[4] The narrator explained that this was in early times. He stated that they do not eat human flesh now; it is done only by Rākshasas. [↑]
No. 188
The Time of Scholars
In a certain country there is, it is said, a [man called] Dikpiṭiyā. A [married woman called] Diktalādī is rearing an [adopted] child. While it was [there] no long time, a [female] child was born; to Diktalādī a child was born. On the boy, the [adopted] boy she reared, she put a cloth for ploughing (that is, he grew old enough to plough). After the [female] child grew great and big, [the parents] gave her [in marriage] to that youth whom Diktalādī reared, [and they went to live in another village].
The boy she reared, after no long time went by, seeking oil, honey, flour, and cooking a bag of cakes, and giving them to that woman [his wife, set off with her] in order to go to look at that mother-in-law and father-in-law.
At the time when the two are going together, having seen that much water is going in the river [which it was necessary to cross], both of them became much afraid in mind. Thereupon, when they are staying [there], these two persons, having seen that the one called Dikpiṭiyā was on the opposite bank fishing and fishing, said, “Anē! It is a great hindrance that has occurred to us. Anē! In our hand there is not a thing for us to eat, not a place to sit down at. Should you take us two [across] to that side, it will be charity”; and those two persons make obeisance to Dikpiṭiyā.
Afterwards Dikpiṭiyā, having left his bait creeper[1] (fishing-line), came swimming to this side. Having come, “Where are ye two going?” he asked.
“Anē! We are going to look at our mother-in-law and father-in-law.”
Dikpiṭiyā placed the bag of cakes on one shoulder, and placed the woman on the [other] shoulder. Afterwards he crossed, swimming, to that [far] side.