Thereupon the men of that country said to the woman, “Your children are male children, are they not? Because of it, make efforts and teach them. Should the persons learn a little it will be good for you.”
And the woman accepting this very speech, as she had nothing for expenses for teaching the children she went near a teacher, and said, “Anē! Mr. Teacher, from anyone whatever I have no all-protection. Therefore I have nothing to pay for an expense. Because of it, you, Sir, by favour to me having taught these two children, you taking one child be good enough to give me one child.”
The teacher also being pleased regarding it, said, “It is good,” and took charge of the two children. [After] thus taking charge of them, although having made efforts he taught both children, and the young child, having more intelligence than the teacher, learnt, the other elder child was unable to learn even a little. Because he could not learn he sent him to look after the teacher’s cattle.
After the young child had thoroughly learned, the teacher, thinking a deceitful thought, for the purpose of causing the young child to remain and of sending the elder child home, taught the young child in this manner: “Child, I am sending a letter to your mother to-morrow [as follows]; ‘Your young son indeed knows nothing; the elder child is learning very thoroughly. Because of it, having come [for him], go back summoning him [to accompany you].’ When I have sent the letter your mother will come to-morrow. Then, putting on bad clothes, you remain, smearing cow-dung and the like on your hands. The elder child I shall dress well, and send to stay [at home],” he said.
Because the young child was unable to say anything at that time on account of the teacher’s word, he said, “It is good.” After it became night, taking the disguise of a bird and having gone that night to his mother’s house, and taught her [as follows], he came back:—“Mother, to-morrow our teacher will send you a letter [to this effect]: ‘Your elder child is learning well; the young child indeed cannot [learn] anything. Because of it, you having come call the elder child and go.’ In that way he will send the letter. Elder brother was unable to learn anything, therefore I am learning in a thorough manner. On account of it, to-morrow, when you are coming, our teacher, with the thought to cause me to stay, having smeared cow-dung on my body and put on me bad clothes, will put good clothes on elder brother. Then teacher will say, ‘Look here. This big child indeed is learning a little; the young child cannot [learn] anything. Having put aside the young child for me, even to look after the cattle, call the big child and go.’ Then you say, ‘No, Mr. Teacher, you, Sir, having made such efforts, I do not want the child whom you have taught. Should you give me the young child it will do.’ Somehow having made efforts, asking for me come [home].”
And the teacher on the following day having written in the above-said manner, sent a letter. At that time the woman arrived at the teacher’s house. After that the teacher said, “Your big child is learning the arts and sciences better than I; the young child knows nothing. Because of it, having caused the young child to stay to attend to the grazing of the cattle for me, you go back, summoning the elder child [to accompany you].”
At that time, the woman said, “Anē! Teacher, you, Sir, having made such efforts, be good enough to take for yourself the child who has embraced [the learning]. Should you give me the young child, it will do.”
Thereupon the teacher said, “No, you are a poor woman, are you not? Because of it, calling the elder child go.”
Then the woman having said it in the very [same] way as before, calling the younger child went away.
At that time the teacher having become angry regarding the young child, said: “Son of the courtesan! It is a work of yours, indeed, this! Somehow or other, should I be able I will take you.”