C. FABLES.

THE WOMAN AND THE HEN.

    1. 16. Eyk tshéekeyn kokói ek asílli; sése sóni thúl (hané) déli; setshéy-se kokóïte
    2. zanmá láo
    3. (food, grain)
    4. wîi;
    5. tulé dù
    6. eggs two
    7. déy thé;
    8. giving does;
    9. sè ékenu
    10. this one
    11. lang
    12. rid
    13. bilí;
    14. got;
    15. kokói
    16. the hen’s
    17. dêr
    18. stomach
    19. páy,
    20. bursting,
    21. múy.
    22. died.

Moral.—

Anésey maní aní haní = the meaning of this is this:

    1. Láo
    2. Much
    3. arém thé
    4. to gain
    5. ápejo
    6. the little
    7. lang
    8. lost
    9. biló.
    10. becomes.

Translation.

A woman had a hen; it used to lay one golden egg; the woman thought that if she gave much food it would lay two eggs; but she lost even the one, for the hen died, its stomach bursting.

Moral.—People often lose the little they have by aspiring to more.

17. THE SPARROW AND THE MOUNTAIN.

“A sparrow who tried to kick the mountain himself toppled over.”

    1. Shunútur-se
    2. The sparrow
    3. tshíshe—sáti
    4. with the mountain
    5. pájja dem thé
    6. kicked
    7. náre
    8. fall
    9. gó.
    10. went.

18. THE BAT SUPPORTING THE FIRMAMENT.

The bat is in the habit of sleeping on its back. It is believed to be very proud. It is supposed to say as it lies down and stretches its legs towards heaven, “This I do so that when the heavens fall down I may be able to support them.”

    1. Tilteò
    2. A bat
    3. ráte
    4. at night
    5. súto—to
    6. sleeping
    7. pey
    8. its legs
    9. húnte
    10. upwards
    11. angái—warì
    12. heaven—ward
    13. theun;
    14. does;
    15. angái
    16. the heavens
    17. wáti—to
    18. when falling
    19. pêy—gì
    20. with my feet
    21. sanarem theun.
    22. uphold I will.

19. “NEVER WALK BEHIND A HORSE OR BEFORE A KING” as you will get kicked in either case.

    1. ashpe
    2. horse
    3. pataní
    4. behind
    5. nè bó;
    6. not walk;
    7. rajó
    8. raja
    9. mutshanì
    10. in front
    11. nè bó.
    12. not walk.

20. UNION IS STRENGTH.

“A kettle cannot balance itself on one stone; on three, however, it does.”

Ey pûtsh! èk gutur-yá dêh nè quriyein; tré[18] gútúrey á dek quréyn.

Oh son! one stone on a kettle not stops; three stones on a kettle stop.

The Gilgitis instead of “ya” = “upon” say “dja.”

“Gutur” is, I believe, used for a stone [ordinarily “bàtt”] only in the above proverb.

21. THE FROG IN A DILEMMA.

“If I speak, the water will rush against my mouth, and if I keep silent I will die bursting with rage.”

This was said by a frog who was in the water and angry at something that occurred. If he croaked, he would be drowned by the water rushing down his throat, and if he did not croak he would burst with suppressed rage. This saying is often referred to by women when they are angry with their husbands, who may, perhaps, beat them if they say anything. A frog is called “manok.”

    1. Tós
    2. Voice
    3. thèm—to
    4. I do—if
    5. áze—jya[19]
    6. mouth in
    7. wéy
    8. water
    9. bojé;
    10. will come;
    11. né them
    12. not do,
    13. to py
    14. then bursting
    15. muos.
    16. I will die.

22. THE FOX AND THE UNIVERSE.

When a man threatens a lot of people with impossible menaces, the reply often is “Don’t act like the fox ‘Lóyn’ who was carried away by the water.” A fox one day fell into a river: as he swept past the shore he cried out, “The water is carrying off the universe.” The people on the banks of the river said, “We can only see a fox whom the river is drifting down.”

23. THE FOX AND THE POMEGRANATE.

    1. Lóyn
    2. The fox
    3. danù
    4. the pomegranate
    5. né utshàtte
    6. not reached
    7. somm
    8. on account
    9. tshàmm
    10. sour,
    11. thù:
    12. spitting,
    13. tshùrko
    14. sour
    15. hanú.
    16. it is.

“The fox wanted to eat pomegranates: as he could not reach them, he went to a distance and biting his lips [as “tshàmm” was explained by an Astori although Gilgitis call it “tshappé,”] spat on the ground, saying, they are too sour.” I venture to consider the conduct of this fox more cunning than the one of “sour grapes” memory. His biting his lips and, in consequence, spitting on the ground, would make his disappointed face really look as if he had tasted something sour.

SONGS.

THE GILGIT QUEEN AND THE MOGULS.
1. GILGITI SONG.

