NINTH GOBLIN
by Unknown · from Twenty-Two Goblins. Translated from the Sanskrit
Adapted Version
A brave king carried a tricky goblin. The goblin liked to tell stories. The goblin wanted the King to talk. The King must not speak. The goblin began a very long story.
There was a king. He was a good king. He had a queen. They had a son. They had a daughter. She was very pretty. Her name was The Princess.
The Story King looked for a husband. She wanted a man with one skill. She did not want any prince. This was her wish.
Four men came. They wanted to marry The Princess. The Weaver made clothes. He made five suits a day. The Creature Talker heard creatures. He knew what birds said. The Swordsman was strong. He was best with a sword. The Magic Man was magic. He could wake up dead things. He had this special power.
The Story King did not know. The Princess did not know. Who was the best man? It was a very hard choice. They felt much doubt.
The goblin stopped its story. It asked The King: "Who should she marry?" The King must not talk. If The King talked, it would fly. This was a trick.
The King spoke. He broke his silence. The Weaver was not right. The Creature Talker was not right. Their skills were not for a king's people. These skills were not good enough. They were not what she needed.
The King spoke more. The Magic Man's skill was magic. It was not brave. It was not what a princess needs. A husband needs real courage. This skill was not that. It was not good.
The King said the Swordsman was best. He was strong. He was brave. His skill could protect people. This skill was good for a king's people. It was a very big skill. He was the right one.
The goblin heard The King. It flew away fast. The King walked on. He was still brave. He did not stop.
Original Story
NINTH GOBLIN
The Four Scientific Suitors. To which should the girl be given?
Then the king went back to the sissoo tree, put the goblin on his shoulder, and started. And the goblin spoke to him again: "O King, why do you go to such pains in this cemetery at night? Do you not see the home of the ghosts, full of dreadful creatures, terrible in the night, wrapped in darkness as in smoke? Why do you work so hard and grow weary for the sake of that monk? Well, to amuse the journey, listen to a puzzle which I will tell you."
In the Avanti country is a city built by the gods at the beginning of time, adorned with wonderful wealth and opportunities for enjoyment. In the earliest age it was called Lotus City, then Pleasure City, then Golden City, and now it is called Ujjain. There lived a king named Heroic. And his queen was named Lotus.
One day the king went with her to the sacred Ganges river and prayed to Shiva that he might have children. And after long prayer he heard a voice from heaven, for Shiva was at last pleased with his devotion: "O King, there shall be born to you a brave son to continue your dynasty, and a daughter more beautiful than the nymphs of heaven."
When he heard the heavenly voice, the king was delighted at the fulfilment of his wishes, and went back to his city with the queen. And first Queen Lotus bore a son called Brave, and then a daughter named Grace who put the god of love to shame.
When the girl grew up, the king sought for a suitable husband for her, and invited all the neighbouring princes by letter, but not one of them seemed good enough for her. So the king tenderly said to his daughter: "My dear, I do not see a husband worthy of you, so I will summon all the kings hither, and you shall choose." But the princess said: "My dear father, such a choice would be very embarrassing. I would rather not. Just marry me to any good-looking young man, who understands a single science from beginning to end. I wish nothing more nor less than that."
"I understand the cries of all beasts and birds."
Now while the king was looking for such a husband, four brave, good-looking, scientific men from the south heard of the matter and came to him. And when they had been hospitably received, each explained his own science to the king.
The first said: "I am a working-man, and my name is Five-cloth. I make five splendid suits of clothes a day. One I give to some god and one to a Brahman. One I wear myself, and one I shall give to my wife when I have one. The fifth I sell, to buy food and things. This is my science. Pray give me Grace."
The second said: "I am a farmer, and my name is Linguist. I understand the cries of all beasts and birds. Pray give me the princess."
The third said: "I am a strong-armed soldier, and my name is Swordsman. I have no rival on earth in the science of swordsmanship. O King, pray give me your daughter."
The fourth said: "O King, I am a Brahman, and my name is Life. I possess a wonderful science. For if dead creatures are brought to me, I can quickly restore them to life. Let your daughter find a husband in a man who has such heroic skill."
When they had spoken, and the king had seen that they all had wonderful garments and personal beauty, he and his daughter swung in doubt.
When the goblin had told this story, he said to the king: "Remember the curse I mentioned, and tell me to which of them the girl should be given."
