In a certain country, to the house of a widow woman a Kabaragoya [337]
continually comes. While time is going, the Kabaragoya, trusting the
old woman, having come to the house dwells there.
After much time went by, the Kabaragoya being like a son told the
widow woman to find and give him a woman (wife).
At that time, "Son, look at the manner of our house; besides that,
to a Kabaragoya who will give a Kabaragoyi (female Kabaragoya)?" the
widow asked.
And the Kabaragoya having heard that speech, that very day night
entreated that his house should be like a royal palace. On the
following day morning, at the time when he looked the house was
particoloured (wisituruwa) like a royal palace.
The Kabaragoya that day also told her to seek and give him a
woman. And the widow after that went to seek a woman in marriage for
the Kabaragoya.
There were seven Princesses of the King of that country who had come
of age. The widow having gone near (kara) the King (raju), when she
told him the matter he told her to take a person who was willing. And
the widow having gone near the royal daughters, asked, "There is an
only Kabaragoya of mine; is anyone willing to be married to it?"
Six out of the seven royal daughters having said, "Are we also
female Kabaragoyas to go with Kabaragoyas?" scolded and struck her;
the young royal Princess who was the last, said, "Mother, I will go."
At that time having come summoning the royal Princess, she married
and gave her to the Kabaragoya.
After a little time went thus, for the purpose of the occasion of a
certain feast the King [338] sent a letter to the Kabaragoya and his
royal daughter, [inviting them to it]. Thereupon the royal Princess
having said, "Ane! How shall I go with this Kabaragoya, without
shame?" While she is grieving, the Kabaragoya went to a certain rock
cave, and having taken off and put there the Kabaragoya jacket, and
decorated himself [in the form of a Prince], with royal ornaments,
returned. At that time the royal daughter also, much pleased, went
to the royal palace.
After that, this Prince, wearing royal ornaments, remained in the
appearance of a Prince.
Uva Province.
In Kaffir Folk-Tales (Theal), p. 38, a girl chose a crocodile as
her husband. When at his request she licked his face he cast off the
crocodile skin, and became a man. In a note (p. 209) the author states
that he had been bewitched by his enemies.