Chandasimha and Sattavasila - Part Four

 

Soon King Chandasimha and Sattvasila reached the undersea kingdom.

Chandasimha was stunned when he saw the temple of Goddess Durga in the undersea kingdom and sat down along with Sattavasila to admire the entire kingdom.

This time too, the princess and her attendants came to the temple. One look at the king and the princess realized that the king was royalty. She turned to her attendant. “Go to that distinguished man and request him to accept our hospitality. He is a great hero and we have to entertain him.”

The attendant went to the king and repeated everything.

The king was however unimpressed. “The temple and the garden around is sufficient entertainment for me. I do not need any other entertainment."

When the princess heard the words of the king, she realized that the king was unimpressed with her and she realized that she had to do something else to get the attention of the king. 

“I have another city, my king.” The princess told the king. “Come and see it.”

The king laughed as he waved at Sattavasila who was near him. “He has already told me about the tank of water that you use to deceive people.”

The princess was chagrined. “I have no intention of cheating you, my king. The kingdom that I speak of, is far too beautiful than this place.”

The king finally consented to go with the princess.

Sattavasila accompanied the king and the princess as she took the two men to the other city.

Adapted from the Katha Sarith Sagara

Chandasimha and Sattavasila - Part Three

Once Sattavasila plunged into the water of the tank and rose up from it, he was shocked. 

Sattavasila woke up in the garden of King Chandasimha in Tamralipti.

He was shocked and looked around. The city that he had seen under the water and the beautiful maiden had all disappeared.

Realizing that he had been fooled by the attendants of the maiden, Sattavasila roamed around the king’s garden like a madman.

The people working in the garden saw Sattavasila who looked like he was pining for the loss of someone and they immediately went and told the king all about it.

King Chandasimha was bewildered when he came to the garden. The man whom he had sent in a ship was in the garden near his palace. The king sat beside Sattavasila and asked him what had happened.

Sattavasila told the king all about his adventures.

The king immediately realized that Sattavasila had fallen in love with that maiden under the sea. The king realized that this was his opportunity to repay the debt to Sattavasila for the two amalaka fruits that Sattavasila had given him.

“Don’t be sad, Sattavasila.” The king told the other man. “Take me to the same place where this beautiful maiden lives.”

The next day, the king entrusted the kingdom to his ministers and along with Sattavasila, they set out on a journey by sea.

Sattavasila showed the exact spot where the banner had appeared. Today there was a flagstaff that had appeared there.

“I will dive into the sea towards the flagstaff, the king must follow me there.” Sattavasila told the king.

Both the men jumped into the sea after that.

Adapted from the Katha Sarith Sagara

Chandasimha and Sattavasila - Part Two

The other people in the ship were terrified.

Sattvasila pulled out his weapon and jumped into the sea to fight with whatever it was that was pulling the ship into the sea. Sattvasila did not know any details about the dangers of the sea, but he was determined to fight it out.

However, as soon as Sattavasila jumped into the sea, the wind blew the ship and the others in it far away and the ship and the others were eaten by sea monsters.

Sattvasila looked around the waters and that was when he saw a beautiful city that was under the waters.

The underwater city glittered with palaces made of gold, and there were pillars made of jewels and the gardens there had precious gems strewn around.

He also saw a temple of Goddess Durga there.

Sattvasila went towards the temple first and prayed there and looked around the city wondering what sort of enchantment this was.

That was when an extraordinarily beautiful girl came to the temple.

She was so beautiful that Sattvasila immediately fell in love with her.

Sattvasila sat beside the girl gazing at her with love in his eyes.

That was when the attendants of the girl came to the temple. The attendants realized that the girl also liked Sattvasila and went towards him. “You have come here as our guest. So enjoy our hospitality.”

Sattvasila rose up and towards a tank that had some water in it.

However, something very strange happened when Sattvasila went under the water.

Adapted from the Katha Sarith Sagara

Chandasimha and Sattvasila - Part One

 

This is one of the stories that Vetala, the goblin, narrated to King Trivikramasena. 

