Page:The Folk-Lore Journal Volume 1 1883.djvu/187

Rh sweetmeats. They munch the former and if asked what they are eating produce the latter, and offer some to the questioner to induce a belief in their wealth.

29. Sûth nâ kupâh julâhe nâl thûngâ thângî.

Nor cotton nor thread and he bothers the weaver, i.e., much ado about nothing. Trading without means.

30. Ghar men rahe na tîrath gae, Mund mundâ fazâhat bhae.

Nor remained at home, nor went on the pilgrimage, but shaved his head and was disgraced, i. e., pride comes before a fall. To shave the head is a ceremony preparatory to starting on a pilgrimage.

31. Bâp na mârî piddrî te betâ tîrandâj.

The father never hit a tomtit, but the son is an archer, i. e., getting up a coat-of-arms; claiming a false descent. In India native trades and occupations are always hereditary.

32. Mâun bhathiârî te putt Fattê Khân.

The mother was an innkeeper and the son is Fatteh Khân, i. e., giving one's self airs. The meaning of Fatteh Khân, is Conqueror of Conquerors: it is however a common Muhammadan name.

33. Mâun mûlî, piû piâj, putt kesar dî tari.

The mother a raddish (valueless), the father an onion (valueless), and the son a saffron flower (valuable), i. e., can any good thing come out of Nazareth? Like father like son: a chip of the old block.

34. Nawîn fakîrnî te tûthîân dâ karkarât.

The new fakîrnî rattles her cups, i.e., every cobbler to his last. A fakîrnî is a female religious mendicant (fakîr): the fakîrnî who has just begun to beg rattles her cups instead of holding them out for alms, showing she does not understand her work.

35. Nawîn nâin te banjh dâ nahernâ.

The new barber and bamboo nail-scissors (these should be of metal), i.e., every cobbler to his last. The barber in India cuts nails and performs many domestic offices besides shaving and cutting hair.

36. Mâun moî Poh de mahîne te dhî dâ nâun Bugchî.

The mother died in the winter, yet the daughter is called "My Present," i.e., an ass in a lion's skin. A man is not necessarily what he appears to be. In the winter it is the custom for parents to send small presents of clothes, etc., called bugchî, to their daughters while