Page:The Folk-Lore Journal Volume 3 1885.djvu/139

Rh from the near side of the river. So from the shore he used to spring and alight on the island, where he ate various kinds of fruits. In the evening he used to return in the same way, and rest in his own abode, and the next day he acted just as before.

At that time a crocodile, along with his wife, lived in that river. The wife, having seen the monkey going day after day in this manner, had a great desire to eat the heart of the Bodhisat, so she said to her spouse, "I have a great longing indeed, sir, for the heart of this monkey." "Well, be it so, you shall have it. I'll get hold of him to-day, this very evening, just as he is coming from the island." So saying, the crocodile went and lay down on that rocky shelf. The Bodhisat, who had gone as usual to the island in the daytime, standing on the island in the evening (ready to return home), just took a look at the stone and thought, "This stone seems higher than it did; what's the reason I wonder?"

He knew by report that the height of the water and that of the stone was a well-defined and settled matter, so he thought to himself, "To-day the water of this river has certainly neither fallen nor risen, but this stone, however, appears to be large; perhaps there is a crocodile lying here in wait to get hold of me. I'll just try it." Standing there as if talking to the stone he said, "Come, friend Stone." He received no reply. Though spoken to three times the stone returned no answer. Again the monkey shouted, "Why don't you reply, Mr. Stone?"

Thought the crocodile to himself, "Now on other days, I suppose, this stone is wont to reply to the monkey;" so he said, "What is it, friend monkey?" "Who are you?" asked the monkey. "I," replied he, "am a crocodile." "Why are you lying here?" "Well, I am wanting your heart," said the crocodile.

The Bodhisat thought, "I've no other way of going back, so I must try and take in this crocodile." Then he thus addressed him, "Friend crocodile, I'll give up myself to you. Open your mouth, and seize me as soon as I come to you." When crocodiles open their mouths their eyes close. Without taking this matter into consideration he opened his mouth and his eyes became shut. With open mouth and closed eyes he lay (waiting for the monkey).