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THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY.
LJUNE, 1884.
deaf man, and pointing to the calf requested him to accept it.
Now it unfortanately happened that the calf's tail was broken, and crooked. The man thought the herdsman was blaming him unreasonably for having broken the calf's tail, while he knew nothing about it, and so by & wave of his hand denied the charge. This the neatherd mistook for a refusal of the calf, and a demand for the cow. The neatherd said, “How very greedy you are! I promised you only the calf, and
not the cow." The husband said, “Never; I know nothing of either your cow or calf. I never broke the calf's tail. Some other must have done it." Thus they were quarrelling without understanding each other for a long time, when a third party happened to pass by. Understanding the subject well, and desiring to profit by their stupidity, he interfered and said in a loud voice, and yet so as not to be heard by the deaf husband, “Well, neatherd, you had better go away with the cow. The Soothsayers are always greedy. Leave the calf with me, and I shall make him accept it." The neatherd, much pleased to have secured the cow, walked home, leaving the calf with the third person. When the neatherd had gone the passenger said to the deaf man, “You see how very unlawful it is for the neatherd to charge you with an offence
which you never committed. It is always the case with neatherds. They are the biggest fools in the world! But never mind, so long as you have a friend in me. I shall somehow explain to him your innocence, and restore him the calf." The husband, much pleased, ran home to escape from the supposed guilt. At the expense of the stupidity and deafness of both, the third passenger walked home with the calf.
The husband on his return sat down for his dinner, and his wife served him the tamarind cabbage. He happened to put his finger to the place where the cabbage without tamarind had previously been served on the leaf. On applying it to his mouth he found it so very sweet that he demanded that dish again. The wife replied to him that she had already emptied the pan. "Then at least bring me the cabbage that is sticking against the wall," said the husband; and the wife did accordingly.
Here ends the story. The latter portion is also said to be the explanation of a proverb that is prevalent in Tamil - Sevuru kiraiyai valichchu pôdudi sunaiketta múli," meaning, "O thou feeling less deaf woman, give me at least the cabbage that is sticking on the wall.” This proverb is applied to stubborn wives who would have their own way, and not obey their husbands easily among unrefined society.
MISCELLANEA. THE PROVERBS OF ALI BIN TALEBI. 117. Every bird betakes itself to one like itself Translated by K. T. Best, M.A., M.R.A.S., 118. Every chest becomes tighter by that which Principal, Guserat College.
is put in it except knowledge, which extends itself Continued from p. 152.
more and more. 107. The unfriendliness of neighbours is more 119. How many are sad whose sadness tends to injurious than the stings of soorpions.
eternal life. 108. The height of religion is faith, the height 120. How many are joyful whoge joy tends to of faith is persuasion.
eternal misery. 109. The height of knowledge is to know one. 121. How will any one have leisure for another self.
life whose heart is engaged in worldly things. 110. The riches of the pious are in God.
122. How will any one escape God who flies 111. The aim of a wise man is to prepare for from himself P and how will any one who seeks the day of judgment.i
destruction avoid it 112. The riches of a wise man lie in his wisdom, 123. How will any one who errs lead another but those of a fool in his possessions. 113. The wrath of kings is a messenger of 124. A man has sufficient knowledge if he know
his own faults. 114. The love of a friend is shown in affliction, 125. Be contented and you will be rich, be conand the excellence of his consolation in poverty. Adent and you will be powerful.
115. A grateful mind continues benefits, an 126. Be a defender of the oppressed, but an ungrateful one causes them to cease.
enemy of the oppressor. 116. Every king except God is a slave.
127. Every day hastens to the morrow.
life!
death.
