FIFTH GOBLIN
by Unknown · from Twenty-Two Goblins
Adapted Version
Once a King walked. He walked with his magic friend. The magic friend liked stories. "Listen to this story," he said.
Moonlight was a pretty girl. She had one wish. She said, "I will marry a brave man." Or she said, "A wise man." Or she said, "A clever man." No other man was good.
Moonlight's Father looked for a husband. He met The Clever Man. The Clever Man made a car. It flew high. Moonlight's Father was happy. He promised Moonlight to him.
Moonlight had a brother. He met The Brave Man. The Brave Man showed skill. He was good with weapons. Moonlight's brother was happy. He promised Moonlight to him.
Moonlight had a mother. She met The Wise Man. The Wise Man knew things. He knew the past. He knew the future. Moonlight's mother was happy. She promised Moonlight to him.
Moonlight's Father came home. He told his family news. Everyone told their news. Three men wanted Moonlight. They chose the same day. The family was confused.
The wedding day came. Moonlight was not there. She was gone. The Wise Man knew. "A big giant took her," he said. "He lives in a big forest."
The Clever Man made his car. It was ready for fight. Moonlight's Father got in. The Wise Man got in. The Brave Man got in. They flew to the forest.
The Wise Man showed the way. "The giant lives there," he said. The big giant came out. He was very angry. He made trouble.
The Brave Man was not scared. He fought the big giant. He was very strong. He won the fight. Moonlight was in the den. He saved her.
Moonlight was safe. They all went home. They rode in the flying car. The Clever Man drove them. Everyone was happy.
The men talked and talked. "Who gets to marry Moonlight?" The Wise Man spoke. The Clever Man spoke. The Brave Man spoke.
The Magic Friend asked The King. "Tell me, King," he said. "Who should marry Moonlight?" The King thought.
The King spoke clear words. "The Brave Man was very brave," he said. "He was not scared. He saved Moonlight. He gets to marry her."
The Magic Friend was happy. He flew away from The King. The King was happy too. The story was done.
Original Story
FIFTH GOBLIN
The Brave Man, the Wise Man, and the Clever Man. To which should the girl be given?
Then King Triple-victory went back to the sissoo tree and saw the body with the goblin in it hanging there just as before. He took it down without being frightened by all its twistings and writhings, and quickly set out again. And as he walked along in silence as before, the goblin said: "O King, you are obstinate, and you are pleasing to look at. So to amuse you, I will tell another story. Listen."
There is a city called Ujjain, famous throughout the world. There lived a king named Merit, who had as counsellor a Brahman named Hariswami, adorned with all noble virtues. The counsellor had a worthy wife, and a son named Devaswami was born to her, and was as good as she. And they had one daughter named Moonlight, who was worthy of her name, for she was famous for her matchless beauty and charm.
When the girl had grown out of childhood, she was proud of her wonderful beauty, and she told her mother, her father, and her brother: "I will marry a brave man or a wise man or a clever man. I should die if I were married to anyone else."
Now while her father was busy looking for such a husband for her, he was sent by King Merit to another king in the southern country to make a treaty for war and peace. When he had finished his business, a Brahman youth, who had heard of his daughter's beauty, came and asked him for her.
And he said: "My daughter will not marry anyone unless he is a clever man or a wise man or a brave man. Which of these are you? Tell me." And the Brahman said: "I am a clever man." "Show me," said the father, and the clever man made a flying chariot by his skill. Then he took Hariswami in this magic chariot, and carried him to the sky. And he took the delighted father to the camp of the king of the southern country where he had been on business. Then Hariswami appointed the marriage for the seventh day.
At this time another Brahman youth in Ujjain came to the girl's brother and asked him for her. And when he was told that she would marry only a wise man or a clever man or a brave man, he said he was a brave man. Then when he had shown his skill with weapons, the brother promised his sister to the brave man. And without telling his mother, he consulted the star-gazers and appointed the marriage for the seventh day.
