gardener consented, and presently there were several 
 bouquets of flowers tastefully arranged, ready to be taken 
 to the palace. 
 
 The king and all the royal family, when they saw the 
 beautiful bouquets, were greatly pleased, and giving many 
 
THE SHIPWRECKED PRINCE. 361 
 
 presents to the gardener, ordered him thus to prepare the 
 flowers every day.* The gardener made his obeisance and 
 departed. 
 
 On reaching his house he told his wife of the pleasure of 
 the king, and of the many presents which had been given 
 to him ; and then went and honestly told the prince that 
 all this honour was through his skill, and that he must 
 abide in their house and arrange the flowers every day, 
 because if he now left them the king would not have his 
 wish, and perhaps would imprison him (the gardener) or 
 take away his life. The prince, thinking that nothing 
 better would offer itself — at all events for a long time — 
 readily complied. And so matters continued. Every day 
 the king and the royal household were delighted with the 
 most delicious bouquets of flowers, and every day the 
 gardener returned with rich rewards. 
 
 Becoming more and more wealthy, and loving money 
 the more as it increased to him, the gardener and his wife 
 were sometimes filled with terrible fears lest their guest, 
 the prince, should suddenly depart and leave them as they 
 were before. Accordingly they hit upon a plan to marry 
 him to their only daughter, that he might be certain not 
 to leave them ; for said they, " Though he came to us in 
 great distress, yet how do we know that he is not some great 
 man reduced by trickery and falsehood to this state ? At all 
 events he is wise and skilful, and of a noble countenance, 
 and by his means we have attained to this great wealth." 
 
 And so it was arranged to ask the prince to marry the 
 gardener's daughter. The prince at first demurred, but 
 afterwards consented, on condition that he should be 
 allowed to depart when and whither he wished. The 
 gardener complied readily, making sure in his own mind 
 that if the stranger were once settled and comfortable in 
 his own house he would not care to leave it.* 
 
 •» Cf. Wide-Aaake Stories, pp. 150, Grimm's Sousehold Stories, p. 407; 
 
 151 ; Madanakamdrdjankadai (Dra- Old Dtccan Days, p. 11. 
 
 vidian Nights), pp. 190, 191 ; Indian * Gardeners and their families 
 
 Notes and Queries, vol. iv. p. 49 ; occupy a prominent place in Euro- 
 
362 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 The marriage took place, and much money was spent, and 
 there were great rejoicings. All things went smoothly for 
 a while, and everybody seemed as happy as could be, until 
 one day the gardener could not go to the palace, and so 
 was obliged to ask his son-in-law to go instead of him and 
 take the bouquets of flowers. He did so ; but on returning 
 the king's daughter met him, and seeing that he was 
 clever, gentle, and handsome, she at once fell in love with 
 him, and ordered one of her female attendants to follow 
 him and see where he lived. She saw him enter the 
 gardener's house, and came and told her mistress so. On 
 the following morning the princess sent to the gardener, 
 telling him on no account to let this young man go, but to 
 give him food and supply him with everything that he 
 might require. The gardener was astonished at this 
 strange order, and went immediately to tell his wife and 
 son-in-law. 
 
 " What is it thou hast done," he said to the latter, 
 " to provoke this request ? Hast thou seen the princess, 
 spoken to her, or looked upon her with eyes of love ? 
 Tell me the reason of this strange order." 
 
 The prince acknowledged that he had seen the king's 
 daughter when returning from the palace, but added that 
 he had scarcely noticed her, much less spoken to her. 
 Great was the suspense until the reason was known. 
 
 Meanwhile the princess lost her appetite and became 
 very pale and weak. "When her mother noticed that she 
 was getting thin and sickly, she begged her daughter 
 to tell her if there was any pain or sorrow, and if so, to 
 tell her, that it might be remedied. Or, perhaps, she 
 wanted something ; if so, let her make these wants known, 
 and the king would satisfy them. Anything and every- 
 thing rather than she should pine away like this and die. 
 
 " mother, dear mother ! " replied the princess, " it is 
 not that I am in pain, or that any one has grieved me ; 
 
 pean and Indian tales. While glanc- or ten instances of this. Cf. Indian 
 ing rapidly through the fiist half of Fairy Tales, p. 277, n. 2. 
 Old Deccan Days I found some nine 
 
THE SHIPWRECKED PRINCE. 363 
 
 but God has guided hither the man whom I love, and 
 whom I wish to marry." 
 
 " Tell me," said the queen, " who he is and where he 
 dwells, and I will inform the king, that a message may be 
 sent for him." 
 
 " It is the young man," answered the princess, " who 
 resides with our chief gardener ; that wise and handsome 
 man who brought the flowers here the other day for the 
 gardener." 
 
 The queen was astounded at her daughter's request, and 
 begged her to consider what she was asking for. 
 
 " A gardener's lackey ! " said she. " With such would a 
 princess fain unite herself? The idea is preposterous. 
 Surely my daughter must be mad !" 
 
 " I am not mad, dear mother," answered the princess. 
 " This man is not of mean birth, as you suppose. He is 
 of a noble type of countenance and of gentle manners, 
 which bespeak high blood and gentle training. Send and 
 inquire, I pray you, and see if this is not so." 
 
 The queen promised to do so. When the king heard 
 the reason of his daughter's indisposition he too was very 
 much astonished, but thinking that there might be some 
 truth in the princess's surmisings, he deferred speaking to 
 her until he had sent and ascertained who and whence 
 this young man was. 
 
 The gardener told the king's messengers all that he 
 knew about his son-in-law : — 
 
 It was a beggar that I saw — 
 
 But now my handsome son-in-law — 
 
 A-gazing at the garden-gate 
 
 In wretched guise and piteous state. 
 
 I thought at first he'd been within 
 The closely guarded garden green ; 
 But finding every flower entire, 
 I quickly stayed my ill-roused ire. 
 
364 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 And tempted by his pleasant face, 
 I asked him did he want a place ? 
 If so, then he could follow me 
 And kind of under-gardener be. 
 
 And he, consenting, came to us 
 And stayed, as you may well suppose ; 
 For such a clever gardener he, 
 Without his aid I could not be. 
 
 The king's delight, those bouquets rare. 
 Did his own skilful hands prepare ; 
 And then in sweet unselfish wise 
 He bade me gladden the royal eyes. 
 
 Thus through his skill we honours gained, 
 And countless riches we obtained, 
 Until we feared he would depart 
 And leave us ignorant of his art. 
 
 Hence was he married to our blood, 
 With gifts of coin and clothes and food : 
 We thought he then would surely rest. 
 Choosing such fortune as the best. 
 
 And now to you I've frankly shown 
 All that of this strange man is known : 
 Go tell the king, and beg that he 
 Will of his mercy pardon me. 
 
 But who he is, or whence he came. 
 Or even of the stranger's name, 
 I cannot tell ; for never he 
 Hath told his fortune unto me. 
 
 On hearing this strange tale from the messenger the 
 king, desiring to knov? more concerning this underling, 
 summoned the head-gardener. With much fear and trem- 
 bling the head-gardener entered the royal presence. 
 
 " Now tell me," said His Majesty, " who is this man ? 
 Whence came he ? What is his business here ? How 
 didst thou find him ? What does he in thy house ? And 
 tell me, too, of his behaviour and attainments. What is 
 thy own opinion of this man ? " 
 
THE SHIPWRECKED PRINCE. 365 
 
 The gardener then told all he knew about his son-in- 
 law — ^how he met with him, had pity upon him, and 
 married him to his only daughter because he made 
 bouquets which delighted the king ; how wise and skil- 
 ful he was in all manner of conversation and work, and 
 how gentle, good, and kind he was. Not one thing did 
 the head-gardener keep back of all that he knew about 
 his son-in-law. Then the king dismissed him, bidding 
 him not to fear, as no harm, but rather good, would 
 happen to him as the result of these inquiries. 
 
 As soon as the head-gardener had departed the king 
 sent a special servant to see really how this under- 
 gardener behaved himself, and to bring him word again. 
 He bade him be very careful in his observations, as it was 
 his (the king's) intention, if possible, to marry this mau 
 to his own daughter. The servant left and thoroughly 
 inquired into all matters. 
 
 " It was quite true," he said to the king, " what the 
 gardener told you. But may it please Your Majesty to 
 call for the man and see him." 
 
 The king was pleased to do so ; and soon the under- 
 gardener stood before him. A little conversation and 
 observation served to convince the king that this man was 
 no ordinary personage ; and so he informed him of his 
 daughter's wish, and added that he too was of similar mind. 
 
 " Will you agree, and become the king's son-in-law ? " 
 
 " I will," he replied ; " but only on the condition that 
 you allow me to leave the country whenever I wish." 
 
 The king promised, and at once gave orders for a cer- 
 tain house adjoining the palace to be prepared for him, and 
 for clothes and jewels and the richest food to be provided 
 for him, so that in every way he might be as the king's 
 son-in-law, and every cause for reproach removed. It 
 was so ; and soon all the people, even the wazirs, began 
 to acknowledge him as one great and wise in the land, 
 and the accepted son-in-law of their king. 
 
 In course of time the marriage took place. There 
 
366 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 were great rejoicings, such as had never been known in 
 the city before. The air was filled with gladness, and 
 everybody was arrayed in his gayest and his best ; the 
 poor, also, were well clothed, well fed, and loaded with 
 presents. The praises of the king and the queen and the 
 bride and bridegroom were in the mouths of every one ; and 
 never did there appear such another glad and happy city. 
 
 And so matters continued. The king had no reason 
 to regret the union, for his son-in-law increased in know- 
 ledge, wisdom, and popularity. He knew all languages, 
 could solve the most difficult questions, and was most 
 holy and good, giving alms to the people and attending 
 to the cries of the sick and the distressed. Only one 
 thing seemed against him, and that was his refusal to 
 attend the darbdr. 
 
 One day his wife asked him the reason of his not 
 doing so. " It is not meet," she added, " that you, the 
 king's son-in-law, should always be absent from the 
 great assembly. You should certainly go sometimes, and 
 manifest, at all events, a little interest in the government 
 of the country whose king is your wife's father." 
 
 The prince — for he was now a recognised prince — 
 then told her that he was a prince by birth, and that his 
 father was ruler over a larger and more powerful country 
 than that in which he was now living. He told her also 
 how he had arrived in her father's country, and all that 
 had happened to him, and added that his heart longed 
 to visit once more his home and fatherland. However, 
 he saw the wisdom of what she advised, and promised 
 to attend the king's court henceforth. Accordingly the 
 prince was present in the darhdr on the following morn- 
 ing, arrayed in his best, and looking most noble and hand- 
 some. The king was exceedingly pleased to see his son- 
 in-law, and gave him the seat of honour, and especially 
 consulted him concerning the present pressing difficulties 
 of the country. Thus matters continued. The prince 
 went regiilarly to the court, and in all affairs behaved 
 
THE SHIPWRECKED PRINCE. 367 
 
 himself so wisely and so well, that the king loved him 
 more than any of his other sons, and especially so when 
 he heard from his daughter that her hnsband was a great 
 prince in his own right, but that he had been obliged by 
 unkindness to leave his country and beg for bread in a 
 foreign land. The king's love and attention knew no 
 bounds when he had ascertained for certain that his 
 favourite son-in-law was of noble birth also. He told 
 him all his private affairs and all the secret State diffi- 
 culties ; in all matters he sought his counsel, and at all 
 times he wanted his society. 
 
 " Thou hast become an absolute necessity to me, my 
 son-in-law," he said to him one day. " Think not, I pray 
 thee, of ever leaving me. Ask what thou wilt and thou 
 shalt obtain it here." 
 
 Now, when the other sons-in-law and sons of the king 
 perceived the great affection of His Majesty for the new 
 prince, and how that he seemed to be unable to move 
 or stir without him, they were filled with jealousy, and 
 plotted together how they might estrange him from the 
 royal favour. They did not know that he was a born 
 prince, and therefore a skilful archer, but supposed that 
 he was only the gardener's son, and consequently would 
 be altogether ignorant of the use of the bow and the 
 habits of wild animals; and so they suggested to the 
 king that they should go on a shooting expedition, and 
 that this prince should accompany them. The king con- 
 sented, and expressed a wish to his favourite son-in-law 
 that he also should go a-hunting. The prince said that 
 he would obey his royal pleasure ; but on leaving his 
 father-in-law's presence he appeared to be going to his 
 own house. This furnished rather a good joke to the 
 other princes, who immediately sent each other word, 
 saying, " There goes that gardener's son to his house. Of 
 course Tie cannot shoot or ride. Aha ! Aha ! Whom 
 have we for a relation and confidant of the king ! " And 
 so they mocked him, and afterwards went to the king 
 
368 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 and said, " He whom Your Majesty ordered to go with 
 us, your favourite son-in-law, in whom you trust, must 
 surely be of low degree, for he shirks this expedition ; 
 and rightly so, perhaps, knowing that he cannot well take 
 part in it." Thus did they endeavour to turn the king's 
 mind against his favourite son-in-law. 
 
 But besides the thought that their brother-in-law 
 would not be successful in the sport, they had an idea 
 also that he could not ride, and therefore had previously 
 given full instructions to the grooms that if this prince 
 went shooting with them he was to be mounted on a 
 certain mad mare which was kept separate in the royal 
 stables, and which no man had yet been able to ride. 
 However, their envied brother-in-law was a magnificent 
 horseman as well. In short, there was nothing he had 
 not thoroughly mastered ; and so, when he had gone home 
 and acquainted his wife with his intentions, and fully 
 armed himself, he went to the royal stables, and on 
 asking for a horse, wag told that the mad mare was the 
 only beast available. All the other animals belonged to 
 different members of the royal family, and would be 
 presently required, as everybody was going with this 
 expedition. However, the prince did not care what 
 beast he rode so long as it was strong of limb and swift 
 of foot, and so he mounted the mad mare without any 
 hesitation. As will be imagined, the mare only became 
 more mad at the presumption of the prince. Never had 
 she been mounted before, and she cared not to carry any 
 person now. So she plunged, and then rose up on her 
 haunches, then backed, then shied, and finally, after other 
 tricks, all of which were well known to the prince, she 
 started off in the direction of the jungle at such a pace 
 that her feet seemed scarcely to touch the ground. Firm 
 as a rock the prince retained his seat, and quickly reached 
 that part of the jungle whither the wild beasts were said 
 to resort. A keen sportsman, he soon discovered their 
 favourite haunts, and shot a jackal, a bear, and a leopard. 
 
THE SHIPWRECKED PRINCE. 369 
 
 Not being able to take them away with him for want of 
 help, lie cut off the jackal's tail, the bear's nose, and the 
 leopard's ear, and left the jungle. 
 
 Now, the other princes, thinking that the favourite 
 prince had gone to his house, did not start so early, and 
 when they did go they went by another road to the 
 hunting-ground. On reaching it they discovered the 
 corpses of the three animals which the other prince had 
 killed and left, and having been unsuccessful in shooting 
 any animal themselves, they gave orders that these three 
 dead beasts should be taken to the king and presented 
 as having been shot by them.® 
 
 On reaching home the favourite prince's wife asked 
 him why he had returned so quickly. " Perhaps," she 
 remarked, " you have not been shooting." But he drew 
 from his pocket the tail of the jackal, the nose of the bear, 
 and the ear of the leopard, and showed them to her, saying 
 that he had left the bodies of the^e three animals in tiie 
 jungle, as he had nobody to bring them away for him. 
 
 Late in the evening the rest of the royal party re- 
 turned, carrying with them the corpses of the jackal, the 
 bear, and the leopard. On the following morning, just 
 before the business of the darbdr commenced, the king 
 inquired what sport they had on the previous day. The 
 jealous princes quickly answered, " We shot a jackal, a 
 bear, and a leopard, whose carcasses are outside in the 
 yard, waiting Your Majesty's inspection. More than 
 these we do not think are in the jungle just now." 
 
 But the king had observed that his favourite son-in- 
 law had not spoken, and in consequence of his brothers 
 maligning him the day before he was especially anxious 
 to know whether he had been shooting or not ; and if so 
 what success he had. So he turned to him and said, 
 " What news of thy sport ? " 
 
 6 Cf. story of " The Boy with a Christian College Magazine, vol. v. 
 Moon and Star" in Indian Fairy pp. 352, 353; "The Tale of Two 
 Taes; Indian Evangelical Review, Brothers" in Grimm; Nineteenth 
 vol. xiii. p. 337 ; a Koi tale given in Gcntwry, Nov. 1879, p. 838. 
 
 2 A 
 
370 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 " Oh," replied one of the other sons-in-law, " ask 
 him not, king ; as, being unaccustomed to the sport, he 
 went home. Increase not his shame by advertising the 
 whole matter," 
 
 Now, the favourite son-in-law's dignity was offended 
 and his anger justly aroused by these lying words. How- 
 ever, he waited until the others had said their say, and 
 then, looking at them with scornful eye, he said, " I also 
 went to the sport, king, but alone ; and three animals 
 came to my hand, a jackal, a bear, and a leopard." 
 
 The other sons-in-law, when they heard this, were greatly 
 surprised, and especially so, as the three carcasses which 
 they had brought back with them and displayed before 
 the king as the result of their shooting were of these 
 three animals. What were they to do now ? How could 
 they convince the king of the truth of their words ? Only 
 by telling more lies, and therefore they waxed vehement, 
 and swore that the prince had spoken falsely, because 
 they had seen him enter his house directly alter yester- 
 day's court, and knew, from many and various proofs, that 
 he had not stirred forth therefrom until this morning. 
 
 Calmly the prince waited again till they had finished 
 their answer, when he begged His Majesty to allow him 
 to send one of his servants to his house and bring thence 
 a little parcel, the contents of which would prove the 
 truth of his speech. As will be imagined, there was 
 greater surprise than ever at these words. A little 
 parcel to be brought forward as a witness to this matter ! 
 The king himself now began to doubt the sanity of his 
 favourite son-in-law. " Much learning," thought he, " has 
 turned his brain." However, beyond general conversation, 
 every one forebore passing any remarks until the servant 
 had returned, which he did presently, for the prince's 
 house was very near the royal court. Within the little 
 parcel were the tail of the jackal, the nose of the bear, and 
 the ear of the leopard; and when tlie king opened these 
 out to view the prince said, " Behold, king, behold. 
 
THE SHIPWRECKED PRINCE. 371 
 
 my brethren, the tail of the jackal, the nose of the bear, 
 and the ear of the leopard which I shot yesterday in the 
 royal preserve, but the carcasses of which I left in the 
 jungle, because I was alone and could not bring them for 
 Your Majesty's and your honours' inspection. And see 
 ye further that these things before you are none other 
 than those belonging to the three carcasses which my 
 brethren brought back with them yesterday evening, and 
 which they are thought to have killed. You see it is 
 not so, king, but that out of the envy and malice of 
 their hearts have they done this thing, that my name 
 might be degraded, and that the king's favour might pass 
 from me. If Your Majesty will but step forth into the 
 courtyard and look at the three dead beasts lying there, 
 Your Majesty will find that my testimony is true, and 
 my brethren's false." 
 
 The king immediately rose and went into the court- 
 yard as advised, and lo ! the jackal was there, but wanting 
 a tail ; the bear was there, but without a nose ; and the 
 leopard was there, but having only one ear. Here, then, 
 was undoubted proof of the veracity of the prince's words ; 
 and the king was so glad to find he had not reposed 
 his confidence in vain, that he almost forgot to reprove 
 the other princes and members of the darhdr for their 
 mean and false behaviour. 
 
 Henceforth the king's special affection was more than 
 ever marked, and eventually it was settled that the 
 favourite prince should succeed to the throne, while the 
 other princes were promised only minor estates and 
 of&ces. Not long after this final settlement of the suc- 
 cession the prince was filled with an intense longing to 
 visit his father and country, and told the king so, pro- 
 mising that after he had fulfilled this wish he would 
 return. The king was much grieved to hear this, and 
 entreated the prince not to go, but to send messengers 
 and inquire about his father and people and the affairs 
 of the kingdom. The prince, however, so urged his 
 
372 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 request, that at length the royal consent was given. On 
 reaching home he told his wife of the proposed journey, 
 and bade her not to grieve or fear, as he should soon 
 return ; but she would not hear him or the entreaties of 
 the king and queen — so great was her love. 
 
 " Whither you go I too will go," she cried ; " I will 
 never leave you. Come trial or pleasure, I will be with 
 you. I live only because you live ! " 
 
 And so it was arranged that this loving pair should 
 both go. 
 
 Now, the prince's country was far distant, and could 
 not be reached except by crossing the sea. However, the 
 royal couple did not hesitate on this account, though the 
 prince had once been nearly drowned and lost his first 
 wife in the shipwreck, and the princess had a horror of 
 the sea. Passages were quickly engaged in a vessel soon 
 to sail for the desired country, and they embarked full of 
 plans and expectations. 
 
 It is not necessary to give another account of a 
 shipwreck ; for, alas ! the vessel had not proceeded far 
 upon her journey when the cruel waves engulfed her, 
 and the prince and princess and all the rest of the 
 passengers and crew were precipitated into the waters. 
 It was a terrible time, though nothing was seen and not 
 a sound was heard, because of the darkness of the night 
 and the roar of the waves. Each one seemed to die, 
 singly and unmourned. Afterwards, however, it was 
 discovered that two out of all those on board had been 
 saved, and these two were the prince and his beautiful 
 wife. As was the case with the prince and his first 
 wife, so now : they had each clung to different pieces of 
 wood, parts of the wreck, and had drifted to different and 
 far-distant places. 
 
 The princess was carried by the waters to that place 
 where her husband's first wife had been carried before 
 her. She too entered the unfruitful and flowerless 
 garden, and there sat down and wept bitterly, And lo ! 
 
THE SHIPWRECKED PRINCE. 373 
 
 as soon as she entered the garden the flower-buds grew 
 larger and increased in number, and the trees began to 
 shoot out their branches. When the head-gardener visited 
 the garden on the following morning to make his usual 
 inspection he was surprised to find so many more buds, 
 and the trees too giving some promise of eventually 
 bearing fruit and affording shade. He gave the under- 
 gardeners a holiday for that day, and went at once to 
 inform the king of this glad matter. The king was 
 delighted with this further sign of God's blessing upon 
 the garden, and richly rewarded the gardener. Por very 
 joy the gardener went back to the garden to assure him- 
 self that his eyes had not deceived him ; and on reaching 
 it he saw another woman sitting in the garden, and 
 weeping and silent, in spite of kind and reiterated ques- 
 tionings. " This is strange," he thought within himself. 
 "When the first woman came here the trees and the 
 bushes budded ; and now on the arrival of this second 
 woman the buds become larger and many, and the trees 
 give out branches and increase in height and thickness. 
 Perhaps these women are very holy women, and therefore 
 blessing rests upon the garden. On this account, also, 
 they will not speak with me." ^ He visited the king a 
 second time that day to tell him so. The king was 
 pleased to hear this, and immediately ordered a holy 
 person to go and commune with these women, if possible, 
 and get to know all their circumstances. But this holy 
 person could not make anything of them, and told the 
 king that probably the gardener's surmisings were correct, 
 
 ' Natives, but especially faqirs, of is a famous faqlr residing at Lar 
 both sects and sexes, sometimes give who says nothing for weeks together, 
 themselves up to such absolute con- And at Srinagar, two years ago, there 
 templation of the Deity that they died a br&liman, named Ishar S4hib, 
 will not hold converse with any per- who is reported to have kept per- 
 son for weeks and months and years fectly silent for over thirty years 
 in succession; and some, when they before his death. Ghana Sahib, living 
 do speak, will only speak with those at Eenawari, Srinagar, and Rajah 
 whom they recognise as holy as them- Shdh, who resides at Kariy^r, au 
 selves. There IB a. paiiditclnia.t'B&Tii,- adjoining district, with many others, 
 miila who constantly sits for days are also quoted as famous silent 
 without uttering a syllable. There faqirs. 
 
374 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 and therefore he advised that suitable food should be 
 daily provided for them, lest God should be angry and 
 cause the garden to wither as before. Accordingly food 
 was sent every day from the palace, and in other ways 
 special attention was manifested to these strange persons. 
 As has been mentioned, the prince, their husband, 
 reached some other place, which chanced to be a great 
 and magnificent city. While walking in the hdzdr of 
 this city he observed a learned pandit reading aloud 
 from the Shdstras in the shop of a certain merchant, and 
 many people were assembled there to listen to the sacred 
 words and wise interpretation of the same. He too 
 joined the company, and when the reading was over 
 and people had dispersed he remained behind by the 
 merchant's shop. On closing up the place for the night 
 the merchant, seeing the stranger still there, spoke to 
 him, and inquired who he was. He replied : — 
 
 A cruel fate forced me from home. 
 Far in a foreign land to roam ; 
 There I became most wise and great. 
 And raised to second in the State. 
 
 In time my heart began to yearn 
 Unto my kindred to return ; 
 To see again my home, and there 
 To tell them of my fortune fair. 
 
 I bade my wife behind to stay 
 With patient heart until the day 
 We met again, to part no more 
 Till one should enter at Death's door. 
 
 She hearkened not these words of mine. 
 But said, " love, my fate is thine ! 
 Whither thou goest there go I, 
 With thee I live, with thee I die." 
 
 Thus, though the king our absence wailed, 
 The mighty bond of love prevailed, 
 And kept us happv by the way. 
 In loving longing for the day, 
 
THE SHIPWRECKED PRINCE. 375 
 
 Wtien, all the weary journey o'er, 
 We'd see the dear old home once more, 
 The welcome bright of loved ones dear, 
 The smile of love and best of cheer. 
 
 The ways of God God only knows : 
 A mighty wind and waves arose, 
 And ship and all have passed away 
 Except this waif that pleads to-day. 
 
 And then he added in a most earnest tone : — - 
 
 And must I plead, kind friend, in vain 
 For aid in this my life of pain 1 
 Give me thy help, and thou shalt see 
 How helpful I shall prove to thee. 
 
 Tlie merchant was much moved by this story, and 
 gave him permission to sleep in the shop, saying that 
 he would send him some food presently from his private 
 house. Accordingly the prince arranged a little place in 
 the shop for himself, and the merchant departed to his 
 house and ordered his servants to prepare and take some 
 food for the man at the shop. The next morning the 
 prince was accepted as a servant by the merchant, and 
 verified his promise by a most grateful and respectful 
 demeanour and ready and efficient help. By-and-by the 
 merchant discovered that his servant's services were in- 
 dispensable, and told him so, adding that, such being 
 the ease, he had better make his abode there and marry 
 into the family. Would he care to marry the merchant's 
 daughter ? The merchant for some time had had long and 
 difficult conversations with his wife touching this subject ; 
 for, with a keen, business-like foresight, he had long seen 
 the inevitable conclusion of matters. "In spite of his 
 apparent destitution," said he, "I feel that the man's 
 story is true, because he has such knowledge, understand- 
 ing, and skill, and is of such gentle behaviour." 
 
 At length the wife agreed ; hence the communication 
 of the matter to the prince. But the latter did not at 
 
376 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 all consent. " It was not meet," he replied, " that such 
 as the merchant's daughter should be allied to one of his 
 present low estate, and who existed only through her 
 father's kindness." 
 
 However, after much urging, he agreed, but only on 
 the condition that the merchant would not hinder his 
 leaving the country whenever he wished. The merchant 
 was satisfied, feeling sure that if this man was once settled 
 in a comfortable home with a beautiful wife, and with 
 plenty of honour and money, he would not care to leave 
 — not even for his father's house, and especially if a voyage 
 intervened on the way thither. The marriage took place, 
 and was celebrated with such great show that all the city 
 was stirred at the sight. Fabulous sums were quoted as 
 having been spent over it. 
 
 In a few years, in consequence of his son-in-law's great 
 skill and wisdom, the merchant's business increased to 
 such an extent, and he became so wealthy, that both his 
 business and his wealth became a proverb in the country, 
 and people said, "As rich and prosperous as So-and-so, 
 the merchant." 
 
 But, alas ! the merchant's son-in-law was not satisfied. 
 He wished still to see his people and his fatherland, and 
 told his father-in-law of this wish. The merchant was 
 intensely grieved to hear it, and entreated him even with 
 tears to relinquish his desire and stay with him. It was 
 all in vain, however ; his son-in-law would not listen. He 
 then informed his wife of his intentions, and begged her 
 to remain, promising to return soon ; and then they would 
 always live happily. His wife altogether refused, saying 
 that she would never be parted from her husband. And 
 so passages were engaged for both in a vessel about to 
 leave for the prince's country, and they started. By 
 God's will this vessel was also wrecked, and all the pas- 
 sengers and crew perished in the waters except the prince 
 and his wife, who escaped, as the prince and his other 
 wives had done, on pieces of the wreck. The wind and 
 
THE SHIPWRECKED PRINCE. 377 
 
 ■waves carried the prince in one direction and his wife in 
 another direction. 
 
 Marvellous to relate, the woman was borne by a piece 
 of timber to which she clung to the very spot where the 
 other two wives of her husband had been carried, and 
 were now sitting silent and sad, mourning their bereave- 
 ment. The third wife, too, went within the garden en- 
 closure and sat down by them ; and lo ! as soon as 
 she entered the buds bloomed and the branches of the 
 trees put forth their leaves, changing the whole appear- 
 ance of the garden, so that it now was pleasant to the 
 sight and to the smell and afforded a welcome shade. 
 When the head-gardener visited the garden on the fol- 
 lowing morning he could scarcely believe his eyes. It 
 seemed too good to be true, that God should thus bless 
 this garden after such a long delay. Dismissing the 
 under-gardeners and coolies, saying that they might leave 
 for the rest of that day, he went at once to tell the king 
 the good news. His Majesty was delighted, and again 
 gave the head-gardener some valuable presents. As before, 
 the head-gardener returned to look once more upon the 
 beautiful sight, when, behold ! he saw another woman 
 sitting and weeping with the other two women. " Hence," 
 thought he within himself, "the reason of this greater 
 blessing. It is another of these holy women who has 
 come, and whose goodness has attracted the especial 
 notice of the Deity." So he went and informed the king ; 
 but the king ordered him not to trouble her with ques- 
 tions, but to give her food and raiment and all things 
 necessary. 
 
 The prince, her husband, had landed on some island 
 weird and uninhabited. After some rest and sleep he 
 set forth to reconnoitre the place, and in a little while 
 entered a large and intricate jungle, where he again 
 rested, mourning and lamenting his lot. "For what 
 reason," cried he, " does God thus thwart me ? "Why 
 does He thus make my life miserable and my heart to 
 
378 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 long for death ? Is it that I have sinned in marrying, or 
 how ? " 
 
 Now, in this jungle appeared not a living creature, 
 neither man nor beast. After a while life became in- 
 tolerable. The prince often laid himself down to die. 
 At last one day, while wandering in the upper part of the 
 jungle, he reached a cave, and by this cave he saw a woman 
 sitting. This was passing strange. " Surely," thought he, 
 " this can be no ordinary person, for such cannot exist 
 here. This must be a goddess, or some especially holy 
 woman." ^ He went still nearer, and when the woman 
 saw him she began to weep ; whereupon the prince asked 
 her why she wept on seeing him. " I have come to 
 comfort and not to trouble you," he added ; " and great 
 and many have been the trials and dangers through 
 which I have passed before I reached hither." 
 
 On hearing this the woman brushed away her tears, 
 and, smiling, called him to sit beside her, and gave him 
 rich food to eat and pleasant drinks to assuage his thirst. 
 And then she asked him how he had arrived there ; for 
 it was the chief residence of an ogre,* who ate men and 
 women as easily as the prince was eating the dinner 
 before him ; hence the reason of his not meeting with 
 any living creature, man or beast, before coming to the 
 cave. Alas ! alas ! all had been slain and devoured by 
 this ogre. " As for me," continued the woman, " I am 
 the daughter of a king, and was brought hither by the 
 ogre, who at first determined to eat me, but changed his 
 mind when he saw that I should make a pleasant com- 
 panion, and appointed me his mistress. It would have 
 been better had he slain me. Now he is on some 
 
 ' The words used here were atm- ' The narrator's word here was 
 
 raUh and shdnts. Atsa-ratsh is the rdkhus = the Sanskrit rdkshasa. As 
 
 Kashmiri for the Sanskrit apsaras far as he remembered, the Musalmftn 
 
 (female divinities of surprising love- who told him the story mentioned 
 
 liness, who reside in ludra's heaven, the word jinn. Of. notes to Wide- 
 
 &o.) ; it is also the ordinary pandits' Awake Stones ; jinn, p. 318, and 
 
 word for a very lovely woman. Hhdnts ogre, p. 327. 
 means a very abstemious, honest, 
 devout person. 
 
THE SHIPWRECKED PRINCE. 379 
 
 marauding expedition, and doubtless will return at even- 
 ing. Ah me ! Ah me ! " whereon she fell to weeping 
 bitterly, and it was with great difficulty that the prince 
 persuaded her to lift her lovely face and hope for the 
 best. 
 
 " But tell me of yourself," she said. " Who are you ? 
 "Whence came you ? How came you hither ? And tell 
 me quickly, that I may know your state and hide you 
 safely before the ogre's return ; for did he but get a 
 glimpse of you his appetite would be rekindled and he 
 would devour you. Think not of escape by any other 
 means. If you had the strength of many men, and 
 could travel as a bird, yet you could not fly from this 
 powerful monster, who passes over the way of a year in 
 one day." 
 
 So the prince hastily recounted all that had happened 
 to him : — 
 
 A cruel fate forced me from home, 
 Par in a foreign land to roam ; 
 Tkere I became most wise and great, 
 And raised to second in the State. 
 
 In time my heart began to yearn 
 Unto my kindred to return ; 
 To see again my home, and there 
 To tell them of my fortune fair. 
 
 But God had other will than I : 
 Three times have I been like to die ; 
 Three times I 'scaped to different soil. 
 Sick and alone to mourn and toil. 
 
 Yet God is gracious still to me. 
 That He hath brought me unto thee ; 
 Here let me tarry thee beside. 
 Here let me evermore abide. 
 
 The woman consented, and immediately told him to 
 follow her inside the cave, where she would hide him. 
 She put him in a strong box that was kept in one of the 
 innermost recesses of the cave, and locked it up, with a 
 prayer that God would protect him. 
 
380 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 Towards evening the ogre arrived, and being tired, he 
 at once stretched out his massive limbs upon the ground, 
 ■while the woman, with a large pointed piece of iron, picked 
 his teeth, which were crammed full of bits of flesh and 
 bone, shampooed ^^ his arms and legs, and in other ways 
 coaxed and wheedled him. As luck would have it, the 
 ogre was in a good temper that night. "Thanks, a thousand 
 thanks !" the woman said to herself, " the prince will escape 
 for this night." But, alas ! she had scarcely encouraged 
 this hope before the ogre's keen sense of smell detected 
 a man in the cave.' " He said : — 
 
 A man there is within this place, 
 Oil ! let me quickly see his face. 
 
 To which the woman answered : — 
 
 In vain, my lord, these words to me ; 
 For here a man could never be. 
 
 Eut the ogre was decided, and continued : — 
 
 Woman, my nose is never wrong ; 
 So see that you delay not long. 
 
 Xothing daunted, however, the princess replied : — 
 
 What power have I to make a man ? 
 Piiid such yourself here if you can. 
 
 And added : — 
 
 All the day long have I sat here, 
 And seen no living creature near. 
 
