In a certain country there was a Gamarala, it is said. There was a
daughter of the Gamarala's. Bringing a son-in-law for the daughter,
when he was there for many days the men of the village spoke of going
to Puttalam.
Then this Gamarala's son-in-law said to the Gamarala, "Father-in-law, I
also must go to Puttalam." The Gamarala said, "It is good, son-in-law."
After that, the whole of them obtaining occupation in loading sacks,
the son-in-law went on the journey, and the Gamarala remained
[at home].
The son-in-law, setting off for the journey, at the time when he was
going along driving thirty [pack] bulls, met with a company of men
going [after] placing sacks on twelve horses.
After he met with them this man said, "Ane! Friends, taking my
thirty bulls, give me (dilalla) those few horses." Then the men said,
"It is good."
This man having given the thirty bulls, at the time when he was going
along taking the twelve horses, he met with yet a company of men who
were going taking two elephants.
After that, this man said, "Friends, taking my twelve horses, will
you give me those two elephants?" The men said, "It is good."
Then this man, having given the twelve horses, at the time when he
was going along taking the two elephants, he met with yet some men
who were going hunting, taking twelve dogs.
Then this man asked, "Friends, taking my two elephants, will you give
me those twelve dogs?" The men said, "It is good."
After that, this man having given the two elephants, at the time
when he was going on taking the twelve dogs he met with a company of
potters, taking some pingo (carrying-stick) loads of pots.
Then the man asked, "From these twelve dogs taking six, will you
give me for cooking in order to eat, a small cooking pot and a large
cooking pot?" The men said, "It is good."
After that, the man having given six dogs, taking a small cooking
pot and a large cooking pot he went hunting with the other six dogs.
Having gone into the jungle, and prepared a hearth near an ant-hill, in
order, after having cooked, to eat cooked rice, at the time when he was
breaking fire-wood a cobra that was in that ant-hill came and bit the
man. Then the man swooned owing to the poison's having fallen there.
At the time when a Vaedda of another distant place came walking [there]
while hunting, he saw that there are six dogs; and having seen that
there is a hearth, said, "Why are these six dogs here, and a hearth,
without a man?" While he was seeking and looking about, he saw that
the man had fallen down. Having seen him, and lifted him up, when he
looked [at him] the man was [as though] dead.
After that, the Vaedda having said, "What is this man dead for?" When
he looked [after] going near the body, there was a wound, and the
Vaedda perceived that a snake had bitten him. Ascertaining it, after
he had applied medicine the man got up.