At the same time a third Brahman youth came to the girl's mother and asked for the girl. And the mother said: "My son, a wise man or a clever man or a brave man shall marry my daughter but no one else. Which of these are you? Tell me." And he said: "I am a wise man." So she asked him about the past and the future, and found that he was a wise man. Then she promised to give him her daughter on the seventh day.
The next day Hariswami came home and told his wife and his son all that he had done. And she and he each told him all that she or he had done. So Hariswami was greatly perplexed, because three bridegrooms had been invited. Then the seventh day came and the three bridegrooms came to Hariswami's house.
Strange to say, at that moment Moonlight disappeared. Then the wise man said: "A giant named Smoke-tail has carried her to his den in the Vindhya forest."
When Hariswami heard this from the wise man, he was frightened and asked the clever man to find a remedy for the trouble. And the clever man made a chariot as before, full of all kinds of weapons, and brought Hariswami with the wise man and the brave man in a moment to the Vindhya forest. And the wise man showed them the giant's den.
When the giant saw what had happened, he came out in anger, and the brave man fought with him. Then came a famous duel with strange weapons between a man and a giant for the sake of a woman, like the ancient fight between Rama and Ravana. Though the giant was a terrible fighter, the brave man presently cut off his head with an arrow shaped like a half-moon. When the giant was killed, they found Moonlight in the den and all went back to Ujjain in the clever man's chariot.
Then when the proper time for wedding came, there arose a great dispute among the three in Hariswami's house.
The wise man said: "If I had not discovered her by my wisdom, how could you have found her hiding-place? She should be given to me."
The clever man said: "If I had not made a flying chariot, how could you have gone there in a moment and come back like the gods, or how could you have had a chariot-fight with him? She should be given to me."
The brave man said: "If I had not killed the giant in the fight, who would have saved her in spite of all your pains? The girl should be given to me."
And as they quarrelled, Hariswami stood silent, confused, and perplexed.
When the goblin had told this story, he said to the king: "O King, do you say to which of them she should be given. If you know and will not tell, then your head will split into a hundred pieces."
Then the king broke silence and said: "She should be given to the brave man, who risked his life and killed the giant and saved the girl. The wise man and the clever man were only helpers whom Fate gave him. A star-gazer and a chariot-maker work for other people, do they not?"
When the goblin heard this answer, he suddenly escaped from the king's shoulder and went back. And the king determined to get him, and went again to the sissoo tree.
Story DNA
Moral
True bravery and direct action, especially when risking one's life, hold greater merit than wisdom or cleverness in saving another.
Plot Summary
King Triple-victory, carrying a goblin-inhabited corpse, hears a story about a beautiful girl named Moonlight who vows to marry only a brave, wise, or clever man. Her father, brother, and mother each independently promise her to a different suitor who demonstrates one of these skills. On the wedding day, Moonlight is abducted by a giant. The wise man identifies the abductor, the clever man provides magical transport, and the brave man fights and kills the giant, rescuing Moonlight. A dispute arises among the three suitors over who deserves to marry her. The goblin asks the King to judge, and the King declares the brave man the rightful husband, as his direct action and risk of life were paramount, leading to the goblin's escape.
Themes
Emotional Arc
perplexity to clarity
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
This story is part of the 'Vetala Panchavimshati' or 'Baital Pachisi', a collection of Sanskrit frame stories from ancient India, where a vampire-like being (Vetala/goblin) tells tales and poses riddles to a king.
Plot Beats (15)
- King Triple-victory continues his journey with the goblin-inhabited corpse, which begins a new story.
- The story introduces Moonlight, a beautiful girl who vows to marry only a brave, wise, or clever man.
- Moonlight's father, Hariswami, meets a clever man who demonstrates his skill by creating a flying chariot and promises Moonlight to him.
- Moonlight's brother meets a brave man who demonstrates his skill with weapons and promises Moonlight to him.
- Moonlight's mother meets a wise man who demonstrates his foresight and promises Moonlight to him.
- Hariswami returns home, and the family realizes three different suitors have been promised Moonlight for the same wedding day.
- On the wedding day, Moonlight disappears, and the wise man reveals she has been abducted by a giant named Smoke-tail.