Once, there was a king called Chandasimha. A man called Sattvasila came to work for the king.

Once, the king went to hunt and Sattvasila accompanied him.

The king was very tired and there was no food to be found anywhere. Sattvasila had two ‘amalaka’ fruits tied in his garment. When Sattvasila saw the tired king, he gave the king the two fruits.

The king ate the two fruits and after this, Sattvasila led the king away from the forest back to his kingdom.

From that day, the king was very happy with Sattvasila and the king gave enormous riches to Sattvasila.

After that, Sattvasila became a bodyguard of the king.

Once, Chandasimha entrusted an important task to Sattvasila. The king sent Sattvasila to Lanka. The king wanted Sattvasila to talk to the king of Lanka and ask for the Lanka King’s daughter in marriage. Along with Sattvasila went a group of people from Chandasimha’s kingdom.

They all decided to go to Lanka by sea.

However Sattvasila’s adventures had started.

When the ship was halfway to Lanka, a huge banner suddenly emerged from the sea. The banner was made of gold and waved above the sea in various colours. Suddenly a gust of wind blew and huge clouds emerged in the skies and it began to rain.

The winds pushed the ship towards the banner and before anyone could move, the banner along with the ship sank into the sea.

Adapted from the Katha Sarith Sagara

The Waste Paper Basket Man - Part Seven

Machi-Bugyo felt sorry for Bun-yemon’s wife. 

He ordered the clerk of the pawn-broker to come before him. Bun-yemon was also brought before him. 

Chobei heard that Bun-yemon had been arrested and he also appeared in court to help Bun-yemon.

Chobei explained in court about how he had given twenty-five gold rio to Bun-yemon.

After this Machi-Bugyo released Bun-yemon. The pawn-broker was sentenced to be put to death for giving false witness against an innocent man.

However, that was not all that Machi-Bugyo did. “Chobei, you have done a great debt of gratitude and your daughter has to be commended for being so obedient.” For this, Machi-Bugyo rewarded Chobei with a hundred yen.

After this, Iroku was returned to her parents.

Chohachi, Chobei’s friend, was rewarded for his kindness.

Soon, all this information reached Chobei’s old lord, from whom he had been removed from work.

Chobei was even restored to his work.

Chobei was called Shindo again.

Though Shindo was no longer called as the Waste Paper Man, there were still rumours about him, by the women of the streets that he roamed to and he was called as the man with the ‘coat of rags, heart of brocade’.

Adapted from Japanese Folktales

The Waste Paper Basket Man - Part Six

Bun-yemon scolded his wife. “He is a poor waste-paper basket man. I cannot take this money. You have to give the money back to him.”

His wife shook her head. “I do not know where he lives. How can I give it to him?”

At that time the wife had an idea. “You have pawned your sword. Take this money that Chobei has given you and redeem your sword. Then we can sell the sword for more money. We can pay Chobei back and have some money left over as well.”

Bun-yemon did not agree to this at first.

But eventually he agreed to this.

Bun-yemon however was in trouble.

The pawn-broker to whom Bun-yemon had pledged his sword wanted to take the sword for himself. He was sure that Bun-yemon could not repay the money and that thereafter he would own the sword.

However, the pawn-broker was shocked when Bun-yemon came with the money.

The pawn-broker became very angry and he accused Bun-yemon of stealing the money.

The officers came and took Bun-yemon to prison.

However, Bun-yemon’s wife was determined to free her husband. 

The only way Bun-yemon’s wife could get her husband to be free was if she talked to Machi-Bugyo who was the most righteous judge of all.

Bun-yemon’s wife was patient and she saw that there was a fire near the neighbourhood of Machi-Bugyo.

When all the other officers were busy with the fire and did not notice her and the people were excited watching the fire, Bun-yemon’s wife caught the bridle of Machi-Bugyo’s horse. 

“They have taken my husband away unjustly. You are the only one who can save him.”