 These answers made the ogre very angry ; so now, 
 with a terrible and flushed countenance and awful rollinn- 
 eyes, he looked at her, and said : — 
 
 " Muth dyun, to rub and percuss feet of oxen is the same as in Persian, 
 
 the whole surface of the body in mdliitk.) 
 
 order to mitigate pain or to restore ^i The words used were insdnah 
 
 tone and vigour. Coolies in Kashmir, sunz mushk dyl tamis, i.e., the smell 
 
 after a long march, throw themselves of a man came to him. For a survey 
 
 upon the ground and get their fellows of the incidents concerning ogres 
 
 to trample, &o.,. upon them. (The in Indian Folk-tales cf. Wi£-Awake 
 
 word for rubbing, polishing, and Storiex, pp. 395-397. 
 iJjiashing or trampling cnrn by the 
 
THE SHIPIVRECKED PRINCE. 381 
 
 A man there is within this place ! 
 Unless I see him face to face, 
 Within two minutes more you die, 
 As surely, wretch, as now you lie ! 
 
 Terrified by his frightful words and looks, the poor 
 woman, pale and trembling, asked him whether he had 
 not met with sufficient prey, and therefore wanted a man 
 for eating ; whereupon the ogre answered that he was 
 not hungry, but he was certain that there was a man 
 within the cave, and rest he could not until this man 
 was discovered. Then the princess, pale and trembling, 
 so that she could scarcely speak, told him that perhaps 
 it was true ; at all events, since the ogre was so decided, 
 she would have a good search in every hole and corner. 
 
 Finally, after much rummaging and turning out, dur- 
 ing which the ogre impatiently waited, now belching and 
 then coughing, so that the very cave even seemed to 
 shake with the noise, a man was pulled forth from a box 
 at the end of the cave. 
 
 " Ha ! ha ! Yes, humph ! I thought so," said the 
 ogre, as the prince approached him. 
 
 The prince was ordered to sit down and explain himself, 
 which he did with such a fearless grace, that the ogre 
 was quite pleased with him. Encouraged by the ogre's 
 good temper, the princess confessed the whole truth of 
 the matter — how that the prince had been shipwrecked 
 and wandered thither, and how she had been moved with 
 compassion and told him to reside in the cave ; and then 
 she begged the ogre to spare him and allow him to dwell 
 there, as she felt so very sad and lonely at times ; and, 
 besides, the man was skilful and clever, and would serve 
 the ogre faithfully and well. The ogre agreed, and said 
 that neither of them need be afraid, as he should never 
 be tempted to eat such a skeleton of a fellow as the 
 prince seemed to be. Hearing this, the prince sat a little 
 nearer the ogre, and joined the woman in rubbing and 
 pressing the monster's hands and feet ; and the ogre got 
 
S82 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 more pleased with him. Apd so the priuce lived in the 
 cave, and became ever more and more fond of the princess, 
 even as the princess became more and more fond of him ; 
 and the days passed very happily. Every morning the 
 ogre went forth for his prey, and left the prince and 
 princess alone ; and every evening he returned, to be 
 pampered and served by them. 
 
 Generally he brought back with him some rare fruit 
 or precious jewel, or anything that the prince and prin- 
 cess asked of him or expressed a wish for. However, 
 there was always a lingering fear lest in a moment of 
 rage or indisposition the ogre should devour them, and so 
 they were always thinking of some plan to rid themselves 
 of him. They soon discovered that might would not 
 overcome him, and that if they would take him they 
 must trick him into telling them the secret of his life, 
 — in what his great strength lay, and therefore they 
 determined if possible to find out this thing. One even- 
 ing, when they were cleaning the ogre's teeth and sham- 
 pooing his limbs, the princess sat down beside him and 
 suddenly began to weep. 
 
 " Why weep you, my darling ? " said the ogre. " Tell 
 me your distress, and I will relieve it to the utmost of my 
 power." Saying this, he drew her to him in tender embrace. 
 
 " I cannot tell you all my thoughts," she replied, " but 
 sometimes I fear lest you be slain, and we be left alone 
 here in this solitary cave, without a comforter or friend ; 
 for then starve we must, — because who could bring us 
 food ? Moreover, you have been so good to us, filling 
 our stores with the choicest provisions, and satisfying 
 our every wish, that our hearts are one with thine. 
 What could we do and how could we live if you were 
 slain and lost to us ? " 
 
 The ogre laughed heartily on hearing these words, and 
 replied that he should never die. No power could op- 
 pose him ; no years could age him ; he should remain 
 ever strong and ever young, for the thing wherein his life 
 
THE SHIPWRECKED PRINCE. 383 
 
 dwelt was most difficult to obtain, even if it should be 
 known. This was just the reply that the woman wanted, 
 and so, smiling most sweetly and affectionately, she 
 praised God for this assurance of the ogre's safety, and 
 then entreated him to inform her of this thing. Tlie 
 ogre, nothing susp,ecting, complied, and said that there 
 was a stoops in the cave and a honeycomb upon the 
 tree yonder. He mentioned the stool, because if anybody 
 would sit upon it and say whither he or she wished 
 to go it would at once transport them thither. He men- 
 tioned the honeycomb because if any person could climb 
 the tree and catch the queen-bee within it, then he, 
 the ogre, must die, for his life was in that bee. But 
 the bees within that honeycomb were many and fierce, 
 and it was only at the greatest risk that any person 
 would dare to attempt this thing.^^ " So you see," added 
 the ogre, " you weep without cause. I shall never die." 
 Then the woman smiled with joy, and told the ogre 
 how thankful she was, and how henceforth she should 
 abide in peace, happy by day and happier at night, when 
 he returned ; and how glad she was that he had told her 
 of the stool and the honeycomb, for although there was 
 not the slightest cause for fear concerning their safety, 
 yet she should have pleasure in especially guarding them 
 — remembering that his dear life was holden in them. 
 After some further conversation they all arranged them- 
 selves for sleep.^* 
 
 ^2 Pi^h -was the word used. Cf. it. The natives everywliere ai-e ter- 
 
 Indian Faii'y Tales, p. 156 ; Mada-na- ribly afraid of tlietn. Now and again 
 
 kamdrdjankadai, p. 29 ; the fifth cattle are stung to death by them, 
 
 story in Baital Pachlsl ; Wide-Awake Wilson, in tlie Abode of Snow, p, 14, 
 
 Stories, p. 425; also tale of the "Ivory mentions the case of an Englishman 
 
 City and its Fairy Princess," "Brave "who was so severely stung by these 
 
 Princess," and " Saiyid and Said," in insects that he died from the effects, 
 
 this collection. Many such cases have from time to 
 
 " This species of bee manifests time been reported. 
 «ucb fury and determination on being -^^ Cf. tale, "Prince Lionheartand 
 
 annoyed as to make it a very formid- his Three Friends," in Wide-Awu/ce 
 
 able enemy. A large nest (honey- Stories, pp. 58-60 ; also tale of " True 
 
 comb) was hanging from the roof of Friendship" in this collection ; also 
 
 the Mission Hospital at Srinagar for " Life Index " in Wide-Awake Stones, 
 
 a long time. No one would remove pp. 404, 405. 
 
384 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 On the following morning the ogre went out as usual. 
 Before midday the prince and princess concluded their 
 arrangements for bringing about his death. The prince 
 was to do the deed. He clothed himself from head to 
 foot most carefully. Every part was well covered except 
 his eyes. For these a narrow horizontal aperture was 
 cut in the cloth which was wrapped about his face. 
 Thus prepared he sat on the stool, and soon was seen 
 floating away in the direction of the tree. It was an 
 exciting moment when he lifted the stick to strike the 
 honeycomb. It seemed as if thousands of bees came out 
 and attacked him ; but he was thoroughly protected, and 
 so cared only for his eyes. His purpose was to catch the 
 queen-bee and to crush her, and thereby crush out the 
 life of the ogre. He succeeded; and no sooner had he 
 dropped the lifeless bee than the ogre fell down stone- 
 dead upon the ground with such force that all the land 
 around trembled with the shock. The prince then re- 
 turned to the cave on the stool, and was welcomed by the 
 princess with much rejoicing and congratulation. Still 
 there was fear lest the shock which they felt should 
 only have been an earthquake, and the ogre, having told 
 them a lie, should return. But the evening arrived, and 
 then the night ; no ogre turned up ; and so they felt 
 sure that they were rid of their enemy ; and gathering 
 together the special treasures which were in the cave, 
 they both sat together on the stool, and were quickly 
 carried away miles distant to the spot where the ogre's 
 carcass lay stiff and cold, stretched out to a tremendous 
 length upon the ground. Eeassured by this sight, the 
 prince bade the stool to carry them to the place where his 
 three wives were, living or dead. The stool obeyed, and 
 they were quickly landed close by the king's garden. The 
 prince at once rose from the stool, and, telling the princess 
 that he would presently return, asked her to remain. 
 He had not gone far before some poisonous insect alighted 
 on him and stung him, so that he then and there got the 
 
THE SHIPWRECKED PRINCE. 385 
 
 disease of leprosy.^® What was he to do now ? For very- 
 shame he could not return to the stool. The princess 
 waited until her patience was exhausted, and then speak- 
 ing to the stool, she was borne within the garden, and de- 
 scended right by the very place where the other three 
 wives of the prince sat silent and sorrowful. She too did 
 not say anything, but wept aloud. Directly she entered 
 the garden the flowers bloomed magnificently and gave 
 forth the most delicious perfumes, while the trees were so 
 richly laden with fruit that they could scarcely hold up. 
 
 When the head- gardener came round as usual the next 
 morning, lo ! he saw such a sight as he had never ex- 
 pected. At last the flowers were in the fullest bloom, 
 and the trees were covered with the most splendid fruit ; 
 and as he was leaving the garden to go and tell the king 
 of this good news he beheld another woman sitting and 
 weeping. He asked her who she was and whence she 
 came, but never a word came forth from her mouth. So 
 he said to the king, "Behold, king, a fourth woman 
 has entered the royal garden, and now it is perfect. 
 Tour Majesty will, perhaps, come and see this great 
 sight." 
 
 The king was exceedingly glad, and rose up hastily to 
 accompany the head-gardener to the garden. On reach- 
 ing it he saw the four women, and questioned all of them, 
 but not one of them answered a word. Then the king, 
 after inspecting the garden, returned to the palace and 
 informed the queen of these strange visitors, and begged 
 her to go and see them on the morrow; perhaps they 
 would converse with one of their own sex, with her the 
 
 ^ KyAm was the word, but this is us that there are in some parts of 
 
 used generally for any and every the country serpents two cubits long, 
 
 insect and small reptile. I heard which have membranous wings like 
 
 some time ago that natives, especially bats. They fly about at night, when 
 
 Hindiis, believe that if the urine of a they let fall drops of urine or sweat, 
 
 bat fails upon any person it at once which blister the skin of persons not 
 
 gives leprosy. The word for leprosy on their guard with putrid sores. 
 
 in Kashmiri is myund. Strabo Elian (Hist. Anim., xvi. 41) gives a 
 
 (Gedgraphika, xv. i, 37, cf. J. W. similar account. 
 H'Crindle's Megasthenis, p. 56) tells 
 
 2 B 
 
386 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 queen. On the morrow the queen went and spoke 
 kindly to each of the women, but not one of them replied. 
 The only notice they appeared to take of Her Majesty's 
 words was to weep the more. The queen was very dis- 
 appointed, and knew not what to think of them. " Un- 
 doubtedly they were very holy women," she said, " or God 
 would not have thus signally blessed their coming to the 
 garden. Perhaps they had been betrayed by some foul 
 monster or bereaved of one most dear. It could not 
 be because of their sins that they thus wept. It might 
 be, if the king sent a certain very holy man to them, that 
 they, perceiving in him a kindred spirit, would hold 
 conversation with him." The king agreed, and this very 
 holy man was sent. But he returned also, and said that 
 he could not get them to speak. Then the king issued a 
 proclamation that great rewards and honours would be 
 bestowed on the person who should succeed in making 
 these women speak. 
 
 Now the prince, who was suffering terribly from 
 leprosy, and loathsome to behold, heard of this royal 
 proclamation, and inquired from a man who chanced to 
 pass by that way, " Is this true ? " Said he, " I will 
 cause these women to converse with me." This matter 
 was reported to the king, who at once, attended by a 
 large number of courtiers and servants, came and won- 
 dered at the presumption of the wretched leprous man. 
 However, as he did not know the mind of God, he told 
 the man to go and speak with the women. The leprous 
 man went and sat down before the first woman, and 
 begged her to listen to his tale : — 
 
 " Once upon a time there was a certain great king who 
 had four wise and clever sons. One day the king called 
 these sons to him to ask them each separately by whose 
 good fortune it was that he ruled and prospered. Three 
 of the sons replied, 'By your own good fortune, of a 
 surety, king, do you reign over so vast a kingdom 
 and prosper in your rule.' But the fourth and youngest 
 
THE SHIPWRECKED PRINCE. 387 
 
 son gave answer, ' By my good fortune, king, and not 
 another's.' Exceedingly angry with this answer, the king 
 banished his youngest son, who, with his wife and a 
 few necessaries, immediately left the palace. After some 
 weeks' residence in the jungle and wandering by the 
 wayside they arrived at the sea, and longing much to 
 live upon the water, they told their affairs to a certain 
 merchant, who had pity upon them and gave them free 
 passage in one of his ships. Things went on most happily 
 for a time, until one night the ship was wrecked and all 
 were drowned except the prince and princess. These 
 were saved by clinging to the spars and rafters of the 
 ship, but were carried in different directions, the prince 
 to one country and the princess to another." 
 
 For the first time for many years this woman was seen 
 to lift up her head ; and when the leprous man inquired 
 what reward she would give him if he brought the prince 
 her husband there, she readily replied, " Ask what you 
 will and it shall be given you." 
 
 When the king and his company saw the woman 
 speaking and looking quite happy he was much sur- 
 prised. At the same time, also, through God's mercy, 
 the pus, which was escaping from the man's leprous 
 sores, stopped. 
 
 Then he went and sat down be'side the second woman 
 and asked her to listen to his tale : — 
 
 " In a certain country there lived a gardener — the 
 royal gardener — in whose house a beggar prince from 
 some distant country chanced to arrive. This prince 
 became the gardener's servant ; but making himself so 
 thoroughly useful, and being of a noble and gentle mien, 
 he soon became the gardener's son-in-law. One day the 
 daughter of the king of that country saw the prince 
 — though she knew not that he was a prince — and begged 
 her mother to solicit the king to marry her to him. 
 After full inquiries the king discovered that he was a 
 great and clever man, and therefore assented to his 
 
388 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 daughter's request, and made great preparation for the 
 wedding. The wedding took place, and there was great 
 rejoicing, and the new prince prospered exceedingly and 
 grew more and more popular both with the king and 
 people. Only his brethren envied him. At last, tired 
 of their envy and seized with an irrepressible longing to 
 visit his home and country, he left with his wife in a 
 ship then about to sail for the desired haven. Alas ! 
 the ship was wrecked, and only two persons were saved 
 out of the whole ship's company — the prince and princess, 
 who escaped on two pieces of board. One landed in one 
 country and the other landed in another country." 
 
 For the first time for many years the second woman 
 lifted her head, and when the man inquired what reward 
 he should have if he could bring the prince before her 
 she replied, " Ask what you will and I will give it to 
 you." 
 
 When the king and his company saw the woman's 
 happy face, and that her lips moved, they were much 
 surprised. At the same time, also, the man's leprous 
 sores closed up and looked as if they would soon 
 heal. 
 
 Then the man went and sat by the third woman and 
 begged her to hear his story : — 
 
 " In a far-distant City there resided a certain rich 
 merchant, who had pity upon a poor traveller whom he 
 had noticed standing one day by his shop, and made him 
 his servant ; but afterwards, finding that he was so wise 
 and good, and that the business prospered by his means, 
 he made him his son-in-law. In course of time the son- 
 in-law wished to visit his home and country, and so left 
 with his wife, promising to return soon. But, alas ! alas ! 
 the vessel went down with all hands except the prince 
 and his wife, who escaped upon planks and timber from 
 the wreck, one reaching one country and the other arriv- 
 ing at another country." 
 
 When the woman heard these things she lifted her 
 
THE SHIPWRECKED PRINCE. 389 
 
 head, and when she further heard that the prince was 
 alive and near the place, she entreated the man to 
 show him to her and she would give him a great 
 reward. 
 
 When the king and his company saw the third woman's 
 happy face and ready speech they exceedingly wondered. 
 At the same time, also, the stfres of the leprous man 
 thoroughly dried up and were like to altogether dis- 
 appear. 
 
 Then the man went and sat down beside the fourth 
 woman and asked her to listen to his story : — 
 
 "In a certain jungle resided a great ogre who had 
 captured a beautiful girl, a king's daughter, and kept her 
 for his own service and amusement. By chance one day 
 a man arrived at the entrance of the cave where this 
 woinan was sitting and lamenting her lot. He inquired 
 why she wept, and she told him all that had happened to 
 her. Both being clever and beautiful, they quickly en- 
 tertained affection for one another, and by the evening, 
 when the ogre usually returned from his excursions, 
 finding that the man would not leave her, she concealed 
 him in a box. However, the ogre discovered him, but 
 did not eat him, seeing that he was pale and thin; he 
 kept him there as a servant. By-and-by the princess 
 discovered the secret of the ogre's life, and the prince 
 accomplished his death ; and then they both, the prince 
 and the princess, sat on the ogre's enchanted stool, and 
 were transported to within a short distance of this place. 
 Then the prince left the princess and never returned, 
 because a foul leprosy had attacked him and so changed 
 his whole appearance, that when the princess came and 
 looked upon him a few hours afterwards she did not 
 recosnise her husband, but turned aside within this 
 garden and wept." 
 
 On hearing this story the woman stopped crying, 
 looked up, and lo ! she beheld her lost loved husband ; 
 for now every trace of leprosy had passed from him, and 
 
390 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 he was the same handsome, ■wise-looking, noble prince 
 that he ever was. 
 
 After much embracing they then both went together 
 to the third wife, the merchant's daughter, and the prince 
 was also recognised and embraced by her ; likewise, 
 too, by the second and first wives. Oh what a time of 
 rejoicing it was for the ' prince and all his wives, who 
 had never expected to see one another again ! 
 
 Now, when the king and his attendants saw this they 
 were more surprised than before ; for here was not only 
 the man who had made them speak, but the evident 
 husband of them all. He seemed also a man of great 
 learning and of noble birth. 
 
 " Who art thou ? " inquired the king, now drawing 
 near. " Tell me thy history, and all that has happened 
 to thee.'' 
 
 Then the prince recounted to him his whole life — how 
 he had left his home, how he had married with these four 
 women, and how they had all been brought together 
 there.^" 
 
 The king was intensely interested by the account, and 
 invited the prince and his four wives to come and stay 
 at the palace. Everything they wished for was provided 
 for them, and the prince became so much in favour with 
 the king that he was entreated to permanently take up 
 his abode there -and promised the kingdom after the 
 king's death. To the great joy of the king the prince 
 consented, and went daily to the darbdr. Fresh plans 
 were now attempted, new laws fixed, and other great 
 improvements made, so that the kingdom became ex- 
 ceedingly great and prosperous. Wishing to be mor6 
 thoroughly allied with one so great and good' as this 
 
 18 Notice that the marriage with same thing ocoun-ed in the story of 
 
 the gardener's daughter is not reoog- " The Boy with the Moon and Star," 
 
 nised, nor is she sent for when the given in Indian Fairy Tales, p. 135. 
 
 prince arrives in liis own country. Perhaps the other wives despised her 
 
 On being asked the reason, the uar- because of her humble birth, and 
 
 rator simply answered, " It was so, therefore she wiis deposed. 
 vihib" I see, however, that the 
 
THE SHIPWRECKED PRINCE. 391 
 
 prince, the king sought to marry him with his only 
 daughter. The queen, the prince, and all the court 
 accepted the king's wish, and the marriage was eventually 
 celebrated with great rejoicing. And thus affairs con- 
 tinued increasingly happy and increasingly prosperous. 
 
 The prince, however, was not satisfied. He desired 
 to know of his country and his father's house. Accord- 
 ingly messengers were sent to make inquiries, and after 
 a long time they returned, saying that the king the 
 prince's father's country had been conquered by strangers, 
 and that the king and all the royal family had been 
 taken prisoners.^^ When he heard this the prince's heart 
 was filled with remorse for not having sent before to 
 ask concerning them. He now determined to make war 
 against these foreign conquerors, and for this purpose he 
 sought help from his royal fathers-in-law. Money and 
 troops were liberally granted him, and at length he 
 started with the prayers and good wishes of every one in 
 the kingdoms of all his fathers-in-law. It was a long 
 and difficult journey, but the prince and his army safely 
 reached their destination, and immediately commenced 
 battle with the foreign king's army. They fought for 
 days, and there was much bloodshed on both sides, but 
 at last the prince got the victory. He at once released 
 his father and brethren ; but they did not recognise 
 him until he told them that he was the fourth son and 
 the banished prince. " The king, my father," said he, 
 " banished me for saying that he held the kingdom by 
 my good fortune. And was it not true, king ? " he 
 added. " Directly I left the kingdom I heard that it 
 was taken away from you, and that you were cast with 
 your family into prison ; and now as soon as I return 
 unto you, behold you are free again, and the monarch of 
 a large and powerful kingdom." 
 
 1' It will be remembered that the and wise prince should have so long 
 
 prince had heard this account before delayed avenging his father's and 
 
 he started on his first voyage. I family's imprisonment and_ trials, 
 
 noticed this to the narrator, and ex- "Perhaps the sea intervening pre- 
 
 pressed my surprise that such a good vented him," was the answer. 
 
392 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 " True, son!" replied the king feebly. " We wronged 
 thee. 'Twas not the pride and haughtiness of thy heart, 
 but of our hearts, and God has sorely punished us for it ; " 
 and then, locked in each other's embrace, they forgot all 
 their past trials in present joys. 
 
 As the king was now very old and infirm it was 
 arranged that the prince should henceforth occupy the 
 throne, while minor estates and offices should be given 
 to the other princes. All being in a good temper and 
 most grateful to the prince for having delivered them, 
 this was most readily agreed to. Accordingly the prince 
 sent word to the different kings, his fathers-in-law, 
 advising them not to expect him, but to send his wives, 
 as he was now ruling over his own father's kingdom. 
 Congratulations poured in from all sides ; the wives 
 safely arrived ; and the prince, now a mighty king, and 
 increasing in wisdom and power continually, passed the 
 rest of his years in peace.'* 
 
 '' Cf. the interesting paper on "The Outcast Child " in Folk-Lore Journal, 
 vol. iv. pp. 308-349. 
 
( 393 ) 
 
 GAGAR WOL AND HIS SERVANT RATUN. 
 
 V 
 
 Gagar Wol was once going to a village, of which he was 
 the kdrddr^ attended by his servant Katun. While on 
 the march this foolish fellow suddenly remembered that 
 it was pay-day, and running for his qalamddn ^ and paper, 
 asked him to write an order for his wages. Of course 
 he was told to wait till they had reached their destina- 
 tion and rested a little. They arrived at the village late 
 in the evening, but although it was so late, Gagar Wol 
 summoned the muqaddam* patwdrij" and other officials 
 and took their accounts. Meanwhile Eatun got very 
 drowsy ; he could hardly keep his eyes open ; but as 
 his duty was to remove his master's turban every night 
 before he retired, he dared not go to sleep. At length 
 he could bear it no longer, and therefore went right up 
 to Gagar Wol while he was sitting in the midst of the 
 village ofiBcials, and taking off his turban, hung it up 
 on a peg. Instead of being angry with the man Gagar 
 Wol only laughed, as indeed did all the company. It 
 seemed so ridiculous for him, a great man, to be sitting 
 there bareheaded and surrounded by people. When 
 Eatun saw his master laugh he thought within himself, 
 
 ^ Narrator's name, Pandit Anand official, or his servant, everywhere 
 
 Kol of Srinagar. he goes. 
 
 2 Kdrddr is the overseer of a ^ Muqaddam (pronounced mukad- 
 
 Tillage, a GoTemment officer, whose dam in Kashmir) is the chief man of 
 
 duty is to collect the Mah&r&j&'s a village, 
 
 share of the grain. ^ Patwdri is an official belonging 
 
 ' Qalamddn (generally pronounced to a village whose business it is to 
 
 kcdamddn in Kashmir) is a small box keep an account of the various crops 
 
 containing inkstand, pens, paper- reared by the villagers, 
 knife, &c., generally carried by the 
 
394 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 " Ha ! he is rested now. I will go and get my wages." 
 Accordingly he returned with some paper and asked 
 him to write an order for the amount. 
 
 11.^ 
 
 One day Gagar Wol laughed aloud, as though he was 
 specially glad about something. 
 
 " Why do you laugh ? " asked Eatun. 
 
 " Because I have just made a hundred rupees by 
 cutting the paper' of these village accounts," replied 
 he, meaning that he had falsified the accounts to that 
 amount. 
 
 " Ha, ha ! " thought Eatun, " how easily earned ! I 
 will do the same on the first opportunity." 
 
 Accordingly, as soon as Gagar "Wol went out for his con- 
 stitutional, Eatun took the scissors and cut his master's 
 account-book to pieces. Of course he did not get anything. 
 He was very angry at this, and when his master returned 
 he went up to him and said, " You are a liar. You said 
 that you got a hundred rupees by cutting the account- 
 books. Look, I have done the same, but cannot find a 
 pdiisa." On saying this he threw down the pieces of 
 the account-book that he had cut and left the room. 
 When Gagar Wol saw what the foolish fellow had done 
 he nearly went mad, because all his accounts, receipts, 
 disbursements, everything were written in it. 
 
 III.' 
 
 One day Gagar Wol went to a grand feast, accompanied 
 by his servant Eatun. During the feast a servant of 
 one of the guests said to his master, in the hearing of 
 everybody, "A bulbul has alighted on the stem of a 
 flower;" by which he meant that a grain of rice had 
 
 8 Narrator's name. Pandit L^l 8 Narrator's name, Fandit L41 
 Chand, Khunamuh. Chand, Khunamuh. 
 
 ' The word used here was kdffkaz- 
 huri. 
 
GAGAR WOL AND HIS SERVANT RATUN. 395 
 
 fallen on his master's beard. His master understood, 
 and brushed it off. All the guests, of course, admired 
 the servant's speech, and wished they had a servant like 
 him. After the feast Gagar Wol went outside, and 
 Eatun followed him. 
 
 "Look here, Eatun," said he, "mind you remember 
 to say what that servant said when a grain of nc6 falls 
 on my beard." 
 
 " All right," replied Eatun. 
 
 Not long afterwards Gagar Wol was invited to another 
 feast, and took the ever-faithfjil Eatun with him. While 
 eating he purposely let fall a grain of rice on his beard. 
 
 " Oh, sir," said Eatun, " that thing you spoke to me 
 about outside So-and-so's house the other day is on your 
 beard;" whereupon all the guests laughed aloud. 
 
 One day Gagar Wol was very angry with his servant 
 for boiling the rice so badly, and told him to inform 
 him the next time the rice was ready for straining, so 
 that he might show him how to do it properly. On 
 the morrow Eatun kindled a fire as usual, and began 
 to boil the rice and other things, while Gagar Wol went 
 to the kharman^^ of the village to examine the stores. 
 When the rice was ready for straining he went and 
 called his master. He did not go right up to him, as 
 any ordinary servant would have done, but stood with 
 the lower part of his body behind a tree some way off 
 and shook his head to Gagar Wol to come. But Gagar 
 Wol did not notice him so far away, so the stupid 
 servant waited there for more than three hours. At 
 length Gagar Wol finished his work, and was returning 
 to his lodgings, when he saw his servant sitting down by 
 a tree and looking very miserable. 
 
 ' Narrator's name, Pandit LSI ^^ Kharman, the Government gran- 
 Chand, Khunamuh. ary in any place. 
 
396 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 " Why are you sitting there ? " he asked. " How is it 
 you are not cooking my dinner ? " 
 
 " master," replied Eatun, " you ordered me to give 
 you notice when the rice was ready for straining. 
 Accordingly I came here, and have been nodding my 
 head to you to ask you to come, until now it is ready 
 to fall off. Alas ! alas ! by this time the rice will all 
 be burnt as black as charcoal." 
 
 And sure enough it was so ! 
 
 One day Gagar Wol visited a certain village, accom- 
 panied by his man Eatun. On arrival he called the 
 chief man of the place and asked him to give him 
 some ddl^"^ for his dinner. The farmer, anxious, like all 
 other people, to ingratiate himself in the favour of the 
 collector, gave the servant one kharwdr's ^' weight. 
 
 What do you think the stupid Eatun did with it? 
 He went and cooked every grain of it — a mighty feast 
 indeed, thirty or more big earthen pots of steaming ddl ! 
 
 '^ Narrator's name, Prakash R4in, ing any unnecessary extravagance 
 Suthfi, Srlnagar. Easlimiris generally quote this man. 
 ^ Ddl is a kind of pulse. Rutnun sas, Batnn's ddl, is a well- 
 's Kharwdr is 192 lbs. Concern- known saying in the Valley. 
 
( 397 ) 
 
 THE WICKED QUEENS} 
 
 Theee was a king who had three wives, two of whom he 
 loved more than the other, because they had borne him 
 two daughters, but the third wife had not borne him 
 anything. At length the third wife became pregnant, 
 and the two other wives were in such great fear lest she 
 should give birth to a son, that they plotted with the 
 midwife to make-away-with the baby, if a boy should be 
 born. The midwife was to change the child for a bird, 
 or a stone, or the young of any animal. 
 
 A few days before her confinement the queen sent for 
 the midwife and entreated her to say whether a male 
 or a female child would be born. The woman replied 
 that neither a male nor a female child would be born, but 
 a certain kind of bird. She added that she could not tell 
 how this would be, but she had a fairly sure presenti- 
 ment that this would be the case. On hearing this the 
 queen was very sad, and begged the midwife to keep the 
 matter perfectly secret, that it might not reach the ears 
 of the king. The woman promised, and ajivised her to 
 say that the child was stillborn, if anybody should ask 
 about it. Accordingly when the hour of her delivery 
 drew near the queen gave orders that the midwife only 
 should be present. As was expected, a son was born, 
 but the midwife hid the child and showed the queen 
 a young crow instead, saying, "See, my words are fulfilled. 
 Do not be anxious about it. I will at once go and hide 
 it. Nobody shall know of this." 
 
 1 Narrator's name, Makund B4yfi, an old Musalmdn shepherd at Kr6n- 
 Suthii, Srinagar, who heard it from dih, near BijbihSra. 
 
398 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 Thus saying, the wicked ■woman took up the child and 
 the young crow and went and showed them to the two 
 other wives of the king, who were very glad, and pro- 
 mised her a great reward. 
 
 These two wives quickly put the infant into a box 
 and threw it into the river, hoping that the box would 
 sink, and that there would be an end of the matter. But 
 the box did not sink. By the kindness of Parameshwar 
 it floated on the water and was picked up by an old 
 gardener, who opened it and took out the child. Having 
 no children of his own, he was delighted to find such 
 a lovely boy, and gladly procured a woman to feed it and 
 look after it for him.^ 
 
 Another year passed by, and the third wife was soon 
 expecting another confinement. Jealous and fearful lest 
 this also should be a boy, the two other queens again 
 arranged with the midwife to deceive the mother and 
 steal the child. Again it happened that a boy was born ; 
 but the midwife declared that a young crow had been 
 brought forth, and left the room at once to hide it, that 
 it might not be known to the king and the rest of 
 the royal household. She carried the child to the two 
 wicked queens, who treated it the same way they did 
 the first baby ; but by the mercy of Parameshwar the 
 box floated on the water to the same place as the other 
 box, and was picked up by the same old gardener, who 
 gladly adopted the child also. 
 
 Before another year had elapsed the third wife was 
 again hoping for a child. But, alas ! her hopes were 
 only formed to be crushed. Encouraged by their former 
 successes, the two other queens bribed the midwife to 
 change the child ; so that when the third wife gave birth 
 to twins, a little boy and a little girl, the wretched woman 
 declared that the queen had been delivered of a pair of 
 
 2 Cf. Indian Fairy Tales, p. 121; Story of Dastdn i Amir Hamza ; also 
 Old Dcccan Days, -pp. 256,302; Story tale of "The Jogi's Daughter" in 
 0/ Sassi wa PunmXn j sixty-fourth this collection. 
 
THE WICKED QUEENS. 399 
 
 puppies,^ and hastened out of the room as before on the 
 pretence of burying them out of sight. These two 
 infants also were treated in the same way as their pre- 
 decessors, but by the mercy of Parameshwar they too 
 reached the same kind shelter. Ko tongue could de- 
 scribe the intense grief of the queen when she found 
 herself thus thrice disappointed. She did not care to see 
 any person or to eat anything, but wished to die. 
 
 A few nights after this, when the two other queens 
 were talking with the king, they told him about the 
 strange creatures that had been born to him by his other 
 wife. His Majesty was very much surprised and dis- 
 gusted at their words, and sent immediately for the 
 midwife to inquire whether they were true. The mid- 
 wife affirmed that they were true, whereupon the 
 king at once gave orders for the banishment of the 
 poor queen as soon as she could be removed. However, 
 she was not banished. The palace servants suspected 
 that this was all owing to the trickery of the other 
 queens, whom they knew to be jealous of their favourite 
 mistress, and therefore they persuaded the king, for the 
 sake of his own good reputation, not to send the woman 
 out of the country, but to build for her a house in some 
 distant garden, and to give her sufficient money for her 
 maintenance. The king complied, and this was done. 
 
 The children were well looked after by the old 
 gardener. They all grew up to be quite big, and were 
 sent to school. The boys were also instructed in the 
 business of gardening. 
 
 One day a wise old woman, who made it her business 
 to collect all the gossip of the place; and to retail it out 
 to anybody who would listen to her and give her money, 
 visited the two wicked queens. Knowing her to be a 
 wise woman, they asked her why they did not get any 
 sons, and begged her to call a holy man who could help 
 
 " Cf. Folk-Tales of Bengal, p. 242 ; and Zuhra Khotan " in this collec- 
 OldDeccan Days, p. 17 ; Indian Fairy tion ; also en 'passant Sebillot's Cartes 
 Tales, p. 121 ; the tale of ' ' Haj'a Band Populaires, vol. i. p. 124. 
 
4CO FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 them to the fulfilment of their desire. The woman 
 replied that it was vain for them to try to alter the will 
 of the Deity. Whom He would He denied, and whom 
 He would He blessed. And then she mentioned the 
 case of the gardener who had become possessed of a little 
 family of three boys and one girl that were brought to 
 him in boxes on the river. When they heard these 
 words the two queens were much astonished. They 
 inquired what the gardener had done with them, whether 
 he had educated them, and if they were living in his 
 house. The old woman told them everything — how 
 beautiful they all were, how clever, and how the three 
 boys were working in the old man's garden, and how 
 devoted they were to their sister. The two queens 
 pretended to doubt the sincerity of the boys' devotion to 
 the girl, and therefore begged the old wise woman to 
 try their affection by persuading the girl to ask them for 
 a beautiful bird that was to be had for the seeking. " It 
 is a wonderful bird," they said, " and the girl will not 
 fail to desire it, for the creature speaks like a human 
 being, and sings as no other creature on earth can sing." 
 They promised to give the woman a very handsome 
 reward if she would do this thing for them. The old 
 woman said that she would, and then left. 
 
