🧚 Demon With Matted Hair " 196, part 4 · page 2

Balna told her son what Punchkin had said; but at the same time implored him to give up all idea of getting the parrot.47

The Prince, however, replied, "Mother, unless I can get hold of that parrot, you, and my father, and uncles, cannot be liberated: be not afraid, I will shortly return.48 Do you, meantime, keep the Magician in good humour--still putting off your marriage with him on various pretexts; and before he finds out the cause of delay, I will be here."49 So saying, he went away.50

Many, many weary miles did he travel, till at last he came to a thick jungle; and, being very tired, sat down under a tree and fell asleep.51 He was awakened by a soft rustling sound, and looking about him, saw a large serpent which was making its way to an eagle's nest built in the tree under which he lay, and in the nest were two young eagles.52 The Prince seeing the danger of the young birds, drew his sword, and killed the serpent; at the same moment a rushing sound was heard in the air, and the two old eagles, who had been out hunting for food for their young ones, returned.53 They quickly saw the dead serpent and the young Prince standing over it; and the old mother eagle said to him, "Dear boy, for many years all our young ones have been devoured by that cruel serpent; you have now saved the lives of our children; whenever you are in need, therefore, send to us and we will help you; and as for these little eagles, take them, and let them be your servants."54

At this the Prince was very glad, and the two eaglets crossed their wings, on which he mounted; and they carried him far, far away over the thick jungles, until he came to the place where grew the circle of palm trees, in the midst of which stood the six chattees full of water.55 It was the middle of the day, and the heat was very great.56 All round the trees were the genii fast asleep; nevertheless, there were such countless thousands of them, that it would have been quite impossible for any one to walk through their ranks to the place; down swooped the strong-winged eaglets--down jumped the Prince; in an instant he had overthrown the six chattees full of water, and seized the little green parrot, which he rolled up in his cloak; while, as he mounted again into the air, all the genii below awoke, and finding their treasure gone, set up a wild and melancholy howl.57

Away, away flew the little eagles, till they came to their home in the great tree; then the Prince said to the old eagles, "Take back your little ones; they have done me good service; if ever again I stand in need of help, I will not fail to come to you."58 He then continued his journey on foot till he arrived once more at the Magician's palace, where he sat down at the door and began playing with the parrot.59 Punchkin saw him, and came to him quickly, and said, "My boy, where did you get that parrot?60 Give it to me, I pray you."61

But the Prince answered, "Oh no, I cannot give away my parrot, it is a great pet of mine; I have had it many years."62

Then the Magician said, "If it is an old favourite, I can understand your not caring to give it away; but come what will you sell it for?"63

"Sir," replied the Prince, "I will not sell my parrot."64

Then Punchkin got frightened, and said, "Anything, anything; name what price you will, and it shall be yours."65 The Prince answered, "Let the seven Raja's sons whom you turned into rocks and trees be instantly liberated."66

"It is done as you desire," said the Magician, "only give me my parrot."67 And with that, by a stroke of his wand, Balna's husband and his brothers resumed their natural shapes. "68 Now, give me my parrot," repeated Punchkin.69

"Not so fast, my master," rejoined the Prince; "I must first beg that you will restore to life all whom you have thus imprisoned."70

The Magician immediately waved his wand again; and, whilst he cried, in an imploring voice, "Give me my parrot!" the whole garden became suddenly alive: where rocks, and stones, and trees had been before, stood Rajas, and Punts, and Sirdars, and mighty men on prancing horses, and jewelled pages, and troops of armed attendants.71

"Give me my parrot!" cried Punchkin.72 Then the boy took hold of the parrot, and tore off one of its wings; and as he did so the Magician's right arm fell off.73

Punchkin then stretched out his left arm, crying, "Give me my parrot!"74 The Prince pulled off the parrot's second wing, and the Magician's left arm tumbled off.75

"Give me my parrot!" cried he, and fell on his knees.76 The Prince pulled off the parrot's right leg, the Magician's right leg fell off: the Prince pulled off the parrot's left leg, down fell the Magician's left.77

Nothing remained of him save the limbless body and the head; but still he rolled his eyes, and cried, "Give me my parrot!" "78 Take your parrot, then," cried the boy, and with that he wrung the bird's neck, and threw it at the Magician; and, as he did so, Punchkin's head twisted round, and, with a fearful groan, he died!79

Then they let Balna out of the tower; and she, her son, and the seven Princes went to their own country, and lived very happily ever afterwards.80 And as to the rest of the world, every one went to his own house.81

The Broken Pot82

There lived in a certain place a Brahman, whose name was Svabhavak_ri_pa_n_a, which means "a born miser."83 He had collected a quantity of rice by begging, and after having dined off it, he filled a pot with what was left over.84 He hung the pot on a peg on the wall, placed his couch beneath, and looking intently at it all the night, he thought, "Ah, that pot is indeed brimful of rice.85 Now, if there should be a famine, I should certainly make a hundred rupees by it.86 With this I shall buy a couple of goats.87 They will have young ones every six months, and thus I shall have a whole herd of goats.88 Then, with the goats, I shall buy cows.89 As soon as they have calved, I shall sell the calves.90 Then, with the calves, I shall buy buffaloes; with the buffaloes, mares.91 When the mares have foaled, I shall have plenty of horses; and when I sell them, plenty of gold.92 With that gold I shall get a house with four wings.93 And then a Brahman will come to my house, and will give me his beautiful daughter, with a large dowry.94 She will have a son, and I shall call him Somasarman.95