TALE TWO
THE PROMISE OF MASSANG
Long ago, there dwelt by the bank of a river a very poor man who had nothing in the world but a cow. “If only I had a calf too,” he would say to himself, “I would be so much better off, for then I could sell the calf and with the money buy goods and trade with them, and in time might even become rich.” So he wished and wished for a calf, and prayed to his gods and recited many magic forms; and every morning he went hopefully into the shed where his cow was kept, thinking he might find the longed-for calf beside her. At last, one morning he heard a strange noise in the shed and rushed out, feeling sure that his wishes and prayers were at length to be rewarded. What was [[51]]his surprise when he reached the shed to see, standing by the cow, not a calf at all, but a boy, tall and thin and very ragged, with bushy hair and clear brown eyes. His disappointment and anger rose at the sight.
“What are you doing here, you young beggar?” he shouted. “Trying to steal my cow, I suppose—the only thing I have in the world!” Seizing a great staff, he went at the boy as if to kill him, and the lad shrank back against the wall.
“Kill me not, master!” he cried. “I had no thought of evil towards you. I am alone and friendless and have come begging you to take me as your son.”
The man put down his staff and laughed loudly and disagreeably. “My son!” said he; “as if I did not have enough to do in keeping this poor body and soul together without taking upon me the care of another! Son, indeed, when I wanted a calf! Nay, I’ve a mind to kill you for [[52]]your folly!” And he advanced angrily toward the boy again.
“But I will not be a care to you,” said the lad, drawing farther away. “I will bring you riches and happiness, far more than a calf could do!”
The man laughed again. “That is a likely tale!” said he. “Get away from here! When you show me that wealth and prosperity, then I’ll adopt you and make you my son, but not before.”
The boy crept to the door and there paused. “Master,” said he, “you have grown bitter through poverty; but your heart is not so hard and scornful as are your words. My name is Massang, and I will come again and bring wealth with me. Such is my promise—farewell!”
The man went back to his hut, pondering deeply and in his heart regretting the harsh words he had spoken to the boy, while Massang fled away into the fields.