 She soon became friendly with the girl and informed 
 her of the wonderful bird, and the girl was so excited 
 by her accounts of its doings that she had no peace day 
 or night for wishing to possess it. The three brothers 
 noticed their sister's unhappiness, and inquired the cause 
 of it. They determined that one of them should go in 
 search of the bird. The eldest brother set out first, 
 because they could not all be spared at one time from 
 the work of the garden. His way led through a jungle, 
 where he met a shikari, and asked him if he knew the 
 whereabouts of the bird. The man told him that he 
 did know, but warned him of the danger of the under- 
 taking. " Many people," said he, " have essayed to go 
 
THE WICKED QUEENS. 401 
 
 there, but have died on the road." The boy, however, 
 was not to be daunted. He was determined to get 
 the bird, and therefore again asked the way. So the 
 shikari showed him, and he went on. He next reached 
 a very large plain, where he did not come across a 
 single human being except a jogi, to whom he revealed 
 all his heart. The jogi ordered him not to attempt the 
 journey ; but the boy would not be dissuaded, and there- 
 fore entreated the holy rnan to show him the way and 
 let him go. Then the jogi gave him a pebble and a 
 little earthen pot, and told him to throw the pebble on 
 before and to follow its leadings. The pebble, he said, 
 would guide him to the bottom of a great mountain, 
 where he would hear a great noise like the sound of 
 thunder and of a mighty wind. He would probably 
 liear his name called. But he was not to be afraid or 
 to turn back on any account, otherwise he would be 
 changed into a pillar of stone.* And when he reached 
 the summit of the mountain he would see a lake of 
 golden water, and on the bank of that lake he would 
 see a tree, and on one of the branches of that tree he 
 would see a cage hanging. In that cage was the bird. 
 On arriving at the tree he must first lay hold of that 
 branch, and then look around to see the way he had 
 come. He was especially to remember this, as after- 
 wards he would certainly forget the path. The bird 
 would ask why he had ventured up there ; he was to 
 reply that he had come to take it away. Afterwards 
 all would be safe. If he attended to all these directions 
 he would experience no special difficulty, and would soon 
 return with the bird. 
 
 The boy left, and for some distance everything went 
 on well ; but when he came to the mountain, and heard 
 
 * Of. Indian. Faiiy Tales, pp. 138- Songs of the Russian People, p . 99 ; 
 
 152 ; Indian Notes and Queries,vol. iv. Tales and Traditions of the Eskimo, 
 
 p. 186; Indian Antiquary, vol. xvi. p. pp. 46, 299. The danger of looking 
 
 191 ; Schmidt's Oriechische Maerchen, back when going on any especial 
 
 Sagen und Volslieder, p. 106 ; Tylor's errand like the above crops up in the 
 
 Primitive Culture, pp. 147, 377 ; tales and practices of many nations. 
 
 2 C 
 
402 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 the loud shoutings and thunderings and the great wind, 
 he turned back, and at once became a stone. 
 
 Some days after this the second brother thought that 
 he would go and see what had become of him. He 
 reached the jungle that his brother had passed through, 
 and saw the shikin. He then walked on to the great 
 plain and met the jogt. Both of them earnestly advised 
 him not to go. He was also informed of the death of 
 his brother, undoubted proof of which was the return of 
 the pot and the pebble to the jogi. When he heard 
 this the boy asked the jogi if there was not a remedy 
 for his brother, and the man replied that there was, but 
 that only he who obtained the bird could perform it. 
 " Then give me the pot and the pebble, and let me 
 depart," said the boy. The fogi did, and the boy left. 
 He went on all right for a time, like his brother, but 
 when he reached the mountain and heard the awful 
 noises he also turned back, and was changed into a big 
 stone. 
 
 Some time afterwards the youngest brother determined 
 to go in search of the missing ones. With a sorrowful 
 but brave heart he bade farewell to his sister and adopted 
 father and started. He came to the jungle and saw the 
 shikari, and then went on to the great plain and saw 
 the jogi. He heard from them of the death of his two 
 brothers, and was warned not to attempt the undertaking ; 
 but he would not desist. " Of what good, of what plea- 
 sure, is life to me without my brothers ? " he said in 
 reply to the jogi's earnest remonstrances. " Let me 
 have the pot and the pebble, and I wiU go and try to 
 get possession of the bird, by which the lives of my 
 brothers can be restored and my sister be satisfied." 
 
 Accordingly the jogi gave him these things and allowed 
 
 him to depart. The pot and the pebble did not return 
 
 ,to the jogi this time, for the boy persevered and was 
 
 not afraid, and did not look back till he reached the 
 
 top of the mountain. There he saw a lake of golden 
 
THE WICKED QUEENS. 403 
 
 water and a tree growing on its bank, and on one of 
 the branches o£ the tree he saw the cage of the bird, 
 whose sweet notes filled the air. On his catching hold 
 of this branch of the tree all the shoutings and thunder- 
 ings ceased. Not a sound was heard, save the voice of 
 the bird asking him what he had come for and what 
 he desired. The boy answered that he wanted nothing 
 except the bird, and some of the golden water, and the 
 branch of the tree on which the cage was hanging, and 
 that his two brothers should be restored to life. The 
 bird told him to cut that branch off the tree and to fill 
 his pot with golden water. The bird also bade him to 
 get another potful of the water. He would find a pot 
 lying about somewhere. The boy did so, and then, taking 
 the cage and the other things, began to descend. On 
 the way down the bird asked him to sprinkle one potful 
 of water over the big stones that were scattered over the 
 place. The boy obeyed, and straightway all the stones 
 were changed back into men. Kings and princes and 
 many great, brave, and holy people were thus restored to 
 life, and came and thanked the boy and offered themselves 
 as his servants. His two brothers also were restored, 
 and came forward to greet him.^ 
 
 In the course of a day or two a great procession of 
 people approached the Jogi, with the three boys at their 
 head. When he saw the boys the jogi knew that the 
 youngest boy had been successful, and blessed him. A 
 little farther on the shikari came to meet them. They 
 reached the gardener's house in safety, and were wel- 
 comed back by the old man and their sister as those 
 who had returned from the dead. The great company 
 of people who had been restored by the youngest brother 
 followed them to the house and would not leave them. 
 
 " How can we entertain all these ? " said the old 
 gardener. 
 
 5 Cf. Old Deccan Days, pp. 15, 62 ; Indian Fairy Tales, pp. 76, 77, 282 ; 
 Indian Antiquary, vol. xvi. p. 191. 
 
404 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 " Be not anxious," said the bird. " All things will be 
 supplied." 
 
 The words of the bird proved true. Every day food 
 was forthcoming. There was great abundance and great 
 variety of everything, and all the guests were satisfied. 
 As soon as possible the gardener and his three adopted 
 sons had a magnificent house built for their numerous 
 visitors. They also had a' big place dug out for a pond, 
 and poured the potful of golden water into it ; and they 
 planted the branch of the tree that the youngest brother 
 had brought on the side of the pond, whereupon the hole 
 was filled with golden water and the branch became 
 a most beautiful tree. Prosperity waited on the old 
 gardener and his family. Eiches and honour abounded 
 unto them. They possessed more wealth than they could 
 possibly reckon, so that their names became famous 
 throughout the whole world. The king himself visited 
 them, and treated them in every way as his equals. 
 
 One day His Majesty asked them to tell him how they 
 had brought the beautiful and clever bird to their house, 
 and the youngest brother related everything. His, Majesty 
 also asked how they had become the possessors of so 
 many grand attendants and such immense wealth. 
 
 Then the bird spoke, saying, " Hear, king, and I will 
 speak. These three youths and the beautiful girl whom 
 you see before you are not the children of the gardener, as 
 all people suppose, but are your own children." 
 
 " How so ? " said the king, very much surprised. 
 " What a chatterer the bird is ! " 
 
 " king," replied the bird, " be not angry, and I will 
 speak. I am not talking foolishly. These are none 
 other than the four children of your youngest wife, whom 
 you banished from the palace. She did not give birth to 
 young crows and puppies, as your other wives wickedly 
 represented to you. They lied to Your Majesty, lest you 
 should prefer the other queen and despise them. With 
 their own hands they shut up the babies in boxes and 
 
THE WICKED QUEENS. 405 
 
 threw them into the river, thinking to drown them, bnt 
 Parameshwar was pleased to save them by the hands of 
 this gardener. Some years afterwards the wicked queens 
 got to know of the existence of the children, and per- 
 suaded your daughter, the princess here, through an old 
 wise woman, to wish for me, knowing that I was very 
 difficult to obtain, and that many hundreds of people had 
 lost their li^-es in trying to get me. They knew that the 
 princes here would certainly try to fulfil their sister's 
 wish, and hoped that they too would perish like the rest. 
 The two elder princes were turned into stones, and would 
 probably have always remained in that petrified state if 
 tlie youngest prince had not succeeded in reaching me. 
 king, you have heard my words." 
 
 Then the bird ceased speaking, and there was dead 
 silence in the place for the space of several minutes. At 
 length the king spoke : — 
 
 " What have I done ? " he cried. " Oh, my poor 
 innocent, beloved wife ! Why did I listen to the lying 
 words of my other wives and banish you ? " 
 
 Then the king wept most bitterly, and all the com- 
 pany present wept. As soon as His Majesty returned 
 to the palace he dismissed the two wicked queens and 
 recalled the banished one. The joy of the king and his 
 favourite wife when they were restored to one another 
 and knew themselves to be the parents of three such 
 fine boys and such a beautiful princess cannot be de- 
 scribed. Suffice it to say that they lived to a good old 
 age, and were honoured and beloved by every one, and 
 that after them the three princes ruled the kingdom. 
 
 A VARIANT.-^ 
 
 I WILL tell you a story of two princes. Once upon a 
 time there lived a king who had three wives ; but 
 
 ' NaiTator's name. Pandit Anand "R&ra of EenawAri, Srinagar. 
 
4o6 FOLK-TALES OP KASHMIR. 
 
 although he had so many wives, yet had he not a son. 
 This was a great trouble to him, because he naturally 
 wished that one of his own blood should rule the country 
 after him. Moreover, he knew no suitable person whom 
 he cared to appoint to this important work. At length, 
 however, the difficulty and trouble seemed about to 
 remove. His third wife became pregnant. Great was 
 the joy of the king when he heard of this. He inquired 
 regularly concerning the queen's state, and constantly 
 repeated orders for every care and attention to be shown 
 to her. As will be imagined, such intense solicitude on 
 the king's part provoked the jealousy of the other queens. 
 They liked not that His Majesty should be always think- 
 ing about her and never come near them, and they feared 
 that this state of affairs would continue, and especially 
 so if a son should be born. So they plotted to prevent 
 this. 
 
 As soon as they saw their opportunity they called 
 the royal midwife and bribed her to promise to substitute 
 a pup for the child as soon as it should be born. She 
 kept her promise, and the beautiful little boy that was 
 born was carried away and dropped inside a carpenter's 
 shop. When the king heard of this strange birth he 
 was very grieved, and knew not what to do. 
 
 After a time the third queen again became preg- 
 nant. " Surely now I shall have the desire of my 
 heart ! " thought the king, and gave orders, as before, for 
 the greatest care and attention to be taken of the queen. 
 But the other wives' jealousy revived, so that they again 
 arranged with the midwife to change the infant, which 
 wickedness was accordingly done, and the child — a fine 
 little boy — was taken away and dropped in the carpenter's 
 shop like his brother. When the king heard of this 
 second disappointment he lost all patience, and ordered 
 the queen to be banished from the palace. The poor 
 woman was turned off without a pdilsa and obliged to 
 beg from house to house for a living. 
 
THE WICKED QUEENS. 407 
 
 Meanwhile her two bonnie sons were carefully and 
 affectionately looked after by the kind carpenter, who 
 used constantly to praise God for sending him such 
 treasures. 
 
 Some years elapsed, when the boys were one day play- 
 ing on the roadside near the palace with a wooden horse 
 which their adopted father had made for them ; and the 
 king watched them. 
 
 " Would that I possessed two sons like these ! " he 
 exclaimed. " Come here, you youngsters," he said, calling 
 them. " Would you like to live in the palace and be 
 my servants ? " 
 
 " No," replied they both unhesitatingly. " We are only 
 the children of a poor carpenter, and are not worthy to 
 engage in so high and important a service." 
 
 Thus saying, they turned and ran for a little distance, 
 and then recommenced their play ; the king still watch- 
 ing them wonderingly. Presently he saw one of the 
 boys take a spoonful of rice .and go to the horse's mouth 
 and say, " Eat it, wooden horse, eat it whether you will 
 or not." Then he saw the other boy take a cupful of 
 water and go to the animal's tail and say, "Drink, 
 wooden horse, drink whether you like it or not." The 
 king saw and heard everything, and was astonished at 
 their stupidity. 
 
 " Come here again, you youngsters. Come here, and 
 tell me what you are doing," he said. " How can a 
 wooden horse eat and drink ? Don't you know better 
 than that yet ? " 
 
 " Yes," said the boys ; and then remembering what 
 they had heard about the strange births of the banished 
 queen, they continued, " king, how can a woman give 
 birth to a pup ? " 
 
 The absurdity of the thing suddenly struck the king, 
 and he wondered how he came to believe such nonsense.^ 
 
 ^ Gt Tibetan Tales, p. 141; Die- "The Peasant's Wise Daughter" 
 tionary of Kashmiri Proverbs and (which is also one of the Lithuanian 
 Sayings, pp. 31, 32 ; Grimm's tale of Tales, Scleicher, No. I.). 
 
4o8 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 " Go away," he said to the boys, and entered the 
 palace. 
 
 The following morning he had a special interview with 
 his tvazirs, and asked them their real opinion of the matter. 
 They all replied that they had never credited the story, 
 but that they had feared to say anything to the king 
 about it. His Majesty^ then asked them what they 
 thought was the truth of the case, when they told him 
 that undoubtedly the other queens had been jealous of 
 the king's increased attention to the third queen, and 
 therefore had plotted against her ; and they advised him 
 to send for the midwife and command her on pain of 
 death to confess what had been done with the children. 
 This was done, and the two reputed sons of the carpenter 
 were brought before him, and proved to be his own boys ; 
 whereupon the third queen was immediately recalled, 
 and the two wicked queens sent away. 
 
 Henceforth all went happily. The king and his wife 
 lived for many years, and the two princes grew up to 
 be fine, clever, good, and handsome men, a joy to their 
 parents, a credit to their country, and the praise of alL^ 
 
 Once upon a time there lived a celebrated king who 
 had four hundred wives, but no son. The king had a 
 favourite parrot, of which he was exceedingly fond. He 
 always used to send for it on returning from darhdr, and 
 always seemed unhappy if, for some reason or other, the 
 bird was not near him. 
 
 One day one of the wazirs was standing by the cage, 
 when he noticed that it was very dirty ; so he called a 
 
 ' Cf. " Boy with Moon in his Fore- Madanakamdrajankadai ; also the 
 head" inJ'o/i-Taieso/^cnpa;;" Punch- Greek story, "Das Sohloss des He- 
 kin " and " Truth's Triumph " in Uld lioa," in Gviechische Maerohen. 
 /'ewan Z>«.!/s ;" Bel-Princess " in 7)1- i Narrator's name, Pandit Chadh 
 dian Fairy Tales ; seventli story of E^m of Srinagar. 
 
THE WICKED QUEENS. 409 
 
 servant, and taking out the bird, gave him tTie cage 
 to clean. Meanwhile he thought he vrould try the 
 parrot's flying powers, and therefore tied a long piece of 
 thread to its leg and let it go. The bird went to the 
 full extent of the thread, and then finding itself hindered 
 cut the thread with its beak and got free. Away it flew, 
 and the wazir after it. The poor man determined to 
 follow it and get it if possible, and if not, to go on to 
 another country; for he dared not return to the king 
 without the bird. The parrot led the way past several 
 fields and over a broad river, and then perched on a big 
 shrub that was growing by the water, and got caught by 
 a woman, who carried it to her home. Fortunately the 
 ivazir saw this, and went after her and got the bird. How 
 glad he was ! Out of gratitude to the woman he offered 
 to marry her to the king, and promised to pay all the 
 expenses of the wedding. The woman accepted. Ac- 
 cordingly the wazir gave her thirty thousand rupees to 
 prepare her house and clothes, &c., for the occasion, and 
 bade her be in readiness within a few months, when she 
 should hear from him. On reaching the palace the wazir 
 informed the king what had happened, and spoke so 
 enthusiastically about the woman's beauty and cleverness, 
 that the king expressed a desire to marry her. The 
 wedding was soon arranged. The king became very 
 fond of his new wife. His affection for her increased 
 when he discovered that she was enciente. " At last," 
 thought he, " my desire for a child will be satisfied. 
 May it be a son ! " He gave especial instructions for 
 every care and attention to be paid to her, and in other 
 ways showed his great regard for her. . As will be 
 imagined, this extreme anxiety on his part only stirred 
 up the jealousy of the other wives, who determined, if 
 possible, to disappoint him. Some time before the birth 
 they called the midwife and bribed her with jewels and 
 money to substitute a stone for the child as soon as it 
 should be born. This was done, and the baby — a fine 
 
4IO FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 little boy — was put into a box and dropped into the river. 
 When the king heard of the strange thing to which his 
 wife had given birth his affection changed into the most 
 intense hatred and disgust. He ordered the woman to 
 be banished to the palace-stables, and to eat barley like 
 the beasts. 
 
 On the following morning a very holy man, while per- 
 forming his ablutions at the riverside, noticed the little 
 box floating down the stream. Curious to know what it 
 contained, he cried, " box, if thou art of any service 
 to me, come here ; if not, go on thy way ; " whereupon 
 the box came towards him, and he picked it up and 
 carried it home. On opening it he saw the pretty little 
 child that had been born on the previous evening, and 
 was very glad. He handed the baby over to the care of 
 his wife, and was very thankful to see it thrive and get 
 more and more beautiful. 
 
 One day, when the boy was nine years old, he went to 
 play with some other boys in the palace-yard, where he 
 was noticed by the king's wives, who thought how very 
 much he was like His Majesty, and wondered whether he 
 was his son, the child that had been thrown into the 
 river. They called the midwife and pointed him out to 
 her. The woman looked earnestly at the boy's head, and 
 then replied in the affirmative. She recognised him by 
 the peculiar dent at the back of his head, which she 
 noticed at the time of his birth. When they heard this 
 the king's wives were very much alarmed. They feared 
 lest His Majesty should somehow get to know of the 
 boy's existence and punish them for their wickedness. 
 So they earnestly begged the midwife to try and do 
 something to prevent such a disaster, and promised her 
 all sorts of presents. 
 
 The woman first found out where the child lived, and 
 then went to the house and introduced herself to his 
 adopted father's wife as her sister-in-law. It was not a 
 very difficult matter to ingratiate herself in this simple 
 
THE WICKED QUEENS. 411 
 
 woman's favour. Other visits followed, and were so ap- 
 preciated that at last she was invited to come and stay 
 iu the house for a time. While there she often spoke of 
 the boy and praised his good qualities. " But there is one 
 thing that he will not do, I feel certain," she said one day 
 to the proud (adopted) mother. " He will not go to a 
 certain country wherein is a beautiful garden, and in that 
 garden, by the side of a well, a sandal-tree with branches 
 of gold and flowers of pearls. If he will go there and 
 get that tree, his character will be established and his 
 fortune made." 
 
 When the boy returned from his play in the afternoon 
 his adopted mother told him what she had heard, and 
 how anxious she was for him to go. The boy agreed, 
 and on the following morning set off on his perilous 
 journey with a few tsuchih ^ tied up in his Jcamarhand. 
 He walked far and fast till he reached a spring, where he 
 sat down and rested. In a little while a woman came 
 up out of .the spring and began to talk with him. She 
 asked him where he was going, and the boy told her; 
 whereupon she begged him not to attempt the thing, as 
 the garden swarmed with devs and wild beasts. But the 
 boy would not be dissuaded, and seemed so earnest about 
 the matter, that the woman thought the best thing for 
 her to do was to give him all the help in her power. 
 " Listen," said she. " Since you have set your heart on 
 this matter, it will be needful for you to know that there 
 are two tigers standing by the entrance to the garden, 
 whose hunger you must satisfy with the leg of a sheep ; 
 otherwise they will pounce on you and kill you. Do not 
 be afraid of them, but throw a leg of a sheep down before 
 them, and ask them to help you. They will admit you 
 within the garden. You will find many devs there, but 
 fear not. Address them as your uncles, say how glad 
 you are to see them, and ask them to help you. They 
 will guide you to the well, around which you will find 
 
 2 Plural of tsut, a loaf, bread. 
 
412 FOLK-TALES OP KASHMIR. 
 
 many serpents of different kinds. Do not be afraid of 
 them. Throw a few tsuchih and some zdmut dod^ on 
 the ground for them, and they will not harm you. The 
 sandal-tree grows by the well. You will not experience 
 much diiSculty in bringing it. Go, and prosper." 
 
 The boy's path seemed clear enough now. He tramped 
 on with a very merry heart. As soon as he found that 
 he was approaching the garden he provided himself with 
 a leg of a sheep, some tsuchih, and some zdmut dod. 
 Everything that the woman at the spring told him came 
 true. He reached the garden and met the tigers, whom 
 he satisfied with the sheep's leg ; he saw the devs, and 
 introduced himself to them as their nephew; he saw 
 the serpents, and fed them liberally with tsuchih and 
 zdmut dod; and then he uprooted the sandal-tree and 
 returned. On coming out of the garden one of the 
 tigers went up to him and insisted on his riding home on 
 its back. It was a strange sight — a boy riding a tiger 
 and flourishing a young sandal-tree over his shoulders. 
 The report of his return soon spread through the city, 
 and reached the ears of the king and his wives. 
 
 All the people marvelled. But the king's wives did 
 more than marvel ; they wept also for fear. They felt 
 certain that His Majesty would soon discover the truth 
 of the matter and punish them. In their distress they 
 again sent for the midwife and entreated her to help 
 them. Accordingly a week or so after his return this 
 woman again visited the wife of the holy man and asked 
 all about the boy's adventures. 
 
 " Here is the tree," said the proud adopted mother. 
 " Is he not a brave boy ? " 
 
 " Yes, certainly," replied the midwife ; " but I am 
 sorry that he has not brought tte covering, which is 
 kept in an emerald box by the well. You must have 
 this. Without it the tree will perish during the winter. 
 Let the boy go again and get it, and I will praise him." 
 
 " Curdled milk. 
 
THE WICKED QUEENS. 413 
 
 Anxious to please her, and to get all the glory she 
 could for her adopted son, the woman spoke to him 
 about it in the evening, and asked him to attempt a 
 second visit. Nothing daunted, the boy readily complied. 
 He rode on the tiger, which had not returned, and soon 
 reached the spring where he had lain down to rest on 
 his former visit. The woman appeared again and asked 
 him where he was going. He told her ; whereupon she 
 again entreated him not to go, saying that this was a 
 more difiScult business than before. The box was placed 
 on the edge of the well, wherein dwelt two shuhmdrs, 
 exceeding great and fierce. However, the boy would not 
 be turned back. When the woman saw his determina- 
 tion, she advised him not to go near the well himself, 
 but to ask one of the devs to fetch the box for him ; and 
 if he succeeded in obtaining the box he was to come 
 back by the way of the spring and let her know ; all 
 which the boy did. He rode to the garden on the tiger, 
 and got one of the devs to fetch the box for him, and 
 then came and informed the woman of his success ; 
 whereupon she blessed him, and said she would accom- 
 pany him to his home. What great excitement there 
 was in the city when he returned triumphant a second 
 time from the terrible garden ! The king sent for him, 
 and made him his chief wazir, and in other ways honoured 
 him. 
 
 " Now," thought the king's wives, " we shall most 
 certainly be discovered. What shall we do ? " 
 
 What could they do, except wait in the most terrible 
 suspense ? Their opportunity for seizing him had gone by. 
 They had not long to wait. One day the wazir, advised 
 by the woman of the spring, gave a great feast, and invited 
 the king also. The king accepted the invitation and 
 came. While they were eating, the woman of the spring 
 started up and shouted to the company to keep silence. 
 All eyes were directed towards her, when she said in 
 clear, slow accents, " king, behold your son, the son of 
 
414 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 the woman whom you have banished to your stables and 
 made to eat barley, like the beasts of the field ! The 
 story of the stone was fabricated by your other wives, 
 who were jealous of the poor woman's state and of your 
 solicitude for her health and safety." 
 
 " Is it so ? " said the king. " Is this true ? Yea, 
 mine own heart tells me that it is true ! Banish all 
 these cursed women, and call back the queen to me and 
 to her child ; for queen she shall be ; none other will I 
 henceforth look to. Behold, a true wife and a beautiful 
 son are born to me in one day ! I am happy ! " 
 
( 415 ) 
 
 THE FOUR PRINCES} 
 
 In days long since gone by there lived a king most 
 clever, most holy, and most wise, who was indeed a 
 pattern king. His mind was always occupied with plans 
 for the improvement of his country and people; his 
 darbdr was open to all ; his ear was ever ready to listen 
 to the petition of the humblest subject ; he afforded every 
 facility for trade ; he established hospitals for the sick, 
 sarde for travellers, and large schools for those who wished 
 to learn. These and many other such-like things he did. 
 Nothing was left undone that ought to have been done, 
 and nothing was done that ought not to have been done. 
 Under such a wise, just, and beneficent ruler the people, 
 of course, lived very happily. Few poor or unenlightened 
 or wicked persons were to be found in the country. 
 
 But the great and good king had not a son. This 
 was an intense sorrow to him, the one dark cloud that 
 now and again overshadowed his otherwise happy and 
 glorious life. Every day he prayed earnestly to Shiva to 
 grant him an heir to sit npon the throne after him. Long 
 and patiently he had waited for an answer, when one 
 day Shiva visited him in the garb of a jogi,^ and was so 
 fascinated with his good and respectful manner that he 
 said, " Ask anything of me, and you shall have it." 
 
 1 Narrator's name, Makund BS,y<i, he is the majidjogl, anrl in this charac- 
 of Snthfi, Srinagar, who heard it ter is depicted with ash -covered body, 
 from Pandit Maht^b Ju of Habbah matted locks, and in a most emaciated 
 Kadal, Srinagar. condition. He sometimes appears to 
 
 2 Shiva is the great representative his devotees in the disguise of an 
 yojri or (apawi; the ideal of what can ordinary jogi or gosdin. Cf. Old 
 be attained by the keeping of the Deccan Days, p. 253; Indian Fairy 
 body in subjection and by exclusive Tales, p. 224 ; Baital Pachisl, pp. 
 contemplation of divine things ; hence 99-101. 
 
4i6 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 " I am ia need of nothing," replied the king. " Para- 
 meshwar has given me wealth, honour, might, majesty, 
 peace, contentment, everything — yes, everything except 
 one thing, and that who will give ine ? '" 
 
 " Are you afraid to ask me for this thing ? " said the 
 jogi. " Do you know what you are saying, king ? " 
 
 " True, true," answered His Majesty, " I speak as one 
 who is (religiously) mad. holy man, forgive me, and 
 if you have any power with the Deity, I pray you invoke 
 Him on my behalf." 
 
 " Be of good cheer," said the jogi ; " you shall have 
 many sons. Take these four fruits and give them to 
 your wife to eat on Sunday next before sunrise ; then 
 shall she give birth to four sons,^ who will be exceed- 
 ingly clever and good." 
 
 The king took the four fruits and thanked the jogi, who 
 then departed. 
 
 His Majesty at once went and informed the queen 
 of his interview with the jogi. She, of course, was ex- 
 tremely glad to hear the good news. Anxiously they 
 both waited for the following Sunday. On the sunrise 
 of that day the queen ate the four fruits ; and according 
 to the word of the jogi she presently conceived, and at 
 the appointed time bore four sons. Her sickness and 
 travail, however, were too much for her. As soon as the 
 fourth and last son was born she gave one long, piercing 
 shriek, and gave up the ghost. 
 
 Poor woman, to have died just as her long-cherished 
 hopes were being realised ! Poor little, forlorn, helpless 
 
 3 Among other extraordinai-y corn; another ordered a certain drug; 
 
 powerSj/flcq'M'S seem to be able to grant and another sends some medicine 
 
 sons to the barren. Some special to the barren queen. Indian Antir 
 
 fruit-eating is the general remedy, quary, vol. xv. p. 369 ; Tibetan Tales, 
 
 In Indian folk-tales some /agirs have p. 21; Qissa Agar Gul in Urdfl ; 
 
 recommended mangoes; one ordered also tale of "True Friendship " in this 
 
 Hchi (Seytalia litchi, Soxb.), a fruit coWection; cf. /ml ian Fairy Tales, pp. 
 
 like a plum, to be eaten ; another 91, 187 ; Wide-Awake Stories, pp. 47, 
 
 gives the queen an apple to eat ; an- 290 ; Old Deccan Days, p. 253 ; Fotk- 
 
 other a drug which is to be swallowed Tales of Bengal, pp. i, 117; Draridian 
 
 with juice of pomegranate flower ; Nights, pp. 55, 56. 
 one old faqir gave the queen a barley- 
 
THE FOUR PRINCES. 417 
 
 ones, to be thus left on life's threshold ! Poor king, to 
 have his great desire for a son and heir fulfilled, but at 
 the cost of losing his beloved and beautiful wife ! Sorrow, 
 like a great dark cloud, seemed to shroud the palace and 
 city for many days, because the king was overwhelmed 
 with grief and would not be comforted. 
 
 The four babes were handed over to the tender 
 mercies of four nurses, and they grew up strong, healthy, 
 clever, and beautiful boys. The king was exceedingly 
 fond of them. He appointed the best masters for their 
 instruction, and lavished the most rare and expensive 
 gifts on them. Nothing was too good, nothing was too 
 costly ; the greatest trouble and attention were not too 
 much for the king's four beautiful and clever boys. 
 
 Meanwhile His Majesty married again, and had other 
 sons by his second wife. But it was a sad day when the 
 kiug took to him this second wife ; because she naturally 
 became very jealous when she saw the first queen's sons 
 growing up so beautiful and wise, for she thought within 
 her heart that they would have the king's favour, and so 
 interfere with her own sons' succession to the throne. 
 Accordingly she determined to ruin their character in 
 the estimation of her husband, or failing that, to some- 
 how or other compass their death. 
 
 It has been said that the king was thoroughly en- 
 grossed in the desire to improve his country and people. 
 To do this work properly he constantly felt his extraordi- 
 nary position as a king a great hindrance. Though he 
 very much depended on his ministers and subordinate 
 officials, knowing that for the most part they were honest 
 and just, yet he was convinced that he himself must go- 
 in and out among the people, see things with his own eyes, 
 and hear what the people were saying with his own ears, 
 if he would rightly understand their state ; and, there- 
 fore, he frequently visited towns and villages in different 
 disguises and under cover of the night. In this way he 
 thoroughly ascertained the needs of his subjects, so that 
 
 2.D 
 
4i8 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 tliey wondered at his sagacity and skill.* This continued 
 for some time, until early one morning, while returning 
 from an excursion to a neighbouring village, it com- 
 menced to rain very hard. Not having expected this 
 quick and heavy shower, His Majesty was quite un- 
 prepared for it ; and so, what with the long ride and the 
 mud, he arrived at the palace looking more like a porter 
 than a king. The soldiers at the gate, even, almost 
 allowed him to pass in without the customary royal 
 salute. 
 
 The queen at once heard of the king's plight, and 
 when, having changed his wet and muddy garments, he 
 went to her room she met him with a frown. 
 
 " Wherefore this frown, my wife ? " he said. 
 
 " I like not," she replied, " that you, my lord and king, 
 should do these things. They do not become either your 
 position or your age. . "Why don't you command your 
 sons to do this work ? They are grown up, and are 
 good and wise enough to perform it. Command them to 
 do this work, I pray you. Thus shall I be saved much 
 anxiety concerning you, while the affairs of the kingdom 
 will not suffer in the least." 
 
 " You have spoken wisely," answered the king. " It 
 is better that I should resign these duties to younger 
 hands — and who are more wise and diligent than my 
 own sons ? They too will be kings and rulers some 
 day, and ought to learn experimentally now, while I am 
 alive to direct and help them, what will he expected 
 from them hereafter. I will immediately call them and 
 explain my wishes." 
 
 Accordingly the four princes were at once summoned 
 before the king; and when they appeared His Majesty 
 
 * Many native princes have dis- great H&riin Ar-Eashid in disguise 
 
 guised themselves and patrolled their is current in the East. Vigne {Travels 
 
 cities at night. The present JlahS,- inKashmii; vol. ii. p. 82) tells a story 
 
 Tij&'s lategiandfather, the MahfirSjA of Timur Lang one night wandering 
 
 Guiab Singh, often did so. Cf. also in disguise about his capital, Samar- 
 
 Folk-Tales of Bengal, p. 147. Many kand. Cf. also story of " The Diligent 
 
 a tale, also, of the adventures of the King " in this collection. 
 
THE FOUR PRINCES. 4' 19 
 
 told them of his conversation with the queen, and that 
 he had determined to hand over this itinerating work to 
 them. " You are younger and stronger than I am," he 
 added. " I trust you will endeavour to fulfil you duties 
 to my satisfaction and to the people's profit." 
 
 The four princes expressed their pleasure at this 
 manifestation of their father's confidence in them, and 
 assured him that he should never find that his con- 
 fidence had been misplaced. Directly that day changed 
 into night they commenced their work of secret super- 
 vision. They each had a special round, and whatever 
 was worth notice they reported to the king. Under 
 such a strict and regular supervision it was no wonder 
 that the kingdom continued, increasingly happy and 
 prosperous; 
 
 But seeds of mischief were being sown at the palace 
 against these princes. The queen was getting more and 
 more jealous of them as she saw her own sons growing into 
 manhood. She plotted in every imaginable way against 
 them. At first the king heeded not her lying insinuations 
 and unkind wishes ; but afterwards, overcome by her skill 
 and charms— for the queen was both very clever and very 
 beautiful — he began to speak harshly to the four princes, 
 and now and again he looked with suspicion on them. 
 The princes noticed that the face of their father was 
 being changed towards them, and that there was a 
 marked lack of the trust and affection that had hitherto 
 encouraged them to prosecute unflaggingly their arduous 
 labours. 
 
 This state of affairs went on for several months. At 
 last, worn out by unpleasantries by day and watchings 
 by night, the four princes met together to solemnly 
 consider what they should do. They appointed their 
 meeting at midnight, and in a most unfrequented part of 
 the jungle. Each prince told his tale of sorrow, and 
 each one, except the eldest, on the conclusion thereof 
 added, " And now my counsel is, dear brethren, that we 
 
430 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 fly this part of the country and go whithersoever Para- 
 meshwar may lead us. What will be, will be." 
 
 " Not so," said the eldest prince. " Stay, my brethren. 
 What foolishness is this that you entertain in your 
 hearts ? Not so, not so, I counsel you. You know not 
 what you are proposing. Deprived of sleep, you have 
 become deprived of your wits also. In a sane state of 
 mind you would not speak thus. What ! would the 
 sons of the greatest and holiest king that ever sat on the 
 masnad ^ disobey their father, and run away like mean, 
 spiritless curs before his commands ? No, never ! — this 
 is not your meaning. Listen, my brethren. I warn 
 you not to think any more about leaving your country. 
 Get to your beds and rest. I will watch for this night. 
 To-morrow night another of us will watch, and the next 
 night another, and the night after that another. Thus 
 shallwe get more and abundant rest, and the work of 
 supervision will be regularly carried on." 
 
