[1] Sēnawalayā. [↑]

[2] A contraction of Gama-rālahāmi. Hami is an intermediate form between swāmi, “lord”, and himi; Wanniyās still use the latter. [↑]

[3] The yoke of the plough is placed on the neck and fastened there, on the Washerman’s half of the animal. [↑]

[4] Because the mouth which grazes is in the Gamarāla’s half of the cow. [↑]

[5] Raṭē wissa. The word is new to me; this appears to be the meaning. [↑]

No. 60

The Two Thieves

Two thieves at Cairo were in love with the same girl, who promised to marry the one who showed the greatest cleverness.

The first one assisted a rich merchant in purchasing some cattle, and eventually purloined a bag of money which the merchant was carrying in the large pocket in the front of his gown, and put a similar bag in its place containing an orange or two.