In Old Deccan Days, Ganges Valley (Frere), p. 87 ff., there is a variant according to which the child was carried off to their nest by two eagles, from the side of the mother. After the eagles went to bring a ring for her, the cat stole some food, and on being punished by the girl put out the fire.
The girl went to a Rākshasa’s house for a light, and was detained by his mother, pounding rice and doing other housework. She left at last with instructions to scatter corn along the path.
The Rākshasa followed the track and climbed to the nest, but the outer door was bolted, and he could not enter, so he left his nail in a crack of the door. When the girl opened the outer door—there were seven in all—the nail wounded her hand, and being poisonous apparently killed her. The eagles returned, and seeing this flew away. When a King arrived and drew out the nail, she recovered, and he married her.
[1] Moringa pterygosperma. [↑]
No. 13
The Golden Kaekiri Fruit
In a certain city there are a man and his daughter, it is said. The man’s wife being dead, the girl cooks food for the man. The man cuts jungle at a chena clearing. The girl every day having cooked, and placed the food ready for her father, goes to rock in a golden swing.[1] Then a Mahagē[2] comes and says, “Daughter, give me a little fire.” The girl sitting in the swing says, “Is it here with me? It is at the hearth; take it.” The Mahagē goes into the house, pulls out and takes the things which that girl has cooked and placed there, and having eaten, carries away the fire.