The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1898-09-28
THE TIGER,
SNAKE AND RAT.
A WOnder-story From the Folklore
Of Southern India.
ny EDWARD COURTNEY.

Two brothers were talking to each
other one day in beautiful house in
Southern India. They had lately lost
their father, who had bequeathed to
the elder son ali his wealth, leaving
the younger one destitute, unless he re-
manned with his brother, dependent
upon him.
The young man, however, was very
proud and brave, and il was about his
future that the two now sat in debate.
"Remain with me, my brother" the
Older one said; but the younger one an
swered:
''Nayi | must 60 forth to seek else
where what my father denied me here.
But fear not for me, for shall go first
to the blessed Ganges; there shall
spend some time in worship, and per-
haps may come again to see thee. Now
farewell, my brother; fear not, for all
shall be we'll"
81 fear to let thee go, for hath our fa-
ther not prophesied that for ten years
thou shouldst be imprisoned? But if
thou wilt go, avoid the sea-coast, for it
has proved dangerous to our family be-
fore"
The two then babe each other an af-
fectionate farewell, and the young man
departed, carrying with him some food,
and a vessel containing water to drink
on his way.
According 10 his promise, he avoided
both the sea-coasts, and took his way
by the middle route. For many days
he journeyed, aud whenever he passed
stream he re-filled his drinking-ves-
sci, bat gradually water became searcer
and scarcer as he approached the des-
ert.
Then, one day, all his food was gone,
and soon he no longer had even water
to drink. The dreary waste stretched
all around him. The sands were hot,
and he could not travel far in day.
One morning, however, when he was
weak with hunger and thirst, he sud-
denly saw, not far distant, well, such
as the Indians place frequently in the
deserts. He approached it, and let
down the flask by strong cord that
he always carried with him for that
purpose.
Now you must know that Indian
wells are peculiarly constructed. They
have within them several ledges, or
''stories, as they are called, at differ
ent depths, TO enable the natives to de-
seend when the water is very low; for,
in the dry season, the tanks render so
scant supply, that it is necessary to
reach the very bottom of the well to
obtain a drink.
When the vessel reached the first
story, the young man felt the rope
clutched, and heard voice cry:
HOh, save me. am t,,e king of the
tigers perishing here of hunger and
thirst. For three days have been i'm
prisoned here, but kind heaven has
sent you to release me. Do not think
me beast of prey, for when you have
saved my life can not touch you. But
| will serve you through life if only
you will help me nowp'
The young man was much bewiIdered
at this strange predicament. What if
the hungry tiger should forget its prom
ise when it had been saved, and make
of him the first morsel to satisfy its
hunger. But, on the other hand, he
could obtain no water if he did not re-
lease the animal, and thus death stared
him in the face whichever way he de
cided.
While these thoughts passed through
his mind, suddenly his fathers proph-
ecy came before him, and having the
firm faith and belief in predictions that
is common in India, he said aloud:
"Yes, / will save you; for am not
to survive all disasters, that my fate
may be fulfilled?"
SO saying he drew up the tiger,
which, when it was on firm ground
walked three times around him, and
then prostrating itself, cried to him:
"Oh, my preserver, how can | thank
thee for my lifel Know that three
days ago was pursuing 8 man, but he
fell into this well, where l followed;
but found too late that / could no
again come out. The man is still there,
in the fourth story. On the first story
| fell, and later that day, rat and a
serpent fell in, on the second and third
stories. These two you may release
when they ask you, but beware Of re
leasing the silversmith, for he is a
wicked man. And now go TO my
father, who Is the first of all tigers.
When you need help. think of me, and
| shall be with you. But above all, re-
member what 1 have said, for IL you
save the siIversmith you shall live to
rue the day."
SO saying the tiger departed. and the
Young Indian was left TO ponder over
this strange thing = that it had the
power Of speech. But thirst soon over
came him again, aud he let down his
drinking vessel. Then he heard an
other voice:
''Oh nnerciful, save mel / am king
of the serpents, and falling into this
well three days ago am now dying Of
hunger and thirst. Alas, my father,
who is the first serpent, mourns my
untimeIy fate. Save me. most merci-
full, and I will serve you all my life"