In a certain country there was a King who having gambled gets the victory. At that time, in that country there was a Beggar.
One day, Senasurā,[1] having come near the Beggar, said, “Taking the money that thou hast begged and got, go near the King, and say thou, ‘Let us gamble.’ Then the King will say, ‘I will not.’ Then say thou, ‘Somehow or other, to the degree in which you, Sir, hold At that time the Beggar by begging had obtained about a thousand pounds. Having taken that little money he spoke to the King about the gambling. Then the King scolded him: “What gambling with thee, Beggar!” Then the Beggar says, “Should I hold the wager that you, Sir, hold, that is as much [as matters] to you, isn’t it? Why are you saying so? Let us gamble.” Then anger having come to the King, and having said “Hā, it is good,” he became ready to gamble. Having made ready the two gambled. While gambling the King began to lose at the wagers they were laying and laying. Having thus lost, he staked (lit., placed) the palace, also, and played. By that [throw] also, he lost. Then having staked Lan̥kāwa (Ceylon) also, he played. By that [throw] also, he lost. After that, going from the palace the King and Queen made an outer palace, and the Beggar stayed in the palace. This King and Queen [afterwards] went away. Being unable to go on, they sat down at a place. While they were sitting the Queen lay down, and placed her head on the foot of the King. During the time while the Queen was asleep, the King taking a ball of straw placed it for the Queen’s head; and while the Queen was sleeping there the King went away. At that time some men came there, bringing laden oxen. Then having heard the noise of the caravan (tavalama), the Queen awoke. When she looked about the King was not there. Then the Queen also having joined the caravan people, went away [with them]. Having gone, while she was lying down at a place, Senasurā, having come taking the disguise of a leopard, sprang at the party of caravan cattle. Then all the cattle which were tied up, breaking [loose] bounded off. Having bounded off, while they were running all these men sprang off on that road. This Queen sprang off to one hand (a different direction). Having bounded off she entered a city. The mother who makes garlands for the royal house, being without a person [as an assistant], having sought one and walked there, met with this Queen. At the time when she asked at the hand of the Queen [if she would help her], she said, “I can work.” Well then, the Queen stayed [there], doing and doing garland-making work. That King having abandoned the Queen, while he was going away, Senasurā, taking the disguise of a polan̆gā[2] (snake), stayed on the path. When the King was going from there the polan̆gā said, “Having swallowed a prey I am here, unable to go. Because of it take hold of my tail, and having drawn me aside and left me, go away.”