SECOND GOBLIN
by Unknown · from Twenty-Two Goblins
Adapted Version
The King had a goblin on his shoulder. The goblin wanted to tell a story. The goblin said, "I will tell a story." It is a story about love.
Coral was a very pretty girl. She lived with Coral's Father. Three young men liked Coral. They all wanted to marry her.
Then Coral got very sick. Coral died very quickly. The young men were very sad. They cried for Coral.
They burned Coral's body. One young man stayed there. He lived by Coral's ashes. Another young man took her bones. He went to a holy river. The third young man left. He became a holy man.
The Holy Man walked to a town. He saw a Wise Man there. The Wise Man had a dry flower. He said a magic word. The flower bloomed again. It was pretty.
The Wise Man had a magic book. The Holy Man saw the book. He secretly took the book. He wanted to use its magic.
The Holy Man walked far away. He went back to Coral's ashes. He saw the other two men. They were still there.
The Holy Man opened the book. He said the magic words. Coral came back to life! She was very beautiful now.
The three men saw Coral. They all loved her. They began to argue. Each man said, "She is my wife!" One used magic. One went to the river. One stayed by her ashes.
The Goblin asked The King. "Who should Coral marry?" he asked. "You must tell the truth now." "Think very hard, King."
The King thought for a long time. He said, "The Holy Man used magic." "He was like a father to her." "The River Man went to the river." "He was like a son to her." "The Ash Man stayed with her ashes." "He was her true lover."
The King spoke very wisely. The Goblin heard his words. It smiled. The Goblin flew away fast. It left The King's shoulder.
True love means staying close. It means caring much. The King was very wise. The goblin flew away. And Coral found her true love.
Original Story
SECOND GOBLIN
The Three Lovers who brought the Dead Girl to Life. Whose wife should she be?
Then King Triple-victory went back under the sissoo tree to fetch the goblin. And when he got there and looked about, he saw the goblin fallen on the ground and moaning. Then, when the king put the body with the goblin in it on his shoulder and started to carry him off quickly and silently, the goblin on his shoulder said to him: "Oh King, you have fallen into a very disagreeable task which you do not deserve. So to amuse you I will tell another story. Listen."
On the bank of Kalindi River is a farm where a very learned Brahman lived. And he had a very beautiful daughter named Coral. When the Creator fashioned her fresh and peerless loveliness, surely he must have despised the cleverness he showed before in fashioning the nymphs of heaven.
When she had grown out of childhood, there came from the city of Kanauj three Brahman youths, endowed with all the virtues. And each of them asked her father for her, that she might be his own. And though her father would rather have died than give her up to anyone, he made up his mind to give her to one of them. But the girl would not marry any one of them for some time, because she was afraid of hurting the feelings of the other two. So they stayed there all three of them day and night, feasting on the beauty of her face, like the birds that live on moonbeams.
Then all at once Coral fell sick of a burning fever and died. And when the Brahman youths saw that she was dead, they were smitten with grief. But they adorned her body, took it to the cemetery, and burned it.
And one of them built a hut there, slept on a bed made of her ashes, and got his food by begging. The second took her bones and went to dip them in the sacred Ganges river. And the third became a monk and wandered in other countries.
And as he wandered, the monk came to a village called Thunderbolt, and was entertained in the house of a Brahman. But when he had been honoured by the master of the house and had begun to eat dinner there, the little boy began to cry and would not stop even when they petted him. So his mother took him on her arm, and angrily threw him into the blazing fire. And being tender, he was reduced to ashes in a moment.
When the monk saw this, his hair stood on end, and he said: "Alas! I have come into the house of a devil. I will not eat this food. It would be like eating sin." But the master of the house said to him: "Brahman, I have studied to good purpose. See my skill in bringing the dead to life." So he opened a book, took out a magic spell, read it, and sprinkled water on the ashes. And the moment the water was sprinkled, the boy stood up alive just as before. Then the monk was highly delighted and finished his dinner with pleasure.
And the master of the house hung the book on an ivory peg, took dinner with the monk, and went to bed. When he was asleep, the monk got up quietly, and tremblingly took the book, hoping to bring his darling Coral back to life. He went away and travelled night and day, until he finally reached the cemetery. And he caught sight of the second youth, who had come back after dipping the bones in the Ganges. And he also found the third youth, who had made a hut and lived there, sleeping on the girl's ashes.
Then the monk cried: "Brother, leave your hut. I will bring the dear girl back to life." And while they eagerly questioned him, he opened the book, and read the magic spell, and sprinkled holy water on the ashes. And Coral immediately stood up, alive. And the girl was more beautiful than ever. She looked as if she were made of gold.
When the three youths saw her come back to life like that, they went mad with love, and fought with one another to possess her.
