The Story of the Rākshasa
Reading edition
In a certain country three youths, brothers, go to school. When not much time is going by, the youths’ father called them in order to look at their lessons. The youngest one can say the lessons, the other two cannot say the lessons. After that their father drove them from the house.
Having gone thus, and entered a forest wilderness, while they were going they met with the Rākshasa’s house. The youngest youth says, “Anē! Elder brother, having gone into the house place me in the middle, and sit down.”
At that time the Rākshasa brought and gave them food for all three to eat. These three said, “We cannot eat.” After that, for the three persons to sleep the Rākshasa gave three mats. The Rākshasa sent the Rākshasa’s two boys, also, to sleep. Those three wore red cloths; that Rākshasa’s two boys wore white cloths.
Then that youngest youth taking the white cloths which the Rākshasa youths had put on, these three put them on. They put on those two the red cloths which these three had put on.
When the Rākshasa came still [another] time, the three were lying down. That time, taking those two youths of the Rākshasa’s who wore red cloths he ate them.
When it was becoming light the three persons went to another village. After that, the two eldest contracted two marriages; that youngest youth remained to watch goats. To the owner of the goats those two who got married said, “At the Rākshasa’s house there is a good parrot.”
The owner of the goats asked, “Who can bring it?”
That youth who watched the goats said, “I can bring it.” After that, the youth went at night to that Rākshasa’s house, and having cut the parrot’s cage brought the parrot, and gave it.
Then those two said, “There is a good horse at that Rākshasa’s house.”
Then, “Who can bring it?” he asked.
The youth who watches the goats said, “I can bring it.” After that, he went at night, and having unfastened the horse he brought it. Having brought it, he gave that also to the man who owned the goats.
Then those two said, “At the Rākshasa’s house there is a golden pillow.”
The man who owned the goats asked, “Who can bring the golden pillow?”
The third boy said, “I can bring it.” After that, having gone to the Rākshasa’s house at night, opening the doors he went into the house. Having gone in, he took hold of the golden pillow in order to get it. On that occasion (ē pāra) the Rākshasa awoke; after he awoke he seized that youth. He lit the lamp. Then he prepared to eat that youth, the Rākshasa. That youth said, “You cannot eat me in this way; having roasted me you must eat me.”
After that, that Rākshasa having given that youth into the hand of the Rākshasī, went to cut firewood. Then the youth calling the Rākshasī [to accompany him] came back, taking the Rākshasī and the pillow. Having brought them, he gave the pillow to the man who owned the goats.
Thereupon the man who owned the goats told the boy to marry his girl (daughter). That youth said, “I cannot. When the woman who saved my life is here, I will marry that woman.” After that, he married the Rākshasa’s wife.
Tom-tom Beater. North-western Province.