Kurulu-gama Appu, the Sooth-sayer

In a certain city a man was stricken by a scarcity of food to eat, and he went to another country. Having gone there, during the time while he was residing in a village, the village men asked, "What sooth can you tell?" [62] He said, "I can tell one sooth; to do that sooth I want Jak-tree gum, Coconut oil, and Euphorbia milk" (the milky sap which exudes from cuts or bruises in the bark). Thereupon the men having collected those things that he mentioned, gave them to him.

ある都で、ある男が食べ物の乏しさに打たれて、別の国へ行った。そこへ行って、ある村に住んでいるあいだに、村の男たちが尋ねた。「どんな占いができる」 [62]。男は言った。「一つ占いができる。その占いをするには、ジャックの木の脂と椰子油とトウダイグサの乳(樹皮の傷から出る乳白の汁)がいる」。そこで男たちはその言った品を集めて渡した。

Then he went and warmed these things [making bird-lime] and placed [limed] twigs, and catching birds and coming with them, he gave them daily, two by two at each house, and thus ate. The man's name was Appu; his village was Kurulu-gama (Birds' village).

すると男はそれを温めて〔鳥もちをこしらえ〕、〔もちを塗った〕小枝を仕掛け、鳥を捕らえて帰ってきて、毎日、一軒に二羽ずつ渡して、それで食べていた。その男の名はアップ、村の名はクルル・ガマ(鳥の村)といった。

While he was continuing to eat in this manner, the men of that village started to go to Puttalam, carrying produce for sale. That man also said, "I also must go." Then the men of the village asked, "You have nothing; what will you take?" Thereupon this one tying up a pingo load of chaff and coconut husks, goes with the men.

そうやって食べていると、その村の男たちが売り物を運んでプッタラムへ出かけることになった。その男も「わたしも行かねばならぬ」と言った。すると村の男たちは尋ねた。「おまえは何も持っていない。何を運ぶのだ」。そこでこの者は籾殻と椰子の殻をピンゴの荷に縛って、男たちといっしょに行く。

Then the men who were going on that journey, having come down to the high road, set off to go. While they were going, the men having said [in fun] "Vedarala" (Doctor) to that man, he kept the name.

そしてその旅に出た男たちは街道へ下りて出発した。行きながら、男たちが〔戯れに〕その男を「ヴェーダラーラ(医者)」と呼んだので、男はその名をそのまま名乗った。

Having gone very far, the Vedarala, telling the men who went with him to wait on the road, placed his pingo (carrying-stick) on the road, and went into an open place in the jungle. While going along in it, when he looked about, a yoke of cattle were entangled in the bushes. Then this Vedarala having gone near the yoke of cattle, looked at the letter marks branded on them, and having come back and taken up the pingo load, while they were going on it became night.

たいそう遠くまで行ってから、ヴェーダラーラは、いっしょに行く男たちに道で待てと言い、ピンゴ(天秤棒)を道に置いて、藪の開けた場所に入った。そこを歩きながら見まわすと、牛のひとくびきが茂みに絡まっていた。そこでこのヴェーダラーラは牛のくびきのそばへ行って、焼き印の文字を見てから、戻って天秤棒の荷を担ぎ、進んでいくうちに夜になった。

This party having halted on the road near a village, sent the Vedarala to get a resting-place for the night. Having gone to a house in the village, when he asked for it the house men said, "What giving of resting-places is there for us! We are lamenting in sorrow for the difficulty we are in. Our yoke of cattle are missing."

一行はある村の近くの道で足を止め、ヴェーダラーラを夜の宿を取りに行かせた。村の家へ行って頼むと、家の男たちは言った。「宿を貸すどころではない。われらは困りごとを嘆いているところだ。牛のひとくびきがいなくなったのだ」

The Vedarala said, "Now then, what have we to do with your losing a yoke of cattle? Give us a resting-place."

ヴェーダラーラは言った。「さて、あなたがたが牛のひとくびきを失ったことが、われらに何の関わりがある。宿を貸してくれ」

"If you want one, look there! There is the shed, come and stay there," they said.

「いるのなら、ほら! あそこに小屋がある。来てそこにいろ」と言った。

Then the Vedarala having come back, says to the people of the party, "There is a shed indeed. Stay if you like; go on, if you want to go," he said. So this party having come to the shed sat down.

そこでヴェーダラーラは戻ってきて、一行の者に言う。「まことに小屋がある。よければ泊まれ。行きたければ進め」と言った。そこで一行は小屋へ来て腰を下ろした。

The people of the party said to the Vedarala, "Vedarala, why are you staying looking about? Night is coming on. We must seek a little firewood and water," they spoke together.

