II. Mŭkhrā ārŭ sessā-nī khorāng.
The tale of the monkey and the hare.
| Mā-se |
| One |
| sessā |
| hare |
| ārŭ |
| and |
| mŭkhrā |
| monkey |
| zang |
| together |
| fisikhī[40] |
| friendship |
| man. |
| was. |
| Bī-sŭr |
| They |
| sā-nŭi |
| two |
| zang |
| together |
| ozai-nŭ[41] |
| ever |
| lŭgŭ se |
| together |
| thā-i-ŭ, |
| stayed, |
| lŭgŭ se |
| together |
| zā-i-ŭ, |
| ate, |
| ārŭ |
| and |
| lŭgŭ se[42] |
| together |
| thā-baā-bai-i-ŭ. |
| wandered about. |
| Obāsu |
| Then |
| sān-se |
| day-one |
| sā-se |
| one |
| Darrang-ārŭi |
| Darrang-ite |
| mānsŭi |
| man |
| goe |
| betel |
| thālit |
| banana |
| lā-nānŭi, |
| bringing, |
| ālāsī |
| feast |
| zā-nū |
| to eat |
| thāng-nai |
| going |
| nām-au |
| on road |
| lŭgŭ |
| meeting |
| man-nānŭi, |
| obtaining, |
| bī-sŭr |
| they |
| rai-lai-naise,[43] |
| speaking-exchanged, |
| “be |
| this |
| mānsŭi-nī |
| man’s |
| goe |
| betel |
| thālit-fŭr-khō |
| bananas |
| zā-nŭ |
| to eat |
| lāgi |
| for |
| zang-fŭr |
| we |
| buddi |
| scheme |
| man-se |
| one |
| khām-nŭ |
| to make |
| nāng-go,” |
| must, |
| han-nānŭi, |
| saying, |
| sessā-khō |
| hare |
| nāmau |
| on road |
| thā-nŭ |
| to stay |
| thin-nānŭi, |
| sending, |
| mŭkhrā-i-ā |
| monkey |
| hā-grā-i-au |
| forest in |
| hākhmānai |
| hidden |
| thā-naise. |
| stay-ed. |
| Phāre |
| Then |
| mansŭi-a |
| man |
| man-fai-bā, |
| reaching, |
| sessā-khō |
| hare-to |
| nu-nānŭi, |
| seeing, |
| bī-bān |
| load |
| din-nānŭi, |
| placing, |
| hŭ-sŭ-naise. |
| hunted. |
| Hŭ-sŭ-bā, |
| Hunting, |
| mŭkhrā-i-ā |
| monkey |
| hāgrā-nī-frai |
| forest-from |
| māmār |
| quickly |
| on-khāt-nānŭi, |
| emerging, |
| thālit-fŭr-khō |
| bananas |
| lā-nānŭi, |
| taking, |
| bong-fāng-au |
| in tree |
| gā-khŭ-hŭi-naise.[44] |
| clambered. |
| Ārŭ |
| And |
| “sessā |
| “hare |
| fai-gan” |
| will come” |
| han-nānŭi, |
| saying, |
| thālit |
| bananas |
| goe-fŭr-khō |
| betel-nuts |
| māmār |
| quickly |
| zā-grŭ-naise. |
| eat-gobbled. |
| Arŭ |
| And |
| thālit |
| banana |
| bigur |
| skins |
| bŭā |
| only |
| sessā-nŭ |
| for hare |
| din-naise. |
| placed. |
| Emphāre |
| Then |
| unau |
| after |
| sessā-khō |
| hare-to |
| mānsŭi-ā |
| the man |
| hom-nŭ |
| to seize |
| hā-i-ā-khŭise |
| was-not-able |
| ārŭ |
| and |
| un-au |
| after |
| no-i-au[45] |
| to house |
| thāng-phā-phin-naise.[46] |
| go-away-back-did. |
| Obāsŭ |
| Then |
| sessā-i-ā |
| hare |
| gābzri-ŭi |
| shouting |
| gabzri-ŭi |
| shouting |
| thāng-nānŭi, |
| going, |
| fisikhī-khō |
| friend |
| lŭgŭ |
| meeting |
| man-hŭi-nānŭi, |
| obtaining, |
| gur |
| molasses |
| thālit |
| bananas |
| bī-bā, |
| on begging, |
| thālit |
| banana |
| bigur |
| skins |
| bŭā |
| only |
| hŭ-naise. |
| gave. |
| Bī-nī-khai |
| Therefore |
| sessā-i-ā |
| hare |
