In a certain country both the royal Prince and the Minister-Prince
were joined together by much friendship, it is said. Thus, having
been in that way, one day the royal Prince having talked with the
Minister-Prince, says, "Friend, we two having come to a foreign
country, let us do trading."
The Minister-Prince also having said, "It is good," the two persons
taking as much money as each can carry for the purpose of trading,
set off to go to a foreign country.
During the time when they are going thus, the two having met with a
junction of two roads, the two persons say, "We two having separated at
these roads let us go to two districts." So speaking, having separated
they went to two districts.
Out of them, the royal Prince having arrived at the place where a
courtesan woman is gambling, and having staked with the courtesan
woman this money he brought, gambled. The courtesan woman won the
whole of the money. Well then, the royal Prince having staked the
clothes he was wearing, when he gambled the Prince lost them also.
Well then, the Prince says, "It is good. [236] If so, you and I having
staked ourselves let us gamble."
So speaking, staking each against the other they gambled. Thereupon
the Prince lost. Having shaved the Prince's head, taking him for
the state of labourer, while he was drawing water and washing pots,
when the Hettirala of that village was going by that street he saw the
Prince who was washing and washing pots, and great sorrow having been
produced for the Hettirala, he spoke to the courtesan woman, and says,
"The labourer who is washing these pots is of very white colour. It
is not worth [while] taking this work from him. If you will give me
him I can give him a suitable means of livelihood."
Thereupon the courtesan woman says, "Yes, if there is sorrow for
you concerning him; although I can give him I cannot give him without
payment (nikan). Why? He has let me in [237] for a thousand masuran. If
the Hetti-elder-brother give that money I can give him; if not so,
I cannot give him," the courtesan woman said.
Then the Hettirala says, "It is good. Taking the money from me give
me him."
The Hettirala gave the money; and taking the Prince and having arrived
at his house the Hettirala having spoken to the Prince, asks, "What
can you do?"