The Story of the Elder Sister and Younger Brother
At a certain village there was a Gamarāla. While a woman contracting (lit., tying) marriage with him was [there], a female child and a male child were born. After they two were born the woman died.
After that, for the man they again brought a woman. Because the woman[1] did not take notice of the children, the children think, “There is no advantage to us in staying here; let us leave the country and go.” Having said [this] they began to go.
While they were thus going they entered a forest jungle, and at the time when they were proceeding in it the flowers of a Kīna tree[2] having blossomed and faded, the elder sister picked up flowers that had fallen, and took them and smelt them.
Having said, “These flowers are not good,” the younger brother went up the tree and plucked flowers. At the time when he was descending the younger brother disappeared (naeti-wunā). The elder sister through grief at it remained at the bottom of the tree.
While a King of the city was going hunting, having seen that the woman is staying under the tree, the King came near and spoke [to her]. Thereupon the woman did not speak; but the King, holding her by the hand,[3] went summoning her to the city [and married her].
While staying at the city, the woman having become pregnant a child was born. The King told her to fix a name for the child. Then also (ēt) the woman did not speak.
While the two persons were staying thus for a little time, again a child was born. The King told the woman to fix a name for that child also. Then also this woman did not speak. “Why don’t you speak?” the King asked. Then also she did not speak.
On yet a day, the King went hunting with the Ministers, and having gone walking and come near the city, told the Ministers to go. The Ministers having gone there, say at the hand of that woman, “A bear bit (lit., ate) the King to-day.”
When they are saying it falsely, the Queen, taking the two children, and having descended from the palace to the path, and fallen on the ground, sitting down says to the two Princes, “Sun-rays Prince, Moon-rays Prince, weep ye for your father; I am weeping for my younger brother.”