TWENTY-TWO GOBLINS

Translated from the Sanskrit by Arthur William Ryder

CONTENTS

Introduction

Goblin-
story

1. The Prince's Elopement. Whose fault was the resulting death of hisparents-in-law?

2. The Three Lovers who brought the Dead Girl to Life. Whose wifeshould she be?

3. The Parrot and the Thrush. Which are worse, men or women?

4. King Shudraka and Hero's Family. Which of the five deserves themost honour?

5. The Brave Man, the Wise Man, and the Clever Man. To which shouldthe girl be given?

6. The Girl who transposed the Heads of her Husband and Brother. Whichcombination of head and body is her husband?

7. The Mutual Services of King Fierce-lion and Prince Good. Which isthe more deserving?

8. The Specialist in Food, the Specialist in Women, and the Specialistin Cotton. Which is the cleverest?

9. The Four Scientific Suitors. To which should the girl be given?

10. The Three Delicate Wives of King Virtue-banner. Which is the mostdelicate?

11. The King who won a Fairy as his Wife. Why did his counsellor'sheart break?

12. The Brahman who died because Poison from a Snake in the Claws of aHawk fell into a Dish of Food given him by a Charitable Woman. Who isto blame for his death?

13. The Girl who showed Great Devotion to the Thief. Did he weep orlaugh?

14. The Man who changed into a Woman at Will. Was his wife his or theother man's?

15. The Fairy Prince Cloud-chariot and the Serpent Shell-crest. Whichis the more self-sacrificing?

16. The King who died for Love of his General's Wife; the Generalfollows him in Death. Which is the more worthy?

17. The Youth who went through the Proper Ceremonies. Why did he failto win the magic spell?

18. The Boy whom his Parents, the King, and the Giant conspired toKill. Why did he laugh at the moment of death?

19. The Man, his Wife, and her Lover, who all died for Love. Which wasthe most foolish?

20. The Four Brothers who brought a Dead Lion to Life. Which is toblame when he kills them all?

21. The Old Hermit who exchanged his Body for that of the Dead Boy. Whydid he weep and dance?

22. The Father and Son who married Daughter and Mother. What relationwere their children?

Conclusion

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