The Vaeddā replied, “Why shouldn’t it be good? The person who has eaten the right portion at that very time will receive the sovereignty. The person who has eaten the left portion will receive the sovereignty after seven years have gone by.”
Having said thus, the Vaeddā sought and sought it; he was unable to find the turtle-dove, and he went away. Then, having cooked it, the elder Prince ate the right half; the younger Prince ate the left half.
Having eaten it, the elder Prince, taking the small copper water-pot which the flower-mother gave them, went to seek for water. The younger brother remained there.
The elder brother, breaking and throwing down branches all along the path, having gone on and on, came to a large stream. Hearing a beating of tom-toms while getting water in the pot, he stayed there, looking [to see] what it was about. While he was there, the tom-toming having come near him, a tusk elephant came close to the Prince and knelt down.
The Prince knew that the royal elephant had selected him for the sovereignty, and said, “Anē! A younger brother of mine is there; how can I go without him? I will go there and come with him.”
Then the men who were there said, “You cannot seek your younger brother; you must mount now.” Afterwards the Prince having mounted on the elephant, went to the city of that kingdom, and became the king.
The younger brother, after having looked and looked for a long time, taking the bundle of cooked rice, came along the path on which the branches were broken, and descended to the stream. Then, having seen the elephant’s footprints, continuing to say, “Anē! It is this very elephant that has killed elder brother,” weeping and weeping he drank water; and having eaten part of the cooked rice, tied up the other part and went away.
While going along the path on which were the elephant’s footprints, he saw that his Prince’s robes were torn and torn, and repeating, “Anē! Elder brother has been killed. It is this very elephant. Kill me also, O Gods,” weeping and weeping, going on and on, he went after nightfall to a Heṭṭiyā’s house at some city or other, and said, “Anē! You must give me a resting-place for the night.”
The Heṭṭiyā was not at home; only his wife was there. The woman said to the Prince, “No resting-place will be given here. We do not allow any one to come to our house. The Heṭṭirāla goes to the King, to fan his face. On that account the Heṭṭirāla does not permit any one to come to this house. To-day the Heṭṭirāla went to the King, to fan his face. He will come at this time. Before he comes go away quickly.”
The Prince said, “Anē! Don’t say so. There is not a quarter to which I can go now. In some way or other you must give me it.”