 Saying this, the eldest prince wished them all good- 
 night, and started to fulfil his watch. The other princes 
 also left, and being thoroughly impressed by their eldest 
 brother's advice, went home and soon forgot their sorrows 
 in sleep. The next night the second prince went, while 
 the first prince rested, and on the third night the third 
 prince watched, and on the fourth night the youngest 
 prince, while all the others took rest in sleep. This 
 arrangement lasted for many months, and answered well. 
 The princes bore their father's unkindness bravely, and 
 in every way behaved as they should do. Their piety, 
 goodness, and attention to public affairs won praises 
 from everybody, except the king, and the queen who 
 deluded him. 
 
 How true is the saying, " Eeal virtue never continues 
 unrewarded by the gods ! " One night, while the eldest 
 prince was going his rounds of inspection, he reached a 
 
 ' A large cushion of velvet, silk, and precious stoiiea doing duty for a 
 throne. 
 
THE FOUR PRINCES. 421 
 
 small hut wherein a certain brahman resided with his 
 wife. The prince noticed them through the open window ; 
 and as he watched the brahman arose, opened the door, 
 and came out. As usual the good man looked up at the 
 heavens, and no sooner had he done so than he turned 
 and rushed indoors again, exclaiming, " Trdh, Trdh ! " ^ 
 
 " What is it ? " his wife inquired somewhat timidly. 
 
 " Oh," said the brahman, " I saw the star of our king 
 obliterated by another star." 
 
 " "What is the interpretation of this sign ? " asked the 
 wife. 
 
 " It means," the brahman replied, " that our king will 
 die in seven days from this time." 
 
 " Die ! " said the brahmani, almost in tears. " How 
 will His Majesty die ? By sickness, or by the hand of 
 an enemy ? " 
 
 The brahman replied, " On the seventh day hence, 
 just after the first watch of the night, a deadly black 
 snake will descend from the sky, and will enter the 
 king's bedroom by the door thereof, that opens out into 
 the courtyard which is on the east side of the palace. 
 This snake will bite His Majesty's toe, so that he will 
 die." 
 
 " But surely this must not be," said the brahmani. 
 " The king can be delivered from this cruel death. Tell 
 me how his deliverance may be accomplished. Of a 
 truth it cannot be that a king so just and holy and 
 clever as our king is should perish in this way." 
 
 " The gods prevent such a disaster ! " said the brah- 
 man. " Get me some gyav and a few pieces of wood, 
 that I may make an offering to them. For it is written 
 in the shdstras that if a man, when he knows of any 
 misfortune about to happen to the king, will offer at that 
 time something in the fire to the gods, the king will 
 be saved from the misfortune ; otherwise the king will 
 not be saved. Who knows but that our king may be 
 
 « Tnllt, Trdh / (also Snnskrit), an exclamation denoting " Mercy ! pardon !' ' 
 
422 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 spared to us ? " ^ So saying, he took the sticks, kindled 
 a fire, and cast the gyav into the fire ; and then, after 
 many prayers and invocations, rose and, turning to his 
 wife, said, " His Majesty will be delivered if one of his 
 relations will attend to these instructions. The man in 
 whose heart is the wish to do this thing must dig pits 
 in the courtyard that is on the east side of the palace ; 
 and some of the pits he must fill with ^yater, and 
 others he must fill with milk. He must also throw 
 flowers into these pools, and on the intervening spaces 
 right up to the door of the king's bedroom. This done, 
 he must be present at the doorstep at the appointed 
 time with a sword in his hand. The snake will surely 
 come, and will swim across the water and the milk, and 
 after passing through these elements and over the flowers, 
 will be rendered comparatively harmless. On the arrival 
 of the snake at the doorstep the man who has taken 
 upon him to perform this work must strike at it with 
 the sword and slay it. After killing the snake he must 
 take some of its warm blood, and going into the king's 
 room, smear it over His Majesty's toes. In this way the 
 king will be preserved from evil ; but, alas ! who is there 
 to perform these things ? " 
 
 The prince, whom curiosity had drawn very near to 
 the window of the brahman's hut, heard everything that 
 was said, and was very much surprised. In the morning 
 he communicated the matter to his three brothers. ITot 
 a hint, however, reached the ears of the king. For six 
 nights the four princes continued going their rounds as 
 usual, but on the seventh night the eldest prince begged 
 to be allowed to go out of his turn, because it was in 
 his heart to save the king. 
 
 Accordingly he went and dug some pits in the court 
 
 ' Horn, a kind of offering by Are, of wood, together with da/rld grass, 
 
 which can be made by briihmaus rice, and pj/aii, are kindled and burnt, 
 
 only. It is an offering for special The fire is kept burning only as long 
 
 occasions. The method for making it as the occasion for it lasts. The Aom 
 
 is as follows : — During the utterance is a most efficacious offering, compel- 
 
 of prayers and invocations, according ling the obedience of the gods and 
 
 to the object of the sacrifice, five kinds changing even Fate. 
 
THE FOUR PRINCES. 423 
 
 on the east side of the palace, filled some of these pits 
 ■with milk and some with water, and threw flowers on 
 every side and right up to the door of the king's bed- 
 room. Then, when everything was ready, he took a 
 naked sword in his hand, and standing on the doorstep, 
 awaited the coming of the serpent. All this had been 
 done after the king and queen had retired to rest. 
 
 The first watch of the night had scarcely passed, when 
 the prince, thus standing on the alert, heard a sound as 
 though something had fallen. Presently he noticed the 
 faint movement of some animal through the pools of 
 milk and water ; then there was a rustling through the 
 flowers which he had scattered about the palace ; and 
 then he descried what looked like the body of a serpent 
 wriggling towards him. Now was the time ! The prince 
 tightened his hold on the sword, and as soon as the 
 snake reached the doorstep he cut it in two. He quickly 
 took some of the warm blood of the reptile, and having 
 blindfolded himself, quietly opened the door of the bed- 
 room and entered. He had covered his eyes, because he 
 did not like to look on his father in his private room. 
 Carefully he felt for the toes of their Majesties, and 
 when he had hold, as he thought, of the toes of the 
 king, he smeared some of them with the blood. But he 
 could not see what he was doing, and stained some of 
 the toes of the queen instead. This awoke Her Majesty, 
 who was a very light sleeper ; and when she noticed a 
 man leaving the room she shrieked aloud and aroused 
 the king.* Presently she noticed some blood on her 
 toes, and imagining that a rdkshasa^ had visited them, 
 she became almost frantic with fright. The king also 
 woke just in time to see the figure of his eldest son pass 
 out of the bedroom. 
 
 " Yes, yes," exclaimed His Majesty, " it is all true, 
 
 ' Cf. Folk-Tales of Bengal, pp. 46, shasaa and rdkshasis ct. Wide-Awake 
 
 147, 148. Stories, p. 396 ; also story of " Haya 
 
 » For other cases of human beings Band and Zuhra Khotan " in this 
 
 having been suspected of being rdk- collection. 
 
424 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 even as you said. Now I am quite assured of the 
 wickedness and deceit of my sons. To-morrow I will 
 order the execution of all four of them. Such wretches 
 must not be allowed to live." 
 
 Of course the queen improved the occasion. When she 
 had sufficiently recovered from the shock she reiterated 
 to the king all that she had seen and heard, with sundry 
 additions. She also showed the king her blood-stained 
 toes. These things, together with what His Majesty 
 himself had witnessed, made him resolve on the speedy 
 execution of his sons. 
 
 " Undoubtedly," he said, " when my sons found that 
 Ly themselves they could not harm me during your life- 
 time, they compacted a league with rdkshasas. May the 
 gods deliver us ! " 
 
 The queen's joy was now almost complete. At last 
 she thought she had gained the end of her desires ! 
 Bright pictures of the future passed before her mental 
 vision. She saw her own sons, great, clever, and wise, 
 ruling in the land, all people praising them and all 
 countries doing them honour. Impatiently she waited 
 for the day when the only obstacles to the accomplish- 
 ment of this wish would be cleared away. 
 
 Very early next morning the king went to the council- 
 chamber, summoned his friends and advisers, and ordered 
 his four sons, now prisoners, to be brought before him. 
 Deprived of their princely robes, their faces and hands 
 soiled from contact with the damp, dirty walls of the 
 dark vault wherein they had been imprisoned for the 
 greater part of the night, they looked very wretched. 
 Still they did not despair. Hope was written on each 
 one of their foreheads. 
 
 Not a sound was heard when the fonr princes entered 
 and walked up to the place appointed for them to wait 
 and hear their sentence. After a few minutes' pause the 
 king, trembling with anger, charged them with having 
 done what was worthy of death, an act which the gods, 
 
THE FOUR PRINCES. 425 
 
 and therefore he, could not pardon. He accordingly 
 ordered their immediate execution. 
 
 On the conclusion of the sentence the executioners ran 
 forward and laid hands on the prisoners. Then some of 
 the ministers and others present took upon themselves to 
 ask what the crime of the four princes might be. But 
 the king would not listen. "Eemove these men," he 
 said. " I will explain their crime afterwards." 
 
 At this moment one of the four princes signed with 
 his hand and prostrated himself before the throne, as if 
 he wished to say something. 
 
 " Let him speak," said the king. " Maybe he wishes 
 to relieve his heart of some foul secret. Let him speak. 
 Let him speak." 
 
 The prince said, " great and merciful king and 
 father, hear me, I beseech you, before I die: — In past 
 times there lived a merchant whose only son grew up 
 to be exceedingly clever and wise in all manner of works, 
 and was also very good. One day the merchant, wishing 
 his son to have a large experience, bade him to make 
 arrangements for going abroad, as it was his intention 
 to send him to some foreign country with merchandise. 
 Within a week the young merchant got ready and started. 
 Many strange people he met with and many wonderful 
 things he saw. I could occupy the attention of Your 
 Majesty and of this assembly for several days in the 
 narration of some of these, but one incident only I ask 
 permission to mention. 
 
 " In the course of his journeyings the young merchant 
 met with four men who were wildly disputing with one 
 another over the possession of a poor dog that they were 
 dragging about most unmercifully. 
 
 " ' Why quarrel -ye thus one with another ? ' he asked. 
 
 " ' We are brethren,' said one of the disputants, ' and 
 our father has recently died. We have just been trying 
 to arrange our several shares of the property, and all 
 proceeded most amicably, till we had to decide about 
 
426 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 this dog. We each have a cow apiece, an equal share 
 of the rice and other grain, an equal number of sheep 
 and goats ; but this dog we cannot divide so that each 
 one of us may have an equal portion; and therefore the 
 eldest brother says, ' It is mine,' and attempts to seize 
 it ; and I wish to have it, and so lay hands on it ; and 
 my other two brothers also think they have a right to 
 it, and try to get it. You wonder, perhaps, that we 
 care to wrangle over such a trifling matter; but this is 
 not an ordinary dog. Each of us would gladly relin- 
 quish his right to it had we not learnt that this is no 
 common animal. Our dear father, when on the point of 
 death, bade us sell it for 20,000 rupees ; but nobody 
 will give us so much money for it. We took it to the 
 hdzdr, and the people laughed at us for asking such a 
 price. Some thought that we were mad, others thought 
 that we were joking, and a few struck at us for our 
 apparent folly.' 
 
 " ' Strange story,' said the young merchant, ' very 
 strange ! Cannot you possibly sell the dog for a smaller 
 sum ?' 
 
 " ' No,' replied the four brethren most decidedly. ' We 
 could not disobey our deceased father, who charged us 
 so strictly concerning this matter.' 
 
 "The young merchant believed them, and thinking 
 that the dog must in some way or other be worth the 
 money, he said, ' I will buy it.' Besides this, his father 
 had warned him not to miss the first purchase or sale, 
 even though it might be to his loss ; ^^ so he at once 
 took the dog and paid the money. The rest of 'the 
 way he was very much prospered, and in a few years 
 he returned to his father and country a most wealthy 
 and experienced man. 
 
 1" KashjQms have a Baying, Guda- India, are very superstitious about 
 
 ■nuk sodd gatshih nah rdwartm, i.e., refusing handsel, or the first bargain 
 
 " One must not lose th.e first trade." or sale of the day. They will often 
 
 Traders in the Valley, like those of lose rather than give up the first 
 
 many European cities and ' all over chance of trade. 
 
THE FOUR PRINCES. 427 
 
 "He had not been back from his travels very long 
 hefore his father died. Owing to some mismanagement 
 concerning the property the young merchant suddenly 
 found himself iwithout anything except the , clothes in 
 ■which he stood upright and the dog that cost him so 
 great a sum of money. In the hour of his distress he 
 visited another merchant who was a great friend of the 
 family, and begged him to advance 1 5,000 rupees on 
 the dog. This merchant readily complied. Taking the 
 money, the young merchant went and traded, and gained 
 for himself another little fortune. 
 
 "Meanwhile the other merchant became very fond of 
 the dog. He used to take it about with him by day, and 
 kept it fastened up to a peg in the middle of the court- 
 yard at night. The dog, too, was very fond of his new 
 master, and seemed never so happy as wheai he was 
 with him. 
 
 " One night the animal's sagacity and faithfulness were 
 put to the test. When everybody was asleep and every 
 j)lace was covered with a thick darkness some robbers 
 arrived at the merchant's house. They came along very 
 stealthiJ-y. However, the dog's quick ear detected their 
 approach. It barked loudly to wake the household, ,but 
 -no one was aroused. It barked again and again, and yet 
 more loudly, when it saw the robbers enter the house, 
 and ran about most wildly to the full tether of its 
 chain, longing to get free. At last, just as the robbers 
 were departing with their ill-gotten treasure, the chain 
 broke. The dog dashed forward, and would have jumped 
 on them, but seeing that they had arms in their hands, 
 he refrained. He reflected that it might be killed in 
 the affray, ajid to what purpose ? Better, it thought, 
 to follow quietly on behind, to see whither the robbers 
 conveyed its mas,ter'8 things. 
 
 "The robbers walked far and fast till they reached 
 an out-of-the-way place in a little jungle, where they 
 stopped, dug a large pit, and therein deposited their 
 
428 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 treasure, intending to come again and arrange for its 
 distribution as soon as the excitement about the robbery 
 had subsided. When they were quite out of the way, 
 the dog went up to the place and scratched the earth 
 round about, so that he might recognise the spot, and 
 then returned to his master's house. 
 
 " On the following morning the merchant rose and 
 found the front door of his house ajar, and all his 
 cupboards and boxes open, and their contents rifled. 
 ' Robbers must have been here,' he cried, and rushed 
 hither and thither tearing his beard and smiting his 
 breast. The neighbours, attracted by the noise, came 
 round and wept also. 
 
 " ' Alas ! alas ! ' said one, ' would that we had taken 
 more notice of the dog's barking ! ' 
 
 " ' Surely it must have awakened you ? ' said another. 
 
 " ' No, no,' replied the poor merchant. 
 
 " At mention of the dog the merchant took the animal 
 and placed it before him, and like a madman fondled 
 it and talked to it, saying, ' Oh that you could speak 
 and tell me who has taken my goods ! ' whereupon the 
 dog seized the merchant's right sleeve between its teeth 
 and began to pull towards the door. 
 
 " ' Perhaps,' remarked one of the neighbours, ' the dog 
 knows where the treasure is concealed. I would advise 
 you to follow its lead.' 
 
 " On, on the dog trotted for many a mile, till it 
 came to the place in the jungle where the robbers had 
 buried the goods. There it scratched away and threw 
 up the ground most vigorously. The merchant also, 
 and the few friends who had accompanied him, began 
 to dig at the place. Presently they came on some of 
 the stolen property ; and then all of the things appeared ! 
 The merchant was overjoyed at the sight. 
 
 " As soon as he had got his goods back again in his 
 house and had arranged them in more secure places he 
 wrote to the young merchant the following letter : — 
 
THE FOUR PRINCES. 429 
 
 . '"To the abode of wisdom and bravery and goodness, 
 beloved of all men, saldm ! After an expression of my 
 intense desire to see you, be it known to you that I am 
 your obliged servant for ever. You let me have a dog 
 some time ago. That dog has just saved me from ruin. 
 I send a request that you will kindly sell it to me. 
 You let me take it as a security for 30,000 rupees, of 
 which amount 15,000 rupees were at once paid you; so 
 I enclose a cheque for the same amount again, making 
 altogether 30,000 rupees. If you will please grant this 
 my request I shall always pray that blessings may wait 
 on you from every side.' ^^ 
 
 " Having sealed the letter, he placed it within the dog's 
 mouth, and told him to go to his old master. 
 
 "When the young merchant saw the dog running 
 towards him he thought that he had escaped, and that 
 therefore his present master would soon follow and 
 demand repayment of the money, which would not be 
 at all convenient just then. So he determined to kill 
 the dog ; and then, if the merchant came and asked for 
 his money, he would be able to say, ' Give me back my 
 dog and I will return the money to you.' But grief, 
 a thousand griefs ! No sooner had he slain the dog, 
 and taken him up to bury him in some secret place, 
 than the letter fell out of the animal's mouth. The 
 young merchant picked up the letter, and on reading it 
 dropped down insensible." ^^ 
 
 u Specimens of the mode of ad- June i88i, p. 23; story of "The 
 
 dressing letters to persons of different Ichneumon and Snake" in Fancha- 
 
 rank are given in Vigne's Travels in tantraj the story is also current in 
 
 Kashmir, &o., vol. ii. pp. 137, 138. Sindh, cf. Sind Revisited (Burton), 
 
 12 Evidently a popular story. Cf. vol. ii. pp. 89, 303 ; the same idea 
 
 story of "Faithful Weaser'injffaZitow forms the basis for a Katdchintdmani 
 
 Dimna; "The MarriBaloohes' Story" (Tamil) story, Book vi. No. 30, which 
 
 in Punjab Notes and Queries, vol. iii. has also been published in Canarese ; 
 
 pp. 94, 95; "OudhLegend"in7nrf«»s also Breton story of "Eedbeard"in 
 
 Notes and Queries, vol. iv. pp. 46, 150; Sebillot Literature m-ale de la Haute 
 
 Sinhalese story in Orientalist, vol. i. Bretagne, p. 41 ff. 
 
 p. 214 ; story in the Bitopadesa of One of the most popular of English 
 
 "The Br4hman and the 'Weasel;" tales is the story of "The Faithful 
 
 Folk-Tales of Bengal, p. 155; the Greyliound" (No. I. of Heritage's 
 
 Malays have a similar tale, of. Journal Translation of the Gesta Bomavorum), 
 
 of the Straits Branch of the S.A.S., a counterpart of which story is to b» 
 
430 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 The prince told this sad story with great feeling, so 
 that the king and all the assembly were much moved by 
 its narration. Not the slightest sound was heard in the 
 darhdr when- the prince, after pausing a few minutes, 
 said, even more solemnly than- before, " Iring, you have 
 commanded our speedy execution ; but we are as inno- 
 cent as that poor dog. May it not be that you will 
 regret this hasty work, and, like the young merchant of 
 whom I have spoken, repent when it is too late ? " 
 
 " The order is irrevocable," whispered the king ; " I 
 cannot hear the man." 
 
 Then another of the princes prostrated himself before 
 the throne, and begged that he too might be permitted 
 to say something before he died. 
 
 " Say on," said the king, slightly waving his right 
 hand. 
 
 The prince began : — 
 
 " great and gracious king, there were in times long 
 past a celebrated shikari, who entirely supported himself 
 by the several beasts and birds which he killed in the 
 jungle. One day it happened that nothing came to his- 
 hand. He was in great distress about this, as there was 
 no food in the house for the morrow. So he went on 
 for three days wandering farther and farther into the 
 jungle in the hope of getting something, till at last he 
 came to a hut outside which some shikaris were sitting. 
 They asked him who he was and whence he came ; and 
 
 found in the Welsh translation of goose,'' &e. Professors Benfey and 
 
 Prince Llewellyn, so familiar to Rhys Davids trace the JSTitopadesa, 
 
 tourists at Beth Gelert (cf. also the Pancha-tantra, and other Sanskrit 
 
 Hon. "W. E. Spencer's ballad). Al- -works to a Buddhist source [vide In- 
 
 though the Welsh point to the ruins troduction to Buddhist Birth Stories ; 
 
 of a certain priory that Ponce Lie- and Chips from a Oei'man Workshop, 
 
 wellyn founded to mark his jjeni- vol. ii. pp. 227-^32). Cf. also IVIr. 
 
 tence for the hasty act, and to a ItG'wWsnotesm The Orientalist, vol. i\. 
 
 stone as a mark of the place of the pp. 49, 50 ; and Folk-Lore Journal, 
 
 dog's grave, yet there appears no vol. iv. pp. 189, 190. 
 doubt that the story was borrowed This story seems to refer to that 
 
 directly from the Sitopadesa (quoted extensive series of tales in which the 
 
 above) and its translations. This machinations of the wicked wife or 
 
 explains the likeness it bears to the mistress are counteracted by the 
 
 stories of **The Brdhman and the stories of the king's advisers. See 
 
 Weasel," " Tlie Widow and the Mou- the Sindibad Cycle, passim. 
 
THE FOUR PRINCES. 431, 
 
 when they heard that he was in search of. food, and had 
 not partaken of any for three days, they set some meat 
 and bread before him, and promised, to take him in a 
 short while to a spot where shikar would certainly be 
 found. 
 
 " After a good meal and a refreshing sleep he and one 
 of the other shikaris went in a certain direction in the 
 jungle and killed a hdrah-singd,^^ some smaller animals, 
 and a bird or two. These the other shihwis would not 
 think of touching. 
 
 " ' No, no,' they said, ' these are yours. Take them 
 home quickly to your' wife and children, who must be 
 starving by this time. We would like to keep you with 
 us longer if it were not for the thought that you must be 
 anxious to return home at once. However, we hope to 
 see you again.' 
 
 " ' Thank you much for your goodness to me,' replied 
 the shikari. 'I shall undoubtedly come and see you 
 often, and shall always be ready to help such friends as 
 you have proved to be. Had it not been for your timely 
 aid I and my house would have perished. Of course 
 you will see me again.' 
 
 "On arriving at his house he found his wife and 
 family almost dead from starvation. They had waited 
 and waited for his return, until they had become quite 
 ill from want of something to eat. So he quickly got 
 a fire ready, cooked some venison, and made some 
 broth. 
 
 " The next day they were well and happy again, and 
 related to each other all their wretched experiences, and 
 blessed the shikaris in the jungle, who had been so kind 
 to them. 
 
 "In a few days the shikari to\A his wife that he must 
 visit his friends in the jungle, as he had promised that 
 he would go and. see them again soon. So he prepared 
 
 '3 Bdrah-singd, a^tvifi\vetiraer {Cenus.elaphus), more often called 7jri;i(;Zii 
 or Ivunyul. 
 
432 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 some presents and went. The other shikaris were very 
 glad to see him, and treated him right hospitably. He 
 stayed with them many days, during which he did much 
 hunting, and arranged that the beautiful daughter of the 
 chief of the party should be married to his son ; for thus 
 the two families would be bound together by other than 
 ties of friendship.' 
 
 " In due time the wedding took place, and the bride- 
 groom was invited to come and sleep in his father-in- 
 law's house. He went, and in the middle of the night 
 the happy pair were disturbed in their slumbers by a 
 great howling of jackals. Now, it happened that the 
 bride understood the speech of every bird and animal. 
 Accordingly, as she lay awake listening, she heard the 
 jackals saying to one another, 'A dead body is floating 
 down this river, and round one of the arms of the corpse 
 there is a bracelet of five precious stones. Where is that 
 person who will go and drag the body to shore and take 
 off the bracelet of precious stones, and thus do three 
 good works, viz., cleanse the river of this pollution, save 
 the five precious stones from being lost altogether in the 
 bed of the river, and provide us poor hungry beasts with 
 a good meal ? ' 
 
 " When she heard this the bride rose from her bed 
 and walked out towards the river.'* Her husband also, 
 moved by curiosity, went after her unawares. On reach- 
 ing the brink of the water the woman leapt in and swam 
 towards the fioating corpse, which was just discoverable 
 in the faint moonlight. She seized the body, and having 
 pulled it to the bank, she took off the beautiful bracelet, 
 that was tied round one of the arms, and then returned 
 to the house. 
 
 " Her husband arrived first, as he had not waited while 
 she untied the bracelet. ' What can she have gone to 
 tie river for and bathed at this time of the night ? ' he 
 
 " Concerning talking animals and understanding non-human language, cf. 
 Wide-Awake SUrries, pp. 412, 413. 
 
THE FOUR PRINCES. 433 
 
 thought. No sleep came to him because of this ; but his 
 wife slept soundly till the morning light. 
 
 "According to custom, the husband on rising went 
 immediately to the river for a bathe. What was his 
 horror and disgust to find in the very place where his 
 wife had jumped in during the night the half-eaten body 
 of a human being ! He said within himself, ' My wife 
 must be a rdkshasi. She has devoured half of this body, 
 and will certainly come to-night and devour the remainder. 
 Thinldng this, he feared to return to her, and so went by 
 an unfrequented path back to his father and his father's 
 house. 
 
 " ' Father,' he said on arrival, ' why did you marry me 
 to a rdkshasi ? I am sure that this woman is a rdkshasi, 
 because last night she feasted on a human body. In 
 proof of this you can go and see the remains of the 
 corpse lying on the river-side. What an unfortunate man 
 lam!' 
 
 " When the shikari heard these words, he thought that 
 either his son was not speaking the truth or else he had 
 gone mad ; so he hastened to ascertain the real state of 
 affairs. When he was yet some distance from their house, 
 the father of the bride and several other members of the 
 family came forward to greet him, and to inquire the reason 
 of his son's strange and sudden departure. 
 
 " Thinking it wise to dissemble matters till the truth 
 concerning the woman was fully known, the shikari bade 
 them not to be anxious about his son, as he was safe at 
 home, having returned quickly in obedience to his direc- 
 tions. The boy was not grown up, he added, and there- 
 fore he had been ordered to return home quickly. He 
 hoped they would forgive any apparent rudeness, and 
 allow the bride to accompany him. 
 
 " The other shikaris were quite satisfied with these 
 explanations, and agreed to let the bride go. After eat- 
 ing a little the shikdri (the father of the bridegroom) 
 went back to his house with his daughter-in-law. 
 
 2 E 
 
434 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 "He soon managed to walk behind her, for he was 
 afraid to keep up with her, lest she should really be a 
 rdkshasi and eat him. They had proceeded some way in 
 this fashion, when the girl, feeling tired and weary, sat 
 down by a little pool of water under the shade of a 
 large and beautiful tree. The shikari also, encouraging 
 himself in the thought that his son had probably only 
 had a nightmare, sat down beside her, and taking out 
 some provisions, with which the girl's father had supplied 
 him, gave her some to eat. 
 
 " While they thus sat, enjoying the rest and the food 
 and each other's conversation, a few crows gathered 
 round and commenced cawing and making a great noise 
 as they hopped and flew about from branch to branch 
 and stone to stone, with eyes fixed on the scraps of the 
 meat, ready to pounce down on the first opportunity and 
 carry them off. One of them, an old crow, wished to be 
 especially friendly. ' Who is that person,' he cawed, 
 ' that can hear and understand my speech ? Near the 
 roots of this beautiful tree there lies a potful of precious 
 stones, and under this pot are thousands and thousands of 
 ants, that are destroying the very life of the tree. Oh ! 
 where is the person that will dig up this pot, and thus 
 save the tree, and us who have built our nest in its 
 branches, and besides this, enrich himself beyond thought 
 and speech ? ' The girl heard these words, and laughed 
 and wept alternately. 
 
 " On seeing this her father-in-law got very frightened. 
 He thought that she laughed and wept because she was 
 a rdJcshasi, and was then meditating making a meal of 
 him. With a tremulous voice he asked her, ' Of what 
 nature are you ? If you are a rdJcshasi I beg of you to 
 spare me.' 
 
 " The girl, exceedingly surprised at these strange words, 
 answered, ' I am not of a bad or sanguinary nature. What 
 have you observed in me or heard about me to prompt 
 such a question ? ' 
 
THE FOUR PRINCES. 435 
 
 " ' How came that half-devoured corpse on the river- 
 side the other morning ? ' he said. ' Why did you 
 laugh and weep just now, and almost in the same 
 breath ? ' 
 
 "'What! shall I tell you?' she said. 'Are you 
 really supposing me to be a rdJcshasi for these reasons ? 
 Is this the cause of my husband, your son's, sudden dis- 
 appearance ? Is it on this account that you have walked 
 behind me almost all the way here ? What folly ! What 
 wrong is this ! Listen to the truth of the case. On the 
 night of the day that your son visited my father's house 
 the jackals prowled about the place and made such a 
 noise that we both awoke. Their conversation was loud 
 and long that night, and no wonder, for they had seen a 
 corpse floating slowly down the river, and on one of the arms 
 of the corpse, they said, a beautiful bracelet was fastened. 
 Understanding their speech, I thought that I would go 
 down and drag this corpse to land and get the bracelet. 
 Look, here it is ; ' and she showed it to her father-in-law 
 wrapped up in a dirty piece of cloth. ' The dead body I 
 left on the river-bank. Perhaps the jackals came after- 
 wards and devoured it. I did not, you may be sure. It 
 was a half-eaten corpse that your son probably saw in 
 the early morning, and as he had very likely noticed my 
 going to the river in the middle of the night, he thought 
 that I was a rdJcshasi, and therefore had devoured the 
 body. And so he fled.' 
 
 " Saying this, she laughed heartily. The shikari also 
 could not help laughing. 
 
 " ' And then again,' she continued, ' just now a crow 
 perched on yonder branch, and by cawing said that 
 much treasure was concealed near the roots of this tree. 
 Understanding the speech of birds also, I laughed and 
 cried from joy at the thought that I should get further 
 treasure, and thus ,be able to bring ease and pleasure to 
 my husband and family. Wasn't that quite rational ? 
 Oh ! please do not think me to be a rdJcshasi, or anything 
 
436 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 of that nature. I wish to be a faithful wife to your son, 
 and to do good to all people.' 
 
 " The shikari w&s very glad to hear this. He thoroughly 
 believed his daughter-in-law's words. 
 
 " Presently they both dug together round the roots 
 of the tree and found the treasure — some most valuable 
 stones and riches. In the excitement of the moment 
 the shikari embraced the girl, and begged her to forgive 
 both him and his son for their misapprehensions concern- 
 ing her. 
 
 "Most happily they recommenced their journey. It 
 was a most beautiful road. The trees made one long 
 avenue, through which they walked in a most grateful 
 shade the whole way ; flowers of every form and beauty 
 strewed the ground; and streams meandered in all direc- 
 tions, carrying with them life and strength and gladness. 
 
 " From one of these streams the shikari, feeling thirsty, 
 asked his daughter-in-law to bring him some water. 
 She at once obeyed, and as she stooped down to take the 
 water a frog croaked and said, ' In the name of mercy, 
 will nobody listen ? Within this stream a treasure lies 
 concealed, and therefore the stream is filled with insects. 
 Who will hear me and take out the treasure ? Thus 
 would the waters be healed and travellers who drink of 
 it be benefited ; the frogs would be able to enjoy them- 
 selves without hindrance from unpleasant pains in the 
 stomach, which they are constantly experiencing from 
 life in this water ; while the finder of the treasure would 
 be enriched beyond all want.' 
 
 " On hearing this the girl went at once and told her 
 father-in-law, who immediately came to the stream and 
 found the treasure. Having securely fastened it round 
 their waists, they proceeded on their journey.^* When 
 
 "> Kashmiris have various devices sleeve-oufEs, sometimes in their ears 
 
 for carrying their money or other it the thing is small, and sometimes 
 
 little valuables. Sometimes they con- tie it up in a knot at the end of their 
 
 ccal it in their turbans, sometimes in wrap, 
 their kanuurhands, sometimes in their 
 
THE FOUR PRINCES. 437 
 
 they arrived near the house the shiMri askei his daughter- 
 iu-law to go on ahead. She did so, and while she ap- 
 proached the entrance of the house her husband saw her ; 
 and observing that she was alone, he at once thought 
 that she had killed his father and now she was coming 
 to slay and eat him ; therefore he armed himself with 
 a sword, and when she came up, expecting to be wel- 
 comed by her husband and looking forward to showing 
 him their great wealth, he struck off her head. 
 
 " In the course of an hour his father reached the house. 
 ' O father,' said the son, ' God be praised that you have 
 been preserved from the hands of this blood-stained 
 woman ! Be glad now. Henceforth we shall dwell in 
 peace and safety. I have slain her. Behold, her life- 
 blood stains the doorway ! ' 
 
 " When he saw the marks of blood about the place the 
 shikari fell down insensible. It was a long time before 
 he again came to his senses. Great was his grief, but 
 greater the grief of the hasty husband, when he heard 
 the truth of the case." ^* 
 
 There was perfect silence during the narration of this 
 story. With great power the moral seemed to be brought 
 home to the heart of the king. 
 
 " king, our father, the prince said in conclusion, 
 " be not hasty, we beseech you, concerning this matter 
 of our execution, lest you also come into similar grief." 
 
 His Majesty, however, hardened his heart and would 
 not hear the thing. 
 
 Then another of the princes prostrated himself before the 
 throne and begged to be permitted to speak. He said : — 
 
 " Many years ago there lived a king, whose favourite 
 sport was falconry. One day this king visited a cer- 
 tain jungle for shikdr, and reached a spot where he 
 bad never been before. He was so charmed with the 
 place that he ordered his tents to be pitched there. 
 
 M For an interesting Tariant of this tale cf. Folk-Tales of Bengal, pp. 150, 
 IS3- 
 
438 FOLK-TALES OP KASHMIR. 
 
 While this was being done His Majesty got very thirsty, 
 and asked for some water. According to custom, a sword 
 was in the right hand of the king, a hawk perched on 
 the left, and the royal flag in front ; and so it happened 
 that when the king was about to drink the hawk flapped 
 its wings and upset the cup. A servant went and 
 brought some more water, but again the hawk caused it 
 to be spilled. This time the king was angry, and spoke 
 harshly to the bird. Again a servant went and got 
 some water, but for the third time, when His Majesty 
 took hold of the cup and lifted it to his mouth, the 
 hawk fluttered about very much, upsetting the water and 
 discomposing the king exceedingly. His Majesty was 
 very angry, and raising his sword killed the bird.^'^ 
 
 " On this one of the wazirs came up and suggested 
 that there was some special reason for the hawk's per- 
 sistent and apparent rudeness. Perhaps some evil was 
 in the cup. 
 
 "The king then ordered that the stream, whence the 
 servant had brought the water, should be thoroughly 
 examined. For some distance nothing was discovered, 
 till they came to another little stream running into it, 
 whose waters were of a greenish hue. This tributary 
 stream they also followed, and in a short while came on 
 a large python,^^ out of whose mouth green slime — rank 
 poison — trickled. Frightened at the sight of this terrible 
 monster, the servants ran back to the camp as fast as 
 they could. 
 
 " When His Majesty heard their account he beat his 
 breast and tore his beard, saying, ' Oh, why was I so 
 hasty ? I have slain my preserver ! My handsome, 
 faithful falcon is no more ! Oh that I had waited to 
 inquire the reason of the bird's behaviour ! ' " ^^ 
 
 " king, our father," added the prince after a few 
 
 1' Cf. Legends of the Punjab, vol. i. i' Of. variant of this story, Folk- 
 p. 467 ff. Tales of Bengal, p. 154. 
 
