Indian Antiquary Vol 17

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

Page 87

MARCE, 1888.]
FOLKLORE IN WESTERN INDIA.
77
melted, and he promised that he would not "No, I shan't," returned the chakvi, and hurt a single hair of their heads.
the chakva resumed, -" The man who eats At this the boys fell at the old man's feet my head will the next day be crowned king, and thanked him for his kindness with hearts whereas he who eats my liver will have twelve full of gratitude. The executioner, however, years of weary travelling and wandering about was at a loss to think where he could procure for his pains, but will attain immense happitwo pairs of eyes to lay before the queen in ness at the end of that period." place of theirs, for he dared not return with- The bird had hardly spoken these words out them; so the three hit upon & plan by when up went an arrow from the bow of the which to deceive the wicked queen.
young prince lying underneath and down fell They took their bows and arrows and killed the poor chakrá gasping for breath! 8 couple of wild fawns, and plucking out "So much for your boasting!” cried the their eyes tied them op, dripping with blood, in chakvi in distress and flew away. The young a handkerchief. The executioner then bade prince soon pulled ont the poor bird's feathers. the princes be of good cheer and went back and gathering & few sticks together, lighted a towards the palace with the bandle containing brisk fire and roasted the little bird over it, the eyes in his hand. As soon as he was gone meaning to share it with his brother on his the two brothers, overcome with grief and return. Being hungry, however, he did not fatigue, went to sleep under a large tree. wait for his brother to come up, but dividing When they awoke the next morning they felt the bird into two parte, he put aside the forevery thirsty and looked about them for water, part with the head for his brother and ate the but there was none to be had on the spot. So rest, liver and all, bimself; for he thought that the eldest boy said :
if ever the bird's words came trae, he would "Sit here & while, my brother, under this much rather have his eldest brother to be king tree, while I go to some other part of the forest than himself. and get you some water to drink, and, if pos- Shortly after the eldest prince returned with sible, some wild fruits or roots for food, for as some water, having failed to procure anything we have been fasting so long, you must be for food. So his brother gave him the head and feeling very hungry."
shoulders of the bird to eat, and told him the The little boy agreed to this, and sat down whole story of the chakvá and the chakvi, and under the tree. He waited there for a very the two brothers laughed and jested over it for long time, but his brother did not turn up, and some time and then fell fast asleep. at last he began to fear that his dear brother The next morning when they awoke they had been devoured by some wild beast, when felt very hungry, the youngest especially all at once he distinctly heard voices over his feeling so weak for want of food as not to be head. He looked up and saw that a chakvaable to rise from the ground on which he was and a chakvi,' who were perched upon one of lying. Upon this the elder brother said the branches of the tree, were talking to each "I shall go and make another attempt to other like human beings.
find food. I have plenty of gold in my "You may pride yourself as much as you pocket, only I do not know where to buy food please, Chakvi," the chakrá was saying, "upon with it." So saying he set out at fall speed the medicinal properties of your feathers; and went straight on till he came within sight but you could show nothing to equal certain of a large city. He made towards it with all properties I possess."
haste, but found that as it was very early in "Oh, indeed!” replied the chakvi, "pray the morning the gates of the city had not been what is it that is so marvellous about you ? opened. So tired and hungry he sat upon a Would you not tell me po
stone and waited. At sunrise the gates were “Well," said the chakvá, “I would never opened, and he at once walked in through have spoken of it, but I break silence for this them; but what was his surprise and consteronce, Chakvi, since you are so eager to know nation to find himself surrounded by armed of it, but pray don't tell any one about it." men, who took him rather grafly by the arms
Soe ante, Vol. X. p. 82, footnote.