Indian Antiquary Vol 17

Author(s): John Faithfull Fleet, Richard Carnac Temple
Publisher: Swati Publications

Page 21

JANUARY, 1888.]
FOLKLORE IN SALSETTE.
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He came down to the first step and he was laden with costly articles. In this way he soon again stopped by iśvara and asked if he had came upon the mango-tree and delivered the no more to say, and he thought of the jack- message of Isvara to the effect that a great fruit tree. He said :
treasure was lying buried at its foot, and that "At a great distance from here grows a jack- the tree should allow the first passer-by to fruit tree which has been in existence for twice unearth it and take it away, when its fruit twelve years, but unfortunately has borne no would be eaten to the very last. fruit through all this long period."
On hearing this the tree said to the boy :Upon this Isvara said :-" In the trunk of "I have been standing here for twice twelve the tree is hidden an immense quantity of gold, years and have seen no human being besides which if the tree gives up to the first passer- yourself; therefore the treasure is yours, take by, it will produce fruit abundantly, such as it and enjoy it." its kind has never borne."
The boy got the treasure dug out, and no Hearing this the boy left. He was asked sooner had he taken possession of it, than all over and over again if anything more was to the retinue climbed up the tree, and ate each be said, but he replied in the negative, and and every mango that was on it. took leave of the supposed holy man.
They soon left the place, and after a long When he had passed the sea, which closed up time came to the jack-fruit tree, which was after him, he came on the whale to whom he waiting impatiently to hear from the boy, told what Isvara had said, upon which the whether he had met with fóvara and what whale replied:
news he had brought concerning itself. The "For twice twelve years have I been lying boy replied: here and have seen no other human being | "Isvara has ordered me to tell you that in besides yourself; and as you have been the your trunk is hidden an immense quantity instrument of my delivery I will give the box of gold which should be given to the first containing the precious gems to you, take it passer-by, and then only you will blossom and and be happy."
bear fruit." Thus saying the whale threw up a box, The jack-fruit tree, when it heard the comwhich the boy took up, thanking the whale; mand of Isvara at once burst open its trunk and behold! the waves of the sea came up from which fell out heaps upon heaps of gold, foaming furiouely, and rising higher and higher all of which was left at the disposal of the encircled the whale and drew him again into boy; and lo! the tree, the same moment, bloshis mother, the ocean.
somed and bore fruit such as its kind never Taking the box the boy came to the city the bore before, and in such quantity that it was king of which was building the tank, and nigh breaking with the weight. delivered the message of fśvara to the king. Leaving this place, the boy, with all his retinue The king, whose greatest ambition was the and the treasures he had got from the tre welfare of his subjects, willingly risked half his took the road to his native place, where his kingdom. It also happened that this boy was mother was still living in a wretched hut. He the only foreigner who had ever passed through therefore went in advance, hired a splendid the dominions of this king, and consequently abode, and prepared his mother for the recephe was selected as the fortunate recipient of tion of his royal bride. half the kingdom and the king's daughter in A little while after the retinue arrived. The marriage. The gift and the marriage were boy and his mother came out to receive them, therefore offered to the boy, who readily and and conveyed the bride to their new residence. with great pleasure gave his assent; and this Being now well settled and having large brought about the completion of the tank. resources of wealth at their disposal, the boy
In due time the wedding was celebrated with lived with his royal wife to a good old age, great pomp, and our hero, as & prince and the occasionally paying and receiving visits from son-in-law of a great Rija, proceeded on his his royal father-in-law. He also did many journey homewards, accompanied by a retinue charitable deeds and was loved and respected of many soldiers, horses, elephants and camels, by all around him.