 " Ajdar {Persian azhdar), Sanskrit 
 ajagara. 
 
THE FOUR PRINCES. 439 
 
 moments' pause, " we beseech you to inquire thoroughly 
 before you deliver us over to death." 
 
 Then the king began to relent. He doubted the truth 
 of the queen's story, though he did not know how else 
 to account for the marks of blood on Her Majesty's toes 
 and the presence of the eldest prince in their private 
 room at that time. " Tell me," he said, turning to his 
 eldest son and heir, who as yet had kept perfectly silent, 
 " everything concerning last night ; and if you can 
 answer satisfactorily then you and your brethren shall 
 go free." 
 
 The eldest prince, having prostrated himself before the 
 throne, replied: — 
 
 " king, our father, your goodness and kindness are 
 well known to all men. We do not hesitate to answer 
 you about this matter; for our consciences are clear, 
 and we are assured that Your Majesty will receive us 
 again into your confidence, when you have listened to our 
 petition. 
 
 " While going my rounds one night I reached a hut 
 where lived a brahman and his wife. Attracted by the 
 man's strange behaviour — for he came out of the hut, 
 looked up at the heavens, and then went in again exclaim- 
 ing, ' Trdh, Trdh ! ' — I drew nearer to the place, and heard 
 that Your Majesty's star had been destroyed by another 
 star, and that this meant that Your Majesty would die on 
 a certain night. From further conversation between the 
 brahman and his wife I learnt that a serpent would 
 descend from the sky to kill Your Majesty, and would 
 enter the palace by the door that opens into the court to 
 the east. There was no hope of safety,' said the brahman, 
 ' unless one of Your Majesty's relations would dig pits in 
 the palace-court, whence the snake would enter, and fill 
 them with milk and water, and cover the pools thus 
 made with flowers, so that the snake by passing through 
 them might lose its poison ; and further, the man who 
 would do this thing must also slay the snake before it 
 
440 FOLK -TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 entered the palace, and smear some of its warm blood 
 over Your Majesty's toes. 
 
 " Therefore, king, our father, I took upon myself to 
 do this. I was present at the door on the east of the 
 palace at the appointed time. The pits were dug and 
 everything arranged as the brahman had ordered. The 
 serpent came, and I duly slew it ; and then, fearing to 
 enter Your Majesty's private room with my eyes open, 
 I blindfolded myself. Hence the mistake I made of 
 putting the blood on the queen's toes instead of on 
 Your Majesty's. No rdksJiasa entered Your Majesty's 
 room. 
 
 " king, our father, why do you suspect us ? We 
 are true sons. You have listened to the words of the 
 queen, who wishes her own sons to have the throne and 
 the great places in the kingdom, and so has maligned us. 
 We have never deceived you, king, or wished you 
 harm." 
 
 The kincr hung down his head in sorrow and shame. 
 In a few minutes he arose and dismissed the assembly, 
 saying, " Ye have heard. I will go myself and ascertain 
 the truth of these things.'' 
 
 Accompanied by his four eldest sons, the king went 
 and saw the pits that had been dug and the blood-stained 
 place where the dead body of the snake had been thrown. 
 He then visited the brahman's hut, and closely interrogated 
 him concerning the eventful night. All was found to be 
 perfectly correct. 
 
 There was great rejoicing in the city that night when 
 the news was blazed abroad how near the four princes 
 had been to death, and how they had been saved. It 
 was soon arranged for these princes to govern the land. 
 The eldest son became king, and the other sons were 
 appointed wazirs. They lived together most amicably 
 and prospered much. The poor brahman and his wife 
 were well provided for during the remainder of their 
 lives. The plotting, malicious queen was divorced and 
 
THE FOUR PRINCES. 44i 
 
 exiled. The old king retired to a jungle, that he might 
 entirely devote himself to meditation and prayer. In 
 this jungle he obtained a very great reputation for sanctity, 
 and at length died at a very great old age.^" 
 
 ^ Cf. variant of this story, "Strike but Hear,'' Folk-Tales of Bengal, pp. 
 147-159- 
 
( 443 ) 
 
 THE JOGI'S DAUGHTER} 
 
 It was a time of general distress. Among others who 
 suffered was a certain brdhman. Not having been 
 brought up to any trade, this poor brahman was unable 
 to do anything for a living, and no man gave unto him. 
 He was in great straits. If it had not been for a scanty 
 pittance of food, which was earned by his wife, who went 
 every day to help in pounding the rice for a very rich 
 family that lived in the neighbourhood, he and his family 
 would have starved to death. 
 
 One day, when the brdhman was going to perform his 
 vQgvlax pujd, his wife said to him, " Oh that you would do 
 some p'Ajd, some service, whereby the gods would favoui 
 us and grant us food and clothing ! " 
 
 " I will," said the brahman. " Make me some biscuits." ^ 
 
 The biscuits were got ready, and the brahman took 
 them and went. He took his idols also. 
 
 It was spring-time. The country all around was 
 covered with blossom. The brahman walked far and 
 fast, till at last, feeling tired, he sat down to rest under 
 an apple-tree that grew by the side of a pretty little 
 purling brook. " Here," thought he, " I will worship 
 and meditate." For several hours he tarried there wrapt 
 in meditation. Then he arose, put back his idols into 
 the bag, and commenced to return. On the way he 
 noticed a column of smoke ascending slowly into the air. 
 He drew near, and saw that it proceeded from a jog^s fire, 
 and that the good man was squatting by it. Bowing 
 reverently, he also squatted down beside him. The jogi 
 
 1 Narrator's name, Makund B&yti, Suth<i, Srinagar. 
 * Tlie name of these biscuits is yAi, 
 
THE JOGI'S DAUGHTER. 443 
 
 opened his eyes and inquired what was his errand. The 
 brahman told him of his great distress, and how he had 
 been wandering about that day doing special ptijd in the 
 hope that the gods would have pity on him and help him. 
 
 On hearing his sad tale the jogi said, " Go to my 
 daughter, who is sitting over yonder. Perhaps she will 
 help you." 
 
 The brahman thought it was rather strange. Still, he 
 went to the girl and repeated what he had said to her 
 father. The girl was very much affected by his account 
 of himself, and wept profusely. Tears streamed down 
 her cheeks, and lo ! every tear that touched the ground 
 became a rich lustrous pearl. " Take them," she said ; 
 " they are yours." Then she laughed, and lo ! from 
 her mouth there came forth most magnificent flowers of 
 gold. " Take them," she said again ; " they are yours." 
 Then she arose and walked slowly a few paces, and lo ! 
 each footprint that she made was covered with gold. 
 " Collect the gold," she said ; " it is yours. You will 
 now have sufficient to provide yourself and family with 
 food for many days. You can go." 
 
 Glad and happy, the brahman went home. The gods 
 had blessed him ; his prayers had been heard at last. 
 "Look," said he to his wife, "the gods have had pity on 
 us. For several hours I worshipped and meditated, and 
 was returning home, when I came across a jogi sitting by 
 his fire." 
 
 "Tell me no more," she interrupted. "You are not 
 speaking the truth. You must have got the wealth by 
 theft. I shall not believe you till you have been to the 
 king and told him everything. If His Majesty is satisfied 
 with you I shall be satisfied also." 
 
 Seeing that she was determined, the brahman took 
 the pearls and gold to the king, and informed him how 
 he had come by them. His Majesty was astonished. 
 However, he believed the brahman, and gave him a 
 present of several bags of money. 
 
444 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 When the brS,hman's wife saw the king's present she 
 was persuaded, and hesitated no longer to enjoy the 
 wealth that her husband had so strangely and so oppor- 
 tunely obtained. 
 
 A short time after this interview the king sent for 
 the brdhman and inquired further about the daughter of 
 the jogi ; and being much impressed with the brahman's 
 account of her, he begged him to go to the girl's father 
 and solicit the hand of his daughter in marriage. " Such 
 a wife," thought he, " would be of inestimable benefit to 
 me and my kingdom." 
 
 "Be not angry, king," replied the brahman, "and I will 
 speak. Suppose ^ejogi is angry with me and curses me ? " 
 
 " I care not," said the king. " You must arrange some 
 plan for getting the girl to be my wife." 
 
 There was some more conversation, and then the 
 brahman left. 
 
 He was in great anxiety. The wealth that had lately 
 come into his hands seemed about to pass out of them as 
 quickly as it had come into them. What was he to do ? 
 Go he must ; but how to fulfil his errand he knew not. 
 The next morning he started, and in much trembling 
 approached the jogi, who was still seated in the same 
 place where he had found him before. " Have pity on 
 me," he cried, " and hear my petition. The king wishes 
 your daughter in marriage, and will not rest till he hears 
 of your consent to the union." 
 
 " Be not troubled," replied the jogi. " Go and tell His 
 Majesty that his request is accepted, and bid him come on 
 such-and-such a day with a company of people for the wed- 
 ding. The people who attend him must all be over the 
 age of seven years. Go, fear not. My word has been given." 
 
 Overwhelmed with joy, the brahman hastened to the 
 king and informed him of the success of the visit. The 
 appointed day arrived. The king, with an immense 
 retimie, came to the jogi, and was most graciously 
 received. In due time the ceremony was celebrated. 
 
THE JOGI'S DA UGHTER. 445 
 
 Everything went off well, and everybody was much 
 pleased. And then the king left. 
 
 On the way back the bride, being very thirsty, asked 
 for some water ; but the woman in whose charge she 
 had been placed demurred. 
 
 " Why do you tarry ? " said the bride. 
 
 " I dare not obey you," replied the woman, " for in 
 this river there dwells a serpent that will not allow any 
 one to drink of the water unless that person first gives 
 it a pair of human eyes for the draught." 
 
 " Be it so, then," replied the bride. " Fetch a knife 
 and take out my eyes, and bring me some water." 
 
 The cruel act was done ; the water was brought ; and 
 the girl drank of it and was satisfied. 
 
 Now this woman, whose business it was to look after 
 the bride, was a very wicked woman. She took advan- 
 tage of the darkness of the hour — for it was night before 
 the company had reached half-way — and changed the 
 clothes of her mistress for the clothes of her own 
 daughter. The two girls happened to be about the 
 same age. She then placed the jogi's daughter in a box, 
 which she put into the river, and afterwards she put her 
 own daughter into the doU? 
 
 The wicked woman's daughter arrived at the royal 
 palace, and, as soon as it was light the next morning, the 
 impatient king visited her and asked her to cry and 
 laugh and walk, so that he might get some pearls and 
 gold. But the girl was only astonished, and said nothing. 
 When he saw this the king sent for the brahman and 
 charged him with falsehood and deceit. The brahman 
 pretested his innocence, and begged His Majesty to wait. 
 "The girl, perhaps, is confused," he said, "with the 
 sudden change in her position." 
 
 The Jogi's daughter floated down the river in the box, 
 and was found on the following morning by a washer- 
 man, who, seeing that she was blind, took her to his 
 
 ' Cf. Indian Fairy Tales, pp. 3, 4, 143, 144, and Old Deccan Days, p. 224. 
 
446 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 home, gave her food and clothing, and treated her in 
 every way like his own child. The next day, as she 
 walked about the washerman's little garden, it was 
 noticed that her footprints were footprints of gold. 
 Somebody told her of this, and she answered, "I know. 
 Collect it and give it to the washerman." The following 
 morning something caused her to laugh, when flowers of 
 gold fell down from her mouth. This also was told her, 
 when she answered, " I know. Take them to the king's 
 wife. Perhaps she will be pleased with them, and will 
 wish to buy them. If so, then tell her that the price is 
 a pair of human eyes." 
 
 The washerman went to the palace with the golden 
 flowers and showed them to the wife of the king. Her 
 mother (the queen's maid) was present when he arrived. 
 As was expected, the young queen was fascinated with 
 the flowers, and asked the washerman to say how much 
 he wanted for them. " Two human eyes," said he. 
 
 " Two human eyes ? " repeated the queen. " How can 
 I pay you in this way ? Ask me for some money or for 
 any special honour, and you shall have them. But how 
 can I get for you two human eyes ? " 
 
 "I will procure them for you," said the maid, who 
 went into an adjoining room and returned with a little 
 box, wherein were the two eyes of the j^gi's daughter. 
 The washerman took them, gave the queen the golden 
 flowers, and then left. 
 
 " How glad I am you have succeeded ! " exclaimed the 
 jogi's daughter, when the washerman gave her the eyes. 
 " These are none other than my own eyes. Put them back 
 into their sockets and anoint them with this eye-salve." 
 
 The washerman did so, and the girl's sight was restored 
 to her whole as before. 
 
 When the king went to see his wife that evening the 
 cunning maid showed him the golden flowers, and pre- 
 tended that they had been produced by the queen. The 
 king was very glad at this, and lavished on his wife and 
 
THE JOGrS DAUGHTER. 447 
 
 her maid all sorts of presents. " Now," thought he, " I 
 shall soon he the richest monarch in the world." 
 
 Weeks passed. Nothing more was produced by the 
 wife of the king. But the jogi's daughter daily produced 
 some pearls, or golden flowers, or gold, according as she 
 wept, or laughed, or walked. In this way the washer- 
 man quickly became very rich. Various reports of his 
 incredible wealth, and of the mysterious manner by which 
 he had obtained it, spread everywhere. The king too 
 got to know of it, and sending for the man, asked him 
 how he had contrived to make so much money in so 
 short a time. The washerman, who was very much 
 frightened, informed His Majesty of the whole truth, 
 "Your Majesty," he said, "the jogi's daughter, who is 
 your rightful wife, has been cruelly deceived by the 
 woman in attendance on the girl that now occupies the 
 position of queen. On the way back from the wedding 
 this woman prevailed on the jogi's daughter to take out 
 her eyes ; and then, when the girl was blind and knew 
 not what was going on, she took off her garments and 
 put them on her own daughter, the present queen. She 
 then clothed the jogi's daughter in the garments of her 
 own daughter, and shutting her up in a big box, set the 
 box afloat in the river. The doU, with her daughter 
 seated inside, reached the palace ; the box, with the jogi's 
 daughter, floated to my house. It. was not long before I 
 discovered the wonderful virtues of the jogi's daughter. 
 Whenever she wept or laughed, or wherever she walked, 
 a pile of pearls, or golden flowers, or gold was the result.* 
 Once, at her request, I brought some of the golden flowers 
 to the queen, and demanded two human eyes as the 
 price. The queen's mother, this wicked woman, was 
 present at the time. She handed to me the pair of eyes 
 that belonged to the jogi^s daughter. I took them and 
 left. On my return home I gave the eyes to the girl, 
 who at once replaced them in their sockets ; and then, on 
 
 * Cf. Wide-Atcake Stories, p 426, CSass iv., note (c). 
 
448 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 the application of a little eye-salve, was able to see with 
 them as well as before." 
 
 " Go and fetch the jogi's daughter," said the king. " I 
 have been deceived." 
 
 Presently the washerman appeared with the jogi's 
 daughter. The king asked her to relate the whole 
 matter ; and when he heard again the same account as 
 the washerman had given him he was convinced. He 
 immediately gave orders for the execution of the wicked 
 maid and her stupid daughter; but the washerman and 
 the brahman he promoted to great honour. Henceforth 
 the jogi's daughter lived with him, and he became richer 
 and richer, till he had so much wealth that he was 
 obliged to leave off counting it. 
 
449 ) 
 
 gullAla shAh.^ 
 
 In a certain country there lived a fowler, who pursued 
 his calling with far-famed success. An incredible num- 
 ber of birds were reported to have been snared or shot 
 by him every day. Some of these he set by for his 
 own use, and the rest he sold. However, being a spend- 
 thrift, he did not become rich, but rather grew poorer and 
 poorer. As fast and as much as he earned, so fast and 
 so much did he spend. Now this was all very well for 
 a time, and for some years affairs proceeded comparatively 
 happily ; but by degrees it became manifest that the birds 
 were getting fewer and more wary. Consequently there 
 was an abatement in his success ; and so the fowler looked 
 sad and anxious, and wondered what he should do for a 
 living. 
 
 "While he was in this state Eaja Hams ^ summoned all 
 the bird-world to a great assembly, and the few birds 
 that remained in the fowler's country were also invited. 
 The conference was an immense one, and all the arrange- 
 ments were magnificent beyond description. Much busi- 
 ness was done, and every bird expressed himself very 
 pleased with all that he had seen and heard. At length, 
 the conference being concluded, the birds were dismissed 
 to their several countries ; but the little company which 
 attended from the fowler's country did not prepare to 
 leave. Seeing this, Eaja Haihs inquired the reason. 
 
 "0 Eaja," replied the birds, "in our country there 
 lives a fowler, whose aim is deadly and snares undis- 
 
 1 Narrator's name, Shiva 'Bijt. of «. v. rrST in Monier- Williams' San- 
 Eenaw&ri, Srinagar. _ skrit Dictionary. A favourite bird in 
 
 ^ A swan or goose, of. rdjahamsa, Indian tales. 
 
 2 F 
 
450 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 coverable. Nearly all our brethren have been slain by 
 him. In former days we were a great and mighty com- 
 pany, but now behold, Eajd, the smallness of our 
 numbers and our strength. We pray you to have mercy 
 on us, and deliver us out of the hand of this cruel 
 man." 
 
 Eaja Hams was exceedingly grieved when he heard 
 their sorrows, and immediately sought to relieve them. 
 He had two chief ministers, an owl and a parrot,^ whom 
 he loved very much, and to whose advice he always 
 attended. Accordingly he now called them to him, and 
 first addressing the owl, said — 
 
 " Owl, I am ruler over all the birds, and ye are my 
 ministers. A portion of my subjects are terribly troubled 
 by a certain fowler, whose tricks and snares they are 
 powerless to resist, and yet they do not wish to leave 
 their country. You will make arrangements for the 
 preservation of these my subjects." 
 
 The owl was astonished when he received this difficult 
 command; but, remembering the parrot's superior know- 
 ledge and wisdom, he replied, " Eaja, this your order 
 cannot be executed by me, owing to my blindness by 
 day. The parrot, however, with Your Highness's per- 
 mission, will fulfil it." 
 
 Then EajS. Hams turned to the parrot and commanded 
 him to perform the order which he had just given to the 
 owl. The parrot at once agreed, made his obeisance, 
 and departed. He went to the aggrieved birds, and 
 bade them to be patient and to do nothing of their own 
 counsel, but to be guided by him, and to believe that 
 
 ' Both the owl and the parrot AwS,, in the Eti district, told Mr. 
 
 occupy a prominent position in Indian Ci'oolce that he had acquired" his 
 
 folk-lore. The former is generally knowledge of magic by spending a 
 
 regarded as most skilful in foretelling night naked and alone with an owl, 
 
 events, and on tliis account would wliocommnnicatedall sorts of wisdom 
 
 prove a most useful bird if men could to him. Cf. also story of "Wise 
 
 only easily understand its speech. Hsiiis^^ in Grimm s Household Stones. 
 
 The parrot is also quoted as a most There are many interesting notes on 
 
 accomplished soothsayer, as well as these birds in Indian Notes and 
 
 a cheerful companion and faithful Queries. 
 friend. An educated man living at 
 
GULL ALA SHAH. 45' 
 
 the Bhagawant would interpose in their behalf. The 
 birds with one accord consented. 
 
 When the fowler discovered that there was not a 
 bird left in the country, he became more sorrowful than 
 ever. His case appeared hopeless. How to provide for 
 his wife and family he knew not, because he had never 
 learnt any other trade and had never possessed a special 
 friend. It was a sad sight to see his children gathering 
 round him when he returned in the evening to ask him 
 what sport he had had, for they were very hungry, and 
 then to watch them one after the other going away 
 again, on being told that nothing had come to his hand 
 that day. 
 
 Thus affairs continued until the birds returned from 
 the conference ; when the fowler, having heard from one 
 of his children that the birds had again appeared, went 
 forth with net and bow to try and catch them. He 
 spread his net in a most likely place, and looked so 
 fierce and determined that the birds were more afraid 
 than before, and went to the parrot, saying, " In such- 
 and-such a place the fowler has spread his net. Tell 
 us how we may escape, for we are certain that if this 
 man fails to snare us in his net he will shoot us with 
 his bow." 
 
 The parrot gave them permission to hide themselves 
 in different places, and promised that he would make 
 provision for their permanent safety. So away they all 
 Hew, and were soon out of sight. Then the parrot went 
 and walked straight into the fowler's net and was snared ; 
 but no other bird was caught that day, and the fowler 
 was almost frantic with despair. On reaching home his 
 family rushed to him as usual, and inquired what luck 
 he had had. " Nothing but this parrot came into my net 
 to-day," he replied, " because of your bad fortune." * 
 
 Saying this, he took the bird out of his cloth and 
 
 * A large number of stories might be dependent on the qismat of another is 
 quoted in which the supposition that mentioned. Cf. story of "The Ship- 
 prosperity or adversity is sometimes wrecked Prince " in this collection. 
 
452 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 made as though to kill it for food ; but the parrot, guess- 
 ing his intention, said, " Why are you going to slay me ? 
 Do you not know that my flesh is not fit for food ? 
 And even if you could eat me, what satisfaction for 
 your hunger could you get out of such a morsel as I am ? 
 Would it not be a wiser plan to sell me to some dealer 
 in the Idzdr and provide yourself with provisions for 
 many days from the price that you would obtain for 
 „„ . 
 
 The fowler acknowledged the wisdom of what the 
 bird advised, and therefore put it into a safe place for 
 the night, intending to rise early on the following morn- 
 ing and go to the bazar with it. 
 
 As soon as the sun was up the next day the fowler 
 was up too, and off to the bazar, proclaiming to the 
 people that he had this parrot for sale. " Who'll buy ? 
 Who'll buy ? " he cried ; and many people stopped to 
 look at the bird. They all seemed pleased with it, and 
 many wished to have it, but on account of the small 
 sums which they offered, the parrot refused to go with 
 them.^ Of course this behaviour made the fowler very 
 angry. He had been walking about in the heat all the 
 day, and was very tired and disappointed ; and when he 
 reached home, and saw again the hunger and distress 
 of his family, he was exasperated beyond bounds. He 
 swore that he would kill the parrot there and then. 
 Poor bird ! It thought that its doom was now most 
 certainly sealed. However, it again begged the fowler 
 to have patience with it. "You will perceive that I 
 have not any personal interest in this delay," it added. 
 "In refusing to be sold for such small sums as were 
 offered for me to-day I have not been rude. Please, do 
 not think me ungrateful for the preservation of my life. 
 If you will wait till to-morrow, and then place me in a 
 nice cage and cover the cage with a pretty cloth, and 
 take me here and there about the palace-grounds, some 
 
 ' Cf. Old Beccan Days, p. 107 ; also Folk-Tales of Bengal, pp. 209, 210. 
 
GULLALA SHAH. 453 
 
 great aud rich person will probably notice the cage, and 
 ask what is inside. It may be that they will also feel 
 sufficient interest in me to inquire my price. If so, 
 then please leave the arrangement of this matter again 
 to me, simply saying that I cost a great deal of money 
 and will declare my own price." 
 
 The fowler again acknowledged the wisdom of the 
 parrot's counsel, and consented to follow it. And so on 
 the following morning, a beautiful cage and cloth having 
 been procured, the bird was put inside, and carried about 
 by the fowler within the precincts of the palace-grounds. 
 
 Now the king of that country had several wives, 
 but they were all barren except one, by whom a little 
 daughter had been born to him. This daughter grew up 
 to be so good and beautiful that His Majesty loved her 
 very much. He cared not to be absent from her, and 
 there was not a request of hers that he did not try to 
 fulfil to the utmost of his power. One day she had 
 expressed a wish to have a bird which could speak, 
 and so thenceforth the king had inquired diligently for 
 such a bird. The fowler's visit, therefore, was most 
 opportune. 
 
 While the fowler was perambulating before the palace 
 the chief wazir passed by. The fowler gave him a most 
 profound saldm. The parrot also gave him a saldm, 
 imagining that some great personage was near. When 
 the wazir heard the saldm from the cage, he was much 
 surprised. " How strange ! " he said. " Please, remove 
 the cloth, that I may see the bird which can do this 
 wonderful thing." 
 
 The fowler did so ; and the wazir was more struck 
 with the beauty of the parrot than with its cleverness, 
 and offered to purchase it at any price. According to 
 the previous arrangement the parrot at once named the 
 price — " Eighteen thousand rupees." 
 
 " What ! Eighteen thousand rupees ? " said the aston- 
 ished wazir. 
 
454 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 " Yes ; eighteen thousand rupees," the parrot again 
 replied. 
 
 " Then I cannot buy you," said the vMzir. " But my 
 lord the king wishes to have a speaking bird like you ; 
 so you will please be carried to him." 
 
 The parrot consented ; and so, on reaching the front 
 entrance of the palace, the wazir took the cage and went 
 inside with it. After making his obeisance he placed 
 the cage before the king, saying that at last he thought 
 His Majesty had obtained his long-felt desire. As soon 
 as the cage was set before the king the bird most dis- 
 tinctly said, " Saldm." This greatly astonished the king, 
 who anxiously inquired whence the wazir had obtained 
 such a clever and magnificent bird. " It is the very 
 bird that I have been wanting for a long time," he 
 added. " You must sell it to me. Ask what you like, 
 and I will give it you." 
 
 The wasir replied, " It is not mine, king. I met a 
 poor fowler carrying it about the palace-grounds, and 
 knowing that Your Majesty had need of such a bird I 
 first tried to buy it; but finding that its price was more 
 than I could afford, I ordered the man to bring it hither. 
 With Your Majesty's leave I will call in the man." 
 
 The king ordered the fowler to be brought in, and 
 when he appeared he asked him to sell the parrot. 
 " Tell me its price and you shall have it," he said. 
 
 " My lord," answered the man tremblingly, " I cannot 
 tell the worth of the bird. I only know that it was 
 bought for a large sum of money. Let the king's will 
 be. The bird will state its own worth." 
 
 Then the king turned towards the parrot and inquired 
 its price ; whereupon the parrot answered as before, 
 " Eighteen thousand rupees ! " 
 
 " Eighteen thousand rupees ! " said the king, with a 
 much astonished air. " Too much, too much. Surely 
 you are joking with me." 
 
 He tried to bargain for a less sum, but the parrot was 
 
GULLALA SHAH. 455 
 
 as resolute concerning its price as tie Icing was resolute 
 concerning its purchase. Accordingly eighteen thousand 
 rupees were paid to the fowler, and the parrot was 
 carried in its beautiful cage to the king's only and 
 beloved daughter. 
 
 The fowler was now a rich man. What a windfall ! 
 Eighteen thousand rupees all in one day! "With what 
 great joy he returned to his house, and how joyfully his 
 family received him when they heard the glad news ! 
 After dinner — such a dinner as they had not eaten for 
 a long time — they began to discuss plans for the future. 
 
 " What shall be done with these eighteen thousand 
 rupees ? " asked the fowler. " Shall we leave the country, 
 the scene of so much sorrow and distress to us, and go 
 to a fairer and better land ? Or shall we remain here 
 and spend our money in trading ? Increasing in wealth 
 and in honour we should forget our past troubles. Say, 
 oh my wife and children, what shall we do?" 
 
 Thus were they engaged in conversation, when a great 
 noise was suddenly heard in the yard, and loud above 
 all sounded the voice of somebody shrieking out the 
 fowler's name. A company of soldiers had arrived, who 
 said that they had been sent by the king to summon the 
 fowler to the palace. The poor man was terror-stricken. 
 " My name ! My name ! " he cried. " The king sent for me ? 
 What does His Majesty require of me at this hour of the 
 night ? Perhaps he repents of his purchase, and wishes 
 to take the money back again. Or it may be that the 
 parrot has maligned my character. Ah me ! ah me ! " 
 
 But all his suspicions turned out to be wrong, for the 
 king had summoned him in consequence of a conversation 
 which His Majesty had just had with the parrot, wherein 
 he had been informed of the bird's mission. He wished 
 to order him, now that he had plenty of money, to 
 abandon the cruel calling of a fowler, and to apply 
 himself to trade and merchandise. The fowler readily 
 consented, saying that this was his intention and that he 
 
456 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 would send his net and other things to the palace in 
 testimony that he would not break his word. He then 
 left, and as soon as he had gone the king issued a pro- 
 clamation to the effect that no person should catch or 
 kill birds throughout the whole of that kingdom, and 
 that whosoever was discovered disobeying the royal 
 mandate should be severely punished. Henceforth there 
 was peace and contentment in the bird community of 
 that kingdom. They flourished exceedingly, and their 
 sweet songs filled the air all the day long. 
 
 Out of gratitude to the king the parrot decided to 
 remain in the palace. He made himself so very agreeable 
 that every member of the royal household fell in love 
 with him, and especially the princess, whose whole time 
 and thoughts the bird monopolised ; so that she cared 
 not to go to the king, her father, as aforetime, but was 
 always talking and playing with the parrot, and saying, 
 " Oh ! what should I do if my pretty parrot died or flew 
 away from me ? Polly, you do love me, don't you ? And 
 you will never go away, will you ? Oh, promise me truly 
 that you will never leave me ! " 
 
 Matters continuing thus, the king naturally felt an- 
 noyed, for he loved his daughter exceedingly, and did not 
 like her whole time to be spent with the parrot. One 
 afternoon he consulted some of his friends as to the right 
 course to pursue. He did not wish, or rather he was 
 afraid, to have the bird slain ; but what was he to do ? 
 They advised him to order the bird to be brought to the 
 Court, or to the garden, or wherever the king wished his 
 daughter to come, for His Highness knew that wherever 
 the parrot went there the princess would go too. The 
 king was pleased with this advice, and at once sent a 
 servant to bring the parrot to the Court.* Now, the 
 parrot, as has been already mentioned, had the faculty 
 of knowing all that was happening in the world, and 
 used to tell his mistress any special news. Accordingly 
 
 " Of. Folk-Tales of Bengal, p. 211. 
 
GULLALA SHAH. 457 
 
 he now explained to her the king's plan for getting his 
 daughter to visit him again. " You had better go," con- 
 tinued the parrot. " Go immediately, and leave me here." 
 
 The princess did so. Half-way to the Court she met 
 the king's messenger, and asked him what his errand 
 was. He replied that he had been sent by the king to 
 bring the parrot to the palace. 
 
 " Never mind," she said, " you need not go. I will 
 make it all right with the king. Eeturn with me. I 
 am now going to His Majesty." 
 
 As soon as the princess had left to go to her father the 
 parrot remembered its native place and old friends, and 
 determined to see them once more, thinking it could 
 return before the princess came back. So it pulled out 
 its old and broken feathers, that it might look the more 
 beautiful, threw them on the floor, and then started. It 
 reached home safely, and was heartily welcomed by its 
 relations and friends. They were all very glad to meet 
 again, and had a lot to tell each other after so long an 
 absence. They seemed hardly to have commenced con- 
 versation — so quickly did the hours pass by — when the 
 falling shades of evening reminded the parrot that it was 
 time to depart ; and so, resisting all entreaties of its 
 friends to stay, if only for an hour or so longer, it 
 spread out its wings and flew away. 
 
 On its way back the parrot alighted in a garden which 
 was by the sea-shore, where grew many rare and beauti- 
 ful flowers. It plucked two of the most beautiful and 
 returned to the princess. The princess had, however, come 
 back from the Court long before, and finding that the 
 parrot was not there, had become very anxious ; and 
 when, after a little while, she discovered some broken 
 feathers lying on the ground, her grief knew no bounds. 
 She thought that a cat had certainly entered the room and 
 stolen her beautiful bird. After much weeping and lamen- 
 tation she went to the king, told him her sad tale, and 
 begged him to give orders that every cat found within the 
 
458 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 kingdom should be slain. Although the king cared nothing 
 for the parrot, yet he was very desirous of pleasing his 
 daughter and therefore he at once ordered the immediate 
 execution of all the cats that could be found in his 
 country. Hundreds of cats were killed before nightfall.'' 
 The poor princess, however, got very little comfort 
 out of this revenge. She returned to her room, shut the 
 door, and wept until she had no more power to weep and 
 could not bear it any longer. " My pretty Poll, my pretty 
 Poll," she kept on saying in an agony of grief. " Why 
 did I leave you ? Oh ! cruel, cruel, to have done this 
 the very first time I was away from you ! " Thus she 
 mourned the loss of her pet companion. It was a long 
 long while before she closed her eyes that night ; and 
 when sleep did come it came only for a short space. 
 She soon awoke, and then, her thoughts naturally turn- 
 ing on her terrible bereavement, she got off her bed, and 
 determined to put an end to her grief by hanging herself. 
 She contrived to fasten a piece of cord to one of the 
 beams of the ceiling, and having made a noose, was 
 about to put it over her head, when the parrot flew in 
 through the window ! Another moment's delay and the 
 bird would have found his mistress a corpse. What 
 tongue can tell and whose pen can describe the astonish- 
 ment of the one and the joy of the other when they 
 thus met ? The princess clasped the bird to her breast, 
 and weeping floods of tears, explained how she had 
 thought that it had been devoured by some cat, and 
 on that account had prevailed on the king to sanction 
 an order for the destruction of all the cats in the 
 country ; and then how she had felt so lonely and so 
 miserable that she had fully resolved to kill herself, 
 because she could not live without its company. The 
 parrot was so touched with the princess's story that he 
 almost forgot to ask her to hasten to the king and get 
 him to revoke the cruel order concerning the innocent cats. 
 ' Cf. Folk-Tales of Bengal, pp, 209-219. 
 
GULL ALA SHAH. 459 
 
 Tor some time after this they both remained perfectly 
 silent, lost in each other's joy. At length the parrot 
 broke the silence. He told his mistress how he had felt 
 constrained to leave her so abruptly and visit his home 
 and people, also what he had heard from them and had 
 seen on the way ; and then he presented to her the two 
 beautiful flowers which he had plucked from the garden 
 by the sea. On seeing the beautiful flowers and inhaling 
 their sweet perfume the princess fainted ; she had never 
 before seen flowers so lovely and of such delicious scent. 
 When she came to her senses she went and showed 
 them to the king. His Majesty and all the courtiers 
 were greatly surprised when they saw them. Such 
 magnificent flowers had never been seen or conceived 
 of by them. Such splendid perfume too ; it filled the 
 whole palace, so that the attendants and servants living 
 in distant apartments perceived it, and began to ask one 
 another whence it was. 
 
 '' How did you obtain these ? " asked the king. 
 
 "The parrot gave them to me," replied the princess. 
 " He said that they were plucked from the flowering trees 
 in the garden of the daughter of the king of the fairies, 
 which is by the sea-shore. There were twelve thousand of 
 them in the garden, and each was worth twelve thousand 
 rupees." 
 
 " True, true/' remarked the king ; " such flowers as 
 these miist te from heaven ! " 
 
 Then tlie princess asked her father to send and get 
 some of these flowers for her. Now this was a very diffi- 
 cult req^uest. Nevertheless the king promised that he 
 would try, and at once despatched messengers in search 
 of them. After many days these messengers returned, 
 saying that they were quite sure of never being able to 
 procure the flowers. However, His Majesty was not going 
 to abandon the search so readily. He ordered notices to be 
 sent to the different kingdoms of the world asking if these 
 flowers were to be met with anywhere, and promising that 
 
46o FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 he would give his beautiful daughter ia marriage to the per- 
 son, whoever he might be, who could procure them for him. 
 This was done; but years passed without any news of them. 
 
