The Gamarāla’s daughter replied, “We are going [because] our father has become of age [in the same manner as women]. On account of it [we are going] to the washermen.”
The King said, “How, girl, are men [affected like women]?”
Then the girl said, “So, indeed! You, Sir, told our father that having built inner sheds and outer sheds, having milked milk from oxen, and caused it to curdle, and having expressed oil from sand, [he is] to place them [ready]. How can these be [possible]? In that way, indeed, is the becoming of age by males [in the same manner as women].”
Then the King, having become pleased with the girl, asked yet a word. He plucked a sesame flower, and taking it in his hand asked the girl, “Girl, in this sesame flower where is the oil?”
Then the girl asked, “When your mother conceived where were you. Sir?”[1]
Immediately (ē pārama) the King descended from the horse’s back; and placing the Gamarāla’s girl upon the horse, and the King also having got on the horse, they went to the palace. The other girl came alone to that girl’s house.
On the second day, the King having sent the Ministers and told the Gamarāla to come, marrying the girl to the King she remained [there]. The Gamarāla also stayed in that very palace.
[1] In the next story, and in the Story of Madana Kāma Rāja (Naṭēśa Sāstrī), p. 246, are given a Prince’s question regarding sesame, and a smart village girl’s reply. [↑]