Once upon a time a Mogul army came down and surrounded the fort of Gilgit. At that time Gilgit was governed by a woman, Mirzéy Juwāri[20] by name. She was the widow of a Rajah supposed to have been of Balti descent. The Lady seeing herself surrounded by enemies sang:

I. Mirzéy Juwāri = Oh [daughter of] Mirza, Juwāri!

Shakeréy piál; darú = [Thou art a] sugar cup; in the

Dunyá sang taréye = world [thy] light has shone

II. Abi Khānn[21] djālo = Abi Khān [my son] was born

Lamâyi tey! latshār tāro = [I thy mother] am thy sacrifice; the morning star

Nikāto = has risen

The meaning of this, according to my Gilgiti informant, is: Juwari laments that “I, the daughter of a brave King, am only a woman, a cup of pleasures, exposed to dangers from any one who wishes to sip from it. To my misfortune, my prominent position has brought me enemies. Oh, my dear son, for whom I would sacrifice myself, I have sacrificed you! Instead of preserving the Government for you, the morning-star which shines on its destruction has now risen on you.”

SONG OF DEFIANCE.
2. GILGITI WAR SONG.

In ancient times there was a war between the Rajahs of Hunza and Nagyr. Muko and Báko were their respective Wazeers. Muko was killed and Báko sang:

Gilgiti.

Ala, mardāney, Báko-se: má shos they!

Múko-se: má shos they!

Báko-ga dīn sajjéy

Múko mayáro they

English.

Hurrah! warriors, Bako [says]: I will do well

Muko [also says] I will do well

And Bako turned out to be the lion

[Whilst] Muko was [its prey], a [mere] Markhōr [the wild “snake-eating” goat]

Group of Natives from Hunza, Yasin, and Nagyr listening to Musicians from Chitrál and Badakhshán.

LAMENT FOR THE ABSENT WARRIOR BY HIS MOTHER.
3. ANOTHER GILGITI WAR SONG.

Biyashtëyn náng Kashíru

A Paradise [is the lot of whoever is struck by] the bullet of Kashiru?

Góu nélli,[22] áje Sahibe Khann

He has gone, my child, mother of Sahibe Khann [to the wars].

Suregga karé wey jill bey?

And the sun when coming will it shining become?

(When will his return cause the sun again to shine for me?)

Mutshútshul shong putéye

Of Mutshutshul[23] the ravine he has conquered

Híyokto bijéy, lamayi

Yet my soul is in fear, oh my beloved child, [literally: oh my sacrifice]

Ardàm Dolója yujéy

To snatch [conquer] Doloja[24] is [yet necessary = has yet to be done].

Translation.

“The bullet of Kashiru sends many to Paradise. He has gone to the wars, oh my child and mother of Sahib Khan! Will the sun ever shine for me by his returning? It is true that he has taken by assault the ravine of Mutshutshul, but yet, oh beloved child, my soul is in fear for his fate, as the danger has not passed, since the village Doloja yet remains to be conquered.”

4. THE SHIN SHAMMI SHAH.
OLD NATIONAL SHINA SONG.

    1. Shammi Shah Shaîtingêy mítojo.
    2. Shammi Shah Shaíting, from his courtyard.
    1. Djálle
    2. The green fields’
    3. tshâye
    4. birds
    5. dûloe
    6. promenade
    7. dên.
    8. they give.
    1. Nyé
    2. They (near)
    3. tziréye
    4. twitter
    5. tshayote
    6. birds
    7. kóy bijéy.
    8. who fears?[25]
    1. Tómi tom
    2. From tree to tree
    3. shiudóke
    4. a whistle
    5. dên.
    6. they give.
    1. Alldátey
    2. Alldát’s
    3. pótskeyn
    4. grandson’s
    5. mítojo.
    6. from the courtyard.
    1. Djalle
    2. The green fields
    3. tshaye
    4. birds
    5. dúloe
    6. promenade
    7. dên.
    8. give.
    1. Nyé
    2. They
    3. tziréye
    4. twitter
    5. tshayote
    6. birds
    7. kóy bijey.
    8. who fears?[25]
    1. Tomi tom;
    2. From tree to tree;
    3. shiudôke
    4. a whistling
    5. den.
    6. they give.

Shammi Shah Shaíthing was one of the founders of the Shín rule. His wife, although she sees her husband surrounded by women anxious to gain his good graces, rests secure in the knowledge of his affections belonging to her and of her being the mother of his children. She, therefore, ridicules the pretensions of her rivals, who, she fancies, will, at the utmost, only have a temporary success. In the above still preserved song she says, with a serene confidence, not shared by Indian wives.

Translation.

“In the very courtyard of Shammi Sha Shaîting.

“The little birds of the field flutter gaily about.

“Hear how they twitter; yet, who would fear little birds,

“That fly from tree to tree giving [instead of lasting love] a gay whistle?

“In the very courtyards of Alldat’s grandson these birds flutter gaily about, yet who would fear them?

“Hear how they twitter, etc., etc., etc.

