Riddles
The Todas are very fond of riddles, which they call werat. The following are examples:—
Mers Udder illâth without karthti, milks, poi mouth illâth without ûdti? drinks? Mâ, Rain, neln. earth.
I.e., What is it that gives milk without an udder, what is it that drinks without a mouth? Rain, earth.
Urk In (or to) village mers udder illâth, without, kâdak in forest kal leg illâth, without, athinu? what is it? Kûdi, Hen, pob. snake.
Kerûd Little mokh son perûd big aiu, becomes, perûd big mokh son kerûd little aiu? becomes? Kûdr, Horn, kevi. ear.
This riddle depends on a comparison of the horn and ear of the buffalo. The horn of the calf is very small, the ear is relatively large.
Pûv Flower pûvadi, does not blossom, kaim berry kaimadi? does not ripen? Tâf. Fern.
Wûrâdr Whole year nolm, days, mokh son pachtam, begetting, pîr ârchtam, pregnant, ithithanithi this is custom ank? to it? Pishkimän.
Pishkimän is a tree which bears flowers or is giving fruit the whole year round. [[600]]