[1] As in India, the tom-tom beaters were the weavers also in Ceylon, until cheap imported cloth put an end to weaving. In the Folk Tales of Bengal (Day), p. 233, the “proverbial simplicity” of weavers is mentioned, and in several stories in Indian Nights’ Entertainment (Swynnerton) their foolishness is the chief theme. In the Jātaka story No. 59 there is an account of a foolish tom-tom beater boy also. See also the story No. 10, in this volume. [↑]
No. 40
A Kaḍambāwa Man’s Journey to Puttalam
In order to go to Puttalam, a Kaḍambāwa man having yoked his bull in his cart, sent it in advance with the cart, saying, “My bull knows the way to Puttalam.” He himself walked behind the cart.
The bull [being without guidance], having gone completely round the rice field, came again to the path leading to the man’s house. There the man’s children came out, saying, “Aḍē! Has our father been to Puttalam and come back?”
The man [thinking he had come to another village] said, “What are you saying ‘Father’ to me for? I am a Kaḍambāwa man. I am going to Puttalam.” Then he again sent on the bull in front [as before].
In the same manner as before, the bull having gone round the rice field came again to the house. Then those children saying, “Aḍē! Has our father been to Puttalam and come back?” went on in front.
Then the man said, “Hā! At each place that I go to, the boys call me ‘Father.’ I am a Kaḍambāwa man. I am going to Puttalam. At a village on the road, also, certain boys said ‘Father’ to me.” So saying, he again sent on the bull in front.
In the same way as before, the bull turning round the rice field came again to the village. Again the man’s children said, “Aḍē! Has our father been to Puttalam and come back? Have you come on in front [of the others who went]?”