Indian Antiquary Vol 35

Author(s): Richard Carnac Temple
Publisher: Swati Publications

Page 37

JANUARY, 1906.)
TELUGU FOLKLORE.
31
TELUGU FOLKLORE.
THE HUNTER AND THE Doves.
Translated by T. Sivasankaram.
THERE was once & sinful hunter, who lived by killing a number of birds, of which he ate some and sold the rest. For this purpose he invented many snares and used to roam over forests with them. Once upon a night, while he was so roaming, a severe storm broke, with the result that many living things were destroyed and the whole forest was flooded with water. The hanter became terrified, cautiously approached a big tree and stretched himself for rest, shivering with cold, with a stone for a pillow.
Contemplating the tree with awe, he invoked the evil spirits inhabiting it, that they might show mercy to him and save him from harm. While he was thus resting, he heard the wailing of a male dove from a hollow in the trunk of the tree over the absence of his dear partner, who had not returned from her quest of food :-"Where can she be now? Is it possible that my darling love should leave me alone for so long? What can have happened to hor? Perhaps she has perished in the storm! Ah! Without her my existence is meaningless. The qualities of a loving wife are means for a husband's attaining happiness here on earth and bliss hereafter. What can I do now? My house has become empty."
The female dove, who happened to be caught in the net of the hunter, listened to this soliloquy with unlimited joy and exclaimed thus :-"A fortunate wife indeed is she, to whom it is given to stand so high in the estimation of her lord. Now that I have heard my lover's protestations, I have not lived in vain and fear death no longer."
Thus she consoled herself and announced her presence in the net to her lover in the tree and said that there was no use in sorrowing over what had happened :- "The wise say that to show hospitality with a full heart to those who seek refuge with us is sopreme charity. This hunter, by coming to the tree in which we live, has sought for refuge with us. He is shivering with cold. See that no harm befalls him and give him the best shelter you can."
At this the male dove, at once ceasing to grieve, introduced himself to the hunter and spoke to him thus : "Brother, you must be very tired. You are a guest in my house and it is for me to show you hospitality. What is your pleasure ?"
To this the hunter replied, well pleased :- "Prince of birds, my limbs are shivering with cold, pray do something to relieve me."
The dove set out at once, collected a number of small dried twigs with its beak, brought another stick lighted at one end from a village close by, put it in the fuel, fanned it into fire by its wings, and invited the weary hunter to warm himself, all with an overflowing heart. To the delight of the bird, the hanter warmed himself at the fire, and then he began to feel the sensations of the returning hunger, of which he told the dove, his host. The bird felt intensely grieved at his inability to provide his guest with food, and exclaimed thus: “We birds do not keep any store of food. We eat whatever we find and live by it, but you are tired and I must show you hospitality. Therefore accept my body!"
So saying, the bird turned to the fire and suddenly fell into it, to the utter amazement of the hunter, who stood struck with awe. Collecting himself after & moment he soliloquised thus :- "Conld there be such moral courage on earth ? Is it possible that a bird could sacrifice its body with such loving kindness ? What a tragedy has my sinful life caused! I must give