一行の者はヴェーダラーラに言った。「ヴェーダラーラどん、なぜぼんやり見まわしている。夜になる。薪と水を少し探さねばならぬ」と言い合った。

The house persons having heard these words, said, "What is this, that you are saying 'Vedarala'? Does he know sooth and the like?" they asked. [63]

家の者たちはこの言葉を聞いて言った。「『ヴェーダラーラ』と言っているのは何だ。あの者は占いなどを知っているのか」と尋ねた。 [63]

The persons of the party said without a reason for it (nikamata), "To a certain extent he can tell matters of sooth."

一行の者は、わけもなく(ニカマタ)言った。「ある程度は占いのことがわかる」

"If so, don't be delayed on account of anything you want. We will bring and give you rice, firewood, and water." So they brought and gave them five quarts of rice, a dried fish, a head of ash-plantains.

「それなら、入り用のもので遅れることはない。米も薪も水も持ってきて差し上げよう」。そして米を五クォートと干魚一尾、灰芭蕉をひと房持ってきて渡した。

This party, cooking amply, and having eaten, said at night to the person who owned the house, "Now then, bring a packet of betel leaves for him to tell you sooth." So the house person having brought the betel, gave it to the Vedarala.

一行はたっぷり煮炊きして食べてから、夜になって家の持ち主に言った。「さあ、この者に占ってもらうために檳榔の葉をひと包み持ってきてください」。そこで家の者は檳榔を持ってきてヴェーダラーラに渡した。

Thereupon the assumed (lit. "face") Vedarala, having taken the betel, after having looked at it falsely becoming "possessed," said, "It is a yoke of oxen of yours that have been lost, isn't it?"

そこでこの「顔だけの」ヴェーダラーラは、檳榔を取って、偽って「憑かれた」ふりをして眺めてから言った。「なくなったのは牛のひとくびきですな」

Then the house person said, "You have said the sooth very correctly. I asked it of the deities of many dewalas (demon-temples), and of sooth-sayers. There wasn't a person who told me even a sign of it."

すると家の者は言った。「たいそう正しく言い当てなさった。多くのデーワーラ(神堂)の神々にも占い師にも尋ねたが、その手がかりさえ告げてくれる者はいなかった」

Thereafter the Vedarala asked, "What will you give me for seeking and giving you the yoke of cattle?"

そこでヴェーダラーラは尋ねた。「牛のひとくびきを探して渡したら、何をくださる」

That person said, "Even if you can't give the full yoke of cattle, I will give a half share of the value"; thus he promised.

その者は言った。「牛をひとくびきそっくり渡せなくとも、その値の半分は差し上げよう」と約束した。

The Vedarala having said, "It is good," and told him to get and bring a torch, cunningly having gone near the yoke of cattle that remained entangled in the bush at that place where he went on coming, asked if these were his oxen. Then the man said, "These are indeed my cattle," and having unfastened them and come back, in the morning gave him a half share [64] of the value of the cattle. Taking it, and throwing away the chaff and coconut husks, he went away.

ヴェーダラーラは「よろしい」と言って松明を持ってこいと言い、狡く、来る途中に見た、あの茂みに絡まったままの牛のくびきのそばへ行って、これがあなたの牛かと尋ねた。すると男は「まことにわしの牛だ」と言い、ほどいて帰ってきて、朝にその牛の値の半分 [64] を渡した。ヴェーダラーラはそれを取って、籾殻と椰子の殻を捨てて、去っていった。

That day also, having gone on until the time when it was becoming night, he got a resting-place in the very way in which, having spoken before, he got one. At the time when they were in the shed the persons of the party said, "Vedarala, what are you staying looking about for? We must seek and get firewood and water."

その日もまた、夜になるころまで行って、前に言ったのとまさに同じやり方で宿を得た。小屋にいると、一行の者が言った。「ヴェーダラーラどん、なぜぼんやり見まわしている。薪と水を探して手に入れねばならぬ」

Then the house people say, "What are you saying 'Vedarala' for? Does he know to say sooth and the like?"

すると家の者たちが言う。「『ヴェーダラーラ』と言っているのは何だ。あの者は占いなどを知っているのか」

After that, this party say, "He can also tell sooth. Last night he sought and gave a yoke of cattle."

そのあと一行は言う。「占いもできる。ゆうべは牛のひとくびきを探し出して渡した」

Then the house persons quickly having brought rice, fish, firewood, water, gave them to the men.

すると家の者たちは急いで米と魚と薪と水を持ってきて男たちに渡した。

This party having amply cooked and eaten, while they were sleeping, the house person, having brought a packet of betel leaves, spoke to the Vedarala: "How am I to ask sooth?"

一行はたっぷり煮炊きして食べ、眠っていると、家の者が檳榔の葉をひと包み持ってきてヴェーダラーラに言った。「どのように占いを頼めばよろしいか」

The Vedarala rebuked him. "All these persons being now without memory or understanding, what saying of sooth is there?" [65] Then that one having gone, he went to sleep.