| brāp-nānŭi, |
| being angry, |
| “be-khō |
| to him |
| bāngai |
| some |
| dukhu |
| trouble |
| hŭgan,” |
| will give |
| mon-au |
| in mind |
| nung-nānŭi, |
| thinking, |
| thāso-bāre[47] |
| Kachhu plants |
| sing-au |
| under |
| thā-hŭi-naise. |
| went and stayed. |
| Un-au |
| After |
| mŭkhrā-i-ā |
| monkey |
| bong-fāng-nī-frai |
| from tree |
| on-khāt-nānŭi, |
| descending, |
| “sikhī-lŭi, |
| oh, friend, |
| sikhī-lŭi!” |
| oh friend, |
| han-ŭi |
| saying |
| han-ŭi, |
| saying, |
| gābzrī |
| shouting |
| gābzrī |
| shouting |
| thāng-bā, |
| going, |
| sessā-i-ā |
| hare |
| brāp-nā-nŭi |
| being angry |
| bung-naise, |
| said, |
| “mā-thŭ[48] |
| what’s this |
| sikhī |
| “friend |
| sikhī |
| friend,” |
| lŭi?[45] |
| eh? |
| Āng |
| I |
| be-au-nŭ |
| here |
| rāzā-nī |
| king’s |
| khuser[49] |
| sugar-cane |
| ne-fai-dang. |
| am come to watch. |
| Nang-nŭ |
| You |
| āng-khō |
| of me |
| mā-nŭ |
| what |
| nāng-go?” |
| want? |
| Obā-sŭ |
| Then |
| mŭkhrā-i-ā |
| monkey |
| nu-zā-hŭi- |
| going and |
| nānŭi[50] |
| looking |
| bung-naise, |
| said, |
| “he |
| oh, |
| sikhī, |
| friend, |
| khuser-khō |
| sugar-cane |
| āng-nŭ |
| to me |
| tho-se |
| one bit |
| hŭ, |
| give, |
| hera! |
| do! |
| Bese |
| How |
| gathāu |
| sweet |
| āng |
| I |
| zā-nai |
| eating |
| nī,” |
| see, |
| han-bā, |
| saying, |
| sessā |
| hare |
| bung-naise, |
| said, |
| “Āng |
| I |
| nang-nŭ |
| to you |
| hŭ-nŭ |
| to give |
| hā-i-ā. |
| am not able. |
| Rāzā |
| King |
| khnā-bā |
| on hearing |
| āng-khō |
| me |
| bu-gan.” |
| will beat. |
| Theo-bŭ, |
| However |
| bī |
| he |
| embrā-brā |
| again and again |
| bi-nai-khai, |
| because of begging, |
| “zā, |
| eat, |
| lŭi, |
| there, |
| zā,[51] |
| eat, |
| āng |
| I |
| nang-zang |
| with you |
| hā-liā,” |
| am not able, |
| han-nānŭi, |
| saying, |
| zā-nŭ |
| to eat |
| hŭ-naise. |
| gave. |
| Phāre |
| Then |
| bī |
| he |
| zā-nānŭi, |
| eating, |
| sālā-i-au |
| on tongue |
| man-bā, |
| catching, |
| “sikhī, |
| friend, |
| āng |
| I |
| thoi-naise,” |
| am killed, |
| han-nānŭi, |
| saying, |
| babrāp-bai-bā, |
| wandering distractedly, |
| sessā |
| hare |
| bung-naise, |
| said, |
| “nang |
| you |
| gagai-nŭ |
| your own |
| dukhu |
| trouble |
| man-dang. |
| procured. |
| Āng |
| I |
| dā |
| now |
| nang-khō |
| to you |
| mā |
| what |
| khām-gan?” |
| shall do? |
| han-nānŭi, |
| saying, |
| bere-jothā-nī |
| hornets of |
| bāhā |
| nest |
| sing-au |
| under |
| thā-hŭi-naise. |
| went and stayed. |
| Mŭkhrā-bŭ |
| Monkey-too |
| un |
| behind |
| un |
| behind |
| gabzrī-nānŭi |
| shouting |
| thāng-nānŭi, |
| going, |
| ārŭ |
| also |
| nu-zā-hŭi-nai-sŭi-lā-i-ŭ.[52] |
| went and watched him with care. |
| “Sikhī, |
| Friend, |
| nang |
| you |
| mā |
| what |
| khām-dang?” |
