Page:Santal Folk Tales.djvu/85

This page needs to be proofread.
THE STORY OF LELHA.
73

III

The raja’s garden was without an equal in the world, but the words of Koema Jugz had caused him to become discon-tented with it, and because there were neither hiras not manis hanging from the branches he, as before, began to sulk. They reasoned with him saying, “Do not grieve over it. We will bring hiras and manis.” So he rose, and having bathed par-took of some refreshment.

About this time Lelha’s mother went to a shop to purchase food. On seeing her the shopkeeper said, “Something is amiss with the raja, and she is hungry, and comes here giving annoy-ance. Goaway. I will not weigh anything for you.” So she returned home empty-handed. As she entered the house she encountered Lelha just returned from hunting, who said, “Oh! mother, give me cooked rice.” His mother replied, “Something is wrong with the raja, and here my young lord is fasting, and cries for food. He is greatly concerned about his own affairs.”

Lelha went at once to the raja, and enquired “ What ails you, father ?” The raja replied, “Is there anything ailing me ? Has Lelha come here ? I will beat him shortly.” Lelha said, “Do with me what you please, Why are you sulklng? If you do not tell me, although it should cost me my life, I will not leave, rather slay me here at once.” The raja thought within himself, “ He annoys me, I will tell him to get nd of him.” So he said, “Your brothers have gone in search of hiras and manis, and it is because I do not see the trees in my garden adorned with these precious stones that Iam sulking. “Lelha said I will also go.” His father said, “Do not go child.” But Lelha was determined, and disregarded his father’s command.

Lelha went to the bazaar and purchased rice and dal, and his mother when she saw him bringing them home with him,