And the king said to the goblin: "Sir, you are merely trying to gain time by making me break silence. There is no puzzle about that. How could a warrior's daughter be given to a working-man, a weaver? Or to a farmer, either? And as to his knowledge of the speech of beasts and birds, of what practical use is it? And what good is a Brahman who neglects his own affairs and turns magician, despising real courage? Of course she should be given to the warrior Swordsman who had some manhood with his science."
When the goblin heard this, he escaped by magic from the king's shoulder, and disappeared. And the king followed him as before. Discouragement never enters the brave heart of a resolute man.
Story DNA
Moral
True value lies in practical skill and adherence to one's station, not just any specialized knowledge.
Plot Summary
A king, carrying a magical goblin, is challenged with a riddle from a story the goblin tells. The story concerns King Heroic's daughter, Grace, who seeks a husband skilled in a single science. Four suitors present their unique skills: weaving, understanding animal speech, swordsmanship, and reviving the dead. The king must decide which suitor is most suitable, and he chooses the swordsman, arguing that practical skill and adherence to one's station are paramount. His correct answer causes the goblin to escape, and the king continues his journey.
Themes
Emotional Arc
doubt to clarity
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
The Vikram and the Vampire (Vetala Panchavimshati) is a collection of Indian tales, where a king is tasked to carry a Vetala (goblin/vampire) and answer riddles, with the Vetala escaping if the king answers correctly and silently carries him, or if he fails to answer.
Plot Beats (10)
- The king carries the goblin, who tries to trick him into speaking by telling a story.
- The goblin introduces the story of King Heroic and Queen Lotus of Ujjain, who are blessed with a son and a beautiful daughter, Grace.
- Princess Grace grows up and requests a husband who masters a single science, rather than choosing from many princes.
- Four suitors arrive, each claiming mastery of a unique science: Five-cloth (weaving), Linguist (animal speech), Swordsman (swordsmanship), and Life (reviving the dead).
- The king and princess are left in doubt as to which suitor is most suitable.
- The goblin asks the king in the frame story to decide which suitor should marry Grace, reminding him of the curse if he breaks silence.
- The king breaks silence, stating that the weaver and farmer are unsuitable due to their professions and the impracticality of their skills.
- The king dismisses the Brahman's skill as magic, not true courage, and outside his proper station.
- The king declares the warrior Swordsman the most suitable due to his practical skill and 'manhood'.
- Upon hearing the king's judgment, the goblin magically escapes, and the king continues his pursuit.
Characters
The King (Vikram)
A strong, resolute man of regal bearing, likely of medium height and sturdy build, reflecting his bravery and determination. His features would be sharp and commanding, indicative of a ruler.
Attire: Royal attire befitting an Indian king, such as a richly embroidered silk angarkha (long coat) in deep jewel tones like sapphire or emerald, worn over a dhoti, with a heavy gold or jeweled necklace and armlets. A turban adorned with a large gem or plume would complete his look.
Wants: To fulfill his vow to the monk and capture the goblin, demonstrating his unwavering commitment to his word and duty.
Flaw: His adherence to the goblin's rules, which often puts him in difficult moral dilemmas and forces him to speak, thus allowing the goblin to escape.
He remains steadfast in his character, demonstrating consistent bravery and wisdom throughout his encounters with the goblin.
Brave, resolute, wise, determined, and patient. He is unyielding in his quest and thoughtful in his judgments.
The Goblin
A small, dreadful, and unsettling creature, likely with features that are both grotesque and cunning. It is light enough for the King to carry on his shoulder, suggesting a lean or ethereal form.
Attire: No specific clothing mentioned, suggesting a natural, perhaps ragged or shadowy appearance, or simple, dark, tattered garments that blend with the night.
Wants: To escape its captivity by tricking the King into speaking, thus breaking the silence condition.
Flaw: Its magical escape is contingent on the King breaking silence; it cannot escape if the King remains silent.
Remains consistent in its role as a trickster, repeatedly escaping and being recaptured.
Cunning, mischievous, intelligent, and persistent. It enjoys riddles and testing the King's resolve.
King Heroic
A powerful and respected Indian king, likely of a robust build, reflecting his name 'Heroic'. His stature would command respect.
Attire: Royal Indian attire, perhaps a deep red or gold silk sherwani with intricate embroidery, a jeweled turban, and a heavy gold necklace. His clothing would signify his wealth and status.
Wants: To find a suitable and worthy husband for his beautiful daughter, Grace, and to continue his dynasty.
Flaw: His indecision when faced with multiple seemingly worthy suitors, leading to a dilemma.
He faces a dilemma regarding his daughter's marriage but ultimately seeks to fulfill her wishes.
Devoted, loving, concerned, and traditional. He seeks the best for his daughter and respects her wishes.
