“_Crocodile._”—The word used in the original Punjabi was “Sainsar,”
literally the “Gavial,” or rather “gharial.” This animal is called
“Timsah” in Arabic, but as this class of the Crocodiles lives usually on
fish, the saurian in the tale must have been unusually ferocious. The
seizure of the leg of the Jackal by the Crocodile is common to many
folk-tales throughout India, and is an indication of the general
groundwork of many Aryan tales.
“_Jackal._”—So often described, it is not necessary to do more here than
to refer to the fact that they usually hunt in packs. When a jackal is
heard to cry without a response, the natives know that he is a lone
animal and what they call “Yekaria,” and by some “yeklota,” meaning in
Sanscrit “single.” This, with them, is an evil omen, and thugs and
thieves give up their thoughts of plunder and pillage in the district
where he is known to be.
Some of the people believe that in packs of jackals the one who gives
the first cry is possessed of a small horn in his forehead, and this is
termed by them “Seeâr Singhi,” (possibly from the Persian word “Seah”
black, and “Singh” a Hindu title,) or the jackal’s horn. This so-called
horn is much prized by the people, and is often mounted by them in
silver and placed as a charm round the necks of their children. This
forehead projection of the jackal is generally hawked about for sale by
a low-caste set of people who are sellers also of certain oils, such as
the porpoise, or “Sūs” oil, the pelican, or “Rak-ham” oil, which is in
the Sanscrit language called “Gagun-bhir.” Crooke thinks that the “Seeâr
Singhi” is a jungle plant which resembles a horn; others think it is
really the velvety prominence from the deer, but is sold to the
credulous as from the jackal.
Our saying of the “grapes are sour” is rendered by the people as the
“grapes are bitter,” and the expression is used in connection with the
jackal and not of the fox.
Dahkânh hâth nâh up ree
Thooay kouree.