 Now, in former days there lived in the king's country 
 a trader who was exceedingly wealthy, and who, on ac- 
 count of his immense wealth, was much honoured by the 
 common folk. Flattery and adulation had made this 
 trader very proud — so proud that he would never listen 
 to any one, not even to the king. This proud man died, 
 and owing to his not having any brothers or children his 
 whole property reverted to the crown. It was a sad 
 day for the trader's wife when her husband died. Poor 
 woman ! she was weak and sickly, and expecting soon to 
 have a little child. She knew not what to do. How- 
 ever, work she must, if she did not wish to die ; and so 
 she went and hired herself to a farmer of that country. 
 
 In due time her child was born. His qismat was 
 good, and he grew and waxed strong. When he was old 
 enough to do some work the farmer sent him into the 
 fields to tend the cattle. Day by day he found time, 
 also, to go to school with the farmer's children ; for he 
 was a good boy, and wished to be wise and great. As 
 his mother, being under the supposition that her child 
 had been born under an unlucky star, had not given him 
 a name, his schoolmates called him Kharia, because his 
 head was covered with scabs.^ The schoolmaster, how- 
 ever, soon discovered the boy's talents, and perceiving also 
 that he was diligent in his studies and ambitious, he took 
 special notice of him and taught him all he could. He 
 gave him presents of books too, and Kharia soon became 
 very clever and learned, and the envy of all the other boys. 
 
 One day it happened that, as Kharia was going on an 
 errand for his master, the farmer, he met one of the mes- 
 sengers of the king who wished to get some more of the 
 rare and beautiful flowers. " Whence come you ? " he 
 asked. " What have you come for ? What is your name ?" 
 
 * Khur is Kashmiri for the disease called scald-head (favus). 
 
GULL A LA SHAH. 461 
 
 The messenger replied by putting the king's notice 
 into his hand. Having perused it, Kharia said, " Give 
 me some money for the expenses of the way, and I will 
 obtain these flowers. Go back immediately to your royal 
 master, and tell him to comfort his daughter with these 
 words until I appear. Be not afraid that I will deceive 
 you." 
 
 The messenger" was much pleased with the boy's frank 
 and ready manner ; and giving him the necessary expenses 
 and a specially sealed letter of the king, he hastened 
 back to inform His Majesty of his success. 
 
 Kharia first went and told his mother what he was 
 going to attempt. She begged him not to be so foolish, but 
 he would not hear her. He then went to tell his master 
 and his teacher, and taking leave of them, started on his 
 journey. In two or three days he reached a jungle, 
 where a very tall and grand-looking man met him. 
 Catching hold of the tall man's hands, he said, " Saldm." 
 The man returned the boy's saldm, and asked him who 
 he was, whence he came, and whither he was going. 
 The boy told him everything, as he had told his mother 
 and master and teacher, and kept nothing back from him. 
 Then the grand tall man blessed him, prayed for him, and 
 bade him depart in quest of the flowers. But the boy 
 would not let go his hand until he had told him in what 
 direction to go. Seeing that the boy was in earnest, and 
 was a worthy boy, the grand tall man disclosed to him 
 who he was, and how, by virtue of his great sanctity, he 
 could obtain for him whatever he required. 
 
 " This is what I wanted from you," said Kharia, " for 
 I could see that you were a very holy person and had all 
 power. I pray you tell me whether I can get these flowers 
 or not, what my future lot is, and what my name is." 
 
 The grand tall man answered, "My boy, you can get 
 these flowers, your future is good, and your name is 
 GuUala Shah." 
 
 Saying this, he placed his left hand on the boy's head, 
 
462 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 and taking a hollow gourd filled with water, he threw its 
 contents over him, when the scabs and all other defects 
 in the boy's appearance disappeared, so that he was now 
 very beautiful. As soon as he had done this the man 
 finally told him to go ; and as Kharid, was leaving he 
 again blessed him. 
 
 After many days Kharia arrived at a certain place, 
 and took up his abode in the house of an old widow who 
 lived there. He was very kind to the old woman, and 
 used to give her food and in other ways help her. Every 
 day he went for walks in and around the city, and con- 
 stantly brought back with him some little present for the 
 widow. One morning, as he was washing himself by the 
 river-side, near the palace of the king of that country, the 
 princess chanced to see him, and noticing that he was 
 tall and handsome, she sent one of her attendants to call 
 him, which was done. Kharia said that he would go, 
 and was conducted to a certain spot in the palace- 
 garden, which the princess had appointed. For many days 
 they met together there, and the oftener they met the 
 fonder they became of each other. At length the prin- 
 cess determined to marry Kharia, and went to her 
 ])arents to obtain their consent. Of course the king and 
 queen first wished to see and to know something of the 
 young man, and so a message was despatched to him 
 commanding him to appear at the royal Court. In 
 a little while the king, seeing that he was good and 
 clever, and worthy of becoming his son-in-law, married 
 his daughter to him. It was a very grand wedding, and 
 there was no stint of money or trouble. Every arrange- 
 ment was on the most lavish scale, and everything seemed 
 to pass off most happily. Gullala Shah — for this was the 
 name by which he was now known — visited the darMr 
 every day, and his words were always listened to with 
 the greatest attention and respect. Through his efforts, 
 also, many good and just laws were introduced and many 
 old-established errors corrected. Thus the kingdom be- 
 
GULLALA SHAH. 463 
 
 came the terror and avenger of all evil men, but the 
 refuge and defender of all who vrished for right. 
 
 One day GuUald Shah begged the king to excuse him 
 from the darhdr, as he wished to go a-shooting. The king 
 readily assented, and ordered several soldiers and horses 
 to attend him. About the middle of the day, when 
 much excited by the chase, the horse on which GuUdla 
 Shah was mounted ran away. None of the other horses 
 could keep pace with it, so fast did it gallop ; and so 
 GuUala Siiah soon found himself alone and far out of 
 reach of any help. At last the runaway horse suddenly 
 stopped, for its legs had been fastened by an invisible 
 chain. Perceiving that his horse was mysteriously bound, 
 Gullala Shah dismounted, and taking his bow and arrow, 
 climbed the mountain hard by, to see whether he could 
 find anything to shoot there. A little way up he dis- 
 covered a small pond, upon the banks of which grew 
 a tree, then one mass of blossom. Under the shadow of 
 this tree he sat to rest, and while he sat a monkey 
 approached. He determined to shoot it, and so made 
 ready his bow ; but the monkey, guessing his intention, 
 made a great rush and dived into the pond, much to the 
 disappointment of Gullala Shdh. He remained looking 
 at the place where the monkey had disappeared, expecting 
 every moment that it would appear again. 
 
 But lo and behold ! presently a beautiful girl, wearing 
 a costly necklace of pearls, came forth, and walking up 
 to GuUala Shah, kissed him.^ Gullala Shah was exceed- 
 ingly astonished at this, but being very good and holy, he 
 did not lose his presence of mind. He asked her who 
 she was, and noticing that she hesitated to answer, he 
 threatened to slay her if she did not tell him quickly. 
 Being frightened, she said — 
 
 " My name is Panj Phiil," and my father is king of 
 
 , ^ Not at all uiifairylike prooeilure ; slightest connection between this part 
 
 cf. account of the "Fairy Princess of the story and that of " PSnch Phfil 
 
 Sh^hpasand " in Wide-Awake Stories, R4ni " in Old Deccan Dmm. Cf. en 
 
 p. 30. passant''Panjphulan"hj'BhiiGo'pk\ 
 
 ^^ There does not appear to be the Singh, a Paiij^bl poem. 
 
464 
 
 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 this country, which is fairy-land. I have been good, and 
 tried to do good, and everybody loves me. When I was 
 very young my father intended to marry me to the son 
 of his chief doorkeeper.^^ The hour was fixed and full 
 preparations made, and but a few days remained before 
 the wedding-day, when the chief doorkeeper's son went 
 to play as usual with his companions. They played 
 Wazir Padshah}^ i.e., one boy pretended to be the 
 king, another pretended to be the wazir, and others 
 took the part of other great officers in the state. 
 
 11 In a native court the doorkeeper 
 has considerable influence, inasmuch 
 as he has it in his power to give or 
 deny access to his chief. Those who 
 have read Cunningham's History of 
 the Sikhs will remember how Dhy4n 
 Singh, Eanjifc Singh's doorkeeper, 
 used the immense influence which 
 this position gave him for advancing 
 family interests. Dhy4n Singh after- 
 wards became a R4jji, and received 
 Punch as his principality. 
 
 12 This game is also called suhul, 
 and is very popular in Kashmir. It 
 is generally played by four youngsters. 
 Four little sticks are provided, off 
 which the bark on one side is peeled. 
 Any of the four children throw 
 first. If one should throw these 
 sticks, so that they all fall on the 
 bark side, then he is appointed pdd- 
 shdhy i.e., king ; but if not, then they 
 all try and throw till some one finally 
 succeeds. The next thing is to find 
 out the loazir. He who throws the 
 sticks so that one of them falls with 
 the bark side up, but the other three 
 with the peeled sides up, is appointed 
 to this office. Then a tS'Ar, i.e., a 
 thief, has to be arranged. He who 
 throws so that two of the sticks fall 
 with the bark side upwards is pro- 
 claimed the thief. Lastly, a said, i.e., 
 an honest man, has to be found. This 
 part he has to play, who throws the 
 sticks so that three of them fall with 
 the bark sides upwards. If it should 
 happen that all four of them fall with 
 the bark sides up then that thrower 
 has to try again. 
 
 Fddshdh, wazir, ts-Ar, and said 
 being known, the real play begins. 
 The tsury thief, is brought before the 
 king by the wazir^ who says — 
 
 " Pddshdh saldmat ! 
 Duzd dmad " — 
 
 "0 king, peace and health to you! 
 Here is a thief." 
 
 The king replies, ' ' Av Icujd dmad f" 
 — " Whence has he come ? " 
 
 Then the wazir tells him the whole 
 case, and punishment has to be in- 
 flicted on the criminal. This is the 
 most am^ising piece of the whole 
 tamdshd, 
 
 ^'Bidihed angdli BangdJi top,"" sajjs 
 the king — "Give him Bang&U can- 
 non." The wazir kicks the prisoner's 
 backside. 
 
 Or the king says, " Botanih anyus 
 h'dn hadal" — "Bring a dog in his 
 place from Ladak," The wazir takes 
 the prisoner a short distance, and 
 then holding hira by the ear, pulls 
 him back, while the prisoner barks 
 like a dog. 
 
 Or the king says, " Yindartul 
 kadyus" — "Take out the spindle." 
 The wazi/r draws a line with his 
 thumb-nail on the inside of the arm 
 from the elbow-joint to the wrist, 
 and then hits the arm over the line 
 as hard as he can with the first and 
 second fingers of the right hand. 
 This is rather a painful punishment. 
 There are many other words of punish- 
 ment too numerous to mention here. 
 
 I notice an allusion to this game 
 in the story of " Mabaushadha and 
 Yi^dkh^," given in Tibetan Tales from 
 Indian Sources, p. 135. Of. also 
 Ardschi-Bord chichdn in Jiilg's Mon- 
 gol, Mdrchensammlung , Innsbruck, 
 1868, p. 197, et seq. ; Folk-Tales of 
 Bengal^ p. 184 ; '* Story of All Cogia " 
 in Arabian Nights ; Kings of Ka^h- 
 mira, p. 38 ; and other tales in this 
 coUectloD. 
 
GULLALA SHAH. 465 
 
 Each one was supposed to talk and act according to 
 his part in the play. That day the doorkeeper's 
 son was voted king by his playmates, and sat in the 
 royal place. While they were thus playing the real 
 king's son passed by, and, seeing the state of the game, 
 cursed the boy. ' Be degraded from fairy-land,' he 
 said, ' and dwell among the common people.' On account 
 of this curse the doorkeeper's son soon died, and was 
 afterwards born among the common people.^* A female 
 companion told me of his death, on hearing of which I 
 became very sad ; for I loved the son of the doorkeeper, 
 and am determined to marry nobody but him. The king 
 and queen and others have tried hard to get me to change 
 my mind, but I have remained steadfast. All my time 
 has been spent in doing good and in interviewing holy 
 men. To-day I came hither to worship. One day it 
 happened that a very holy man arrived here, whom I 
 loved very much, and I thought to have met him here 
 again to-day. He seemed very pleased with me, and 
 used to give me whatever I asked of him. Once I asked 
 him to tell me how I could again see the doorkeeper's 
 son, who had been born among the common people. He 
 told me that he knew the lad, and that he was called 
 GuUala Shah, and that I could see him if I was very 
 careful to attend to his instructions. OJ course I pro- 
 mised that I would be. ' Be careful,' he continued, ' and 
 consider well, for the king will hinder you by strong 
 charms and in other ways.' He then gave me a pearl 
 necklace of such great virtue that no charms can affect 
 the wearer, which I am to wear continually and guard 
 patiently, if I would accomplish my purpose. After 
 this I went back to my house. On the first opportunity 
 I told my father of all that I had heard concerning 
 GulMla Shah, and begged him to arrange for our wed- 
 ding as soon as possible. The king looked very troubled 
 when he heard this, and entreated me to think no more 
 
 " The universal belief in metempsychosis peeps out here. 
 
 2 G 
 
466 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 atout the young man, especially as he was now one of 
 the common people. Such a thing as our marriage 
 could not possibly be, as it would bring the whole of 
 fairy-land into contempt. But I was resolute, and so 
 the king spoke sharply to me, and I answered sharply 
 in return, and left the palace in a great rage. This is 
 my history. friend, if you can do anything to help 
 me to discover anything about Gullala Shah, do so I 
 implore you, and I shall be obliged to you for ever." 
 
 Here was a strange coincidence ! Gullala Shah told 
 her who he was, and kissed her. She recognised him, 
 and taking his hand, said, " I have found my long-lost 
 beloved. With him let me ever dwell." 
 
 Holding each other's hands, they presently left the 
 pond and came to the place where the horse was standing. 
 Both mounted the horse, which was now quiet, and rode 
 back to the attendants and the other horses, which the 
 king had sent for an escort, and then returned to Gullala 
 Shah's house. 
 
 On arrival Gullala Shah introduced Pafij Phiil to his 
 other wife. The two princesses seemed glad to see one 
 another, and for some time lived together most happily, 
 until one day the first wife asked Panj Phul to give her 
 the pearl necklace.'* Panj Phiil said that she could not 
 do so, for it was the protector of her life. She could 
 never take it off from her neck. The first wife again and 
 again urged her request, and promised as beautiful and 
 as costly a pearl necklace in exchange ; or if Panj Phul 
 did not care to give it or exchange it, she might lend it 
 to her for a while. But Panj Phiil was determined, and 
 refused; nothing could persuade her to part with the 
 pearl necklace for a moment. By reason of this the 
 
 '^ However difficult this may be to and some petty cause, jealousy, or 
 
 understand in the West, it is a very covetousness disturbs the peace of 
 
 common characteristic of Eastern life, the household and now and again 
 
 I know many families in which seve- brings it to ruin. Concerning multi- 
 
 ral wives live amicably together, plication of wives, cf. Dictiona'i-y of 
 
 Human nature, though, as a general Kashmiri Proverbs, p. 70. 
 rule, proves too strong for custom, 
 
GULLALA SHAH. 467 
 
 first wife got very angry, and went and told GuUala 
 Shah of their quarrel, and begged him to get the neck- 
 lace, and he promised to try and do so. When Gulldla 
 Shah asked PanjPhTil for the necklace she refused as before, 
 saying that it contained the secret of her life, and was 
 a charm to her against all dangers, sickness, and trials; 
 deprived of it she might become sick and miserable, or be 
 taken away from them and die.'* However, GuUala Shah 
 would not be denied, and so Panj Phiil, for very love of 
 liim, handed it to him, and he gave it to his other wife. 
 
 Soon after this Panj Phiil suddenly disappeared. On 
 discovering this Gullala Shah and his first wife, together 
 with all the household, mourned and wept " What 
 have we done ? " cried they all. " For a trifle we have 
 lost our lovely Panj Phill. How obedient she was to 
 her husband ! How unselfish in the house ! How kind 
 and loving to every one ! Alas ! alas ! why did we this 
 thing ? We have caused the death of our darling ! " 
 
 As for Gullala Shdh, he knew not what to do for grief. 
 He wept day and night. At last, thoroughly worn out 
 and ill, he determined to leave the place, and to go and 
 seek the flowers in search of which he commenced his wan- 
 derings. The king, seeing that he was getting weaker and 
 thinner, consented, and gave him money for his journey. 
 
 Accordingly Gullala Shah started, and on the second 
 day reached the mountain in fairy-land where he had 
 first met Panj Phiil. He climbed higher and higher, till 
 he arrived at a certain path, along which he saw two 
 men coming towards him. They happened to be two 
 servants of the chief wadr of fairy-land. The wazir had 
 no son to carry on his name, and so his wife had asked 
 him to send men into the district with instructions to 
 bring back with them such a youth as she could eon- 
 
 15 Cf. " story of Chand.in K4ja " conveyed in a charmed necklace ; and 
 
 iu Old Dcccan Days, the authoress it is a common belief that good and 
 
 of which remarks: — "There are in- bad fortune, and life itself, can be 
 
 numerable popular superstitions re- made to depend on its being removed 
 
 garding the powers which can be from the wearer's neck. " 
 
468 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 veniently adopt as her son. These men had been wan- 
 dering everywhere, far and wide, and had not as yet met 
 with a likely person. They were now starving and in 
 great despair, but they dared not return to the wazir 
 empty-handed. When they saw Gullala Shah their first 
 thought was to eat him ; but afterwards, seeing that he 
 was clever and handsome, they decided to take him to 
 the wazir. So Gullala Shdh was seized and taken to the 
 chief wazir's house in the fair city. The two servants pre- 
 tended that he was the son of a fairy, who was a sister of 
 the wazir's wife, though she did not know it. The chief 
 wazir, his wife, and everybody who saw Gullala Shah were 
 pleased with him, and therefore henceforth he abode in that 
 house, and was everywhere recognised as the heir. 
 
 Every day the wa^r attended the king's darbdr, and 
 in the evening, when he reached home, tired and weary 
 from the day's business, he used to call his adopted son 
 to him and pass the time in conversation. Hours and 
 hours were thus occupied. Gullala Shah used to ask 
 him the news of the darbdr, and the chief wazir used to 
 tell him everything. One evening, in the course of one 
 of these long talks, the chief wazir told him that theie 
 had been great excitement in the darbdr that day, as the 
 king had been very angry with his daughter, Panj Phul, 
 who had formed an attachment for a person named 
 Gullala Shah, one of the common people, and refused to 
 be married to any other person. She had run away, and 
 for a long time there were no tidings of her, — no doubt 
 she had been trying to find that common man, — but the 
 king had caused her to return by virtue of a most potent 
 charm, and now a terrible punishment awaited her. Her 
 body was to be turned into wood and placed publicly in 
 a certain garden as a warning to other fairy daughters 
 not to do likewise! 
 
 Hearing this, Gullala Shah experienced great difficulty 
 in keeping his countenance. " Here, then, is Panj Phiil ! " 
 he said within himself. "As soon as she gave up the 
 
GULLALA SHAH. 469 
 
 pearl necklace she must have been brought back to her 
 country, and now she is perhaps suffering the terrible 
 consequences of my folly. Sorrow, a hundred sorrows ! " 
 
 At length, however, he so far overcame his feelings as 
 to ask the wazir if there were no means of saving Panj 
 Phiil from the dread sentence. The wazir said there 
 were. If Gullala Shdh could come, burn the wooden 
 figure to ashes, throw the ashes into the pond in the 
 midst of the garden where it was, then she would become 
 her former self again. 
 
 GuUdla Shdh was very pleased when he heard this, 
 and presently, wishing the wazir good-night, retired to 
 his room. No sleep, however, closed his eyes. His 
 ]nind was far too excited. As soon as he was quite 
 sure that all the inmates of the house were fast asleep, 
 he went forth secretly to Paflj Phiil's garden, burnt the 
 wooden figure to ashes, and threw the ashes into the 
 pond. Directly he did this, lo and behold ! Panj Phiil 
 came forth, looking as he had seen her when she appeared 
 out of the other pond on the mountain-side. 
 
 " My own dearest," said Gullala Shah, " how could I 
 have been so stupidly wicked as to have caused you all 
 this trial ? Forgive me, and say that you will never 
 leave me again. Come, we will wander away into un- 
 known regions, whither the hand of your tyrannical 
 father cannot reach you." 
 
 Panj Phiil replied, " I forgive you, dear husband ; but 
 to go with you is not in my power, for my father has 
 possession of me ; without my charmed pearl necklace 
 I cannot thwart him. Wherever I might wander, he 
 would cause me to return from thence ; and then my 
 case would be worse than before. Now go, I beseech 
 you, lest you also get harm; and pray that the king 
 may have mercy on me, when he hears that I have been 
 restored to life. Away quickly, my dearest, to a place 
 safer for you than this." 
 
 Gullala Shah then told her all that had happened to 
 
470 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 him — how he had wandered about in search of her, and 
 was now the adopted son of the chief wazir of that 
 country, who confided everything to him. He would 
 see her again, he said, on going away ; and even if the 
 king still wished to punish her, he would get to know a 
 remedy, and come and restore her. 
 
 The following morning, when the royal guard saw that 
 Pafij Phiil was alive again, they went and told the king. 
 His Majesty was greatly surprised, and sent for her. As 
 soon as she appeared he said, " How is it that you have 
 come again to trouble us ? Be you a serpent, and find 
 a home in yonder jungle," pointing in a certain direction 
 where was a jungle, thick, intricate, and inhabited by 
 wild beasts of various kinds. And it was so ! 
 
 That evening, when the chief wazir returned to his 
 house, Gulldla Shdh heard all that had happened. 
 " Strange ! " he said. " Can anything now be done for 
 the princess ? or must she for ever remain a serpent ? " 
 
 "Yes, there is a remedy," replied the wazir. "If 
 Gullala Shah could get to that jungle, dig a cave three 
 yards deep and broad enough to admit two people, and 
 make a covering with a hole in it for the mouth of the 
 cave ; and if after this he were to walk about the jungle 
 calling, ' Panj Phiil, Gullala Shah is here,' and then go 
 back and shut himself up in the cave — if he were to 
 strictly attend to all these directions, then Panj Phiil, 
 who is now a serpent, would find her way into the cave 
 through the hole in the covering. And there is another 
 thing, also, which he must remember to do, viz,, to cut 
 off as much of the snake as can enter in this way, chop 
 it up into little pieces, carefully collect them, place them 
 in a handkerchief, take them to the pond in the midst of 
 Panj Phul's garden, and there throw them into the water. 
 If all these instructions were carefully carried out Pafij 
 Phdl would emerge thence in all her former beauty." 
 
 When he heard this Gullala Shah was much com- 
 forted. After a little more conversation he wished the 
 
GULL ALA SHAH. 47 J- 
 
 minister good-night No sleep, however, came to him. 
 He Was far too elated at the prospect of being able to 
 restore his beloved to her former self and of seeing her 
 again to wish for sleep. As soon as he knew for cer- 
 tain that the wazir and the others were fast asleep he 
 left the house and went to the jungle. That night he 
 only fixed on a place for the cave, and then returned to 
 his room. On the following night, armed with pickaxe, 
 crowbar, spade, and other necessary implements, he again 
 visited the jungle and dug a cave. He also made a 
 covering for the cnve and a hole in the covering. He 
 then went outside and called for Panj Phul. Panj Phiil 
 heard her name being called, and came in the form of a 
 snake as soon as GuUala Shah had re-entered and shut 
 himself into the cave. She wound the greater part of 
 her body in through the hole in the covering, and Gull aid 
 Shah cut off as much of it as got inside the cave, and 
 then chopped it up into small pieces. These he care- 
 fully gathered, and pushing back the covering took them 
 with him to the pond in Panj Phiil's garden, where he 
 threw them into the water ; and, just as the wazir had 
 said, Panj Phiil appeared in all her former beauty. 
 Gullala Shah drew her to him and kissed her. They 
 talked long and lovingly, until faint streaks of dawn 
 warned them to make arrangements to leave the place. 
 Neither of them wished to be separated from the other ; 
 but what were they to do ? It was time for Gullala 
 Shah to return to his home, if he did not wish the wadr 
 to discover his absence; while Panj Phiil could not 
 leave the place. She tried to do so, but without avail ; 
 she was bound by the king's charm over her to remain 
 there. And so they parted. 
 
 Gullala Shah hastened back to the wazir's house, and 
 only just reached his room in time. Within an hour or 
 so some of the poorer folk, going to their labours, passed 
 by the place where Panj Phiil was sitting. They were 
 very much astonished at seeing her, and went and 
 
472 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 informed the king of the matter. When His Majesty 
 heard the news he sent for the chief wazir to take 
 counsel with him. " Do you not think," he said, " that 
 Gullala Shah has been here and done this thing ? " 
 
 " It is impossible," replied the wazir ; " for, in the first 
 place, how could he get here ? and then, how could he, a 
 common man, obtain this power ? He must be great to 
 have done this, and in favour with the gods — a thought 
 not to be entertained for a moment." 
 
 Panj Phiil was again summoned to the king, and this 
 time was turned into a golden nail, which was imme- 
 diately given to one of the attendants with instructions 
 to hammer it into any boat^^ that chanced to be just 
 then in course of construction. The attendant took the 
 nail and fixed it into the first boat he saw. On reaching 
 home the wazir bathed, and then called for Gullala Shah 
 as usual, and told him all the news of the day. When 
 he heard that the princess had been restored and again 
 metamorphosed Gullala Shah assumed an expression of 
 great surprise. " It is strange," he remarked, " that the 
 king should have chosen a golden nail as the form into 
 which to change her. Surely she can never again be 
 restored from such a metamorphosis as this ? " 
 
 " Oh yes, she can," said the wazir. 
 
 " How ? " asked Gullala Shah. 
 
 " Well," replied the wazir, " if Gullala Shah could by 
 any means arrive here and get into that boat, in one of 
 the sides of which the golden nail is fixed, and could 
 discover that nail, and then, having extracted it, were 
 to file it small as powder, and throw the filings into the 
 pond which is in the midst of Panj Phiil's garden, — if 
 he did all these things, then Panj Phiil would return 
 to her former shape and beauty ; and if she was this 
 time restored, then henceforth the king's charm would be 
 powerless to do her harm. It would have expended itself." 
 
 This was enough. So presently, the hour being late, 
 
 '* Meaning a Kashmiri river-boafc. 
 
GULL ALA SHAH. 473 
 
 the lOadr and Gullald, Shah went to their sleeping- 
 rooms. When he heard of this radical cure GuUala Shah 
 feigned no more than an ordinary interest, though in 
 his heart he was inexpressibly glad. On reaching his 
 room he said aloud, " Joy, joy, the time has come ! T 
 will go once more and restore my darling. Henceforth 
 the charms of this hard, wicked father shall have no 
 influence over her." 
 
 However, Gullala Shah did not immediately start. He 
 thought it better to wait a while, until all excitement and 
 interest about the princess had passed away. For several 
 months he patiently waited, and then one day he asked 
 the wazir's wife to allow him to go and visit certain places 
 that he wished very much to see, and to get also the 
 wazir's permission for the journey. He added that he was 
 now of an age to take care of himself, and he did not like 
 to hear only of the countries about which the wazir, his 
 father, had so fully informed him. The wazir's wife was 
 much pleased to notice this spirit in the youth, but she 
 hesitated to give her sanction to the request, because the 
 way to some of the places was exceedingly dangerous and 
 the hardships unendurable ; and especially so to one who 
 had been brought up so gently as her adopted son. Gul- 
 lala Shah was respectfully indignant at this reply. Draw- 
 ing himself up to his full height, he said with intense 
 earnestness, " What, my mother, shall the chief wazir's 
 son be deterred by difficulties and hardships ? A sorry 
 youth I must be if such I show myself. Better far that 
 I perish by them than that I should venture hereafter to 
 attain to the post of chief wazir of this mighty and grand 
 kingdom, as my father bids me do. Fear not, my mother, 
 but let me go. However, if you have any talisman, I 
 pray you give it me, for why should I unnecessarily 
 suffer ? " 
 
 Encouraged by her son's noble reply, the wazir's wife 
 consented to his going, and gave him her signet-ring, 
 saying, " Show this ring to the fire whenever you may be 
 
474 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 in any difficulty, and two pnns will appear and help you 
 out of it. She gave him abundant money, also, for the 
 expensef! of the proposed journey. The wazir, too, was 
 pleased when he heard from his wife of his son's enter- 
 prising and inquiring disposition, and acceded to his 
 wishes. 
 
 As will be supposed, Gullala Shah started as quickly 
 as possible. After travelling for some time, one day 
 he found himself being paddled along in a river-boat, 
 in which was the golden nail. His quick eye soon dis- 
 covered it, though it was much tarnished and almost ex- 
 cluded from sight by a great beam that ran along the 
 side of the boat. Disguising his real character, Gullalti 
 Shah begged the owner of the boat to make him one of 
 his boat servants. The man agreed, and soon Gullala 
 Shah was working the paddle as if he had been accustomed 
 to that sort of thing all his life. Thus he continued for 
 several weeks, until one day he told his master that he 
 had had a dream during the night. In this dream two 
 men appeared and pierced the bottom of the boat with 
 spears, so that it was broken. " I know," he added, 
 " the interpretation of dreams. Some enemy of yours has 
 placed a charm here, and if that charm is allowed to 
 remain it will sink the boat." The master of the boat 
 was very frightened when he heard this, and entreated 
 Gullala Shah to try and discover the malignant charm. 
 Gullala Sbah said that it was a very difficult task ; never- 
 theless he would attempt it, if the owner of the boat 
 would promise not to inform any one of the matter. The 
 owner promised. Then Gullala Shah went to a lonely 
 place and kindled a fire, and when the flames arose he 
 showed them the signet-ring of the wazir's wife. Im- 
 mediately two j'inns appeared, ready to do whatever might 
 be his bidding. Gullala Shah bade them bring the 
 boat up on land. They obeyed, and then Gullala Shah 
 pulled out the golden nail, after which he ordered the two 
 Jinns to put the boat back into the water. He now went 
 
GULL A LA SHAH. 475 
 
 and secretly showed the golden nail to his master. On 
 seeing it the owner of the boat was greatly astonished, 
 and thanked God for granting him such a useful and 
 clever servant. Gullala Shah kept the golden nail by him, 
 and in a little while, having assured his master that all 
 would go well with the boat, he asked for leave of absence, 
 which was readily granted He then returned by the help 
 of the charmed signet-ring to the house of his adopted 
 father, the chieiwazir. The wazir's wife only was at home, 
 because it was the time of the darbdr ; and she welcomed 
 him like a fond mother. Soon afterwards the waeir came 
 home, and then there were great rejoicings in the house. 
 The whole city, also, seemed interested, and accounts of 
 Gullala Shah and his exploits, and the great trials and 
 difficulties which he had overcome by virtue of the signet- 
 ring, were upon the lips of every one. 
 
 In a day or two Gullala Shah rubbed the golden nail 
 into the thinnest of filings, which he threw into the pond 
 in the midst of Pafij Phiil's garden. No sooner was this 
 done than Panj Pliiil became herself again and stepped 
 out from the pond. They both kissed one another and 
 cried, so glad were they to meet again. They told each 
 other all they had experienced since they last met, and 
 Panj Phiil declared that now she could go with him 
 wherever he wished, and advised him to wait there till 
 she had been to her room (which had remained untouched 
 since she last left it), and had taken such jewels and 
 dresses, &o., as might prove of service to them on the 
 way. Gullala Shah agreed, and Pafij Phiil went, and 
 quickly returned with jewels and dresses of great worth. 
 
 Then they both turned their backs on the fairy city, 
 and started on their journey. They walked fast and long 
 before resting, until they arrived by a pond of water clear 
 as crystal. Here they tarried a while and ate some food. 
 While talking together Gullala Shah told Panj Phiil of his 
 great desire to get some of the beautiful flowers which 
 grew in a certain garden on the sea-shore, This garden, 
 
476 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 he explained, contained twelve thousand flowering trees ; 
 each tree had been planted by a fairy princess, and was 
 worth twelve thousand rupees. On hearing this Pafij 
 Phiil said that she could obtain this desire for him, and 
 any other desire that he might choose to prefer. But 
 she only could get these flowers for him, for the princess 
 of the fairy country where they grew had never shown 
 herself to man, and therefore would not see him. 
 
 In a few days their wanderings brought them to the 
 sea-shore, close by this wonderful garden. Here they 
 hired a certain vessel which was anchored near, and as 
 they sat on board that night Panj Phul gave Gullala Shah 
 a beautiful pearl necklace, and told him to go immediately 
 and hang it before the light of a lamp in a secluded room in 
 the side of the vessel. She also told him to remain in that 
 room. The good of this was, that several other beautiful 
 pearl necklaces would be obtained by these means. Gul- 
 lala Shah did as she had advised. 
 
 Meanwhile Panj Phiil disguised herself in man's clothes, 
 and pretended to be the servant of her husband. She then 
 ordered the ship to be taken close to the garden of the 
 fairy princess. On its arrival thither the princess's at- 
 tendants came and ordered them to take the vessel away, 
 because the princess wished the place to be kept strictly 
 quiet and private, it being her wont to walk along just 
 that part of the sea-shore. But the master of the vessel, 
 Gullala Shah, and his sham servant, persisted in remaining, 
 saying that they had many great and precious things on 
 board, and so, from fear of thieves, had anchored the vessel 
 in that place. They would not remove unless the king 
 promised to refund them whatever losses they might suffer 
 from thieves and such-like who would surely come and 
 beset them in any other place. When the king heard this 
 he gave them permission to tarry there for the night. 
 
 The following morning Panj Phul took some of the 
 pearl necklaces, which had been made in the way just 
 mentioned, and displayed them to view near to the princess's 
 
GULLALA SHAH. 477 
 
 garden. Presently the princess's female attendants came 
 down to the water to bathe. As soon as they saw Panj 
 Phiil they asked her who she was. She told them that 
 she was the servant of a very wealthy trader who was on 
 board the ship. He was exceedingly good, and had some 
 very great treasures, especially some pearl necklaces, the 
 most costly and beautiful in the whole world. "When the 
 attendants heard this they naturally desired to see these 
 great treasures ; and Panj Phiil was only too ready to show 
 them. At the sight of the beautiful pearls they were very 
 much astonished, and entreated Panj Phiil to allow them 
 to be carried to their royal mistress. This also was 
 readily granted. The princess admired them so much that 
 she would not part with them, but told her attendants to 
 inquire the price, and to get several more like them — as 
 many as the merchant could spare. When these others 
 arrived — a great pile altogether — the princess determined 
 ,to go and see the merchant ; " for," thought she, " he must 
 be a very great man to possess all these costly things." Ac- 
 cordingly, closely veiled, she went to the ship, and arriving 
 there, asked Panj Phiil, the supposed servant, where his 
 master's room was, as she herself wished to bargain with 
 him for the pearls that she had selected.^'^ Panj Phiil 
 was hoping for this, but she did not wish to betray any 
 special interest in the matter, and so said that the princess 
 could not see the trader, as he had performed a certain 
 worship, and therefore could not see or talk with any 
 woman. 
 
