After that, taking a pair of noose-posts (mala-kanu), and catching also a peahen, he went there as the first light came, and having fixed the pair of noose-posts he made the peahen cry out. When it was crying out the Peacock came and perched (waehaewwā) near the peahen. Thereupon it was fastened at the pair of noose-posts, and while it was fastened the Vaeddā went and seized the Peacock. The Vaeddā, seizing it, released the Peacock from the pair of noose-posts. Having released it and said [to himself] that the Peacock is dead, he placed it on one side. Having put it aside he opened the noose of the noose-posts. In the twinkling of an eye the Peacock, having been as though dead, flew away. The Vaeddā sorrowed more than his first sorrow [at being unable to catch it].
The Peacock having flown away, without staying in that country went to another country. In that country it began to lodge on a mountain of that country also. At the time when a Vaeddā of that country was going hunting he met with the Peacock alone, and told the King of that country, “There is a gold-coloured Peacock at such and such a cave.”
When he said it the King caused the notification tom-toms to be beaten, and told all the Vaeddās of that country to come. Then all the Vaeddās came. After they came the King said, “On such and such a mountain a Peacock lodges. Catching the Peacock come back.”
Then the Vaeddās having gone tried to catch it; the Vaeddās were unable to catch it, so the Vaeddās told the King, “We cannot catch it.” Then the King having become angry with the Vaeddās said, “Without staying in my country go ye to another country.” So the Vaeddās went away.
Out of them one Vaeddā stopped and said to the King, “O Lord, Your Majesty, I will go quite alone and come back [after] catching it.”
Then having said, “It is good,” the King asked, “To catch the Peacock what are the things you want?”
The Vaeddā said, “I want, for five days, food-expenses and a pair of noose-posts.” So the King gave them.
Then the Vaeddā, taking the articles also, went near the mountain. Having gone there, he stayed for three or four days to get to know the time when the Peacock comes and goes for food; he learnt the times when the Peacock comes and goes. [After] learning them having fixed the pair of noose-posts in the morning before it became light, he made the peahen [which he had caught and brought with him] call in the very same manner as at first. Then the Peacock came and perched on the pair of noose-posts [and was caught]. Thereupon the Vaeddā, taking the Peacock, came near the King. The King took the Peacock, and gave the Vaeddā many presents and distinctions. Having given them he kept the Peacock.
When it had been there in that way a considerable time, a King of another country, taking his army also, came to seize that city. At the time when he came, this King having prepared to go to the war and having come carrying the Peacock, said, “Should I win in this war I will free thee; if not, I will kill thee.”
Then the Peacock said, “Taking my feather, and placing it on your head, and tying it there, should you go you will win.” So the King having gone in that manner conquered in that war.