One said: "I brought her to life by my magic spell. She is my wife."
The second said: "She came to life because of my journey to the sacred river. She is my wife."
The third said: "I kept her ashes. That is why she came to life. She is my dear wife."
O King, you are able to decide their dispute. Tell me. Whose wife should she be? If you know and say what is false, then your head will split.
When the king heard this, he said to the goblin: "The man who painfully found the magic spell and brought her back to life, he did only what a father ought to do. He is not her husband. And the man who went to dip her bones in the sacred river, he did only what a son ought to do. He is not her husband. But the man who slept with her ashes and lived a hard life in the cemetery, he did what a lover ought to do. He deserves to be her husband."
When the goblin heard this answer of King Triple-victory, he suddenly escaped from his shoulder and went back. And the king wished to do as the monk had asked him; so he decided to go back and get him. Great-minded people do not waver until they have kept their promises, even at the cost of life.
Story DNA
Moral
True devotion and sacrifice, even in the face of death, are the hallmarks of a true lover.
Plot Summary
A goblin tells King Triple-victory the story of Coral, a beautiful Brahman girl, and her three devoted suitors. When Coral dies, each suitor expresses his grief uniquely: one lives on her ashes, one takes her bones to the Ganges, and one becomes a monk. The monk discovers and steals a magic spell to revive the dead, bringing Coral back to life. The three suitors then fiercely dispute who deserves to marry her, leading the goblin to ask the king to judge their claims. King Triple-victory wisely rules that the suitor who guarded her ashes acted as a true lover, while the others acted as a father and a son, respectively.
Themes
Emotional Arc
grief to hope to resolution
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
This story is part of the Vetala Panchavimshati (Twenty-five Tales of the Vetala), a collection of frame stories from ancient India, often featuring a king and a wise, riddle-posing goblin (vetala).
Plot Beats (12)
- King Triple-victory carries a goblin, who begins a story to entertain him.
- A beautiful Brahman girl named Coral lives with her learned father and is courted by three virtuous Brahman youths.
- Coral falls ill and dies, causing immense grief to her suitors.
- Her body is cremated, and the suitors each express their devotion: one lives on her ashes, one takes her bones to the sacred Ganges, and one becomes a wandering monk.
- The monk witnesses a Brahman revive a child from ashes using a magic spell.
- The monk steals the magic spell book from the Brahman.
- The monk returns to the cemetery, where he finds the other two suitors.
- The monk uses the stolen spell to revive Coral from her ashes, making her even more beautiful.
- The three suitors immediately begin to argue, each claiming Coral as his wife based on his specific act of devotion.
- The goblin asks King Triple-victory to judge whose wife Coral should be, threatening him if he answers falsely.
- King Triple-victory declares that the one who found the spell acted as a father, the one who went to the Ganges acted as a son, but the one who guarded her ashes acted as a true lover.
- The goblin, upon hearing the king's judgment, escapes from his shoulder.
Characters
King Triple-victory
A strong and capable man, likely of a regal build, accustomed to carrying burdens and making difficult decisions. His posture would reflect his kingly status and determination.
Attire: Royal attire of ancient India, possibly a silk dhoti, an angavastram (upper cloth) draped over his shoulders, and minimal, elegant gold jewelry. His clothing would be practical enough for travel and carrying the goblin, yet still denote his status.
Wants: To fulfill his promise to the monk (from a previous story implied) and to uphold justice.
Flaw: His unwavering commitment to his word can lead him into dangerous or disagreeable tasks.
He remains consistent in his character, demonstrating his wisdom and resolve by solving the goblin's riddle and reaffirming his commitment to his promise.
Wise, just, determined, honorable, patient, and committed to his word.
The Goblin
A supernatural being, likely small, grotesque, and possibly emaciated or frail when 'fallen on the ground and moaning'. When active, it is a mischievous and cunning creature. Its skin is described as pale green in the image prompt.
Attire: No specific clothing, as it is a supernatural being, possibly appearing in its natural form or a simple, tattered loincloth if any attire is implied.
Wants: To challenge the king's wisdom and perhaps to escape its current predicament by posing riddles.
Flaw: Bound by certain rules or conditions, such as escaping when a correct answer is given.
It serves its purpose by telling a story and posing a riddle, then escapes once the king provides a satisfactory answer, maintaining its trickster nature.
Cunning, mischievous, intelligent, a storyteller, and a trickster.
Coral
Of fresh and peerless loveliness, described as being 'more beautiful than ever' and looking 'as if she were made of gold' after being revived. She would have a delicate and graceful build, typical of a beautiful young woman in ancient India.
Attire: Simple yet elegant attire befitting a Brahman's daughter in ancient India, likely a sari or a ghagra choli made of fine cotton or silk, in soft, pleasing colors. After revival, her appearance would be enhanced, suggesting a radiant glow rather than a change in clothing.
