The Monkey and the Weaver-bird

In the midst of a forest there were a Wandura (a large grey Monkey, Semnopithecus) and a Weaver-bird.

森の奥にワンドゥラ(大きな灰色の猿、セムノピテクス)と機織鳥がいた。

One day the Monkey came to the tree in which the Weaver-bird lodged, and after that a great rain-storm began. The Weaver-bird without getting wet remained in much comfort in its nest; the Monkey stayed in a fork of the tree, getting thoroughly soaked.

ある日、猿が機織鳥の巣を掛けた木にやってきて、そのあと大雨が降りはじめた。機織鳥は濡れもせず、巣のなかでたいそう心地よくしていた。猿は木の股にいて、すっかりずぶ濡れになった。

Then the Weaver-bird said, "Why does a person endowed with hands and feet, and strength, like thee, get soaked in this rain? Such a small animal as I am having built a house stays in it without getting wet. Not a drop of rain leaks into it. If I were equal to thee I should build a good house."

そこで機織鳥が言った。「おまえのように手も足も力もある者が、なぜこの雨に濡れるのだ。わたしのような小さな獣でさえ、家をこしらえて濡れずにいる。雨の一滴も漏れてこない。わたしがおまえほどの身であったら、立派な家をこしらえるだろうに」

On account of that remark the Monkey became angry, and saying, "What is my business to thee?" broke down the nest of the Weaver-bird.

その言葉に猿は腹を立て、「おまえに何の関わりがある」と言って、機織鳥の巣を壊してしまった。

Then the Weaver-bird went to the [Monkey] King, and instituted an action [against the Monkey]. Afterwards, orders were issued by the King to seize the Monkey. After remaining in concealment, the Monkey, thinking, "If I should be caught they will kill me," plucked a Jak fruit, and went with it to the King. After that [the King] caused the Weaver-bird to be brought, so that he might try the case.

そこで機織鳥は〔猿の〕王のもとへ行って、〔猿を〕訴え出た。そのあと王から猿を捕らえよという命が出た。猿は隠れていたが、「捕まったら殺される」と思って、ジャックフルーツの実を一つもいで、それを持って王のもとへ行った。そのあと〔王は〕機織鳥を連れてこさせて、裁きを開いた。

As he was inquiring into the case, it came to be accepted that on account of his breaking down the nest the fault lay with the Monkey. Then the Monkey said, "The action is coming to an end. Will the Maharaja be pleased to look behind me?"

裁きを進めてゆくと、巣を壊したことについては猿に非があると認められることになった。すると猿が言った。「裁きも終わりに近づきました。大王さま、どうかわたしのうしろをごらんくださいませんか」

At that very time, when the King having considered [his judgment], looked around, he saw that there was a Jak fruit behind the Monkey. Then the King, thinking, "The Jak fruit has been brought to be given to me for the sake of obtaining my favour," said to the Weaver-bird, "The fault is in thy hands. Whether he gets soaked or however he may be, it is no affair of thine."

ちょうどそのとき、王が〔裁きを〕考えながらあたりを見まわすと、猿のうしろにジャックフルーツの実があるのが見えた。そこで王は「わしの引き立てを得たくて、あの実をわしに献じようと持ってきたのだな」と思い、機織鳥に言った。「非はそなたにある。あの者が濡れようとどうしようと、そなたの知ったことではない」

Having said this, the King drove her away; and the Monkey, having given him the Jak fruit, went away.

そう言って王は機織鳥を追い払った。そして猿はジャックフルーツの実を献じて、去っていった。

At that time animals were able to talk.

そのころ、獣は物を言うことができたのである。