Adapted from Japanese Folktales

The Waste Paper Basket Man - Part Five

 

Chobei was shocked when he found that the beggar was none other than the ronin who had come to his help - Bun-yemon.

Chobei took the man to his home.

After that, Chobei spoke with his wife Tsuiu. “If it had not been for this ronin, we would have died all those years ago.”

Tsuiu said nothing as Chobei continued. “Now that Bun-yemon is in trouble, it is our duty to help him.”

“We have to give him at least twenty-five gold rio.” Chobei announced.

“That is a fortune! How can we get that much money?” Tsuiu cried.

“We have to sell our daughter.” Chobei was sorrowful but firm.

Tsuiu wept bitterly.

Finally both of them agreed that this was the only way.

Chobei and Tsuiu went and told their daughter Iroka everything.

Iroka accepted it. “It is an honour for me to become a geisha for the debt of my parents.”

So Chobei and Tsuiu sold the beautiful Iroka and got twenty-five gold rio for her.

Chobei took the money and gave it to Bun-yemon.

Bun-yemon flatly refused to take the money.

Chobei pretended to take the money back, but he left the money in a box and left.

After Chobei had left, Bun-yemon’s wife found the money.

Bun-yemon was very angry because his wife had not been observant and that was the reason that Chobei had left the money here.

Adapted from Japanese Folktales

The Waste Paper Basket Man - Part Four

 

To practice hearing the sound of his own voice, Chobei shouted ‘Waste paper’ all day. 

The boys laughed at him and thought that Chobei was mad and threw stones at home.

Chobei went home that day and he was discouraged.

Chohachi laughed when he heard what had happened. “Chobei, rich people do not sell waste papers. Talk to women and flatter them and then suggest to them that they may have papers to sell.”

So Chobei tried again. He went to the poorer streets.

The women here worked and the old women were talking and children played around the pavement.

Chobei smiled and bowed at the women. “May the Sun Goddess smile upon you. I am very pleased to meet you.” Chobei spoke well and finally studied the women. “Do you have any waste paper to sell?”

The women were thrilled to hear his words. They searched hard in their house for waste paper and gave it to him.

He came to be called as Knightly Waste-Paper Man and soon Chobei came to have good trade.

Chohachi helped him spend the money carefully.

By this time, Chobei and O Tsuis San had a daughter. 

Chobei made good money and took good care of his family.

This went on for some time.

The Knightly Waste-Paper Man was calling out in the streets and there Chobei saw a man who fell down the road.

The others thought the man was a beggar.

But Chobei felt sorry for the man and helped him.

Adapted from Japanese Folktales

The Waste Paper Basket Man - Part Three

At Chohachi’s place, O Tsuis San recovered from her fatigue and Shindo’s wound also healed.

Then Chahachi told Shindo something important. “You are always welcome at my home, but my rice pot is enough to feed four people.” Chohachi studied Shindo. “Do you have any skills that can make the pot boil?”

Shindo sadly shook his head. “I have no skills.”

Chohachi was worried. “Can you teach men to fence?”

Shindo shook his head. “I have no skill as a swordsman.”

“Can you teach writing?”

Shindo shook his head again.

Chohachi wondered what task he could give the man before him that would earn money. The task had to be easy and something that the man could do easily. 

Finally, Chohachi figured it out. He wanted Shindo to be a Waste-Paper man. It was such an easy job that even a simpleton could do it.

Chohachi called Shindo as Chobei because Shindo did not seem the right name for a waste-paper man. After that, Chohachi purchased a pole of bamboo with baskets at both ends and gave it to Chobei.

Chobei went the next day to start his work.

However, the first day, Chobei lost his way. It was so bad that Chobei had to pay a man to guide him to the tradesman’s home.

He brought no waste-paper and Chohachi scolded him. “You have to call out. If you walk silently, how will anyone know what you want?”

