Story 32 - The Crocodile’s Wedding

IN a certain country there is a Crocodile in the river,, it is said. On the high ground on the other bank there was a dead Elephant. A Jackal of the high ground on this side came to the river bank, and on his saying “Friend,’’ the Crocodile rose to the surface.

Then the Jackal said,

“Now then, how are you getting on, living in that [solitary] way ? I could find a wife for you, but to fetch you a mate I have no means of going over to the land on that bank.”

The Crocodile said,

“Ane ! Friend, if you would become of assistance to me in that way can’t I put you on the other bank ?”

The Jackal said,

“If so, Friend, put me on the ground on the other side, so that I may go to-day and ask for a mate for you, and come back again.”

Then the Crocodile, placing the Jackal on his back, swam across the river, and after placing the Jackal on the other bank returned to the water.

The Jackal went and ate the body of that dead Elephant. Having eaten it during the whole of that day, he returned again to the river.

Having arrived there, when he said “Friend,” the Crocodile rose to the surface and asked the Jackal,

“Friend, did you ask for a mate for me ?”

Then the J ackal said,

“ Friend, I did indeed ask for a mate; we have not come to an agreement about it yet. To-morrow

I must go again to settle it. On that account put me on the ground on the other side.”

So the Crocodile, placing the Jackal on his back, swam across the river, and placed the Jackal on this bank.

Next day, as it became light, the Jackal went to the river, and as he was saying “Friend," the Crocodile rose to the surface.

The Jackal said,

“ Friend, in order that I may go and make a settlement of yesterday’s affair and return again, put me on the other bank.”

Then the Crocodile, placing the Jackal on his back crossed the river, and having placed the Jackal on the other bank went again into the water.

The Jackal having gone to the dead body of the Elephant, and eaten it even until nightfall, came to the river after night had set in.

As he was saying “Friend,” the Crocodile rose to the surface, and asked,

“Friend, did you get it settled to-day ?”

The Jackal said,

“Friend, I have indeed settled the matter. They told me to come to-morrow in order to summon her to come. On that account put me on the far bank.”

After that, the Crocodile, placing the Jackal on his back, went across the river, and having placed the Jackal on the ground on this side returned to the water.

The Jackal next day also, as it became light, went to the river. When he said “Friend,” the Crocodile rose to the surface.

The Jackal said,

“Friend, if I must bring and give you your mate to-day, put me on the other bank.”

After that, the Crocodile, placing the Jackal on his back, went across the river, and having placed the Jackal on the ground on the other side, went into the water.

The Jackal went that day to the dead body of the Elephant, and having eaten it until nightfall the Elephant’s carcase became finished.

In the evening the Jackal came to the river, and when he was saying “Friend,” the Crocodile rose to the surface, and asked,

“Friend, where is the mate ?”

Then the Jackal said,

“Ando! Friend, they made a mistake about it to-day ; they told me to return to-morrow to invite her to come. Because of that put me on the other bank again. Having come to-morrow I will bring and give you the mate.”

After that, the Crocodile, placing the J ackal on his back, swam across the river, and having put down the Jackal on the ground on this side, went into the water.

Then the Jackal, sitting down on the high ground on this bank, said to the Crocodile,

“ Foolish Crocodiles ! Is it true that a Jackal King like me is going to ask for a wedding for thee, for a Crocodile who is in the water like thee ?

I went to the land on that bank to eat the carcase of an Elephant which died on that side. To-day the carcase was finished. So now I shall not come again. Thou art a fool indeed.”

Having said this, the Jackal came away.

North-western Province.

 

Note:

This story is known by the Village Vaeddas.

In The Orientalist, Vol. ii, p. 46, this story is given by Mr. E. Goonetilleke, the Crocodile being termed an Alligator.

In Wide-Awake Stories (Steel and Temple), p. 243 —Tales of the Punjab, p. 230—there is a variant in which the Jackal was attracted by a fruit-laden wild plum tree. He made love to a lady Crocodile, and was carried across the river by her.