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August, 1925)
FOLK TALES FROM NORTHERN INDIA
33
57. The Power of Fate.
(Told by Hasan Khan Fathan of Saharanpur.) There was once an astrologer who said to the King of Shâm (Syria), "Thou shalt meet thy death at the hand of the King of Rům." Hearing this, the king stayed at home through fear. One day he went into the bath chamber, and lo! a golden bird appeared with a chain which hung to the ground. The king grasped the chain to seize the bird, when it flew away with him and landed him on the parade-ground, where the King of Rûm was exercising his troops. The King of Rûm recognised him and showed him due hospitality, asking him what food he needed. "I like no food as much as the cucumber," he answered. The King of Ram then called for a cucuinber and began cutting it in pieces and feeding his guest. But all of a sudden the King of Shâm snoezed, and the knife by mischance pierced his nose and entered his brain. Such is the power of Fate.
58. The Thakur and the Koli. (Told by Makkhan Jat of Hatkauli, Mathura District, and recorded by
Bhala Bania of that village.) A Koli once took service with a Thâkur. One day the Koli said to his wife :-"I am going to my master. Do you need aught?” She replied, “ Ask your master to give me & petticoat and a sheet." Her husband promised to do so. He found the Thakur just ready to set forth to the house of his lather-in-law and was bidden by him to go with him and mind the horse. As they went along, the Thakur said to the Koli, “Take my sword and be careful of it, as it is of great value.” On arriving at & river, the Thâkur asked how they were to cross. “You ride on," said the Koli, and I will hold on to the tail.” When they reached mid-stream, the scabbard dropped into the water, and the Koli cried :" Something black has fallen from the sword." "Where did it fall," shouted the Thâkur. "Just about there," said the Koli and flung the sword after it. Then he said, "I just remember that my wife asked you to give her a petticoat and a sheet." Said the Thakur, “Be gone, accursed one! What a fool I was to take such a stupid lout as my servant."
59. The Sadhu and the Rat.
(Told by Shiba Sinh, Brahman, of Saharanpur.) A rat, who lived in the jungle, was one day chased by a cat. He took shelter in the hut of a Sadhu and begged his protection. The Sadhu blessed him and said, "Go, my son, and become a cat." So he was turned into a cat and lived by hunting the rats in the jungle. One day, being chased by a dog, he again ran to the Sadhu, who blessed him and said, "Go, my son, and becomo a dog." So he became a dog and used to hunt cats in the forest. One day he was attacked by a tiger and again sought the Sadhu's help. The Sadhu blessed him, and he beeame a tiger, spending his time in chasing and killing deer. At length the deer got to know him and left the jungle, so that he had nothing to eat and suffered from hunger. By chance the Sadhu passed that way, and the tiger sprang upon him. Then the Sadhu cursed him, saying " Go, my son, and become a rat again." He implored the Sadhu to allow him to remain a tiger. But the Sadhu left him saying, “Thou art an ungrateful beast. If I bless thee again, perchance thou mayest work me evil."
60. The Prince and Pån Shah zâdi. Told by Jhuman Lal of Didarganj, Azamgarh District, and recorded by
Jadunandan Rae of Baswan.) There was once a Prince, whose parents died after they had betrothed him to 4 prin. cess in another land. One day, while hunting, he felt thirsty, and went to a river, on the surface of which he found a pan leaf floating. When he touched it, he lost his senses : and bringing the leaf home, he placed it on a shelf.
The Prince's food was prepared daily and placed near his couch; but every night some one oame and ate it. At last he determined to watch, and he out his finger and rubbed it
