In Folk-Tales of Kashmir (Knowles), 2nd ed., p. 98, there is an account of a merchant who cut off the nose of any servant who was angry or abusive. In order to be revenged on him, the brother of a man who had been thus mutilated took service under the merchant, irritated him in various ways, was struck in the face, and thereupon cut off his master’s nose.

In Folktales of the Santal Parganas (collected by Rev. Dr. Bodding), p. 124, a Prince and a merchant’s son ran away, and were engaged as labourers on the condition that if they threw up their work they should lose one hand and one ear, the master to be similarly mutilated if he dismissed them while they were willing to work. When the Prince was ordered to hoe sugar-cane he dug it up, when told to scrape and spin hemp he cut it into pieces, when sent to wash his master’s child he beat it on a stone as a washerman beats cloths until it was dead. To get rid of him the master sent him to his father-in-law with a letter in which it was requested that he should be killed. The Prince read it, wrote a fresh one requesting that he should be married to the father-in-law’s daughter, and was married accordingly. He killed his master when about to be killed by him. Some of the incidents are given in the story numbered 242 in this volume.

In the same work, p. 258, a Prince who had wasted his money, took service with a farmer on the terms that if he gave it up his little finger was to be cut off, and if dismissed while working well the master was to suffer the same penalty. His friend took his place and over-reached the farmer, who ran away to save himself.

In the Kolhan tales (Bompas) appended to the same volume, p. 497, there is also a story of a Prince who was accompanied by a barber when he was exiled. To get a living the Prince took service on the mutilation terms, the penalty being the loss of a piece of skin a span long. He worked badly and was mutilated. The barber to avenge him took his place, and irritated his master until he got an opportunity of mutilating him in the same way.

NO. 196

THE STORY OF THE GAMARALA’S SON

In a certain country there is a Gamarala; the Gamarala had no wives. While he was thus, at one time (eka parama) he brought seven wives; all the seven had no children. Again he brought yet a woman; that woman also had no children.

After that, when the man was going in order to escort the woman [on returning her to her parents], they met with a Sannyasi. The Sannyasi asked, "What is it? Where are you going?"

The man said, "I brought seven wives; all seven had no children. After that, I brought this woman. Because the woman also had no children I am going in order to escort her [to her parents again]."

Then the Sannyasi says, "I will perform a protective spell (arakshawa) for children to be born, if you will give me the lad who is born first of all." The Gamarala promised, "I will give him."

Afterwards the Gamarala having come back, when a little time had gone she bore a boy. After the boy became somewhat big he planted a flower tree. The Gamarala having told the Sannyasi to come gave him the boy; the Sannyasi having taken him went away. The lad says to the Gamarala, "Should I die the flowers on the flower tree will fade." Younger than this lad [the Gamarala’s wife] bore yet a boy.

When the Sannyasi was taking the lad he met with a man. This man said to the lad, "Lad, the Sannyasi will give you a thread. Tie it to a tree, and having got out of the way remain [there]."

The Sannyasi having gone with the lad near a hidden treasure, gave a thread into the boy’s hand, saying, "Remain holding this." The lad tied the thread to a tree; having hidden himself he remained [there].

The Sannyasi put "life" into it. [65] Then the Yaka [who guarded the treasure] having come, asked from the Sannyasi, "Where is the demon offering (billa)?"

Thereupon the Sannyasi said, "There (an) he is, [at the end of the thread]." Then when the Yaka looked there was no one. Well then, the Yaka broke the Sannyasi’s neck and drank his blood.

After the Yaka went away the hidden treasure burst open. That lad having come and taken the things of the hidden treasure (nindane kalamana), again went to a Gamarala’s [66] house. Having gone, and taken lodgings at the house, while he is there they are preparing (tanawa) to give that Gamarala’s girl in diga (marriage). They will give her for the manner in which the Cinnamon-peeler’s cloth is worn, and to a person who wore the cloth [most correctly]. Well, anyone of those who were there was unable to do it. This youth wore it. After that, the Gamarala gave the girl to the lad.

When the lad was bathing one day the girl saw the beauty of the lad’s figure. After that, the girl having said, "This man’s figure is too beautiful! [67] I don’t want him," prepared a contrivance to kill him. Having got a false illness she lay down.

Afterwards the lad said, "What is the difficulty for you?"

Then the girl [said], "You must bring and give me the milk of the wild Elephant that is in the jungle; if not, I shall die."

After that, the lad having taken the coconut water-vessel, [68] and having gone into the jungle, went near the Elephant calves. Then the Elephant calves [asked], "What have you come for?"

This lad said, "Ane! I came to take a little milk from the Elephant for medicine for me."

The Elephant calves said, "If so, you remain hidden there; we will take and give it to you."

The Elephant calves having gone near the female Elephant, one Elephant calf stayed near the Elephant’s trunk; the other one drinks a little milk, and puts a little into the coconut water-vessel. Having done thus, and collected milk for that coconut water-vessel, it brought and gave it to this lad. The lad having brought it, [69] gave it to the woman, and told her to drink it. Afterwards the woman drank it.

In still a little time, again having said that she had an illness, she lay down. That lad asked, "What are you again lying down for?"

The girl says, "Bring the milk of the female Bear (walasdena) in the jungle. Should I drink it this illness of mine will be cured."