In a certain country there were a woman and her two children. After
the woman's husband went and died, there not being any all-refuge
(saw-saranak) for the woman and children, after the children became
big they remained without learning.
Thereupon the men of that country said to the woman, "Your children
are male children, are they not? Because of it, make efforts and
teach them. Should the persons learn a little it will be good for you."
And the woman accepting this very speech, as she had nothing
for expenses for teaching the children she went near a teacher,
and said, "Ane! Mr. Teacher, from anyone whatever I have no
all-protection. Therefore I have nothing to pay for an expense. Because
of it, you, Sir, by favour to me having taught these two children,
you taking one child be good enough to give me one child."
The teacher also being pleased regarding it, said, "It is good," and
took charge of the two children. [After] thus taking charge of them,
although having made efforts he taught both children, and the young
child, having more intelligence than the teacher, learnt, the other
elder child was unable to learn even a little. Because he could not
learn he sent him to look after the teacher's cattle.
After the young child had thoroughly learned, the teacher, thinking
a deceitful thought, for the purpose of causing the young child to
remain and of sending the elder child home, taught the young child in
this manner: "Child, I am sending a letter to your mother to-morrow
[as follows]; 'Your young son indeed knows nothing; the elder child
is learning very thoroughly. Because of it, having come [for him],
go back summoning him [to accompany you].' When I have sent the
letter your mother will come to-morrow. Then, putting on bad clothes,
you remain, smearing cow-dung and the like on your hands. The elder
child I shall dress well, and send to stay [at home]," he said.
Because the young child was unable to say anything at that time on
account of the teacher's word, he said, "It is good." After it became
night, taking the disguise of a bird and having gone that night to his
mother's house, and taught her [as follows], he came back:--"Mother,
to-morrow our teacher will send you a letter [to this effect]: 'Your
elder child is learning well; the young child indeed cannot [learn]
anything. Because of it, you having come call the elder child and
go.' In that way he will send the letter. Elder brother was unable
to learn anything, therefore I am learning in a thorough manner. On
account of it, to-morrow, when you are coming, our teacher, with the
thought to cause me to stay, having smeared cow-dung on my body and
put on me bad clothes, will put good clothes on elder brother. Then
teacher will say, 'Look here. This big child indeed is learning a
little; the young child cannot [learn] anything. Having put aside
the young child for me, even to look after the cattle, call the big
child and go.' Then you say, 'No, Mr. Teacher, you, Sir, having made
such efforts, I do not want the child whom you have taught. Should
you give me the young child it will do.' Somehow having made efforts,
asking for me come [home]."
And the teacher on the following day having written in the above-said
manner, sent a letter. At that time the woman arrived at the teacher's
house. After that the teacher said, "Your big child is learning the
arts and sciences better than I; the young child knows nothing. Because
of it, having caused the young child to stay to attend to the grazing
of the cattle for me, you go back, summoning the elder child [to
accompany you]."
At that time, the woman said, "Ane! Teacher, you, Sir, having made such
efforts, be good enough to take for yourself the child who has embraced
[the learning]. Should you give me the young child, it will do."
Thereupon the teacher said, "No, you are a poor woman, are you
not? Because of it, calling the elder child go."
Then the woman having said it in the very [same] way as before,
calling the younger child went away.
At that time the teacher having become angry regarding the young
child, said: "Son of the courtesan! It is a work of yours, indeed,
this! Somehow or other, should I be able I will take you."
The young child having gone to his mother's house, the child
said to his mother, "Mother, there is no way for us to obtain a
livelihood. Because of it, I will create myself a vegetable garden. You
having uprooted the vegetables and tied them in bundles, place them
[aside]. Men will come and ask for vegetables. Give the vegetables;
do not give the cord that is tied round the vegetables," he said.
Thereupon, having said, "It is good," she did so, not giving the
cord. Having sold the vegetables, for a few days they obtained
a livelihood.
After that, the child said to his mother, "Mother, now then, there is
no way for us to obtain a livelihood. Because of it, I will become a
fighting-cock. Men having come and given the price you say and say,
will take the cock. Don't you give the cord only, with which the cock
has been tied. Should you give it the men will capture me."