| are doing? |
| bung-bā, |
| on saying, |
| sessā |
| hare |
| khithā-naise, |
| said, |
| “āng |
| I |
| rāzā-nī |
| king’s |
| zothā |
| drum |
| ne-dang,” |
| am guarding, |
| han-bā, |
| saying, |
| “Sikhī, |
| friend, |
| āng-nŭ |
| to me |
| bāngai |
| a little |
| dām-nŭ |
| to play |
| hŭ, |
| give, |
| herā!” |
| do! |
| Sessā-i-ā |
| Hare |
| bung-naise, |
| said, |
| “ŭh! |
| oh! |
| āng |
| I |
| hā-i-ā, |
| cannot, |
| herā; |
| truly, |
| rāzā |
| king |
| khnā-bā |
| on hearing |
| āng-khō |
| me |
| bu-thāt-gan,” |
| beating will kill, |
| bung-bā bŭ, |
| saying even, |
| embrā-brā |
| again and again |
| “āng |
| I |
| lāsui-sŭ |
| very lightly |
| dām-gan, |
| will play, |
| herā,” |
| really, |
| han-nānŭi, |
| saying, |
| bere |
| hornets’ |
| bāhā-khō |
| nest |
| ākhai-phāt-ne |
| hand-palms-two |
| zang |
| with |
| bu-zāp-naise. |
| beat and broke. |
| Obānŭ |
| Then |
| bere-frā |
| hornets |
| mukhang,[53] |
| face, |
| megon, |
| eyes, |
| modom,[53] |
| body, |
| gāsenŭ |
| all |
| ot-phop-bā |
| stinging-hurting |
| mŭkhrā-i-ā |
| monkey |
| gāp-khrau |
| howling |
| gāp-si |
| yelling |
| ba-brāp-bai-naise.[54] |
| wandered about. |
| Obānia |
| Then |
| sessā-i-ā |
| monkey |
| bung-naise, |
| said, |
| “āng |
| I |
| dŭ-hŭi-nŭ |
| repeatedly |
| nang-nŭ |
| to you |
| khithā-dangman, |
| said, |
| theobŭ |
| yet |
| nang |
| you |
| khorāng |
| word |
| lā-i-ā. |
| accepted-not |
| Āng |
| I |
| mā |
| what |
| khām-gan?” |
| shall do? |
| han-nānŭi, |
| say-ing, |
| ārŭ |
| and |
| dāp-se-au |
| field-one-in |
| zibo-gowāl-nī |
| a kind of snake |
| khathi-au |
| near |
| thā-hŭi-naise. |
| went and stayed. |
| Āzang-hā |
| Accordingly |
| mŭkhrā |
| monkey |
| bŭ |
| too |
| khī-thu |
| behind |
| khī-thu |
| behind |
| thāng-nānŭi |
| going |
| bung-naise, |
| said, |
| “ārŭ |
| and |
| be-au |
| there |
| lai |
| eh? |
| nang |
| you |
| mā |
| what |
| khām-dang, |
| are doing, |
| hera?” |
| say? |
| Sessā |
| Hare |
| bung-naise, |
| said, |
| “āng |
| I |
| rāzā-lŭng-hā-nī[55] |
| king-people-of |
| sāmā-lauthi |
| sceptre |
| ne-dang, |
| am watching, |
| herā!” |
| sir! |
| bung-bā, |
| saying, |
| “Sikhī, |
| friend, |
| āng-nŭ-bŭ |
| to me to |
| hŭ, |
| give, |
| herā! |
| do! |
| āng |
| I |
| bāngai |
| a little |
| dāng-nai-ni.” |
| wield and see. |
| Bī |
| He |
| “hŭ-ā” |
| “not give” |
| han-bā-bŭ |
| saying-even |
| embrā-brā |
| again and again |
| dāng-nai-nānŭi |
| wielding |
| be-au-bŭ |
| then-also |
| bī |
| he |
| zībo-zang |
| snake-by |
| ot-zā-naise.[56] |
| bitten be-came. |
| Bī-nī-frai |
| There-from |
| sessā |
| hare |
| thāng-nānŭi |
| go-ing |
| photo-bāre-au |
| marsh-in |
| thā-hŭi-naise. |
| went and stayed. |
| Mŭkhrā |
| Monkey |
| bŭ |
| also |
| gābzrī |
| shouting |
| gābzrī |
| shouting |