 " But why cannot I see the trader ? " urged the princess. 
 " I am a good woman, and have never seen a strange man. 
 Surely he would not be defiled by my presence.'' 
 
 " He would not see you," answered Panj Phiil. " If I 
 took you to his room he would only be angry. He would 
 never show himself to you." 
 
 On hearing this the princess became more desirous 
 
 17 Of. Grimm's Household Stmies, of " Phakir Cliand," Folk-Tales of 
 p. 84; "Faithful John," the which Bengal, pp. 17-52. 
 story, en passant, compare with that 
 
478 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 than ever of seeing this strange man. She would go 
 alone, she said, and thus no responsibility would rest on 
 Pafij Phiil. Panj Phul said nothing ; so the princess 
 went alone and knocked at the trader's door. He did 
 not open it, but answered from within,- "I care not to 
 see any strange woman, and so cannot let you enter." 
 
 The princess, however, would not hear him. " What 
 for ? " she said. " I have never seen the face of a 
 strange man. I am a good woman. Let me in. I am 
 a good woman, and wish to be married to you. This 
 only is my desire. Why should we not see one 
 another ? " 
 
 Being thus pressed, the trader opened the door, and 
 they saw each other, and love came with the sight. 
 They talked together for a long time, and the trader 
 showed her all his treasures. Then the princess left, 
 full of affection for the strange trader, and full of amaze- 
 ment at his great and exceeding treasure. As soon as. 
 she reached the palace she told the king where she had 
 been and what she had seen, and how she had fallen in 
 love with the man, and wished to be married to him. 
 The king, being a very indulgent and good father, 
 promised to see the man, and the next morning went 
 for that purpose to the ship. When he saw the trader 
 — liow pleasant he was, and of such good speech, and so 
 wise withal — he too accepted him in his heart, and on 
 reaching home told his daughter so. The princess's joy 
 was unbounded. How much she looked forward to the 
 day ! and what great excitement there was in the city at 
 the thought of the approaching marriage ! The wedding 
 took place, and was celebrated with great grandeur, as 
 befitted the rank and wealth of the king of fairy-land. 
 
 For some time Gullala Shah lived within the palace 
 grounds and prospered exceedingly. However, he did 
 not feel altogether satisfied ; so one day he told the 
 princess all about himself — why he had come there, 
 and how he wished to set the flowers and return to his 
 
GULL A LA SHAH. 479 
 
 native country. The princess repeated everything to 
 the king, and asked his permission to take the twelve 
 thousand flowering trees and accompany her husband ; 
 and to this the king consented. Preparations for starting 
 were at once commenced. Twelve thousand carts were 
 got ready for the twelve thousand flowering trees, and 
 other arrangements were made for the transport of the 
 treasures that were given them by the king. An 
 enormous company of troops and elephants, also, were 
 placed at the disposal of the illustrious couple. At 
 length the hour of departure arrived. It was a most 
 sorrowful occasion, for they were both very much 
 beloved. 
 
 They first visited that country where Gullala Shah 
 got his first wife. The king was intensely glad to see 
 him, and gave him a splendid house to live in, and all 
 else that he required. Gullala Shdh stayed there for 
 a little while, and then, loaded with more presents, 
 departed. They next went in the direction of Gullala 
 Shah's own country. It was a long and difficult journey, 
 but they all reached the city walls in safety. They pitched 
 their camp just outside, thinking that so sudden an 
 advent of such an immense company (several thousands 
 in all, besides elephants, horses, and other beasts) would 
 much inconvenience the people. When tidings of their 
 coming reached the palace, the king was much frightened, 
 and sent for his chief wazir and other advisers, to ask 
 ■what he should do to appease this great king who had 
 now arrived j " for surely," he said, " so great and power- 
 ful a king has come here on no other account than for 
 war." 
 
 The chief wazir well considered the matter, and then 
 replied, "0 king, send, we pray you, your beautiful 
 daughter, and let her arrange for peace. Who knows 
 whether or not this great king will be captivated by her 
 beauty, and so we he saved ? " 
 . " Alas ! alas ! " replied the king, " I have already given 
 
48o FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 away my daughter to the man who shall succeed in 
 obtaining the flowering trees. Moreover, my daughter 
 has refused several times to marry any man, no matter 
 how great and wise he may be, except this person.'' 
 
 Thus were the king and his advisers occupied in con- 
 versation, when Grullala Shah, having arranged his camp 
 for the night, took off his grand and princely clothes 
 and put on the ragged garments of a beggar, and thus 
 arrayed went forth into the city with the twelve thousand 
 flowering trees. He ordered the drivers to take the carts 
 straight to the palace, while he himself went on ahead. 
 On arriving there he sent a message by the watchman to 
 the king, saying, " Bid your master, the king, to command 
 me, for I am come with the beautiful flowering trees 
 from the garden of the king of the fairies." 
 
 Strange that this message should have been delivered 
 just at the time when the king and his lorJs were 
 talking about these flowers ! But so it was. When he 
 heard the words the king did not believe the watchman, 
 but thought that he was mad. The wazir and other 
 great officials present also thought that it was too strange 
 to be true. However, His Majesty, in a jesting manner, 
 bade the man to be brought in. Presently Gullala Shah 
 appeared, clothed in rags, but bearing a sample of the 
 beautiful flowers, which had been so much admired by 
 the princess and all the royal family. True enough, there 
 were the long-desired flowers, but the bearer of them was 
 evidently of very mean origin — a dirty ragged beggar ! 
 The king placed his chin in the palm of his right hand, 
 and fixed his eyes upon the carpet. Thus he remained 
 for several minutes, perfectly silent. " Is this the man," 
 he thought, " on whom I must bestow my beloved 
 daughter ? Surely the man will not presume to ask 
 for this thing. I will handsomely reward him, and then 
 let him go." 
 
 " Friend, what seek you ? " he asked, looking up 
 again. " Will you be a great wazir in the land, or do 
 
GULL A LA SHAH. 481 
 
 you Avish for wealth ? Say, and it shall be granted 
 you." 
 
 " Let not the king be angry," replied the beggar ; " I 
 wish only for Your Majesty's daughter in marriage. In 
 comparison with her, I esteem all honour and money as 
 of little worth. I pray you, fulfil your promise to me." 
 
 The king answered, " Your request is your due ; and 
 far be it from me to break my promise by refusing it to 
 you. Take my daughter ; she is yours." 
 
 When all the lords and attendants, and even GuUala 
 Shah himself, heard these words, they were astonished at 
 the noble-mindedness of the king ; for it would have been 
 a small thing, nay, would have been accounted right and 
 proper by nearly every one, if His Majesty had refused 
 to gratify the beggar's desire. 
 
 GuUala Shah was bidden to go with the attendants to 
 a certain grand house, and there reside for a few days, 
 during which suitable garments would be provided for 
 him and arrangements made for the nuptials. This done, 
 the king and his darbdr again conferred in council as 
 to what was the best thing to be done under the present 
 difficulties concerning the foreign powerful monarch, 
 whose camp lay close to the walls of the city. They 
 talked together for a long time ; but eventually, nothing 
 definite having been agreed to, the king dismissed the 
 court, saying that he, attended only by his wazir, would 
 visit this great king and inquire the reason of his coming. 
 In the course of an hour the king and his wazir, with a 
 few attendants, might have been seen pursuing their way 
 with anxious countenances — more like pilgrims than a 
 royal party — towards the great camp without the city. 
 
 Meanwhile GuUala Shah had succeeded in eluding his 
 attendants, and, returning to his tent, had changed his 
 clothes again. The king and the waidr did not recognise 
 him when they were introduced. They were received 
 with great ceremony ; presents were offered, and the two 
 visitors seated in state. GuUald Shah opened the con- 
 
 2 H 
 
482 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 versation hj inquiring all about the country and people. 
 Then the king asked 'Whence Gullala Shah had come, and 
 -why he had come. Gullala Shah then told him about 
 himself, and how that he had come there in order to ask 
 his (the king's) daughter in marriage. 
 
 " Sorrow, a hundred sorrows ! " replied the king. " I 
 have already promised my daughter to a certain beggar 
 in consequence of a vow. Were it not so, there is none 
 other whom I could prefer to thyself. Have pity on me, 
 I beseech you, for it is with a sad heart I say this." 
 
 " Most noble, most righteous king ! " replied Gullala 
 Shah, "you have done well. Better that you should 
 lose your life, your kingdom, your all, than that you 
 should deny your word. Would that all the rulers of 
 the earth were such as you are ! Then would the people 
 be happier, and righteousness and peace would fill the 
 world. God has prospered you, king, and He will yet 
 prosper you. Only continue zealous for your people and 
 faithful to your word. Know you now that the beggar 
 whom you have just mentioned is none other than my- 
 self ; and that I, also, am that same boy who was known 
 to the people by the name of Kharia, whose father died 
 without an heir, and therefore his wealth and property 
 were appropriated by the crown ; and whose mother, in 
 consequence of this, sought for employment from a 
 certain farmer. God was with me and prospered me 
 exceedingly, so that I met with one of your messengers, 
 who told me all about your wishes. After much travel, 
 through which I have become learned, great, and rich, 
 I have at last returned to your kingdom, bringing with 
 me the flowering trees. I chose to appear with them 
 first in beggar's clothes, that I might test your fidelity to 
 your promise. You have been proved. Forgive me, I 
 pray you, if I seemed to be wrong in this matter, and 
 grant me your daughter in marriage." Saying these 
 words, he caught hold of the king's hands and seated 
 him by his side in the place of honour. 
 
GULLALA SHAH. 483 
 
 When the king heard the good news he was almost 
 beside himself with gladness. " God be praised ! " he 
 said aloud, and clasped Gullala Shah to him in affectionate 
 embrace. " Of course, I will give you my daughter, — 
 but who am I, to promise this thing ? Ask what you 
 will, and you shall have it to the full extent of my 
 power." 
 
 News of this meeting was at once conveyed to the 
 princess, who would not believe it, until Gullala Shah 
 himself appeared and declared it to her. In due time 
 the wedding was celebrated with great Mat. Gullala 
 Shah fixed his abode in that country, and lived most 
 happily with his four princess wives, for Panj Phul had 
 long ago reassumed her true character. He became 
 increasingly popular and increasingly prosperous, and in 
 a few years, on the death of the king, succeeded to the 
 throne. Other countries were quickly conquered, and 
 everything was managed with such skill and justice that 
 soon Gullala Shah became the greatest king of those 
 days. All nations did him homage, and all people 
 respected him. 
 
 Some will, perhaps, think that Gullala Shah forgot his 
 mother and relations in the time of his greatness ; but it 
 was not so. He found her out, and gave her a beautiful 
 house to live in and a large number of servants to wait 
 on her; he also inquired for those who had in any way 
 helped her during her distress, and promoted them to 
 offices of great honour. Thus did he live, universally 
 just, loving, and good. 
 
 No wonder, then, that he iDecame so popular ! No 
 wonder his kingdom waxed so great and strong! No 
 wonder that when he died, at a ripe old age, there went 
 up from all people, rich and poor, old and young, a great 
 wail that seemed to rend the heavens ! ^^ 
 
 18 Cf. Seventh story of Madanakamdrdjankadai [Dravidian Nights). 
 
( 484 ) 
 
 WHY THE FISH LA UGHED} 
 
 As a certain fisherwoman passed by a palace crying her 
 fish, the queen appeared at one of the windows and 
 beckoned her to come near and show what she had. At 
 that moment a very big fish jumped about in the bottom 
 of the basket. 
 
 " Is it a male or a female ? " inquired the queen. " I 
 wish to purchase a female fish." 
 
 On hearing this the fish laughed aloud. 
 
 " It's a male," replied the fisherwoman, and proceeded 
 on her rounds. 
 
 The queen returned to her room in a great rage ; and 
 on coming to see her in the evening, the king noticed 
 that something had disturbed her. 
 
 " Are you indisposed ? " he said. 
 
 "No; but I am very much annoyed at the strange 
 behaviour of a fish. A woman brought me one to-day, 
 and on my inquiring whether it was a male or female, the 
 fish laughed most rudely." 
 
 " A fish laugh ! Impossible ! You must be dream- 
 
 ing." 
 
 " I am not a fool. I §peak of what I have seen with 
 my own eyes and have heard with my own ears." 
 
 " Passing strange ! Be it so. I will inquire concern- 
 ing it." 
 
 On the morrow the king repeated to his wazir what 
 his wife had told him, and bade him investigate the 
 matter, and be ready with a satisfactory answer within 
 six months, on pain of death. The waAr promised to do 
 
 1 Narrator's name, Lassu, a zaminddr in the village of Souwar, near 
 Srinagar. 
 
WHY THE FISH LA UGHED. 485 
 
 his best, thongh he felt almost certain of failure. For 
 five months he laboured indefatigably to find a reason 
 for the laughter of the fish. He sought everywhere and 
 from every one. The wise and learned, and they who 
 were skilled in magic and in all manner of trickery, were 
 consulted. Ifobody, however, could explain the matter ; 
 and so he returned broken-hearted to his house, and 
 began to arrange his affairs in prospect of certain 
 death, for he had had sufficient experience of the king 
 to know that His Majesty would not go back from his 
 threat. Amongst other things, he advised his son to 
 travel for a time, until the king's anger should have 
 somewhat cooled. 
 
 The young fellow, who was both clever and handsome, 
 started off whithersoever qismat might lead him. He 
 had been gone some days, when he fell in with an old 
 farmer, who also was on a journey to a certain village. 
 Finding the old man very pleasant^ he asked him if he 
 might accompany him, professing to be on a visit to the 
 same place. The old farmer agreed, and they walked 
 along together. The day was hot, and the way was long 
 and weary. 
 
 " Don't you think it would be pleasanter if you and I 
 sometimes gave one another a lift ? " said the youth. • 
 
 " What a fool the man is ! " thought the old farmer. 
 
 Presently they passed through a field of corn ready for 
 the sickle, and looking like a sea of gold as it waved to 
 and fro in the breeze. 
 
 " Is this eaten or not ? " said the young man. 
 
 Not understanding his meaning, the old man replied, 
 " I don't know." 
 
 After a little whUe the two travellers arrived at a big 
 village, where the young man gave his companion a clasp- 
 knife, and said, " Take this, friend, and get two horses 
 with it; but mind and bring it back, for it is very 
 precious." 
 
 The old man, looking half amused and half angry, 
 
486 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 pushed back the knife, muttering something to the effect 
 that his friend was either deluded or else trying to play 
 the fool with him. The young man pretended not to 
 notice his reply, and remained almost silent till they 
 reached the city, a short distance outside which was the 
 old farmer's house. They walked about the hdzdr and 
 went to the mosque, but nobody saluted them or invited 
 them to come in and rest. 
 
 " What a large cemetery ! " exclaimed the young man. 
 
 " What does the man mean," thought the old farmer, 
 " calling this largely populated city a cemetery ? " 
 
 On leaving the city their way led through a cemetery 
 where a few people were praying beside a grave and dis- 
 tributing chapdtis and Jculchds to passers-by, in the name 
 of their beloved dead. They beckoned to the two travel- 
 lers and gave them as much as they would. 
 
 " What a splendid city this is ! " said the young man. 
 
 " Now, the man must surely be demented ! " thought the 
 old farmer. " I wonder what he will do next ? He will 
 be calling the land water, and the water land ; and be 
 speaking of light where there is darkness, and of dark- 
 ness when it is light." However, he kept his thoughts 
 to himself. 
 
 Presently they had to wade through a stream that 
 ran along the edge of the cemetery. The water was 
 rather deep, so the old farmer took off his shoes and 
 pdijdmas and crossed over ; but the young man waded 
 through it with his shoes and pdijdmas on. 
 
 " Well ! I never did see such a perfect fool, both in 
 word and in deed," said the old man to himself. 
 
 However, he liked the fellow ; and thinking that he 
 would amuse his wife and daughter, he invited him to 
 come and stay at his house as long as he had occasion 
 to remain in the village. 
 
 " Thank you very much," the young man replied ; " but 
 let me first inquire, if you please, whether the beam of 
 your house is strong." 
 
WHY THE FISH LA UGHED. 4S7 
 
 The old farmer left him in despair, and entered his 
 house laughing. 
 
 " There is a man in yonder field," he said, after return- 
 ing their greetings. " He has come the greater part of 
 the way with me, and I wanted him to put up here as 
 long as he had to stay in this village. But the fellow 
 is such a fool that I cannot make anything out of him. 
 He wants to know if the beam of this house is all right.^ 
 The man must be mad ! " and saying this, he burst into 
 a fit of laughter. 
 
 " Father," said tlie farmer's daughter, who was a very 
 sharp and wise girl, " this man, whosoever he is, is no 
 fool, as you deem him. He only wishes to know if you 
 can afford to entertain him." 
 
 " Oh ! of course," replied the farmer. " I see. Well 
 perhaps you can help me to solve some of his other 
 mysteries. While we were walking together he asked 
 whether he should carry me or I should carry him, as he 
 thought that would be a pleasanter mode of proceeding.'' 
 
 " Most assuredly," said the girl. " He meant that one 
 of you should tell a story to beguile the time." 
 
 " Oh yes. Well, we were passing through a corn-field, 
 when he asked me whether it was eaten or not." 
 
 " And didn't you know the meaning of this, father ? 
 He simply wished to know if the man was in debt or 
 not ; because, if the owner of the field was in debt, then 
 the produce of the field was as good as eaten to him ; 
 that is, it would have to go to his creditors." 
 
 " Yes, yes, yes ; of course ! Then, on entering a 
 certain village, he bade me take his clasp-knife and get 
 two horses with it, and bring back the knife again to 
 him." 
 
 " Are not two stout sticks as good as two horses for 
 helping one along on the road ? He only asked you to 
 
 2 Virdm. kari chheyih dar ' — "Is able?" Running along the tipper 
 
 your beam strong?" — is a Kashmiri storey of a Kashmiri house is a long 
 
 saying, meaning, " Can you entertain strong beam called narikot, upon 
 
 me well? Can you make me comfort- which the whole roof depends. 
 
488 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 cut a couple of sticks and be careful not to lose his 
 knife." 
 
 " I see," said the farmer. " While we were walking 
 over the city we did not see anybody that we knew, and 
 not a soul gave us a scrap of anything to eat, till we 
 were passing the cemetery ; but there some people called 
 to us and put into our hands some chapdtis and kulchas ; 
 so my companion called the city a cemetery, and the 
 cemetery a, city." 
 
 " This also is to be understood, father, if one thinks of 
 the city as the place where everything is to be obtained, 
 and of inhospitable people as worse than the dead. The 
 city, though crowded with people, was as if dead, as far 
 as you were concerned ; while, in the cemetery, which is 
 crowded with the dead, you were saluted by kind friends 
 and provided with bread." 
 
 " True, true ! " said the astonished farmer. " Then, just 
 now, when we were crossing the stream, he waded it 
 without taking off his shoes and pdijdmas." 
 
 " I admire his wisdom," replied the girl. " I have often 
 thought how stupid people were to venture into that 
 swiftly flowing stream and over those sharp stones with 
 bare feet. The slightest stumble and they would fall, 
 and be wetted from head to foot. This friend of yours 
 is a most wise man. I should like to see him and speak 
 to him." 
 
 " Very well," said the farmer ; " I will go and find 
 him, and bring him in." 
 
 " Tell him, father, that our beams are strong enough, 
 and then he will come in. I'll send on ahead a present 
 to the man, to show him that we can afford to have him 
 for our guest." 
 
 Accordingly she called a servant and sent him to the 
 young man with a present of a basin of gyav, twelve 
 chapdtis, and a jar of milk, and the following message : — 
 friend, the moon is full ; twelve months make a year, 
 and the sea is overflowing with water." 
 
WHY THE FISH LA UGHED. 489 
 
 Half-way the bearer of this present and message met 
 his little son, who, seeing what was in the basket, begged 
 his father to give him some of the food. His father 
 foolishly complied. Presently he saw the young man, 
 and gave him the rest of the present and the message. 
 
 " Give your mistress my saldm," he replied, " and tell 
 her that the moon is new, and that I can only find 
 eleven months in the year, and the sea is by no means 
 full." 
 
 Not understanding the meaning of these words, the 
 servant repeated them word for word, as he had heard 
 them, to his mistress ; and thus his theft was discovered, 
 and he was severely punished. After a little while the 
 young man appeared with the old farmer. Great attention 
 was shown to him, and he was treated in every way as if 
 he were the son of a great man, although his humble 
 host knew nothing of his origin. At length he told them 
 everything^about the laughing of the fish, his father's 
 threatened execution, and his own banishment — and 
 asked their advice as to what he should do. 
 
 " The laughing of the fish," said the girl, " which 
 seems to have been the cause of all this trouble, indicates 
 that there is a man in the palace of whom the king is 
 not aware." 
 
 " Joy, joy ! " exclaimed the wazir's son. " There is yet 
 time for me to return and save my father from an igno- 
 minious and unjust death." 
 
 The following day he hastened back to his own country, 
 taking with him the farmer's daughter. Immediately on 
 arrival he ran to the palace and informed his father of 
 what he had heard. The poor wazir, now almost dead 
 from the expectation of death, was at once carried to the 
 kincf, to whom he repeated the news that his son had just 
 brought. 
 
 " Never ! " said the king. 
 
 "But it must be so. Your Majesty," replied Ihe wazir ; 
 " and in order to prove the truth of what I have heard, I 
 
490 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 pray you to call together all the female attendants in 
 your palace, and order them to jump over a pit, which 
 must be dug. The man will at once betray his sex in 
 the trial." 
 
 The king had the pit dug, and commanded all the 
 female servants belonging to the palace to try to jump it. 
 All of them tried, but only one succeeded. That one was 
 found to be a man ! ! 
 
 Thus was the queen satisfied, and the faithful old 
 vjazir saved. 
 
 Afterwards, as soon as arrangements could be made, the 
 wazir's son married the old farmer's daughter ; ^ and a 
 most happy marriage it was. 
 
 s Cf. the Introduction to the Sidai- tan Tales, pp. 112, 113, 128-185. 
 
 sanffdrava, p. ccxi. ; also the Katkd- Similar incidents, also, are to be met 
 
 saritsdgara, in all the details given with in a Lithuanian tale (Schleicher, 
 
 concerning Vararuchi ; also the chap- No. I.), and in the tale of "TheHus- 
 
 teron "Comparative Folk -Lore,"p. 41 band of Aglaes " in Gesta BomanO' 
 
 of vol. ii. of The Orientalist ; Tihe- rum. 
 
( 491 ) 
 
 N A GRAY AND H1MAl> 
 
 Once upon a time there lived a poor brahman of the 
 name of Soda Eam. His only possessions were a little 
 tumble-down hut and an ill-tempered, seliish woman, 
 whom he called his wife. This woman was a great trial 
 to him. He did not so much mind his humble home. 
 " Parameshwar has not given me a better," he used to 
 say, " and who am I, to grumble at His will ? " But con- 
 stantly to endure the frowns and insults of this wretched 
 ■woman, and sjometimes to be beaten by her, when he had 
 earned less than usual during the day, was too much for 
 him. And so he decided to leave her. One morning he 
 said to her, " My dear, I have heard that a certain king 
 in Hindustan is giving away five lacks of rupees every 
 day to the poor. I have determined to go and try to 
 obtain some of these alms." 
 
 " All right," said the woman ; " I shall not miss 
 you." 
 
 The brahman soon arranged his few things for the 
 journey and started. He walked hard and fast that day, 
 not stopping till he arrived at a certain wood, where he 
 found a spring of pure, sweet water. Here he threw off 
 his load and sat down to eat, and rest, and sleep. "While 
 he was sleeping a little serpent came out from the 
 spring ^ and entered the bag, in which was the brahman's 
 
 1 Narrator's name, Pandit Shiva in or by the spring. A few miles be- 
 Kim of Banah Mahal Srinagar. yond Pampflr is one of these springs, 
 
 2 In the Valley there are a large close by which is a tank with a round 
 number of small streams of water, to building in the middle for the snake's 
 ■which a mysterious oriijin has been abode. There is a spring on the Ta/tAt 
 attributed by the people ; generally in Sulaiman, which is said to have 
 
 a Ml 
 
 nke is believed to have its abode been deserted by its snake. 
 
492 FOLK- TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 food. By a strange coincidence the man then awoke, 
 and saw the snake. " Oh ! oh ! What is this ? " he 
 exclaimed, and quickly closed the bag. 
 
 The thought occurred to him that perhaps it would 
 be better to return to his wife and make her a present of 
 the bag and its contents. " She will most certainly open 
 it," he thought, "and then the serpent will spring out 
 and bite her, and I shall be free." Happy in this thought, 
 he rushed back to his hut, and shouting to his wife, said, 
 " Oh, my dear wife, I was constrained to return. I could 
 not leave you. Accept this present from my hand, and 
 forgive me for ever thinking of going away." 
 
 The woman replied, " What is it ? Where is it ? 
 How ? Show it to me.'' 
 
 " No, not here," said the brahman. " Gome to the 
 upper room, and there you shall see it." ^ 
 
 They both ascended the steps together ; and when they 
 had reached the top the brahman gave her the bag, and 
 told her to go inside the room and open it. She did so ; 
 and the snake, tired of imprisonment, sprang out, much tc 
 the astonishment and terror of the woman. She dropped 
 the bag and rushed round the room in a most wild fashion, 
 shrieking for her life. This continued for about ten 
 minutes, when suddenly she beheld a light, as of the light 
 of the moon, and a beautiful little boy appeared. On 
 seeing this the woman was filled with joy and gladness. 
 She shouted to her husband, who was standing outside 
 holding fast the door, to come in and see the wonder ; 
 but he promptly declined, saying that he did not wish to 
 be bitten. His wife called again and again ; still he 
 refused to enter. At last, however, prevailed on by the 
 woman's glad voice, he opened the door a little, and 
 pe,eping in, saw the wonderful thing. " It was no serpent 
 that I shut up in the bag," he exclaimed, " but a beau- 
 tiful boy." He was very glad, and kissed his wife 
 and the child. Then and there the husband and wife 
 
 * Cf. Tibetan Tafea, p. 148 ; also FoU- Lore Journal, vol. iv. p. 175. 
 
NAGRAY AND HIMAL. 493 
 
 were thoroughly reconciled to one another, and were very 
 happy together. 
 
 From this time the brahman was a very rich man. 
 His heaven-born son grew more beautiful every day, and 
 was named Nagray. Such was the boy's wisdom and 
 understanding, that at the age of two years people sup- 
 posed he was at least ten years old. No person in the 
 whole country had either the skill or the confidence to 
 attempt a discussion with him. Although he had never 
 been taught like other children, yet he could speak and 
 read all languages, and was well acquainted with all the 
 sciences. This is accounted for by the fact that he was 
 a heavenly boy. 
 
 One day, when Nagray had just passed his seventh 
 birthday, he asked his adopted father if he might bathe 
 in some pure spring. " It must be a very pure spring," 
 he said, " otherwise I shall be defiled." 
 
 His father replied, " Yes ; but there is not a good spring 
 in the whole city, except one, which is in the garden of 
 the daughter of the king ; and that garden is so guarded 
 by a high and strong fence that no person can enter it." 
 
 Nevertheless Nagray entreated his father to show him 
 the way to this garden. 
 
 " Never," said the brahman. " You could not get 
 within ; and if the king's soldiers saw us walking about 
 the place without any object they would report us to His 
 Majesty, and we both should be slain." 
 
 However, Nagray persisted, saying that he was a 
 heavenly child, and could not be injured, till at length 
 his father yielded. 
 
 When they arrived near the garden, Nagray, seeing 
 how strono-ly it was protected, immediately began to search 
 for some hole in the fence. A small hole was soon dis- 
 covered. Nagray was much pleased at this, and trans- 
 forming himself into a small serpent, crept into the gar- 
 den. There he found the purest of springs, in which, 
 after changing himself back into a beautiful boy, he 
 
494 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 quickly bathed. His coming, however, was noiiced. The 
 princess, who was sitting in the garden at the time, heard 
 the splashing of the water, and sent one of her maids to 
 inquire the reason. But when the maid arrived Nagray 
 had resumed the form of a snake and disappeared. 
 
 A few days afterwards he returned to the garden and 
 again began to bathe. The princess, whose name was 
 Hfmal, was sitting in the same place as before when 
 Nagray came, and again heard the noise of the water. 
 " Who is it," she said, " that so rudely dares to enter my 
 garden and to bathe in my pool ? Go and see." The 
 maid went. But Nagray, knowing the mind of the prin- 
 cess, made haste and escaped ; and so the maid came and 
 found nothing, as before. 
 
 The third time that Nagray repeated his visit Hi'mal 
 happened to be sitting near the spring, and saw distinctly 
 the form and features of a most beautiful boy. She was 
 entranced with the sight. Such a lovely creature she had 
 never even heard of before. When the boy transformed 
 himself into a serpent she ordered one of her maids to 
 follow after it and see where it went. The maid obeyed, 
 and returned and said that the serpent had reassumed 
 the shape of a boy, and had entered the house of a brah- 
 man called Soda Earn, and she thought he was his son. 
 Then Himal thus soliloquised: — " This boy is of the highest 
 caste, and is the same age as myself. He is beautiful, 
 also, beyond description. Why should I not immediately 
 go to my mother and ask her permission to be married to 
 him ? " Accordingly she went at once to her mother and 
 told her all her mind — how she had seen the beautiful 
 boy and had fallen in love with him, and that she was of 
 full age and desired to be married. 
 
 The queen informed the king of this matter, and the 
 king came to his daughter and said, " Precious sight of 
 my eyes and delight of my heart, I have heard of your 
 wish, and know many princes who would be very glad 
 to be married to you. Select from among them whom 
 you please, and I will arrange for the wedding." 
 
NAGRAY AND HIMAL. 495 
 
 Himal answered, " my father, I have seen a beautiful 
 brahman, whose father's name is Soda Earn. I wish to be 
 married to him." 
 
 When the king heard these words he became ex- 
 ceedingly angry, and said, " My foolish daughter, do 
 you know what you are saying ? Soda Eam is. only 
 an ordinary brahman. How can I degrade myself 
 by giving my daughter in marriage to his son ? This 
 cannot be. Let me arrange for you. I will get for you 
 one of the most beautiful, rich, and honourable princes 
 in the world." 
 
 Himal replied, " Nay, oh my father. What I have said, 
 I have said. It does not matter to me whether Soda Earn 
 is rich or poor. To his son I have given my heart, and 
 what more can I do ? " 
 
 ■ On this the king became more angry. He thought that 
 the princess had certainly become mad. Some further 
 conversation ensued, and then the king left. Eventually 
 he was .constrained by his daughter's entreaties, and one 
 morning ordered Soda Eam to be called. 
 
 When the brahman heard the king's command he was 
 filled with all sorts of fears as to what might be the 
 reason of this summons. " Can His Majesty have dis- 
 covered my son's constant visits to the princess's garden ? 
 or is he jealous of my wealth ? What does he want with 
 me ? " Such were the questions occupying his mind when 
 he was conducted before the king. 
 
 On seeing him His Majesty heaved a deep sigh. "Alas ' " 
 thought he, "whose son is this whom my daughter has 
 chosen ? How can I inform my wazirs and this man of 
 her request ? How they will laugh and jest about the 
 affair ! Ah me ! sorry man that I am, what shall I do ? " 
 In a few minutes, when he had recovered possession of 
 himself, he said to the brahman, " I hear, brahman, 
 that you have a very wise and beautiful son. Will you 
 permit him to marry my daughter ? " 
 
 The brahman answered, "0 king, you are great and 
 noble in all your acts and wise in all your ways. It is 
 
496 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 a great blessing that you have spoken to me concerning 
 this matter. I am your humble and obedient subject, 
 and wish only your prosperity." 
 
 Then the king ordered the astrologers* to ascertain a 
 good day for the wedding, and Soda Earn returned to his 
 house. 
 
 Poor man! he returned with mingled feelings of joy 
 and sorrow. He was glad at the thought- of the honour 
 and respect paid to him by the king, but he was sorrowful 
 at the prospect of the immense expense that the pro- 
 posed marriage would entail upon him. "Whence can 
 I obtain sufficient money to pay for such extravagances 
 as the occasion will demand ? " he said to himself. 
 
 On reaching home he told everything to his wife and 
 son. 
 
 " Never mind," said the boy ; " but go to the king and 
 ask His Majesty's pleasure whether I shall come to him 
 in humble state or with great pomp and show." 
 
 Soda Earn was very much surprised at this reply. " Oh, 
 my son," he said, " I am certain you will cause my death 
 by the king's hand. I am rich, bat what is my wealth 
 in comparison with the resources of the king 1 " 
 
 The boy replied, " Did I not say, ' Be not anxious ' ? 
 Believe me, my father, I have treasure which cannot be 
 reckoned for value." 
 
 The following morning the brahman went to the king, and 
 was received most graciously. The king wished that the boy 
 might come to the wedding in as great style as possible. 
 Then the brahman returned to his house in much fear 
 and trembling, wondering how it would all come to 
 pass. 
 
 On the day appointed for the wedding there was great 
 stir and excitement throughout all the city. The people 
 were dressed in their gayest clothes, and music and sing- 
 ing resounded on all sides. The king, too, had a grand 
 
 * Men who take up the scieDoe of and the good and evil fortune likely 
 the stars, especially with a view of to befall any man during his life- 
 being able to foretell future events, time. 
 
NAGRAY AND HIMAL. 497 
 
 reception for the kings of other countries, and prepared a 
 monster feast for all the people. 
 
 That morning the brahman might have been seen sit- 
 ting in his house, his face the very picture of grief and 
 terror. He had not arranged anything ; he had not even 
 changed his ordinary clothes ; because Nagray had thus 
 advised him. At length, when only an hour remained be- 
 fore the appointed time, the boy said to him, " Come and 
 behold my treasures." Then Kagray wrote a letter on 
 paper and gave it to his father, saying, " Go to a certain 
 spring and throw the paper into it, and return." * Soda 
 Edm did so, and on the way back, as he came near the 
 house, he heard a great noise of trumpets and drums and 
 fifes, and saw large numbers of soldiers prettily dressed^ 
 and horses richly caparisoned, and elephants loaded with 
 treasures — gold, silver, and precious stones — and a most 
 delicious perfume filled the air. He thought that some 
 foreign potentate had come to do battle against the king, 
 and was astonished beyond measure when he heard that 
 the soldiers and elephants and horses were there in obedi- 
 ence to his son's orders. 
 
 Soda Eam entered the house with a sigh of relief, and 
 there he saw Nagray arraying himself in kinglike garments. 
 Some beautiful garments were waiting for him also. 
 
 In due time, attended by a magnificent retinue, they 
 both started for the palace. The king, viewing the im- 
 mense procession from a little distance, said to his wazirs — 
 "This cannot be Soda Eam's son. There must be some 
 mistake. This surely is some prince, or perhaps a 
 god!" 
 
 His fears, however, were soon allayed by the sight of the 
 brahman and his beautiful son. 
 
 The marriage ceremony was conducted in a most magni- 
 ficent manner, and everything went off most satisfactorily. 
 As soon as the marriage was over, Nagray dismissed his 
 retinue. He, however, remained in the palace. Every 
 
 " Of. Madanakmndrdiankadai, pp. 74, 75. 
 
 2i 
 
498 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 day he attended darhdr, and after a while the king granted 
 him permission to build a palace for himself on the bank 
 of the river. 
 