- The clever man creates a weapon-filled flying chariot, and the father, wise man, and brave man fly to the Vindhya forest.
- The wise man points out the giant's den, and the giant emerges to fight.
- The brave man fights and kills the giant, rescuing Moonlight from his den.
- They all return to Ujjain in the clever man's chariot.
- The three suitors argue over who deserves to marry Moonlight, each claiming their contribution was most vital.
- The goblin asks King Triple-victory to judge who should marry the girl.
- King Triple-victory declares the brave man the rightful husband, as he risked his life and directly saved her.
- The goblin, satisfied with the answer, escapes from the King's shoulder.
Characters
King Triple-victory
A man of regal bearing, likely of average height and a sturdy build, reflecting his determination and physical prowess in carrying the goblin-possessed body. His appearance is described as 'pleasing to look at,' suggesting a well-maintained and perhaps handsome physique.
Attire: Royal attire befitting an ancient Indian king: possibly a silk dhoti or a long tunic (angarkha) in rich colors like crimson or deep blue, perhaps embroidered with gold thread. A jeweled turban (pagri) would adorn his head, and he would wear significant gold jewelry such as armlets and necklaces.
Wants: To fulfill his quest, which involves carrying the goblin-possessed body to a specific destination, despite the challenges and distractions.
Flaw: His obstinacy, while a strength, could also lead him into dangerous situations or make him rigid in his approach.
He remains steadfast in his quest, demonstrating consistent resolve and wisdom in his judgments.
Obstinate, determined, brave, resolute, silent (when listening to stories).
The Goblin
A grotesque, reanimated corpse, described as 'twistings and writhings' when handled. It inhabits a human body, making it appear as a dead man, but with an unnatural animation and malevolent presence. It would be gaunt, with an unhealthy pallor.
Attire: Whatever tattered clothing the deceased body was wearing when it became possessed, likely simple, worn garments of a common man, perhaps a simple cotton dhoti and a torn upper cloth.
Wants: To challenge King Triple-victory's wisdom and perhaps to escape its predicament or simply to amuse itself through storytelling and philosophical debates.
Flaw: Bound by certain rules or conditions, such as returning to the tree if the king speaks incorrectly or breaks silence at the wrong time.
Remains consistent in its role as a storyteller and challenger.
Cunning, manipulative, talkative, inquisitive, enjoys riddles and testing others' wisdom.
Hariswami
A respected Brahman, likely of a lean to average build, with an air of scholarly dignity. His skin tone would be consistent with a man of Indian descent.
Attire: Simple but clean and well-maintained Brahman attire: a white or cream cotton dhoti, possibly an upper cloth (angavastram) draped over his shoulder. He might wear a sacred thread (yajnopavita) across his chest.
Wants: To find a suitable husband for his daughter, Moonlight, who meets her specific criteria.
Flaw: Easily perplexed and overwhelmed by conflicting agreements, leading to indecision.
He is initially confident in his arrangements but becomes deeply perplexed by the conflicting promises, highlighting the challenges of fulfilling his daughter's unusual demands.
Virtuous, responsible, perplexed, traditional, concerned for his daughter's well-being.
Moonlight
A young woman of matchless beauty and charm, likely slender and graceful, with features consistent with an Indian princess of ancient times. Her skin would be radiant, perhaps with a warm, golden tone.
Attire: Elegant attire befitting a high-born young woman in ancient India: a silk lehenga-choli or a flowing sari in soft, luminous colors like ivory, pale blue, or rose, perhaps with delicate embroidery. She would wear subtle gold jewelry.
Wants: To marry a man who embodies one of her three specific ideals: bravery, wisdom, or cleverness.
Flaw: Her pride in her beauty and her rigid demands for a husband, which cause complications for her family.
She is the catalyst for the story's conflict and is rescued, but her own character arc is not deeply explored beyond her initial demand.
Proud, beautiful, charming, resolute in her marital demands.
The Clever Man
A Brahman youth, likely of a slender build, with nimble hands and an intelligent demeanor. His features would be consistent with an Indian man.