5. A WOMAN’S SONG (GILGITI).
[THE DESERTED WIFE AND THE FAITHLESS HUSBAND.]

The Wife:

    1. Mey
    2. My
    3. kukúri
    4. kukuri
    5. Patan
    6. Pathán
    7. gayta
    8. going
    9. béyto
    10. he sat
    11. djék tòn?
    12. what am I to do?
    1. Pípi
    2. Aunt!
    3. batzísse
    4. from the family
    5. garáo
    6. he absence
    7. dên;
    8. has given;
    9. múso tshûsh.
    10. I cocoon.
    1. Gá
    2. And
    3. sikkìm
    4. coloured silk
    5. qatì
    6. spinning
    7. bring
    8. animal
    9. báleo
    10. bind
    11. dês;
    12. do = could.
    1. Mió
    2. My
    3. dudélo
    4. milk-sweet
    5. tshût
    6. late
    7. biló!
    8. has become!

The Husband:

    1. Anì
    2. That
    3. Azari
    4. Azari, [is]
    5. rey[26]
    6. a Deodar cedar[?]
    1. Rajóy,
    2. Kingly,
    3. nà
    4. is it not so
    5. sómmo?
    6. [my] love!
    7. anì
    8. That
    9. Azareo
    10. Azari
    11. rôk
    12. illness
    13. bilôs.
    14. I have.
    1. Anì
    2. This
    3. Wazíreyn
    4. Wazîr’s
    5. shuyi
    6. child
    7. gas-mall,
    8. princess,
    9. na
    10. not [so]
    11. sommo!
    12. love?
    1. Bálli
    2. Then
    3. dapújo
    4. from my waist
    5. gî
    6. (girdle)
    7. bem;
    8. taking I’ll sit;
    9. anì
    10. this
    11. pâr
    12. beyond
    13. tshísheyn.
    14. the mountains.
    1. Súri
    2. Sun
    3. war
    4. this side’s
    5. tshîsheyn
    6. mountain
    7. djondjì[27]
    8. birch tree(?)
    9. tzáe
    10. to you
    11. bijôte.
    12. both.
    1. Somm
    2. Alike
    3. tshinèm;
    4. I love;
    5. anù
    6. This
    7. shëò
    8. white
    9. qoáreyn
    10. hawk
    11. kinì—ga
    12. black and
    13. Tshikki[28]
    14. fragrant bag
    15. méy
    16. mine
    17. begà
    18. being
    19. beìh;
    20. sit;
    21. balli
    22. Then
    23. pashéjo
    24. on my turban
    25. gi
    26. wearing
    27. beyim.
    28. I will sit.

Translation of “A Woman’s Song.”

The deserted wife sings:—My Pathan! oh kukúri, far away from me has he made a home; but, aunt, what am I to do, since he has left his own! The silk that I have been weaving during his absence would be sufficient to bind all the animals of the field. Oh, how my darling is delaying his return!

The faithless husband sings:—[My new love] Azari is like a royal Deodar; is it not so, my love? for Azari I am sick with desire. She is a Wazeer’s princess; is it not so, my love? Let me put you in my waist. The sun on yonder mountain, and the tree on this nigh mountain, ye both I love dearly. I will recline when this white hawk and her black fragrant tresses become mine; encircling with them my head I will recline [in happiness.]

6. THE JILTED LOVER’S DREAM.
[IN THE ASTORI DIALECT.]

    1. Tshunni
    2. (Oh) Little
    3. nazdik
    4. delicate
    5. mulayi.[29]
    6. [maid] woman.
    1. Barêyo
    2. The husband
    3. báro,
    4. old
    5. na.[30]
    6. is, [is he not?]
    1. Hapótok
    2. With a bear
    3. thyayé
    4. done it
    5. gé.
    6. going,
    7. [you have “been and gone and done it.”]
    1. Sómmi
    2. In the sleep
    3. rátijo
    4. of night
    5. Sómmi
    6. The sleep
    7. shakejo
    8. from the arm.
    9. Mey nish harayé
    10. My sleep awake
    11. gé.
    12. has gone.
    13. Mashàq
    14. Turning round
    15. phirì
    16. again
    17. phùt
    18. opening hastily
    19. talósto.
    20. I saw.
    21. Méy laktéy
    22. My darling
    23. píribann
    24. waistband
    25. tshîtsho
    26. variegated
    27. häun.
    28. was.
    29. Datshîno
    30. Right
    31. hata-jó
    32. hand-from
    33. aina
    34. mirror
    35. giní,
    36. taking,
    37. Tshakéoje
    38. Looking
    39. wazze.
    40. she came.
    41. Nu
    42. This
    43. kabbo
    44. left
    45. hata-jó
    46. hand-from
    47. surmá
    48. antimony
    49. giní.
    50. taking,
    51. Paléoje
    52. Applying
    53. wazze.
    54. she came.

The above describes the dream of a lover whose sweetheart has married one older than herself; he says:

Translation.

“That dear delicate little woman has a frightful old husband.

“Thou hast married a bear! In the dead of night, resting on my arm,

“My sleep became like waking. Hastily I turned and with a quick glance saw

“That my darling’s waistband shone with many colours,

“That she advanced towards me holding in her right a mirror into which she looked,

“That she came near me applying with her left the antimony to her eyes.”