Hearing that, the old woman asked, “Whence is there money for you?”
Then the boy said, “There were two sallis for me at the root of the tamarind tree; they will do for me,” he said.
After that, the widow-mother having cooked rice dust, gave it. The boy having eaten the rice, went to the gambling place. Having gone, he laid down those two sallis, and told the men to play. The men did not play.
Then a youth of that very sort having been there played for it. Then for the two sallis yet two sallis came. Next, he wagered (lit., held) the whole four sallis. On that occasion, for those four sallis yet four sallis came. In this manner he that day won a large amount.
Having won and gone from there, on the following day, also, he came. Having come, and when playing that day having lost the money, he played also on credit. Having played on credit, after he went away, on the following day those creditors, through ill-feeling for him, went in order to ask for the debts.
When they were going, this boy they call Loku-Appuhāmi was colouring a cudgel in a good manner. Before that, he had said to his mother,[3] “At first when the men come, when I am asking for betel and areka-nut, you remain silent, looking on. Then I shall come and beat you [with this cudgel]; then fall down as though you died. When I am calling you a second time, do you, having gone into the house and dressed well, like a good-looking young girl, bring the betel box,” he said.
Well then, she did in that manner. When he did it (i.e., struck her) the woman in that very way fell down. Having fallen, when she was [there] that one (arayā) again called her. Then [getting up and] dressing well [inside the house] like a young girl, she takes a betel box. When [she was] coming, those men who came to take the debts asked, “What did you to your mother?” they asked.
Then he says, “I made her Tirihan,”[4] he said. Having said it, the man went into the house.
After he went into the house these men who came to take the debt, thinking, “Aḍē! It is good for us also to make our women Tirihan; we don’t want this debt,” and taking that cudgel, bounded off.
When they were bounding off, that Loku-Appuhāmi having quickly (wijahaṭa) sprung out and called those persons (arunṭa) says, “Aḍē! You are taking it; that is right. Beat seven persons, and put them into one house (room), and remain without opening the door until the time when seven days are going, [for them] to become Tirihan,” he said. Having heard him the party went.