| thāng-nānŭi, |
| go-ing |
| ārŭ |
| and |
| lŭgŭ |
| meeting |
| lā-hŭi-nānŭi |
| going and getting |
| sessā-khō |
| hare-to |
| sŭng-bā, |
| asking, |
| bī |
| he |
| bung-naise, |
| said, |
| “be-khō-nŭ |
| This |
| rāzā-nī |
| king’s |
| dolā |
| palanquin |
| han-nānŭi |
| saying |
| bung-ŭ.” |
| call. |
| Mŭkhrā |
| Monkey |
| bung-naise, |
| said, |
| “Sikhī, |
| friend, |
| āng |
| I |
| bāngai |
| a little |
| uthī-nai |
| ascending |
| nī, |
| see, |
| herā!” |
| please! |
| bung-bā, |
| saying, |
| “ŭh! |
| oh! |
| āng |
| I |
| hŭ-nŭ |
| to give |
| hā-i-ā. |
| am not able. |
| Rāzā |
| King |
| khnā-bā |
| hearing |
| āng-khō |
| to me |
| mā |
| what |
| bung-gan? |
| will say? |
| Nang |
| You |
| mā-bā |
| what sort |
| ābrā |
| fool |
| mānsŭi, |
| man, |
| hera! |
| eh! |
| Khorāng |
| Word |
| khithā-bā-bŭ |
| saying-even |
| khnā-song-ā,” |
| not heed, |
| bung-bā-bŭ, |
| saying-even, |
| mŭkhrā-i-ā, |
| momkey, |
| “nong-ā, |
| no, no, |
| herā |
| oh |
| sikhī, |
| friend, |
| do-se |
| one bit |
| bŭā |
| only |
| uthī-gan,” |
| will ascend, |
| han-nānŭi, |
| saying, |
| photo-bāre-au |
| on marsh |
| bāt-drum-bā, |
| jumping, |
| godo-hā-lāgi |
| neck-up too |
| thrup |
| flop |
| thāng-naise. |
| stuck. |
| Obāsŭ |
| Then |
| sessā |
| hare |
| khithā-naise, |
| said, |
| “duhui |
| “now |
| thālit |
| bananas |
| zā-nānŭi |
| eating |
| bigur |
| skin |
| hŭ-nai-ā, |
| giving-(person), |
| be-nŭ, |
| here, |
| herā |
| oh |
| sikhī, |
| friend, |
| nang |
| you, |
| be-au-nŭ |
| there-even |
| thā-dŭ! |
| stop! |
| Āng |
| I |
| nang-khō |
| you |
| khulum-bai! |
| pay you my reverence! |
| Āng |
| I |
| thāng-naise,” |
| am going, |
| han-nānŭi, |
| saying, |
| bī |
| he |
| mŭkhrā-khō |
| the monkey |
| be-au-nŭ |
| there |
| gār-lai-naise. |
| left behind. |
| Obasā |
| Then |
| unau |
| after |
| bī-thing |
| that-direction |
| gāndā |
| rhinoceros |
| mā-se |
| one |
| fai-nai |
| coming |
| nu-bā, |
| seeing, |
| bī-khō |
| to him |
| mukhrā-i-ā |
| monkey |
| dikhāng-nŭ |
| to extricate |
| thing-dangman. |
| was ordering. |
| Gāndā-i-ā |
| Rhinoceros |
| bung-naise, |
| said, |
| “āng-hā |
| I |
| ukhui-sŭi-dang |
| hungry-very-am |
| ārŭ |
| and |
| dŭi-gāng-sŭi-dang; |
| water-thirsty-very-am; |
| āng |
| I |
| nang-khō |
| you |
| dikhāng-nŭ |
| to extricate |
| hā-i-ā,” |
| am not able, |
| han-nānŭi, |
| saying, |
| bī |
| he |
| thāng-naise. |
| went away. |
| Bī-nī |
| There |
| un-au |
| after |
| ārŭ |
| also |
| moesŭ |
| buffalo |
| mā-se |
| one |
| fai-nai-au, |
| on coming, |
| bī-khō-bŭ |
| to him also |
| khithā-dangman. |
| said. |
| Bī-bŭ |
| He also |
| khnā-song-ā-lā-bā |
| not attending |
| blot |
| pop! |
| thāng-naise. |
| went away. |
| Boi-nŭ-khri |
| Than him |
| khī-zap-au[57] |
| tail-end-at |
| mosā |
| tiger |