Attire: Simple but well-maintained Brahman attire, similar to Hariswami, but perhaps slightly less formal, reflecting his youth and focus on practical skills. A white cotton dhoti and an upper cloth.
Wants: To win Moonlight's hand by demonstrating his cleverness.
Flaw: His reliance on his inventions and practical skills, perhaps lacking in direct physical courage or profound wisdom.
He demonstrates his cleverness effectively, proving his worth in the rescue, but ultimately is deemed a 'helper' by the king.
Ingenious, resourceful, practical, proud of his skills.
The Brave Man
A Brahman youth, likely of a strong, athletic build, with a confident and courageous bearing. His features would be consistent with an Indian man.
Attire: Practical attire for a warrior, even if a Brahman: a sturdy cotton dhoti, perhaps a simple tunic (kurta) that allows for freedom of movement. He might wear a simple leather or cloth belt.
Wants: To win Moonlight's hand by demonstrating his bravery and skill with weapons.
Flaw: Perhaps less intellectual than the others, relying primarily on physical prowess.
He proves his bravery by directly confronting and defeating the giant, ultimately being judged the most deserving by the king.
Courageous, skilled in combat, determined, protective.
The Wise Man
A Brahman youth, likely of a slender build, with an intellectual and contemplative demeanor. His features would be consistent with an Indian man.
Attire: Simple, clean Brahman attire: a white cotton dhoti and an upper cloth, perhaps with a shawl for contemplation. His clothing would be practical for study.
Wants: To win Moonlight's hand by demonstrating his wisdom and knowledge of past and future.
Flaw: His reliance on intellect and foresight, perhaps lacking in direct physical action.
He proves his wisdom by locating Moonlight, but ultimately is deemed a 'helper' by the king.
Perceptive, knowledgeable, insightful, calm, intellectual.
Smoke-tail
A terrifying giant, likely immense in stature and formidable in build, with a menacing presence. His skin might be dark or reddish, consistent with descriptions of Rakshasas in Indian folklore.
Attire: Minimal clothing, perhaps a rough loincloth or tattered animal skins, emphasizing his monstrous nature.
Wants: To keep Moonlight in his den, having abducted her.
Flaw: Vulnerable to a skilled warrior, specifically the Brave Man's arrow.
He is introduced as a threat and is ultimately defeated by the Brave Man.
Angry, territorial, powerful, violent.
Locations
Hariswami's House in Ujjain
A traditional Brahman household in the ancient city of Ujjain, likely featuring courtyards, perhaps with carved wooden pillars and a flat or slightly sloped roof made of local materials. The interior would have simple, functional rooms, possibly with mud-plastered walls and woven mats on the floor, reflecting the status of a king's counsellor. It would be a place of domestic activity and later, intense debate.
Mood: Initially bustling with domestic life and marriage preparations, later tense and perplexed due to the triple engagement, finally filled with heated dispute.
Moonlight makes her declaration; the three suitors arrive; the wise man, clever man, and brave man present their cases; the final dispute over who should marry Moonlight.
Vindhya Forest
A dense, ancient forest in the Vindhya mountain range, characterized by thick, tropical deciduous trees, possibly sal, teak, and bamboo. The ground would be covered with fallen leaves and undergrowth, with winding paths or no paths at all. The air would be humid and heavy, with dappled sunlight filtering through the canopy, creating a mysterious and potentially dangerous environment.
Mood: Eerie, dangerous, wild, and mysterious, as it is the lair of a giant.
Moonlight is taken here by the giant Smoke-tail; the clever man's chariot lands; the brave man fights and kills the giant; Moonlight is rescued from the den.
Giant Smoke-tail's Den
A dark, foreboding lair within the Vindhya forest, likely a deep cave or a natural rock shelter. The interior would be rough and unadorned, possibly with crude markings or the remnants of the giant's meals. It would be dimly lit, with a sense of confinement and danger, reflecting the giant's monstrous nature.
Mood: Dark, terrifying, confined, and dangerous, a place of captivity.
Moonlight is held captive here; the brave man confronts the giant at its entrance; Moonlight is found and rescued from within.