No. 119
Nahakoṭā’s Wedding Feast
In a certain country there are a woman and a man, it is said. While they were there the woman bore two girls and a boy. When they were there a long time the man died.
After that, the big girl having grown up, they gave her in dīga (marriage). The boy cannot speak well; his nose is short. The other girl has become considerably big. That boy is older than the girl. It is Nahakoṭā’s[1] endeavour to call that younger sister [in marriage]. That woman (their mother) having perceived that, went with the daughter to the place where the other big daughter was given; and having conducted her [there], came back.
After that, a day or two having passed, Nahakoṭā went, in order to call the girl back [to be his wife]. Having gone [he said] at the girl’s hand, “Younger sister, mother told me to go back with thee; on that account I came here.”
While coming with that girl, having met with villages on the road that girl says, “Elder brother, is our village still far away?”
Then Nahakoṭā says, “Why do you say, ‘Elder brother, elder brother?’ Would it be bad if you said, ‘Husband, husband’ (Wāhē)?”
Then that girl being frightened, comes without speaking. Again, when coming a little further, she asks, “Elder brother, is our village still far away?”
Then Nahakoṭā says, “Why do you say, ‘Elder brother, elder brother?’ Would it be bad if you said, ‘Husband, husband?’ ”
Then the girl being frightened comes without speaking. Thus, in that way they came quite home. Having come, Nahakoṭā said to Nahakoṭā’s mother, “Mother, pound flour and cook cakes. I am going to spread nets to catch [animals] for my [wedding] feast.” Having said it, Nahakoṭā went to spread nets, joining with a man.