ヴェーダラーラは叱った。「みなが今は記憶も分別もないというのに、何の占いがあるものか」 [65]。するとその者が去ってから、ヴェーダラーラは眠った。

A woman of the house was there; her name was Sihibuddi. The woman having heard the words which the Vedarala said, came and having softly awakened the Vedarala, said, "The Sihibuddi you mention is I indeed. It was I indeed who stole this house person's packet of waragan. [66] I will give you a share; don't mention it."

その家に女がいて、名をシヒブッディ(記憶と分別の意)といった。女はヴェーダラーラの言った言葉を聞いて来て、そっとヴェーダラーラを起こして言った。「あなたのおっしゃるシヒブッディとは、まことにわたしのことです。この家の者のワラガン [66] の包みを盗んだのも、まことにわたしです。分け前を差し上げますから、言わないでください」

Thereupon the Vedarala says, "Where is it? Bring it quickly, and having brought it place it near that clump of plantains."

そこでヴェーダラーラは言う。「それはどこにある。早く持ってきて、あの芭蕉の茂みのそばに置け」

Then this woman having brought the packet of waragan, and placed it at the foot of the plantain clump and gone away, he went to sleep.

するとこの女はワラガンの包みを持ってきて、芭蕉の茂みのふもとに置いて去り、ヴェーダラーラは眠った。

Afterwards the Vedarala called the house person. "Now then, bring betel for me to say sooth." The man having brought betel gave it to the Vedarala.

そのあとヴェーダラーラは家の者を呼んだ。「さあ、占うために檳榔を持ってきてくれ」。男は檳榔を持ってきてヴェーダラーラに渡した。

Then the Vedarala, having taken the betel and looked at it, said, "It is a packet of waragan that has been lost, isn't it."

するとヴェーダラーラは檳榔を取って眺めてから言った。「なくなったのはワラガンの包みですな」

That man said, "It is that indeed. Should you seek and give what has been lost of mine, I will give you a half share."

その男は言った。「まさにそれだ。なくしたものを探して渡してくださるなら、半分差し上げよう」

Then the Vedarala having told him to get a light, becoming "possessed," went and took and gave him the packet of waragan that was at the foot of the plantain clump.

そこでヴェーダラーラは灯りを持ってこいと言い、「憑かれた」ふりをして、芭蕉の茂みのふもとにあったワラガンの包みを取ってきて渡した。

Having taken from it a half share, at the time when the party were going on, thieves having broken into the box at the foot of the King's bed, [67] he made public by beat of tom-toms that many offices would be given by the King to a person who should seek and give it to him.

そこから半分を取って、一行が進んでいくと、盗人が王の寝台の足もとの箱を破っていて [67]、それを探して渡した者には王が多くの役を与えると太鼓を打って触れ出していた。

At that time this party said, "In our party indeed, there is a sooth-sayer. On the night of the day before yesterday he sought out and gave a yoke of cattle. Yesternight he sought out and gave a packet of waragan." Thereupon the persons took this Vedarala near the King. Then the King asks, "Can he catch and give the thief who broke into the box at the foot of my bed?" The party said that he could.

そのときこの一行は言った。「われらの一行にはまことに占い師がいる。一昨日の夜には牛のひとくびきを探し出して渡した。ゆうべはワラガンの包みを探し出して渡した」。そこで人々はこのヴェーダラーラを王のそばへ連れていった。すると王が尋ねる。「わしの寝台の足もとの箱を破った盗人を捕らえて渡せるか」。一行はできると言った。

Then the sooth-sayer, having become afraid, thought, "I will tie a cord to my neck and die." So he said, "After tying white cloths in a house (as a decoration, on the walls and under the roof), and a piece of cord to the cross-beam, and placing a bed, chairs, and table in it, and setting on end a rice mortar, you must give me it in the evening." The King having prepared them in that very way, gave him them.

すると占い師は怖くなって、「首に縄をかけて死のう」と思った。そこで言った。「家に白い布を張って(壁と屋根の下を飾って)、梁に縄を一本結び、寝台と椅子と卓を置き、米搗き臼を立てて、夕方にそれをわたしにお渡しください」。王はまさにそのとおりに整えて渡した。

Afterwards, the Vedarala, after it became night, having gone inside the house, told them to shut the door from the outside, and lock it. Then having mounted on the rice mortar, when he tried to put the cord round his neck it was too short. On account of it he said, "Both the cord is too short and the height is insufficient. What shall I do?" [68]

そのあとヴェーダラーラは夜になってから家に入り、外から戸を閉めて錠をかけろと言った。そして米搗き臼に乗って首に縄をかけようとすると、縄が短すぎた。それで言った。「縄も短すぎるし、高さも足りぬ。どうしたものか」 [68]

As the Vedarala was saying this word Kumandaeyi, a citizen, Kumanda, an old thief, was there [listening outside]. Having heard this, he thought, "He is calling out my name"; so becoming afraid he came near and spoke to the Vedarala, and said, "It is I indeed whom you call Kumanda. It is I indeed who committed the theft. Don't say anything about it to the King."

