[5] A large river and tank fish (Ophiocephalus striatus) which is usually caught with a line and live fish bait. At the present day, Kandian Sinhalese of the better castes consider it improper to fish with a hook, but this is done by some members of low castes. The story was related by a Tom-tom Beater. See Ancient Ceylon, p. 52. [↑]
[6] The spelling of this word is according to the text. [↑]
[7] They anticipated the usual death sentence or exile allotted to disobedient Princes in these tales. [↑]
[8] The word which is used indicates one who shot with a gun. [↑]
No. 83
The Story of Kaḷundāwa
In a certain country there were a Gamarāla and Gama-mahagē (his wife). There were seven daughters of the Gamarāla’s; there was no male child. Taking another male child, they reared him for themselves. This child was very thoroughly doing the work at the Gamarāla’s house.
Thereafter, after he became big, they asked at the hand of the Gamarāla’s daughters, “Who is willing to marry this child?”
All [the elder ones] said, “We don’t want that scabby filthy one,” but there was willingness [on the part] of the last young one. The two persons having married, the other six began to treat this young one harshly, but she did not take to heart (lit., mind) the things they are saying.