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SEPTEMBER, 1893.)
FOLKLORE IN SALSETTE, No. 16.
247
The king, having heard this, sent for the fisherman, and told him to ask his son to bring two more; but the fisherman protested, saying:
"My lord, it was by sheer chance that my son obtained that kambal, and it is next to impossible to get any more.'
The king, however, would not be convinced of the impossibility of getting more kambals, and told the fisherman that should his son fail to bring him two more kambals he should forfeit his head.
The poor fisherman went away downhearted, thinking upon the unreasonableness of the king. He went home, and, refusing to take any food or drink, took to his bed. Now, it was customary during meals for the old man, owing to his great affection, to feed the prince as one would a little child, though he was already nearly eight years old. That day, however, the prince missed him, and so asked his foster-mother why his father did not take sapper. She said she did not know the reuson; perhaps he was not feeling well. Upon this the prince went and asked him why he did not come to supper, but the old man said:
"Go, my child, and take your supper. I do not want any."
"But, father," said the prince, "you fed me every day, and why don't you do so to-day? What is the matter with you? What misfortune has befallen you that you look so downcast and won't torch your food ? Tell me, father, all your cares and anxieties."
The old man was very much pleased with the prince's kind words, and said to him :“My dear child, the kambal you brought from the sea, and which I presented to the king, has brought a very great misfortune on me. The king went and suspended the kambal upon his bed, but a maid-servant, who saw it, said, that the kambal, though certainly very beautiful, lent no beauty to the bed, and that, if there should be hung up two more, it would make the bed appear very handsome. The king, therefore, wants you to bring him two more kambals. I remonstrated with him on the impossibility of getting any, but to no use, for the king cannot be persuaded of it, and he has ordered you to fetch them on the penalty of forfeiting your head in case of failure. God gave you to us so miraculously in our old age, and the cruel king wishes to take you away. This, my child, is my grief, and I will starve myself to death before you are snatched away from me. Go, my dear boy, and wake your supper, and go to bed quietly."
Thus said the fisherman and heaved a deep sigb, and tears could be seen trickling from his eyes in profusion.
Upon this the prince said :-"Is this what has caused you so much anxiety ? Tell the king that I promise to bring him two kambals. But, first of all, tell him that he must provide me with a ship completely manned with khaldsis and other servants, and I'must have provisions to last for several months, and an iron chain several yards long. Then I will go and fetch him the kambals. In the meanwhile you must calm your fears, and rise and take your supper."
When the fisherman heard these words he took heart, and rose and took his supper. On the following morning the fisherman bent his way to the palace and informed the king that his son had promised to bring him the kambals on condition that he fitted out a ship with servants, a long iron chain, and provisions to last for several months. The king agreed to the conditions, and ordered a ship to be built. What did the king lack? He had hoards of treasures. So he hired numerous workmen, and a job, that would take two or three months to finish, he got done in a fortnight, and fitted out the ship with a great number of khalásis and other servants He also procured a very long iron chain, and stored in the ship provisions of all sorts enough not for some months, but for years!
