In a certain country there were three persons, Big Hettiya, Middle
Hettiya, and Little Hettiya. During the time while they were there, the
three persons having gone to dig [for] gems, dug [for] gems until the
money of the parties was finished. They did not meet with even one gem.
Because they did not, having come again to the village, certain
acquaintances of those people were there. Taking (that is, borrowing)
a little money from those parties, the whole three persons dug [for]
gems again in partnership until the money was finished. They met with
only one gem.
It was in the mind of Big Hettiya to get it into a big box. It was
in the mind of Middle Hettiya to get it into a middle [sized] box. It
was in the mind of Little Hettiya to get it into a little box.
Well then, the three persons having quarrelled about it, Little Hettiya
made a little box, Middle Hettiya made a box larger than that, Big
Hettiya made a box still larger than that.
Having made them, they placed the gem in the little box of Little
Hettiya, that box they placed inside Middle Hettiya's box, and having
put it in they placed that box inside Big Hettiya's box. [Each one
kept the key of his own box.]
Having put it away in that manner, those three still borrowing a little
money from suitable persons of the neighbourhood, went again to dig
[for] gems.
During the time while they were staying in that way, Little Hettiya,
having made two false keys for Big Hettiya's box and Middle Hettiya's
box, and opened both the boxes, taking out his own box and opening
that box with the key he had, took the gem and hid it. This one,
having thrown away both the false keys, remained like a man who had
not committed theft.
Not a long time after that, the men who lent the money came to ask
for the money. Until the time when the money was finished they dug
[for] gems; from it also they obtained nothing.
After that, these three persons spoke to the creditors, "Having sold
the gem which we have, let us give the money to these people."
Having said so, the whole three having come, Big Hettiya, with the
key that he had, opened the big box; Middle Hettiya, with the key
that he had, opened [his]; Little Hettiya, with the key that he had,
opened [his]. When they looked there was no gem.
After that, the three keys being in the hands of the three persons,
having said, "Who opened [the boxes]?" the three persons struck
each other.
[After] striking, they went near the King for a law suit. Having gone,
the whole three persons said, "O Lord, Your Majesty, we three had a
gem. Having put the gem into a little box, and put that into a still
larger box, and put that into a still larger box, we three persons
kept in our hands the three keys. Thereafter, when we three persons
came together and looked [for it], it was not [there]. Because of it,
Sir, somehow or other you must clear up this for us."
After that, the King made much effort to sift the law suit. He being
unable to explain the case, began to postpone it.
The King's Queen having seen that the three Hettiyas are coming every
day in this manner to the court of justice, one day asked the King,
"O Lord, Your Majesty, three Hettiyas come every day to the court of
justice. Why?" she asked.
The King said, "The three Hettiyas having dug [for] gems, there was
one gem. Little Hettiya having made a box and put it in, locked it and
kept the key near him. Middle Hettiya having made a larger box than
that, and placed that Little Hettiya's little box inside it, locked
it and kept that key. Big Hettiya having made a large box, taking
both those boxes placed them inside that box, and having locked it,
he kept that key. Leaving the keys in the hands of the three persons,
the gem was missing. I have been unable to explain the case. Because
of it I postpone it every day," he said.
After that, the Queen said, "If you will give me the sovereignty I
will clear up the case."
Thereupon he said, "It is good. Until you have heard the action I
will give [you] the sovereignty."
Having said, "It is good," the Queen went away and informed the
Ministers, and told them to bring three bundles of cord and a
whip. These people came bringing them.
After that, the Queen having placed Big Hettiya on a support, told
them to tie him. Having tied him, taking the whip and having said,
"Will you give the gem? Will you give the gem?" she told them to flog
him well. They flogged the Hettiya until blood came. Even after that
he said, "No, indeed (naema)."
Having also tied Middle Hettiya in that manner, they flogged him;
that Hettiya said, "No, indeed."
Having seized and tied up Little Hettiya also, they flogged him in
that very way. When they had been striking four or five blows, he said,
"I will give the gem." After that, she told him to bring the gem.
That Little Hettiya having gone running, when he came [after] taking
it from the dung-hill where he had buried and kept it, she told Big
Hettiya and Middle Hettiya to divide [the value of] it. She gave
nothing to Little Hettiya.
Big Hettiya and Middle Hettiya divided [the value of] it between them.
North-central Province.