ヴェーダラーラがこのクマンダエイ(短すぎる)という言葉を言ったとき、町の者で老いた盗人のクマンダが〔外で聞いて〕そこにいた。それを聞いて「わしの名を呼んでいる」と思い、怖くなって近寄ってヴェーダラーラに話しかけて言った。「あなたがクマンダとお呼びなのは、まことにわたしです。盗みを働いたのも、まことにわたしです。王には何も申さないでください」

Then the Vedarala said, "If so, bring the things and put them in this house."

するとヴェーダラーラは言った。「それなら品を持ってきて、この家に入れておけ」

Thereupon the old thief, having brought to the house all the things taken out of the box which was at the foot of the King's bed, gave them to the sooth-sayer through the window.

そこで老いた盗人は、王の寝台の足もとの箱から取った品をすっかり家へ持ってきて、窓から占い師に渡した。

Then the Vedarala slept until light having come it became daylight.

そしてヴェーダラーラは、明るくなって夜が明けるまで眠った。

Afterwards, the King having sent messengers in the morning, they awoke the Vedarala. Then the Vedarala, thinking it unseasonable, said, "Who is talking to me without allowing me to sleep?" and silently went to sleep again. So the messengers returned and told the King.

そのあと王が朝に使いをやると、使いはヴェーダラーラを起こした。するとヴェーダラーラは頃合いが悪いと思って言った。「眠らせもせずに、わたしに話しかけるのは誰だ」。そして黙ってまた眠った。そこで使いは帰って王に告げた。

Afterwards the King came and spoke to him, and opened the door. The Vedarala having come out, said, "O Lord, Your Majesty, I was unable to seize the thieves; the things indeed I met with."

そのあと王が来て話しかけ、戸を開けた。ヴェーダラーラは出てきて言った。「陛下、盗人は捕らえられませんでした。品のほうはまことに見つかりました」

Then the King said, "The thief does not matter; after you have met with the things it is enough."

すると王は言った。「盗人はどうでもよい。品が見つかったのならそれで十分だ」

Then the King, catching a great many fire-flies and putting them in a coconut shell, asked the Vedarala, "What is there in this?"

そこで王は蛍をたくさん捕まえて椰子の殻に入れ、ヴェーダラーラに尋ねた。「このなかに何がある」

The sooth-sayer, becoming afraid, went as far as he could see him, and thinking, "I will strike my head against a tree and die," came running and struck his head against a tree. [69] Then the sooth-sayer said, "O Father! It was as though a hundred fire-flies flew about."

占い師は怖くなって、王から見えるぎりぎりのところまで行き、「木に頭を打ちつけて死のう」と思って、駆けていって木に頭を打ちつけた。 [69] すると占い師は言った。「おお父よ! 蛍が百匹も飛びまわるようだ」

The King said, "That is true. They are indeed fire-flies that are in my hand."

王は言った。「そのとおりだ。わしの手にあるのはまことに蛍だ」

After that, the King caught a bird, and clenching it in his fist, asked the sooth-sayer, "What is there in this fist?"

そのあと王は鳥を一羽捕まえて拳に握りしめ、占い師に尋ねた。「この拳のなかに何がある」

The sooth-sayer, having become afraid, began to beat his head on a stone. Then he said, "Kurulu-gama Appu's strength went (this time)." [70]

占い師は怖くなって、石に頭を打ちつけはじめた。そして言った。「クルル・ガマのアップの力も〔こんどは〕尽きた」 [70]

The King said, "Bola, it is indeed a bird that is in my hand"; and having called the Vedarala, and given him many offices, and a house, told him to stay at that very city.

王は言った。「ボラ、わしの手にあるのはまことに鳥だ」。そしてヴェーダラーラを呼んで多くの役と家を与え、まさにその都に住めと言った。

Afterwards the Vedarala, thinking, "They will call me again to tell sooth," having put away the things that were in the house, and having set fire to the house, said, "Kurulu-gama Appu's sooth-saying is finished from to-day. The sooth books have been burnt." Having made it public he stayed at that very city.

そのあとヴェーダラーラは「また占いに呼ばれるだろう」と思って、家にあった品を片づけ、家に火をかけて言った。「クルル・ガマのアップの占いは今日で終わりだ。占いの書は焼けてしまった」。そう触れ出して、まさにその都に住みつづけた。