[3] See also A. von Schiefner’s Tibetan Tales (Ralston), p. 134, in which the names are omitted. [↑]
[4] See Ancient Ceylon, p. 100. [↑]
STORIES OF THE WASHERMEN
No. 189
The Thief called Haranṭikā
In a certain city there was a thief, Haranṭikayā by name. The thief, together with his father, goes to commit robberies. For a long period, at the time when they are committing robberies at that city not a single person could seize that thief.
One day, the father and son having spoken about breaking in to the box of valuables at the foot of the bed[1] of the King of the city, entered the King’s palace. Having entered it, and gone by a window into the kitchen, and eaten the royal food that was cooked for the King, he went into the very room and broke into the box at the foot of the bed; and taking the goods and having come back into the kitchen, he put [outside] the articles he had brought. It was the father who went into the house, and put out the articles. The son stayed near the window, on the outer side.
Well then, the father tries (lit., makes) to come out by the window; [because of the quantity of food he has eaten] he cannot come.[2] Thereafter, the father, having put out his neck through the window, told the son to drag him out.