In a variant of this story, related by a Durayā in the North-western Province, the persons who abandoned the child were a Gamarāla and his wife, the Gama-mahagē.
On the Storks’ finding it, they cried, “Aḍā! I have met with a gem!” Their home was in a rock-cave. When the Parrot warned the girl that the Rākshasa was coming, “having gone running, and having sprung into the cave, she shut the door. The Rākshasa says, ‘Having brought bracelets for the arms, jackets for the body, cloths for the waist, O daughter, open the door, my daughter.’
“Then the Parrot said, ‘It is false that there are bracelets for the arms, jackets for the body, cloths for the waist. Open not the door, my elder sister.’
“Then the Rākshasa tried to kill the Parrot. Having flown away it settled on a tree. The Rākshasa having smashed the Parrot’s cage, again says, ‘Having brought bracelets for the arms,’ ” etc.
The Cat warned the girl and was killed, then the Dog, next the Ash-plantain tree, and lastly the Katuru-Murungā tree. I now translate again.
“After that, he struck a finger-nail into the lintel, and having struck another finger-nail into the threshold, the Rākshasa went away.
“After that, the male Black Stork and female Black Stork came. Having come, they say, ‘Having brought bracelets for the arms, jackets for the body, cloths for the waist, open the door, my daughter.’
“Then the Parrot says, ‘It is true that there are bracelets for the arms, jackets for the body, cloths for the waist, elder sister. Open the door, my elder sister.’
“As she was coming out opening the door, her foot was pricked by a finger-nail, and the crown of her head by a finger-nail. Then becoming unconscious she fell down, the finger-nails having entered her. Both Storks together drew out the finger-nails.”
She recovered, and they gave her the things they had brought, but sent her away. The rest of the story is an evident modern addition of no interest. She went to a large chena, and was taken home by a widow who was there.