| mā-se |
| one |
| ukhui-sŭ-nānŭi |
| hungry-very-being |
| bī-thing |
| that-direction |
| thāng-dangman. |
| was going. |
| Mŭkhrā |
| Monkey |
| nu-nānŭi |
| seeing |
| bung-naise, |
| said, |
| “he |
| Oh |
| āfā, |
| father, |
| nang |
| you |
| āng-khō |
| to me |
| be |
| this |
| dukhu-nī-frai |
| trouble-from |
| dikhāng-ā-bā |
| if (you) extricate |
| arŭ |
| other |
| raubo |
| anyone |
| dikhāng-lia,” |
| extricate will not, |
| “han-nānŭi, |
| saying, |
| gahām-ŭi |
| well |
| khulum-nŭ |
| to worship |
| hom-naise. |
| began. |
| Theo-bŭ |
| Still |
| bī, |
| he, |
| “āng |
| I |
| nang-khō |
| you |
| dikhāng-nānŭi |
| extricating |
| mā |
| what |
| man-gan?” |
| shall get? |
| han-nānŭi, |
| saying, |
| khozo-ne-sŭ |
| paces-two-about |
| thāng-bā, |
| going |
| mŭkhrā-i-ā |
| monkey |
| bung-naise, |
| said, |
| “āfā, |
| father, |
| nang |
| you |
| āng-khō |
| me |
| be |
| this |
| photo-bāre-nī-frai |
| marsh-from |
| dikhāng-nānŭi |
| extricating |
| hā-bru-fŭr-khō |
| muddiness (lit. “muds”) |
| su-srā-nānŭi, |
| cleansing |
| āng-khō |
| me |
| nang |
| you |
| zā,” |
| eat, |
| han-bā, bī, |
| saying he |
| ukhui-sŭ-nai-khai |
| hungriness-because-of |
| be |
| that |
| khorāng-au |
| word |
| khnā-song-nānŭi, |
| hearkening |
| bī-khō |
| to him |
| bung-naise, |
| said |
| “āng |
| I |
| nang-khō |
| you |
| zā-nŭ |
| to eat |
| mon |
| mind |
| gŭi-ā, |
| have not, |
| manāthŭ, |
| however, |
| be-baidi |
| that sort |
| dukhu-au |
| trouble-in |
| gaglai-nai-khō |
| fallen (person) to |
| dikhāng-ā-bā, |
| extricate-not-if, |
| āng-hā |
| I |
| gahām |
| good |
| zā-gan. |
| will-be. |
| Theo-bŭ |
| However |
| gaigai-nŭ |
| yourself |
| zāsī-nānŭi |
| beseeching |
| hŭnai-i-au, |
| on giving |
| āng |
| I |
| zā-nŭ |
| to eat |
| hāgo,” |
| am able, |
| han-nānŭi, |
| saying, |
| bī-nī |
| his |
| lānzai-khō |
| tail- |
| phol-au |
| in marsh |
| hot-bā,[58] |
| sending, |
| mŭkhrā-i-ā |
| momkey |
| bī-nī |
| his |
| lānzai-au |
| hom-ba, |
| seizing |
| dikhāng-bŭ-naise. |
| dragged him out. |
| Mŭkhrā |
| Monkey |
| khithā-naise, |
| said |
| “āfā, |
| Father, |
| nang |
| you |
| āng-khō |
| me |
| dā-niā |
| now |
| modom-fŭr-khō |
| body (plural) |
| gahām-ŭi |
| well |
| su-srā, |
| dry, |
| emphare |
| after |
| rān-bā |
| drying |
| zā,” |
| eat, |
| han-nānŭi |
| saying |
| sān-dung-au |
| sun-shine-in |
| do-se |
| one |
| zo-bai |
| bit sitting |
| thā-dangman. |
| remained. |
| Ere-au-nŭ |
| Then |
| mosā-i-ā |
| tiger |
| phāt-se-thing |
| one other direction |
| nai-ne-au, |
| on looking |
| bī |
| he |
| bong-fāng-au |
| in tree |
| fāt-drāp |
| helter-skelter |
| gā-khŭ-naise. |
| clambered. |
| Mosā |
| Tiger |
| be-khō |
| him |
| nu-nānŭi, |
| seeing, |
| brāp-nānŭi, |
| angry-being, |
| bongfāng |
| tree |
| guri-au-nŭ |
