Story 164 - The Kabaragoya And The Widow

IN a certain country, to the house of a widow woman a Kabaragoya^[1] continually comes. While time is going, the Kabaragoya, trusting the old woman, having come to the house dwells there.

After much time went by, the Kabaragoya being like a son told the widow woman to find and give him a woman (wife).

At that time,

“Son, look at the manner of our house; besides that, to a Kabaragoya who will give a Kabaragoyi (female Kabaragoya) ?”

the widow asked.

And the Kabaragoya having heard that speech, that very day night entreated that his house should be like a royal palace. On the following day morning, at the time when he looked the house was particoloured (wisituruwa) like a royal palace.

The Kabaragoya that day also told her to seek and give him a woman. And the widow after that went to seek a woman in marriage for the Kabaragoya.

There were seven Princesses of the King of that country who had come of age. The widow having gone near (kara) the King (raju), when she told him the matter he told her to take a person who was willing.

And the widow having gone near the royal daughters, asked,

“There is an only Kabaragoya of mine; is anyone willing to be married to it ?”

Six out of the seven royal daughters having said,

“Are we also female Kabaragoyas to go with Kabaragoyas ?”

scolded and struck her; the young royal Princess who was the last, said,

“Mother, I will go.”

At that time having come summoning the royal Princess, she married and gave her to the Kabaragoya.

After a little time went thus, for the purpose of the occasion of a certain feast the King^[2] sent a letter to the Kabaragoya and his royal daughter, [inviting them to it].

Thereupon the royal Princess having said,

“Ane ! How shall I go with this Kabaragoya, without shame ?”

While she is grieving, the Kabaragoya went to a certain rock cave, and having taken off and put there the Kabaragoya jacket, and decorated himself [in the form of a Prince], with royal ornaments, returned. At that time the royal daughter also, much pleased, went to the royal palace.

After that, this Prince, wearing royal ornaments, remained in the appearance of a Prince.

Uva Province.

 

Note:

In Kaffir Folk-Tales (Theal), p. 38, a girl chose a crocodile as her husband. When at his request she licked his face he cast off the crocodile skin, and became a man. In a note (p. 209) the author states that he had been bewitched by his enemies.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

A large amphibious lizard (Hydrosaurus salvator).

[2]:

Lit., by the King.