 But Nagray had other wives besides Hlmal, and these 
 wives had became very much annoyed at his long absence 
 from them, and had met together to decide what plans 
 they should adopt for bringing back their husband. After 
 much consideration one of the wives offered to undertake 
 all the responsibility. She assumed the disguise of a 
 witch and took with her some vessels of glass, of which 
 such was the power, that if Nagray saw them he would 
 at once remember his other wives and long to return to 
 them. This woman went near Nagray's palace, and waited 
 her opportunity. One day she met Himal, and introducing 
 herself as a glass-seller, offered to dispose of her precious 
 wares very cheaply. Himal saw the things and purchased 
 a few of them. In the evening she showed her purchases 
 to Nagray, who become very angry, and ordered her to 
 break the glasses to pieces. " Never again listen to any 
 of these creatures, and never again buy any of their 
 things," he said. This most effectually crushed any hope 
 that might have been lingering within the breast of the 
 disguised serpent, and so she returned. 
 
 Another serpent from among his numerous wives then 
 determined to try her plan. She disguised herself as a 
 prostitute, and coming to Himal, said, " princess, I am 
 a sweeper by caste. My husband, Nagray, has left me. 
 Please tell me if you have seen or heard of him." 
 
 On hearing these words Himal was very angry and said 
 in a sharp manner, " Oh, is my husband a sweeper ! " 
 
 The woman replied, " I do not know, I only want my 
 husband. If you doubt your husband's caste, you can 
 easily assure yourself by asking him to show you his caste 
 by means of a spring. Let him throw himself into the 
 water, and if he sinks, then know, princess, that he is 
 not a sweeper." 
 
N A GRAY AND HIMAL. 499 
 
 Himal listened with intense excitement to the woman's 
 answer, and directly the woman left she went to her hus- 
 band and told him that she had heard that he was a 
 sweeper, and not liking that such a vile report should 
 spread, she wished him to go immediately to the spring 
 and prove to her and everybody's satisfaction that this 
 was not the case. When Nagray heard this he raved 
 with passion, and sharply upbraided, his wife for again 
 listening to a poor, ignorant woman. 
 
 " I know," he said, " from whom you have got this tale. 
 The woman is not a real human being. She is interested 
 in my affairs, and wishes to accomplish our separation. 
 Do not trust to these people." 
 
 Himal replied, " I do not believe them, O my beloved, 
 but do, please, show me your caste." 
 
 There was much further conversation, but although 
 Nagray begged hard to be excused the trial, Himil would 
 not forego her wish, and eventually compelled him to 
 fulfil it. In a little while they both wended theit way 
 together to the spring. On arrival Nagray descended, and 
 no sooner did his feet touch the water than they were 
 bound fast and firm with ropes, which the serpents had 
 especially made for the occasion. Nagray at once knew 
 that his feet were hopelessly bound, and that if he would 
 escape from the water he must leave them behind. He 
 told his wife so, but she persisted on waiting to the end. 
 Very slowly but very surely Nagray descended lower and 
 lower till the water reached his breast, then his shoulders, 
 his neck, his mouth, his eyes, his forehead disappeared, 
 till at last there was nothing left visible on the top of 
 the water but his sacred tuft of hair. Now Himal was 
 satisfied and snatched at the tuft, hoping to pull her 
 husband out of the water, but alas ! only a few hairs 
 remained in her hand. Thus Nagray was restored to his 
 serpent wives, and Himal was deprived of a beautiful, 
 heavenly husband. 
 
500 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 Poor Himal returned to the palace in a state of despair. 
 But she could not live happily there, and soon left the 
 place and built an immense caravanserai on the roadside. 
 Here she spent most of her time and fortune in relieving 
 the wants of the poor, who came in crowds every day and 
 asked for alms in the name of Nagray. 
 
 One day, a long time afterwards, when she had almost 
 exhausted her wealth and strength upon the multitudes 
 of sick and distressed who flocked to her, an exceedingly 
 poor man and a little girl, who appeared to be his daughter, 
 came to the caravanserai. On seeing their poverty Himal's 
 heart was filled with pity for them. 
 
 " Come in," she said. " Would that I could help you, 
 poor man, but I have nothing left to me except this 
 golden pestle and mortar. However, I will give you 
 these. And then I will lie down and die. Ah me ! I do 
 not care to live." 
 
 The beggar and his daughter stayed that evening in the 
 caravanserai, but before they departed the old man told the 
 following story :— 
 
 " princess, we two, my daughter and I, are always 
 travelling hither and thither in search of food. Yesterday 
 we reached a jungle, where we discovered a spring, and 
 seeing that the water was pure and pleasant to the taste 
 we determined to spend the night by it. We slept in the 
 hollow of a tree close by. As we lay awake looking at the 
 stars, we heard a slight noise, and, turning round, saw a 
 king attended by an immense army come forth from the 
 spring.^ When the last soldier had come out from the 
 spring, preparations for dinner were commenced. Before 
 dinner the king made a sacrifice. Then he and all his 
 army sat down to eat. After dinner all the people, except 
 the king, returned to the spring and disappeared. The 
 king only remained, and he held a plateful of food in his 
 hand. As soon as the army were out of sight, the king 
 cried with a great voice, ' Is there any poor person here ? ' 
 
 * of. story of " The Base Friend " in this collection. 
 
NAG RAY AND HIMAL. 501 
 
 On hearing this we two went forward, and the king gave 
 us the plate of food, saying, ' This is in foolish Himal's 
 name.' Then he, too, returned to the spring, and all was 
 as hefore." 
 
 Hfmal's state during the few minutes that were occu- 
 pied in the narration of this story cannot be described. 
 Her breath seemed to stop, her eyes almost started out 
 of her head, her whole body was in a violent tremble. 
 She knew not what she felt, or what she was doing or 
 saying for very joy, because she was certain that this 
 great king was none other than her own dear Nagray. 
 She gave the golden pestle and mortar to the old beggar, 
 and said, " good man, this is your due. Now please do 
 me a further kindness, and show me the spot where you 
 witnessed this strange sight." Of course the old man, 
 after receiving such a valuable gift, was only too glad to 
 do anything for the princess, and at once rose up to guide 
 her to the spring. 
 
 It was in the gloaming that Himal and the beggars 
 reached the place, and therefore they decided to pass the 
 night there. The old man and the little girl were soon 
 asleep, but Himal had determined to keep awake all night 
 to see if the king and his army would again visit the 
 place. She was not disappointed. In the middle of the 
 night, when all was quiet and still, Nagray and his 
 host again appeared, and preparations were made for 
 an immense dinner as before. After dinner the army 
 returned, but the king remained. When every one had 
 disappeared back again into the spring, the king cried as 
 before, " Is there any poor person here ? " 
 
 Hfmal, seeing her husband alone and looking so grand 
 and noble, could not refrain from running forward and 
 seizing his hand. *' my beloved Nagray, I cannot live 
 without you. Forgive me, love me, and come and live 
 with me again," she said. 
 
 Nagray, apparently much surprised at this strange 
 behaviour, replied, " I do not know you." 
 
502 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 Himal said, " Oli look upon me. See these eyes. Am 
 I not your wife ? " 
 
 Then Nagray, overcome with affection, recognised her ; 
 but he could not stay with her. " My serpent wives will 
 not let me go," said he. " Depart now and I will come 
 again in a month to see you." 
 
 But Himal replied, "No, never. I cannot leave you. 
 If you will not come with me, then I will go with you." 
 Accordingly, Nagray was obliged to comply, but how to 
 take his wife with him he did not know. This was a 
 most difficult matter. At length, after much deliberation, 
 he resolved to change her into a pebble, and carry her 
 away with him in his pocket. In this way only could 
 she accompany him to his abode in the spring, and be 
 free from attacks of his other wives. 
 
 On reaching his home his serpent wives and family 
 came to him and saluted him, but he noticed that there 
 was something wrong, some secret which they had in their 
 minds. He inquired what was the matter, and found that 
 they had detected the smell of an earthly person on him, 
 and therefore suspected that he had brought somebody from 
 the outer regions into the spring. Nagray told them that 
 they were quite correct in their suspicion, and that he would 
 show the person to them, if they would promise to do her 
 no harm. They promised, and so the pebble was taken out 
 of its hiding-place and made to resume its original shape. 
 When the serpent wives saw the beautiful young princess 
 they envied her, and at once decided in their hearts to 
 make her the general drudge. The work appointed to her 
 was to boil the milk for the numerous children of the 
 family. The custom was, when the milk was qiiite ready, 
 to knock the pots, and then the children, hearing the 
 sound, knew that their meal was ready and came to 
 Himal. Now Himal was not quite au fait at her work, 
 and so one day she knocked the pots while as yet the 
 milk was steaming-hot. The little serpent children, sup- 
 posing that all was ready, immediately rushed into the 
 
NAGRAY AND HIMAL. 503 
 
 kitchen and drank up all the milk. But serpents cannot 
 take hot milk with impunity, and therefore all the chil- 
 dren died. Great was the grief of the bereaved mothers. 
 The whole place was filled with their weepings and lamen- 
 tations. "When the serpents knew that their little ones 
 had perished through the forgetfulness of Himal, they 
 went and bit her to death. Nagray soon heard of all that 
 had happened, and was overwhelmed with grief.' 
 
 At a convenient time he made a little bed for the corpse, 
 and taking it up out of the spring placed it on a tree. 
 Every day he visited the corpse and returned to the spring. 
 One morning a very holy man passed by that way and 
 noticed the bed among the branches. He climbed the 
 tree to see what it was, and finding the dead body of a 
 very beautiful woman lying on it, he unfixed it and 
 brought it down. His soul was filled with pity for the 
 young fair corpse, and he prayed to Narayan to restore 
 her life. His prayer was answered. Himal became alive 
 again and went with the holy man to his home. 
 
 When Nagray next visited the tree he saw that the 
 corpse and the little bed had been taken away, and was 
 very grieved. " Has any person stolen the body ? or 
 has Himal come to life again and left me ? " thought he. 
 He at once commenced a search. He went everywhere 
 looking for his beloved, till at last he called at the house 
 of the holy man. Himal happened to be asleep at the 
 time of his visit, and therefore he resumed the form of a 
 serpent, and going quietly to the bed coiled himself up 
 there. While they were both thus lying on the bed 
 together, the son of the holy man chanced to come in. 
 This son was very fond of Himal, and hoped to marry 
 her. When he saw the serpent coiled up on the bed be- 
 side his beloved he was in great terror lest it should have 
 bitten her. He immediately opened his knife and cut the 
 serpent into two pieces. The noise woke Himal. " Alas ! 
 alas ! what have you done ? " she cried. " You have slain 
 my husband. My beloved Nagray is no more.'' That 
 
504 FOLK-TALES OF KASHMIR. 
 
 evening the corpse was burnt upon a pile of sandalwood, 
 and Himal, according to the custom of those days, lay 
 down beside the corpse and was burned also.' 
 
 The holy man was terribly grieved at this sad sight. 
 He went to the place of burning and collected the ashes 
 of the two corpses. These he set before him and cried all 
 day and night, and would not be comforted. Most for- 
 tunately it happened that Shiva and his wife Parvatl were 
 fitting in the form of two birds on a branch of the tree under 
 which the old man sat. They heard the holy man's cries, 
 and decided to help him. Shiva said to his wife, " Behold 
 this good man's grief. Oh that he knew the power that 
 lies in those ashes ! They have only to be thrown into 
 the spring and the two persons will come to life again." * 
 The holy man heard the bird say this and immediately 
 went and threw the ashes into the spring. No sooner had 
 he done this than Hfmal and Nagray again appeared alive, 
 and as well and as beautiful as ever. 
 
 Henceforth all was peace and happiness. They lived 
 in a small house not far from the spring, and the holy 
 man lived with them. Out of gratitude for his sympathy 
 and respect for his goodness they would not let him go, 
 but carefully attended to him up to the day of his death. 
 And they were very much blessed in the deed.® ^^ 
 
 ' This inhuman practice was gi'adu- Brothers, " ' ' Unjust King and Wicked 
 
 ally put a stop to in Hindustan by Goldsmith," in this collection. 
 
 Lord William Bentinok nearly sixty ' Cf. Indian Fairy Tales, p. 78. 
 
 years ago. It lasted to a later date ^^ This story has been put into Per- 
 
 in Kashmir. Vigne was told that a sian and Kashmiri verse. While I 
 
 Sati had never taken place here until am correcting these proofs a Hindu- 
 
 the time of the Sikhs ; that is, whilst stSni translation, entitled Himil N&- 
 
 it was in possession of the successive g^rajan, by Pandit Hargop41 Kol, 
 
 Muhammadan masters, who forbad reaches me. NS,gray is one of the 
 
 the c.ustom. Of course they were heroes of the valley. The Musalm&ns 
 
 common enough during the time of its claim him. They say that he was a 
 
 ancient Hindfi dynasty. Muhammadan, but fell in love with 
 
 ' Cf. Indian Faii-y Tales, pp. S, 149, Hfm&l, and for a while pretended to be 
 
 182 ; Old Deccan Days, p. 74 ; Wide- a br&hi)ian. Amusing tales are told 
 
 Awake Stories, pp. 139, 176 ; Folk- how the Musalm&ns came with some 
 
 Tales of Ben oal, pp. 41, 135, 219 ; also soldiers and rescued Nigray's corpse 
 
 stories of "Brave Princess," "Two from the funeral pyreand buried it, &o. 
 
( 505 ) 
 
 GLOSSARY 
 
 OF SUCH WORDS AS ARE NOT EXPLAINED IN THE 
 BODY OP THIS BOOK. 
 
 Allah (Alldh), Musalmdn word for God. 
 
 Almaira (also almdri), a chest of drawers, a book-stand. 
 
 And, the sixteenth part of a rupee. 
 
 Ashrafis (also muhr), a gold coin worth about a guinea and a half. 
 
 Bakhshish (also hakshaish), a gift, gratuity. 
 
 Baniyd (also woni), a shopkeeper, merchant. 
 
 Bdzdr (also bazdr], a constant established market. 
 
 Bhagawant, a Hindu word for the Most High. 
 
 Bh&t, a malignant spirit haunting cemeteries, lurking in trees, 
 animating carcasses, and deluding or devouring human beings. 
 
 Brdhman, a Hindiiof the highest caste. The priests are chosen from 
 this caste. 
 
 Brdhmanl, the wife of a brdhman. 
 
 Ghapdti, a thin cake of unleavened bread. 
 
 Chillam (also chilam), the part of the huqqa (pipe) in which the 
 tobacco and charcoal is placed. 
 
 Coolie (hidi), a labourer, a porter. 
 
 Ddi, a milk-nurse, midwife, lady's maid. 
 
 Barbdr, hall of audience. 
 
 Dev, a demon. 
 
 DlAttdn, a minister or secretary. 
 
 Bull (also dol€), a kind of sedan. 
 
 Gosdln, a Hindu saint or holy person. 
 
 Gyav, clarified butter. 
 
 Hakim, a native doctor in the general sense of the term. 
 
 Haram, the women's apartments, a seraglio. 
 
 Imdm, a Musdlman priest, leader in religious matters. 
 
 Indrashardjd, the god of firmament, personified atmosphere. 
 
 Jinn, a demon, an ogre. 
 
 Jogi, a Hindii ascetic. 
 
 Kamarband, a girdle, a long piece of cloth girt round the loins. 
 
 Kasdha, a small red cap worn by Musalnian women. 
 
 Kharwdr, an ass load equal to 192 lbs. 
 
 Kotwdl, the chief police officer in a district. 
 
5o6 GLOSSARY. 
 
 Kulicha (also kulchd), a kind of bread, biscuit. 
 
 Lach, one hundred tliousand. 
 
 Maiddn, a plain, an open field. 
 
 Malah, a Muhammadan teacher. 
 
 Meld, a religious fair. 
 
 Muhr, vide ashrafi. 
 
 Muqaddam, the headman of a village, au official. 
 
 Ndch, a dance given by rich natives. 
 
 Xdrdyan, a Hindu name for the Deity. 
 
 Pdijdma (also Paljdma), trowsers, long drawers. 
 
 Palanquin, a superior kind of sedan. 
 
 Pdnsa, a copper coin, a farthing or a halfpenny. 
 
 Parameshwar, a Hindii word for God, the Almighty. 
 
 Pargana, an inferior division of a country, nearly equalling a barony. 
 
 Pdrvati, the goddess Durga, the wife of Shiva. 
 
 Parwdna, an order, a warrant. 
 
 Patkdn, an Afghdn. 
 
 Patwdri, a village official, whose duty it is to keep an account of the 
 
 various crops reared by the villagers. 
 Pir, a spiritual guide (Musalman). 
 Pith, a stool, a seat. 
 PUjA, idol worshippers. 
 
 Puldv (also pildv), a kind of dish made of rice, spices, and flesh or fowl. 
 Puis, a long piece of cloth thrown over the head and allowed to 
 
 hang down the back of the Musalmdn woman ; the ordinary veil 
 
 worn by Kashmiri females. 
 Qismat, fate. 
 
 Rdlcshasa, a demon, ogre. 
 Eakshasi, the female of Rdlcshasa. 
 Rdni, a (Hindii) queen or princess. 
 Rishi (also rikhi), a sage, saint. 
 Rupee, a well-known silver coin so called worth at present about 
 
 IS. 5d. only. 
 Sdis (also sais), a groom. 
 
 Saldm, the usual Musulm^n salutation to a European. 
 Sers, the name of a weight of nearly 2 lbs. avoirdupois; 
 S/idstras, Hindii religious books. 
 Shilcdr, hunting, game. 
 Shikdri, a hunter. 
 Shiva, a Hindii Deity. 
 Tamdshd, an entertainment, a spectacle. 
 Ts^U, a loaf, bread. 
 Wazir, a minister of state. 
 Woni, a shopkeeper, merchant. 
 Zaiidna, a fenmle — female apartments in a house. 
 
( 507 ) 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 Absent, Devices for summoning 
 
 the, 3. 
 Ajdar, 63, 169, 237, 239, 438, vide 
 
 .Python. 
 'All "Harden Khdn, 239. 
 All for a P^nsa, story of, 144 £E. 
 Allah, 304. 
 Angel, 2. 
 'Atd Muhammad Khdn, 351. 
 
 BADEA-piTH, 86, vide Pith. 
 
 Bahdu'ddln, 234, 345. 
 
 Bandaging to lessen pain, 344. 
 
 Bang, 340. 
 
 Bdrah-singd, 431. 
 
 Base Friend, story of the, 174 fif. 
 
 Batmdlun, 340. 
 
 Beating wife with shoe, 147. 
 
 Beddgelert variants, 36 f., 429 f. 
 
 Bhagawant, 33, 168, 326, 451. 
 
 Bhang, 331.^ 
 
 Bhat, 202, vide ogre, jinn, ddgin, &c. 
 
 Black and White . Beards, story of 
 
 the, 262 ff. 
 Blood, revivifying powers of, 2. 
 Box and Cox story, 302. 
 Brave Princess, story of the, 197 ff. 
 Buni, 287. 
 Buzurg Shdb, 352. 
 
 Castle, inaccessible, 4. 
 
 Cat trick, 149. 
 
 Charas, 331. 
 
 Charms and Incantations, 3, 5, 6, 
 20, 30, 49, 71, 86, 90, 217, 220, 
 236, 267 f., 326, 327, 356, 401, 
 422, 465 f., 4741, 476. 
 
 China, Daughter of the King of, 
 
 233- 
 Chindr, no. 
 Cinderella cycle, 129. 
 Clever Jack;jil, story of the, 186 ff. 
 Clever Parrot, 3 1 2 ff. 
 Cobbler-king, 18. 
 CoUyrium, 86. 
 
 Comb, valuable, 48 f., 135 f. 
 Corpse, speaking, 332. 
 Crow exasperates holy man, 16. 
 Crow-Girl, story of the, 29 ff. 
 Crows' Petition, the, 254. 
 Cunning Goldsmith, story of the, 
 
 303 ff. 
 
 Custom of burying dead by wayside, 
 
 345- 
 
 Ddgin, 59, vide Ogre, &o. 
 
 Dal (the lake), 235. 
 
 Daughter of Ironsmith, Clever, 
 
 145 ff. 
 Day-Thief and Night-Thief, story 
 
 of the, 297 ff. 
 Dependence on qismat of another, 
 
 45 1- 
 Dev, 201, 411, 413, vide ]inn, ogre, 
 
 &c. 
 Devices fur carrying valuables about 
 
 person, 344, 436. 
 Diligent King, story of the, 209 
 
 ff. 
 
 Eagle saves hero, 319. 
 
 Ear, cutting off, 257. 
 
 Eating own sons, 44. 
 
 Elephant to choose heir, 17, 159, 
 
 169 f., 309. 
 Eye-salve, miraculous, 446. 
 
 Eaikies, 131, 197 ff., 214, 464. 
 Famines in Kashmir, 250, 442. 
 Faqir, 227, 312 ff., 373, 416. 
 Fate in Hindd folk-tales, 330. 
 Feather shown to fire helps hero, 
 
 12. 
 Fish laughing, 484 ; swallows king, 
 
 158 ; king of the fishes, 205. 
 Fisherman, the kind, 157. 
 Five pieces of advice, 243. 
 Flying through air, 233, 235. 
 Forbidden chamber cycle, 7, 10. 
 
5o8 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 Porma of Kashmiri abuse, 253. 
 Four Princes, story of, 415 tf. 
 
 „ „ turned into Stoneu, 
 
 story of the, 191 flE. 
 Four Wicked Men and their Luck, 
 
 story of, 331 ff. 
 Fruit-eating for barrenness, 416. 
 
 Gagar Wol and his servant Ratun, 
 
 stories of, 393 ff. 
 Gambling, extraordinary, 149, 272. 
 Ganpat Rai, 51 f. 
 Garden blooming miraculously, 359 
 
 ff. 
 Gardeners in Folk-tales, 361. 
 Generosity extraordinary, 13 5., 491, 
 
 500. 
 Giving birth to stones, birds, &c., 
 
 397 fi- 
 Glossary, 505 ff. 
 Go-betweens, 292. 
 (Jolden Egg, 11 ff., 169. 
 Golden flowers drop from girl's 
 
 mouth, 443. 
 Golden footprints, 443. 
 „ hair, 23 f. 
 „ water, lake of, 401 f. 
 Goldsmith and his Friends, story of, 
 
 Siff. 
 Goldsmith generally suspected, 51, 
 
 230. 
 Gosdin, 130, 204, \id& jogi, faqir, &o. 
 Gratitude of animals : tigress, 3 ff. ; 
 
 cat, snake, and dog, 21 ff. 
 Gul'izir, 215 ff. 
 GuUdld Shdh, story of, 449 ff. 
 Guri Daur, 254, 
 
 Hains Raja, 449. 
 Hands, cutting of, 351. 
 Handsel, 426. 
 Hari Parbat, 235. 
 Hdtam, Good King, 11 ff. 
 Hawk to select heir, 1 7, 1 59. 
 Hiiza Band and Zuhra Khotan, story 
 
 of, 177 ff. 
 Head of dead jinn speaking, 3 H. 
 Head (the clay) endued with life, 
 
 182. 
 Heavenly boy, 493; woman, 175, 
 
 183. 
 Holy man, 503 ; woman, 373 ff. 
 //ont, 422. 
 Horoscope, 496. 
 
 Horse mysteriously bound, 462. 
 
 How the Princess found her Hus- 
 band, story of, 306 ff. 
 
 How the Wicked Sons were Duped, 
 story of, 241 ff. 
 
 Hum^ the lucky bird, 1 1 ff. 
 
 Identity of heroine proved by scars 
 of burn, 223 ; of woman proved 
 by turmeric stains on dress, 228 ; 
 of hero by imprints of kiss, 293 f. 
 
 Indrashariljd, 21. 
 
 Inexhaustible pot and spoon, 21 ff. 
 
 Invisibility, 327. 
 
 Invisible Island, 31. 
 
 Ishibar, 235. 
 
 Ivory City and Fairy Princess, story 
 of, 211 ff. 
 
 Jaokal-King, story of the, 260 f. 
 
 Jackal dyed blue, 260. 
 
 Jackal, story of the clever, 186 ff. 
 
 ■lackal, cutting off tail of, 369. 
 
 Jddugarun, 72. 
 
 Jddugarunif yi. 
 
 Jinn, I, 3, 5, 69, 209, 333, 474, vide 
 
 ogre, dev, &c. 
 Jogi, 170, 191, 235, 309, 326, 401 ff., 
 
 415 f., 442 f., vide gosdin, faqlr, 
 
 &c. 
 Jogi's Daughter, story of the, 442 ff. 
 
 Kdgliaz-huri, 394. 
 
 Kdngar or Kdngri, 76. 
 
 Earddr, 393. 
 
 Karm yd Dharm, story of, 326 ff. 
 
 Kasdba, 117. 
 
 Kashmir tributary of China, tradi- 
 tions of, 233 f. 
 
 Khari^ 460 ff. 
 
 Kharman, 495. 
 
 Klmrwdr, 496. 
 
 Kimydgar, 210. 
 
 King and his Treacherous Wazir, 
 story of, 353 f. 
 
 Kings apppointed and executed in 
 same day, 83. 
 
 King with four hundred wives, 408. 
 
 Kite carries off charmed ring, 27 f. ; 
 kills boy, 29. 
 
 Koh-i-Q4f, 12. 
 
 Lach of Rupees for a Bit of Advice, 
 story of, 32 ff. 
 
INDEX. 
 
 509 
 
 Leprosy from sting of insect, 385 ; 
 from urine of bat, 385 ; miracu- 
 lous recovery from, 389. 
 
 Life-index, 49, 73, 134, 382 f. 
 
 Lion watching over fairy, 131. 
 
 Living in animals' bellies, 158. 
 
 Look of a holy man, 16. 
 
 Maind, 65. 
 
 Malah, the blind, 141 ff. 
 
 Malecontent Cured, the story of, 
 
 321. 
 Mare, the mad, 368. 
 Masnad, 42c. 
 Merchant, story of the cruel, 98 ff ; 
 
 the wicked and his trap-door, 57 f. 
 Metamorphose, into goat, 127; into 
 
 stones, 183, 192 ; into piece of 
 
 wood, 469 ; into a serpent, 470, 
 
 493 ; into a golden nail, 472 ; 
 
 into a pebble, 502 ; of cat into a 
 
 queen, 8 ff. 
 Metempsychosis, 16 S, 465. 
 Multiplication of wives, 466. 
 Muqaddam, 124, 393. 
 Mystic Fowl, 169. 
 
 Ndch, 270. 
 
 Nadkar, 27. 
 
 Ndgas, 22, vide Sacred Spring. 
 
 N^gray and Him^l, story of, 49 1 ff. 
 
 N&^yan, 139 ff, 503. 
 
 Nard, game of, 149, 171, 332. 
 
 Necklace, charmed, 467. 
 
 Noses, cutting off, 98 il., 257. 
 
 Nut, 303. 
 
 OrFEEiNGS in name of dead, 222, 
 486. 
 
 Ogre, 23 ff., 334 ff., 378 ff. ; suspect- 
 ing of being, 3 ff., 43, 180, 224, 
 433 ff., vide jinn, dev, etc. 
 
 Ogress-Queen, story of the, 42 ff. 
 
 One-eyed daughter, 127 ; devil, 
 333. 
 
 Ordeal, 259, 341, 499. 
 
 Outcast child, the, 392. 
 
 Owls in Folk-tales, 450. 
 
 Pandit, meaning of term in Kash- 
 mir, 343. 
 
 Pan] Phiil, 463. 
 
 Parameshwar, 136, 285, 326,398 ff., 
 416, 49r. 
 
 Parrot useful in procuring wives, 
 65, 317 tf- 
 
 Parrots in Folk-tales, 450. 
 
 Pdrvati, 10, 504. 
 
 Pashmina, 286. 
 
 Patwdn, 393, 
 
 Pheran, 115. 
 
 Philosopher's Stone, stories of the, 
 
 154, ff- 
 Pindus, 274. 
 
 Pir of Phattapdr, story of, 253. 
 Pirs, 253. " 
 
 Pith, 202, 220,383, vide Badra-pUh. 
 Poisonous pildv, 220. 
 Prayerful Faqlr, story of the, 248 f . 
 Pretu,, 274. 
 
 Pride abased, story of, 154 ff. 
 Prince changed into a Kam, story 
 
 of, 65 ff. 
 Prince secreted in earring, 201. 
 Princess, story of a, 57 ff. 
 Put, 284. 
 Puts, 117. 
 Python, 438, vide Ajdar. 
 
 Kagged garment, miraculous, 86. 
 Bdlcsliam, 47 ff., 133 f., 423, vide 
 
 ogre, jinn, etc. 
 Rdkshasi, 42 ff., 433 ff. 
 Rats, 25 ff. 
 Rdtuli-Tstir, 297 ff. 
 Rejuvenating tree, 35 f. 
 Restoration to life, 12, 70, 137, 201. 
 
 503 f- 
 Ring and handkerchief, 108. 
 
 ,, charmed, 20 ff. 
 Rishi, 236. 
 
 Robbers Robbed, story of the, 267 ff. 
 Rubies, miraculous supply of, 205. 
 
 Sacked earth and box of ointment, 
 
 23s ff. 
 Sagacious Governor, stories of the, 
 
 254 ff. 
 Saint fieorge and the Dragon, 173. 
 Saiyid and Said, story of, 75 ff. 
 Sand changed into precious stones, 
 
 329- 
 
 Sandal- tree, famous, 411 ff. 
 
 Sandal- wood house, wonderful, 136. 
 
 Sangi-Pdras, 238 ff. 
 
 Sati, 503. 
 
 Selection of king, extraordinary, 83. 
 
 Serpents cannot take milk with im- 
 punity, 502. 
 
 Seven, the number in Aryan faith, 
 
 171- 
 Seven-legged Beast,story of the, I ff. 
 
510 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 Seven pools oi powdered saifron, 
 
 S3ff- 
 Shabrang, Prince and Thief, story 
 
 of, 104 ff. 
 Bihdhmcir, 40. 
 Shfflimdr, 239, 413. 
 Sliampooing limbs, 380. 
 Sharaf the Thief, stories of, 338 ff. 
 >S'hip stories in Kashmir, 208. 
 Shipwrecked Prince, story of the, 
 
 355 ff- 
 Shirdz, story of the man from, loi ff. 
 Shiva, 10, 415, 504. 
 Sight, miraculous recovery of, ig, 
 
 41, 446. 
 Silent /aijirs, 373. 
 Silver pieces found amongst ashes, 
 
 76. 
 
 Sleep wand, 199. 
 
 Sod^ Rttm, 491 if. 
 
 Sop<ir, 349. 
 
 Speaking by signs, 215, 220 ff. 
 
 Spring, sacred, 21, 491, 497, 500. 
 
 Srdddhas, 273. 
 
 Stars, prognostication by means of, 
 
 421, 496. 
 Stepmother, 127, 168, 417. 
 Story of a weaver, 265 f. 
 Story to explain situation, 161 ff., 
 
 425 ff. 
 Strange request, story of a, 227 f. 
 Stupid boy, story of a, 189. 
 Stupid Husband and his Clever 
 
 Wife, story of the, 243 ff. 
 Stupid Peasant, stories of the, 322 
 
 ff. 
 Stupid son, 144 ff. 
 Sudabror and Budabror, 168, 198, 
 
 231. 
 Suhul, 464. 
 Swords of steel changed into swords 
 
 of wood, 168, 182. 
 
 Takht-i-Sulaimdn, 240. 
 Taking out one's eyes, 445. 
 Talking animals, 3, 12 f., 21 ff., 30, 
 
 46. 94. .-553. 432- 
 'Jalking birds, 65 ff., 168, 198, 231, 
 
 25lff., 401 ff., 452 ff., 504. 
 Tears become pearls, 443 ff. 
 Thdl, 86. 
 ThAn, 284. 
 Their Only Kuby, story of, 258 f. 
 
 Three Blind Men, story of, 139 ff. 
 
 , , Princes, story of, 203 f . 
 Tigress' milk, 3, 45 f. 
 Topi, 323. 
 Treasure, hiding of, 273, 278 ff., 
 
 332. 346, 436. 
 Tree, speaking, 184. 
 Troublesome Priend, story of the, 
 
 124 ff. 
 True Friendship, story of, 130 ff. 
 Tsddar, 340. 
 Tsut, Tsuchili, 411. 
 Tvl, 116. 
 
 Turning back, danger of, 401. 
 Twelve thousand-roomed building, 
 
 2 ; twelve thousand flowering 
 
 trees, 459 ff. 
 Two Brothers, story of the, 166 ff. 
 
 Undebstakding speech of birds 
 and animals, 78 if., 432 ff. 
 
 Unity is Strength, story of, 250 ff. 
 
 Unjust King and Wicked Gold- 
 smith, story of, 229 ff. 
 
 Velharan, 325. 
 7ihd, 237. 
 
 Water sprinkled on petrified bodies 
 
 restored to lite, 403. 
 Water which makes drinker thereof 
 
 blind, 328. 
 Wazir Pddshdh, game of, 464. 
 Wicked Queens, story of the, 397 ff. 
 Wicked Stepmother, story of the, 
 
 127 ff. 
 
 Wife-burning, 238. 
 Wife of two husbands, 297. 
 Wise woman, 399. 
 Witch, 498. 
 
 Woman's wits, sharpness of a, 143. 
 Wonderful bird, 400 ff. 
 Why the Fish Laughed, story of, 
 484 ff. 
 
 Yania, 166. 
 
 Younger son in Folk-tales, 208. 
 Young Gambling Merchant, story 
 of, 272 ff. 
 
 Zalgur, 313, 353. 
 
 PRINTED BY BALLANTYNE, HANSON AND CO, 
 EDINBURGH AND LONDON. 
 
Bi? tbe same Hutbor. 
 
 Pp. viii.-263, 8vo, price 8s. 
 
 A DICTIONARY 
 
 OF 
 
 KASHMIRI PROVERBS AND SAYINGS. 
 
 (EXPLAINED AND ILLUSTRATED FROM THE RICH AND 
 INTERESTING FOLK-LORE OF THE VALLEY.) 
 
 "The storehouse of facts here provided is one for which philologists 
 and folk-lorists will have every reason to be grateful. . . . Most racy, 
 amusing, and varied in interest. The vrhole of the book is very well worth 
 reading. There must be a good deal of character in the average Kash- 
 mirian, and Mr. Knowles both a good and lucky observer." — Saturday 
 Review. 
 
 ' ' A genuine contribution to those folk-lore collections from India which 
 are always welcome to students of nearly all sections of history ; and Mr. 
 Knowles has aided the student very learnedly and ably by his accumula- 
 tion of folk-lore in illustration of the proverbial sayings. One cannot read 
 these proverbs without at once detecting their primitive characteristics, and 
 extracting from them some notion of the life of the people who use them — 
 a fact which shows how faithful has been Mr. Knowles's method of work.'' 
 — Folk-Lore Journal. 
 
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 well worthy of one. The book throughout shows that care and attention 
 to details, which is in itself a proof that the general accuracy of the author 
 may be taken on trust."- — The Indicm Antiquary. 
 
 " I have been much gratified by the perusal of your truly valuable work 
 on the Proverbs of Kashmir. It entitles you to the gratitude of philo- 
 logists, and it helps to save from oblivion the remnants of a most interesting 
 language." — Dr. Leitner, Vice-Ohcmcellor of the Punjab University.