Twenty-Two Goblins

Translated from the Sanskrit by Arthur William Ryder

Introduction - Goblin-story - 1. The Prince's Elopement. Whose fault was the resulting death of his parents-in-law? - 2. The Three Lovers who brought the Dead Girl to Life. Whose wife should 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 the most honour? - 5. The Brave Man, the Wise Man, and the Clever Man. To which should the girl be given? - 6. The Girl who transposed the Heads of her Husband and Brother. Which combination of head and body is her husband? - 7. The Mutual Services of King Fierce-lion and Prince Good. Which is the more deserving? - 8. The Specialist in Food, the Specialist in Women, and the Specialist in 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 most delicate? - 11. The King who won a Fairy as his Wife. Why did his counsellor's heart break? - 12. The Brahman who died because Poison from a Snake in the Claws of a Hawk fell into a Dish of Food given him by a Charitable Woman. Who is to blame for his death? - 13. The Girl who showed Great Devotion to the Thief. Did he weep or laugh? - 14. The Man who changed into a Woman at Will. Was his wife his or the other man's? - 15. The Fairy Prince Cloud-chariot and the Serpent Shell-crest. Which is the more self-sacrificing? - 16. The King who died for Love of his General's Wife; the General follows him in Death. Which is the more worthy? - 17. The Youth who went through the Proper Ceremonies. Why did he fail to win the magic spell? - 18. The Boy whom his Parents, the King, and the Giant conspired to Kill. Why did he laugh at the moment of death? - 19. The Man, his Wife, and her Lover, who all died for Love. Which was the most foolish? - 20. The Four Brothers who brought a Dead Lion to Life. Which is to blame when he kills them all? - 21. The Old Hermit who exchanged his Body for that of the Dead Boy. Why did he weep and dance? - 22. The Father and Son who married Daughter and Mother. What relation were their children? - Conclusion

TWENTY-TWO GOBLINS - INTRODUCTION

FIRST GOBLIN

SECOND GOBLIN

THIRD GOBLIN

FOURTH GOBLIN

FIFTH GOBLIN

SIXTH GOBLIN

SEVENTH GOBLIN