| root at |
| sān-ne |
| days-two |
| sān-thām |
| days-three |
| ne-bai |
| watch-ing |
| thā-naise. |
| stay-ed. |
| Be-baidi |
| This-way |
| thā-nānŭi, |
| stay-ing, |
| khugā |
| jaws |
| sī-nānŭi, |
| gap-ing |
| hāthai |
| teeth |
| hāzīzī |
| display |
| khām-nānŭi, |
| making |
| thoi-thī-nānŭi |
| dead-pretend-ing |
| thā-naise, |
| stay-ed, |
| ārŭ |
| and |
| thāmfai-frā |
| flies |
| khugā-i-au |
| mouth in |
| brŭng-brŭng |
| buzz buzz |
| han-lai-nŭ |
| to continue to stay |
| hom-naise. |
| began. |
| Be-au-nŭ |
| Thereon |
| mŭkhrā-i-ā |
| monkey |
| ose |
| by |
| ose |
| degrees |
| thoi-māt-bai |
| dead-verily-is |
| nung-nānŭi, |
| thinking, |
| bongfāng |
| tree |
| bīzō-nī-frai |
| top-from |
| lāse |
| slowly |
| lāse |
| slowly |
| onkhāt-bŭ-nānŭi, |
| descending, |
| āglā |
| first |
| lāse-i-hai |
| carefully |
| lānzai |
| tail |
| khugau |
| in jaw |
| su-nai-grŭ-bā-bŭ |
| insert-examine-feel-ing-e ven |
| mosā |
| tiger |
| mung-bo |
| anything |
| khām-ā-khŭise. |
| did not do. |
| Ārŭ |
| And |
| un-au |
| after |
| ātheng |
| leg |
| thāng-se |
| one |
| sŭ-nānŭi |
| inserting |
| hŭ-nai. |
| gave. |
| Be-au-bŭ |
| Thereon |
| mungbō |
| anything |
| khām-ā-khŭise. |
| did not do. |
| Obāsŭ |
| Then |
| mŭkhrā |
| monkey |
| bung-naise, |
| said, |
| “nang |
| you |
| āng-nī |
| my |
| ātheng-fŭr-khō |
| legs— |
| khrem-khrem |
| crunch-crunch |
| ot-nānŭi |
| biting |
| zā-gauman, |
| would have eaten, |
| lānzai-khō |
| tail |
| khrem-khrem |
| crunch-crunch |
| ot-nānŭi |
| biting |
| zā-gauman,” |
| would have eaten, |
| han-nānŭi, |
| saying, |
| rong |
| happy |
| zā-nānŭi, |
| becomimg, |
| “dā-niā |
| Now |
| āng-nī |
| my |
| khoro-khō-nŭ zā,” |
| head-also eat, |
| han-nānŭi, |
| saying |
| khug-au |
| in mouth |
| sŭ-nānŭi |
| inserting |
| hŭ-bā, |
| giving, |
| obānŭ |
| then |
| mosā-i-ā |
| tiger |
| khrem |
| scrunch |
| ot-khrep-naise. |
| bite-crunch-did. |
| Thoi-bai. |
| Died! |
| Zap-bai! |
| Finished! |
Group of Kachári Men (Kamrup District).
From a Photograph by Mrs. H. A. Colquhoun.
FREE TRANSLATION.
The Monkey and the Hare.
A monkey and a hare were great friends. They ever lived together, ate together, and went about together. One day meeting a man from Darrang going to a feast with a load of bananas and other delicacies, they said to one another, “We must get what that man is carrying by some trick or other.” Whereupon the monkey bade the hare stay on the road, while he himself hid in the forest. Presently the man, seeing the hare, put down his load and ran after it. On which the monkey, coming out from the jungle, carried off the bananas and other things. And for fear the hare should come and ask his share, the monkey hastily gobbled up the bananas and betel-nuts and kept the skins only for his friend.