Wants: Initially, to avoid causing pain to her suitors. After revival, her motivations are not explored, as she becomes the prize.
Flaw: Her beauty makes her an object of contention; her passivity in choosing a husband leads to her suitors' prolonged wait and eventual conflict.
Dies and is revived, becoming an even more radiant figure, but her agency is not explored after her revival; she remains the object of the suitors' dispute.
Initially hesitant and compassionate (afraid of hurting feelings), later a passive object of desire.
The Monk (First Youth)
A Brahman youth who becomes a wandering monk. His physical appearance would reflect the ascetic lifestyle, possibly lean but with an inner strength. After becoming a monk, he would shave his head or wear it very short.
Attire: Initially, simple Brahman attire. As a monk, he would wear saffron or ochre robes, typically a simple dhoti and an upper cloth, reflecting his renunciation of worldly possessions.
Wants: To revive Coral and claim her as his wife.
Flaw: His intense desire for Coral leads him to steal the magic book.
Transforms from a grieving lover into a resourceful monk who acquires the means to bring Coral back to life, demonstrating his unique contribution.
Devoted, resourceful, determined, observant, and quick-witted (in acquiring the spell).
The Second Youth
A Brahman youth, likely of a strong and enduring build, capable of undertaking a long pilgrimage. His appearance would reflect his devotion and the hardship of his journey.
Attire: Simple, practical Brahman attire suitable for travel and pilgrimage, likely a white or cream cotton dhoti and an upper cloth, possibly with a shawl for warmth.
Wants: To perform a sacred ritual for Coral's soul and to claim her as his wife.
Flaw: His reliance on traditional piety rather than active intervention.
Remains consistent in his devotion, performing a traditional act of piety for Coral, which is later argued as a reason for her revival.
Devoted, pious, enduring, and traditional.
The Third Youth
A Brahman youth, whose appearance would reflect his extreme grief and ascetic life in the cemetery. He would likely be gaunt and unkempt from his self-imposed hardship.
Attire: Simple, possibly tattered, and soiled Brahman attire, reflecting his life of mourning and self-denial in the cemetery. Perhaps a simple, worn cotton dhoti.
Wants: To remain close to Coral, even in death, and to claim her as his wife.
Flaw: His overwhelming grief and inability to move on from Coral's death.
Remains consistent in his extreme devotion, living a life of hardship in the cemetery, which is later argued as the ultimate act of a lover.
Extremely devoted, self-sacrificing, persistent in his mourning, and deeply emotional.
The Learned Brahman (Coral's Father)
A respected and learned Brahman, likely of a dignified and scholarly appearance. He would be well-maintained, reflecting his status.
Attire: Traditional Brahman attire, likely a clean white dhoti and an upper cloth, possibly with a sacred thread (yajnopavita) visible, denoting his caste and learning.
Wants: To find a suitable husband for his daughter, though he cherishes her greatly.
Flaw: His reluctance to give up his beloved daughter.
A static character who sets up the initial conflict by being sought after for his daughter's hand.
Learned, loving (of his daughter), and initially hesitant to part with his daughter.
The Brahman of Thunderbolt (Magic User)
A Brahman with knowledge of powerful magic, likely appearing confident and perhaps a bit eccentric due to his unusual abilities. His build would be average, not necessarily physically imposing.
Attire: Traditional Brahman attire, likely a clean white dhoti and an upper cloth, possibly with a sacred thread (yajnopavita) visible. His clothing would be practical for his scholarly pursuits.
Wants: To demonstrate his magical prowess and entertain his guest.
Flaw: His casual display of powerful magic, which leads to the theft of his book.
A static character who serves as a plot device to introduce the magic spell to the Monk.
Skilled, confident, learned (in magic), and somewhat unsettling in his actions.
Locations
Bank of Kalindi River
A farm situated on the bank of the Kalindi River, likely a fertile area with agricultural land. The river itself would be a prominent feature, possibly with a gentle current.
Mood: Initially peaceful and idyllic, then turning sorrowful with Coral's death.
Coral's initial life and beauty, the arrival of the three suitors, and her eventual death.
Cemetery
A cremation ground where Coral's body was burned. One suitor built a simple hut and slept on her ashes, indicating a desolate and somber environment.
Mood: Somber, desolate, grief-stricken, later hopeful and magical.
Coral's cremation, one suitor's vigil, and later, her resurrection by the monk.
Brahman's House in Thunderbolt Village
A Brahman's house in a village called Thunderbolt, where the wandering monk was entertained. It features an ivory peg for hanging books and a hearth for cooking.
Mood: Initially hospitable, then shocking and unsettling, finally wondrous and magical.
The boy's death and resurrection, and the monk's acquisition of the magic book.