Chobei anxiously listened to the words of the tradesman because he did not want to depend on the trader all the time. Moreso Chobei was worried because O Tsuiu San was at home trying her hand at embroidery to earn some coins.

Adapted from Japanese Folktales

The Waste Paper Basket Man - Part Two

Shindo woke up with a start. But even before he could think it out, he placed his wife behind him and pulled out his sword.

No sooner had this happened, two robbers attacked him.

Though Shindo fought fiercely, the two thieves overpowered him. He was injured too and there was blood from a wound in his arm.

Then suddenly a ronin appeared there. A ronin is a samurai who has lost their lord and is not employed anymore.

The ronin came and helped Shindo and it was because of his help that the robbers ran away from there.

Shido and Tsuiu thanked the ronin whose name was Bun-yemon.

The ronin studied the two people. “I can see that some misfortune has brought you here. Who are you and where are you going to go?”

The samurai looked sad. “I have very little yen and it would probably not be enough to buy breakfast for my wife.” The samurai then told the ronin his entire story.

The ronin heard the samurai and then nodded. “I cannot do anything for you by myself.” The ronin however pointed at a faraway city where the roof was gleaming in gold in the morning sun. “That is the towers and temples of Yedo. There lives a tradesman called Chohachi. He is poor, but he has a good heart. Tell him that I sent you to him.”

With these words the ronin walked away. “My path is different and so I will leave you now.”

Shindo and Tsuiu hurried to Yedo and found Chohachi.

The tradesman welcomed the two of them and there the two remained until they recovered from the fatigue of the journey.

Adapted from Japanese Folktales

The Waste-Paper Basket Man - Part One

There was once a Samurai called Shindo. Shindo had offended the lord for whom he worked and so Shindo had to leave the province and go away.

His wife Tsuiu accompanied Shindo.

Neither Shindo nor Tsuiu knew any work and so they could not find any work.

Shndo was very sad to see his wife suffer because of him.

However Tsuiu was kind and she did not complain. She sounded optimistic as they walked on.

The two of them walked for some time but they found no place to rest.

However, as night came, Tsuiu became nervous. She came closer to Shindo because in the dark, she felt like she saw thieves behind every tree and bush.

Shindo smiled at her. “Sleep under this sendai tree. Use my mantle to cover yourself and use my arm as your pillow. I will watch you as you sleep.”

Tsuiu was tired and soon fell asleep.

Shindo watched her for some time.

However Shindo was tired and soon his eyes closed.

Shindo had a strange dream. In his dream, there came two huge dragons who had come to eat him. Shindo cried out aloud in his dream for the safety of his wife, when a bigger dragon came and ate the first two dragons.

Shindo’s dream ended with him and his wife escaping from the two dragons.

Adapted from Japanese Folktales

Zeus and Typhon - Part Four

As soon as Typhon climbed up Mount Olympus, the other Greek Gods began to tremble in fright.

Some Gods like Hera, Demter and Apollo turned themselves into animals and fled the place in terror.

Zeus being the king of the Gods had to defend his realm.

On seeing Zeus, Typhon hurled mountains at him.

There were roars and thunderbolts all across the skies and the very cosmos trembled.

It was such that for a brief period of time, Typhon even bested Zeus in the fight.

Typhon tore out Zeus’ sinews and rendered Zeus helpless. After that, Typhon hid Zeus in a cave.

Hermes is the Messenger God of the Greeks. Hermes and Aegiapan, another God, entered the cave where Zeus had been held captive.

The two Gods brought Zeus’ sinews and restored him to full strength.

After Zeus had become powerful, he angrily went out of the cave and attacked Typhon.

Zeus took out his most powerful weapon - the thunderbolt.

Zeus relentlessly fired thunderbolts at Typhon.

Typhon was unable to fight the continuous barrage and finally he was defeated.

Then Zeus trapped Typhon under Mount Etna.

The Ancient Greeks believed that the volcanic eruption of Mount Etna was because of Typhon’s breath who was trapped there.

Adapted from Greek Mythology