Story 232 - Concerning the Hetti Man’s Son

IN a former time, in a certain country there was a certain Hetti family possessing a great quantity of goods, it is said. There were seven sons of the Hettiya. For the purpose of learning he sent the seven sons to school. Out of the Hetti children who go to school, as the youngest son was a mischievous rough fellow, having set out from the house in order to go to school, while on the road he got hid, not going to the school. At the time when, the school having been dismissed, the other children are coming back, this child also, like a person who went to school, comes to the house with his brothers, and dwells [there].

That this one did not go (non̆giya) to school no one tells either the father or mother. Because of what thing ? Because of the harshness that there is of his, should they give information to his parents that he did not go to school they are afraid he will cause great annoyance to the people who give the information.

In that manner going to the school and coming according to his will, and making disturbance with the other children (lamo), and walking to several places at the time when he is dwelling [there], he one day in the eventide having descended to the city street goes to walk.

While going, a certain horse-keeper taking a horse brought it for sale.

He having stopped the horse-keeper, asks,

“To which district are you taking this horse ?”

To that the horse-keeper gives answer,

“I am taking this horse for sale.”

Thereupon he said,

“It is good. For how much money will you give this horse ?”

Then the horse-keeper says,

“You a man who takes horses, indeed ! There is not any profit in telling you the amount. The value of this horse is much,”

he said.

Thereupon, having much scolded.the horse-keeper, and having arrived at his house calling [the man to bring] the horse, he speaks to his father and says,

“Take and give me this horse.”

At that time his father the Hettiya having rebuked him, drove him away. As this one was a vile rough fellow, taking the saying heavily, he began to make disturbance with his father. Thereupon anger having gone to the father, seizing him and having beaten him, he drove him away.

Having done thus, this one came into the house, and taking a gun speaks to his father and says,

“Should you not take and give me this horse, shooting myself I will die.”

Thereupon his father having become afraid, took the horse and gave [him it].

From the day when he took and gave the horse, he did not even go to the school. Having gone away according to his own notion, he joined the war army of that country. During the time when he was thus, also, he began to work there, so as to be a great dexterous person. The Chief of the war army there showed him much favour.

When a little time had gone thus, having been ordered to a war they came [for it]. Thereupon this one also having gone with the war force, and having been halted on the battle-ground, during the time while they are [there] the Chief of the Army spoke to this force (pirisa). When he said that in order to fight, a person who is able is to go to the enemy-King, and give the leaf missive (pattraya) which the Counsellor had prepared for the purpose, having seen that everyone remained without speaking, this one came forward, and having said,

“I am able to go and give it,”

asked for the letter.

When he thus asked, the Commander of the Army, having arrived at great sorrow, says,

“By this fight to whom will occur victory, defeat, or any other thing I am unable to say. But should you stay on the battle-ground, harm not befalling you at any time, you may escape. The messenger who goes in order to give notice to this enemy-King does not escape at any time. When, having said the message, he is dismissed, the guards strike him down. I know that you are a person of a great wealthy family. I know that the advantage that is obtained from another twelve soldiers I am receiving from you. [But] because at the time when

I spoke to any person who was willing to despatch and make known this message, you came forward, it is not justice to cause another person to go.”

Having said [this], the General arrived at great sorrow.

Thereupon this one says,

“Don’t be afraid. Having gone and given the letter I shall come back. But I cannot go thus; I don’t want these clothes. Please make afresh and give me clothes in the manner I say.”

When he said [this], the General, in the manner he said, made and gave him the clothes.

Thereupon, putting on the clothes and having mounted on the back of the horse which his father took and gave him, taking the leaf that was written for the purpose of giving the notice to the enemy-King, he went off.

At the time when he was going there, the guards of the King’s house thought that a trader gentleman was coming in order to give assistance connected with the war. Without any fear whatever he went on horse-back to the royal palace ; and having given the leaf and turned back, driving the horse a little slowly to the place where the guards are, and, having come there, driving the horse with the speed possible, he arrived at the place where his force is.

When he arrived thus, the General, having become much attached to him, established this one as the third person for that force. After that, having fought he obtained victory in the fight also. After he obtained victory in the fight, he appointed him to the chiefship of the army. During the time while he was dwelling thus, he went and in still many battles he obtained victory.

After that, having appointed him to the kingship,^[1] he sent him to improve the out-districts. Having dwelt in that manner for much time, and having reached old age, he performed the act of death (kalakkiriya).

Western Province.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

Evidently a post in which he had the title of Raja, and not the general government of the whole country. A ruler termed “the Eastern King”  (Pacina Raja) is mentioned in an early inscription (Dr. Müller’s, No. 34A) ; as no such title is found in the histories, he may have been a district governor. The hero of this story appears to have received a somewhat similar post.