At a certain time there was a man; the man had a girl and a boy. At
the time when they were thus, the man went alone to the sea to catch
fish (mas). Having gone, when he was catching fish a very large wave
having knocked him into the sea, the man on account of the water
(current) drifted away.
At that time the men of the ferry-boat near there were laying
nets. This man having gone was entangled (lit., tied) in the nets. Then
the ferry-boat men drew out the nets. When they looked a man was
entangled in a net. Then, taking the man ashore they laid him on
his face, and while they were pressing on his belly with the feet,
without the man's life going he breathed. [187] Then without having
caused hurt to this man when they were treading on his belly for the
water to go, the man became conscious.
Then the men having said, "Of what country are you?" having spread
the news around, and given him cooked rice which had been taken for
the party to eat, they told him to choose [some] fishes. He having
selected them, in the evening they went to the village, taking the
man. Having gone [there], as this man who fell into the sea does
not know the road to go to his village, doing work for hire for the
ferry-boat men and continuing to eat [thus], he stayed [there].
The elder female child and the younger lad whom there were of the man
who fell into the sea, went to the Hettiya's shop to bring salt. At
the time when they went, the Hettiyas put the girl in the house,
and shut the door. Having beaten the boy, they drove him away.
At that time, the King of that city having made ready a very great
eating (kaema), sent letters to the Kings of other cities to come
for the eating. After that, those Kings all came to the city. In the
royal party, the King of the city at which was the man who fell into
the sea and went ashore, also came.
Having come, all the party having assembled in that day night, after
they ate the food this lad who had lost his father and elder sister
had come [there]. Having given food to this lad, while he was [there]
the royal party, having eaten and drunk, conversed together regarding
the happiness and sorrow in the various cities.
Then this lad who was without father and elder sister, thought of
telling the matters which the party omitted, by way of a verse. Having
thought of it he says,
Apucci mude waetuna. Father fell into the sea.
Akka Hettiya In his quarter the Chetti
Padeta damala Elder sister has set; he
Dora wahagatta. The door has shut on me.
Ayinan! Ayinan! Alas! Alas!
Thereupon, having met with this lad, hearing the words that ought to be
known at the city at which they are, they spoke, "Hahak! Hahak! [188]
don't speak." Having stopped the talk, they said, "Who is that lad
who said the verse? Say that verse again for us to hear."
Then the boy said again,
Father fell into the sea.
In his quarter the Chetti
Elder sister has set; he
The door has shut on me.
Alas! Alas!
Then the royal party, calling the boy near, and after that having
heard of the matters that occurred, gave food to the lad from the
royal house, and made him stay at the royal house.
When he was [there] in that way for a little time, the King of that
city having died, because a King was necessary to burn [the corpse]
[189] they decorated the tusk elephant, and taking it they walk
through the whole city. Then the tusk elephant keeps coming towards
the palace itself.
Because of it, men came out on the path on which the tusk elephant
is coming. At that time, the tusk elephant having come, kneeling down
made obeisance to that lad.
Then those men, having made the lad bathe in sandal water (water
perfumed with sandal), and placed him on the tusk elephant's back,
went in procession round the city, and having come back they burnt
that King, and made a funeral mound [over the ashes].
While exercising the sovereignty over the men of the city, when a
little time had gone the King went to that place called the Hettiya
quarter, and having beheaded all the Hettiyas, came back calling his
elder sister [to accompany him], and gave her in marriage.
There was a daughter of the dead King. After marrying that Princess,
in a little time there was a child.
After that, he went to that city in which his father is, and calling
his father also, he returned. Having come back, he remained exercising
the sovereignty in a good manner.
North-central Province.