Story 86 - How The Foolish Man Became King

IN a certain country there was a Gamarala, it is said. There was a daughter of the Gamarala’s. Bringing a son-in-law for the daughter, when he was there for many days the men of the village spoke of going to Puttalam.

Then this Gamarala’s son-in-law said to the Gamarala,

“Father-in-law, I also must go to Puttalam.”

The Gamarala said,

“It is good, son-in-law.”

After that, the whole of them obtaining occupation in loading sacks, the son-in-law went on the journey, and the Gamarala remained [at home].

The son-in-law, setting off for the journey, at the time when he was going along driving thirty [pack] bulls, met with a company of men going [after] placing sacks on twelve horses.

After he met with them this man said,

“Ane ! Friends, taking my thirty bulls, give me (dilalla) those few horses.”

Then the men said,

“It is good.”

This man having given the thirty bulls, at the time when he was going along taking the twelve horses, he met with yet a company of men who were going taking two elephants.

After that, this man said,

“Friends, taking my twelve horses, will you give me those two elephants ?”

The men said,

“It is good.”

Then this man, having given the twelve horses, at the time when he was going along taking the two elephants, he met with yet some men who were going hunting, taking twelve dogs.

Then this man asked,

“ Friends, taking my two elephants,

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will you give me those twelve dogs ?”

The men said,

“It is good.”

After that, this man having given the two elephants, at the time when he was going on taking the twelve dogs he met with a company of potters, taking some pingo (carrying-stick) loads of pots.

Then the man asked,

“From these twelve dogs taking six, will you give me for cooking in order to eat, a small cooking pot and a large cooking pot ?”

The men said,

“It is good.”

After that, the man having given six dogs, taking a small cooking pot and a large cooking pot he went hunting with the other six dogs.

Having gone into the jungle, and prepared a hearth near an ant-hill, in order, after having cooked, to eat cooked rice, at the time when he was breaking fire-wood a cobra that was in that ant-hill came and bit the man. Then the man swooned owing to the poison’s having fallen there.

At the time when a Vaedda of another distant place came walking [there] while hunting, he saw that there are six dogs; and having seen that there is a hearth, said,

“Why are these six dogs here, and a hearth, without a man ?”

While he was seeking and looking about, he saw that the man had fallen down. Having seen him, and lifted him up, when he looked [at him] the man was [as though] dead.

After that, the Vaedda having said,

“What is this man dead for ?”

When he looked [after] going near the body, there was a wound, and the Vaedda perceived that a snake had bitten him. Ascertaining it, after he had applied medicine the man got up.

Then the Vaedda asked,

“What happened to you ?”

This man said,

“The journey I came on is thus; the things that happened to me are thus. Having come hunting, and prepared the hearth, in order, after I had cooked here, to eat, when I was breaking firewood a cobra bit me.”

The Vaedda said,

“Come away, and go with me.”

This man having said,

“Ha,”

the six dogs and the man went with the Vaedda to the Vaedda’s city. Having gone there, that day the Vaedda gave him food.

During the time while the man was there, that very day night the King of the city died. On the following day morning, there being no person for the sovereignty, [after] decorating the tusk elephant the Ministers went [with it] to seek a King.

At the time when they were going, this tusk elephant was going along looking at the Vaedda’s house. As it was going, that man whom the cobra bit was lying down in the Vaedda’s veranda. The tusk elephant went and knelt near the man.

After that, the Ministers, having told this man to get up, when he arose bathed him with perfumed water, and having decorated him with the royal crown, placing him on the back of the tusk elephant went to the palace.

After he went there, the King caused the Vaedda to be brought, and said,

“Owing to you, indeed, I attained to such exalted things.”

Having said,

“Because of it, receive the post of Adikarama (Minister),”

he appointed the office of Adikarama to the Vaedda.

Having given him it, he remained up to the end of his life exercising the sovereignty with the ten [royal] virtues.

North-western Province.