The man, not being able to catch the hare, went home, and then the hare, shouting aloud, searched for the monkey, and, when he found him, demanded his share of the spoil, and only got the skins. So, being vexed, he determined to have his revenge. And first he went and hid under some acrid kachu plants. And when the monkey came and asked what he was doing, he replied, “My friend, I have the honour to be in charge of the king’s sugar-canes.” So the monkey said, “Ah, give me just a bit, do.” But the hare replied, “And what do you suppose the king will say?” But the monkey was importunate. So the hare gave him a stalk of kachu to chew, and when the acrid juice stung his tongue, the monkey began dancing about howling. But the hare coolly said, “It’s all your own fault! You would have a stick of the king’s sugar-cane, and what could I do?”
Then the hare went and took up his post under a hornet’s nest, and the monkey came along, shouting for his friend, and, finding him asked, “What may you be doing there?” And the hare replied, “I am guarding the king’s drum, so there!” “Ah,” said the monkey, “do let me beat the king’s drum!” “Oh, but I cannot,” said the hare, “the king will be angry.” But the monkey insisted, and said, “I will play on the drum very gently; you see!” So the hare consenting, the monkey clapped his two palms on the hornet’s nest and broke it, so that the hornets emerged, and stung him sore, so that he screamed with pain. But the hare only said, “You would have your way, and what was I to do?”
Next the hare went and sat down near a gowal snake. And the monkey came shouting, and asked, “What are you about now, my friend?” The hare replied, “I am now in charge of the king’s sceptre!” On which the monkey said, “Ah, let me just wield the king’s sceptre for a moment!” But the hare answered, “I cannot do that, for the king will be angry.” But the monkey being importunate, he consented. Whereupon, of course, the snake bit him, and he howled with pain.
Then the hare went and sat in a marshy place, and the monkey came shouting in search of him, and asked what he was doing. And the hare told him he was sitting on the king’s litter. “Ah,” prayed the monkey, “let me too sit on the king’s litter.” But the hare said angrily, “And what do you suppose the king will say? It strikes me you are a fool, my friend, and listen to no warning!” But the monkey, insisting, leaped into the marsh, sank up to his neck, and stuck there miserably. On which the hare leaped out and cried, “Now, my kind friend, you who eat bananas and give me the skins, you can just stay where you are! My compliments! I am off!” So saying, he left him to his fate.
Presently a rhinoceros came that way, and the monkey begged him to extricate him. But the rhinoceros remarked that he was hungry and thirsty and on his way home to dinner, and went his way. And a buffalo also passed by and refused to help. Finally a tiger came, extremely ravenous. And the monkey entreated him respectfully to pull him out; but the tiger said he did not see how it would profit him to come to his rescue. But when he had gone some two paces, the monkey called after him, “Look here, if you will drag me out of the marsh, you can clean me of the mud, and eat me!” And since the tiger was extremely hungry, he consented and said, “It is not that I have any particular desire to eat you, but if I do a good deed, I shall get virtue. However, as you are good enough to insist, I am willing to make a meal of you.” So saying, he put his tail into the marsh, and the monkey, catching hold of it, was slowly dragged forth. On which the monkey said, “Now let me dry myself in the sun, and when the mud is dry you can scrape it off and eat me.” So he sat in the sun, and the tiger waited hungrily. But the monkey seized the opportunity when the tiger chanced to look another way, and clambered up a tree. At that the tiger was very angry, and waited two or three days at the foot of the tree. Finally he pretended to die of starvation and lay there with his mouth open and his great teeth showing. So the monkey climbed down, slowly and cautiously. And the tiger lay quite still, so that the flies came and buzzed in his mouth. And first the monkey carefully put his tail in the tiger’s mouth. But he never stirred. Then the monkey thrust his leg in the tiger’s mouth, and still he did not move. “Ah,” said the monkey, in great glee, “you would have gobbled up my tail, and scrunched up my limbs, would you?” And so saying, the silly creature thrust his head in the tiger’s mouth. And the jaws closed with a scrunch, and the monkey died, and that’s all!