[1] Pin sidda-weyi, a common expression of beggars when asking alms. [↑]
[2] In the Kathā Sarit Sāgara (Tawney), vol. i, p. 285, it is stated that “an evil omen presenting itself to people engaged in any undertaking, if not counteracted by delay and other methods, produces misfortune.” One of the other methods was a drinking bout (see the same work, vol. i, p. 331). [↑]
[3] That is, “I lost the deer in order to save the packet of rice.” [↑]
[4] Sunday is not a good day for beginning any new work; of course this has no connection with the idea of the Christian sabbath. Wednesday and Saturday are the most unlucky days of the week. Thursday is the luckiest one for all purposes. (See vol. ii., p. 192.) [↑]
[5] Partially trained cart-bulls, the little black humped ones, often pretend to be dead in order to avoid drawing a cart, and I have seen a wounded jackal and crocodile escape after behaving in this manner; I am not aware that deer act thus. (See Tennent’s Nat. Hist., p. 285.) [↑]
No. 180
The Foolish Bird[1]
In a certain country a hen bird laid eggs on a rock; when she was there a considerable time young ones were hatched from the eggs. While the young ones are on the rock, the bird having come [after] seeking food, gives it to the young ones.