Princess Grace
Exquisitely beautiful, described as 'more beautiful than the nymphs of heaven' and putting 'the god of love to shame'. She would have a graceful, slender build.
Attire: Elegant and flowing Indian royal attire, such as a richly embroidered silk lehenga-choli or a delicate saree in soft, pleasing colors like rose, cream, or sky blue, adorned with fine gold jewelry.
Wants: To marry a man of substance and skill, specifically one who understands a single science from beginning to end, rather than being chosen for her beauty alone.
Flaw: Her modesty makes her uncomfortable with a public choice of husband.
She sets the criteria for her own marriage, demonstrating her agency and wisdom.
Modest, intelligent, practical, and discerning. She values skill and knowledge over mere status.
Five-cloth
A good-looking man, likely of average build, with hands that show the skill of a weaver but are not rough or calloused, as he creates splendid garments.
Attire: He would wear one of his own splendid creations, perhaps a well-fitted, simple but elegant cotton kurta and dhoti, indicating his profession and skill, but not ostentatious.
Wants: To win Princess Grace's hand by demonstrating his valuable and unique science.
Flaw: His profession as a weaver is deemed unsuitable for a warrior's daughter by the King.
Remains consistent as a skilled artisan seeking marriage.
Diligent, practical, generous (sharing his clothes), and proud of his unique skill.
Linguist
A good-looking man, perhaps with a thoughtful or observant expression, reflecting his ability to understand animal communication. Likely of a lean build, suggesting an intellectual rather than physical profession.
Attire: Simple but well-maintained attire, perhaps a light green or brown cotton kurta and dhoti, reflecting his connection to nature and his farmer profession.
Wants: To win Princess Grace's hand by showcasing his rare and specialized knowledge.
Flaw: His skill is deemed impractical by the King for a warrior's daughter.
Remains consistent as a skilled linguist seeking marriage.
Observant, intelligent, unique, and connected to nature.
Swordsman
A strong-armed soldier, implying a muscular and athletic build. His physique would be impressive and capable, reflecting his martial prowess.
Attire: Practical but well-made warrior's attire, such as a fitted leather or padded cotton tunic (angarkha) in a dark color like maroon or forest green, with sturdy trousers (churidar) and a wide sash. He would likely have a sheathed sword at his hip.
Wants: To win Princess Grace's hand by demonstrating his unmatched skill in swordsmanship.
Flaw: None explicitly stated, but his reliance on physical combat might be seen as a limitation by some.
Remains consistent as a skilled warrior seeking marriage.
Brave, confident, skilled, and proud of his martial prowess.
Life
A good-looking Brahman, likely of a slender to average build, with an aura of quiet power and intellect, reflecting his magical abilities.
Attire: Traditional Brahman attire, such as a white or off-white dhoti and a simple upper cloth (angavastram) draped over his shoulder, perhaps with a sacred thread (yajnopavita) visible. His garments would be clean and modest, yet of good quality.
Wants: To win Princess Grace's hand by demonstrating his extraordinary ability to restore the dead to life.
Flaw: His magical skill is deemed inappropriate for a Brahman by the King, who prefers 'real courage'.
Remains consistent as a magically skilled Brahman seeking marriage.
Intelligent, powerful, serene, and confident in his unique magical science.
Locations
Cemetery at Night
A desolate, eerie cemetery shrouded in darkness, described as the 'home of the ghosts' and 'full of dreadful creatures', with the night's gloom 'wrapped in darkness as in smoke'.
Mood: Eerie, dreadful, mysterious, desolate.
The king carries the goblin through this unsettling landscape, and the goblin tells the story of the four suitors.
Ujjain City (Golden City)
A magnificent ancient city in the Avanti country, built by gods, 'adorned with wonderful wealth and opportunities for enjoyment'. Historically known as Lotus City, Pleasure City, and Golden City.
Mood: Prosperous, grand, ancient, vibrant.
The primary setting for King Heroic's reign and where Princess Grace grows up and the suitors arrive.
Sacred Ganges River Bank
The bank of the holy Ganges river, a site for prayer and devotion to Shiva.
Mood: Reverent, spiritual, peaceful.
King Heroic and Queen Lotus pray here to Shiva for children and receive a divine prophecy.
King Heroic's Royal Court
The formal setting within King Heroic's palace where he conducts royal business, receives guests, and makes important decisions. It is where the four suitors present themselves.
Mood: Formal, regal, expectant, discerning.
Princess Grace states her marriage criteria, and the four scientific suitors present their skills to the king and princess.