SIXTEENTH GOBLIN
by Unknown · from Twenty-Two Goblins. Translated from the Sanskrit
Adapted Version
A king walked. A little friend was on his shoulder. The friend told a story.
Long ago, King Kind lived. He was a very good king. A girl named Lily lived there too. She was very, very pretty. Everyone liked her much.
Lily's father wanted her to marry King Kind. The king had helpers. The helpers saw Lily. They told the king wrong things. They said, "She is not good." So the king did not marry Lily.
King Kind said no. He did not marry Lily. Lily married General Brave. They lived in his house. They were happy.
One day, the king saw Lily. She stood on a balcony. King Kind saw her face. He liked her very much. She was so pretty.
The king learned it was Lily. He was sad. He sent away the helpers. They told him wrong things. The king thought of Lily. He was sad every day.
Some people told the king, "Take Lily." But King Kind said no. "It is not right," he said. He chose to do good. He was a good king.
General Brave saw King Kind was sad. He came to the king. He said, "My king, you are sad. You can have Lily. She is my wife. But she is yours."
King Kind said no. "I am a king," he said. "I must do what is right. I cannot take another man's wife. It is wrong. A king must be good. I will not do it."
King Kind was very sad. He wanted Lily. But he chose what was right. He felt good inside. He was a good king. He made a good choice.
The little talking friend finished. He asked the king a question. "Who was better?" he asked. "King Kind or General Brave?"
The king thought. He said, "King Kind was better. It was hard for him. He wanted Lily very much. But he chose what was right. A king must choose good. He was a hero. He did the hard thing."
The little talking friend was happy. It smiled. It flew away. The king knew. Choosing what is right is good. It is always the best thing to do.
Original Story
SIXTEENTH GOBLIN
The King who died for Love of his General's Wife; the General follows him in Death. Which is the more worthy?
Then the king went back under the sissoo tree, put the goblin on his shoulder as before, and started. And the goblin said to him: "O King, I will tell you another little story to relieve your weariness. Listen."
Long ago there was a city named Golden City on the bank of the Ganges, where a quarter of the old perfect virtue still lingers in these evil days. There was a king named Glorious, and he deserved the name. His bravery kept the world from being overflowed, like the shore of the sea.
In this king's city lived a great merchant, who had a daughter named Passion. Everyone who saw her fell in love and went mad with passion.
When she grew to be a young woman, the virtuous merchant went to King Glorious and said: "Your Majesty, I have a daughter, the gem of the three worlds, and she is old enough to marry. I could not give her to anyone without consulting your Majesty. For you are the master of all gems in the world. Pray marry her and thus lay me under obligations."
So the king sent his own Brahmans to examine her qualities. But when the Brahmans saw her supreme loveliness, they were troubled and thought: "If the king should marry her, his kingdom would be ruined. He would think only of her, and would doubtless neglect the kingdom. Therefore we must not report her good qualities to the king."
So they returned to the king and said: "Your Majesty, she has bad qualities." So the king did not marry the merchant's daughter. But he bade the merchant give his daughter to a general named Force. And she lived happily with her husband in his house.
After a time the lion of spring came dancing through the forest and slew the elephant of winter. And King Glorious went forth on the back of an elephant to see the spring festival. And the drum was beaten to warn virtuous women to stay within doors. Otherwise they would have fallen in love with his beauty, and lovesickness might be expected.
But when Passion heard the drum, she did not like to be left alone. She went out on the balcony, that the king might see her. She seemed like the flame of love which the spring-time was fanning with southern breezes. And the king saw her, and his whole being was shaken. He felt her beauty sinking deep in his heart like a victorious arrow of Love, and he fainted.
His servants brought him back to consciousness, and he returned to the city. There he made inquiries and learned that this was Passion whom he had rejected before. So he banished from the country the Brahmans who had said that she had bad qualities, and he thought longingly of her every day.
And as he thought of her, he burned over the flame of love, and wasted away day and night. And though from shame he tried to conceal it, he finally told the reason of his anguish to responsible people who asked him.
They said: "Do not suffer. Why do you not seize her?" But the virtuous king would not do it.
Then General Force heard the story. He came and bowed at the feet of the king and said: "Your Majesty, she is the wife of your slave, therefore she is your slave. I give her to you of my own accord. Pray take my wife. Or better yet, I will leave her here in the palace. Then you cannot be blamed if you marry her." And the general begged and insisted.
But the king became angry and said: "I am a king. How can I do such a wicked thing? If I should transgress, who would be virtuous? You are devoted to me. Why do you urge me to a sin which is pleasant for the moment, but causes great sorrow in the next world? If you abandon your wedded wife, I shall not pardon you. How could a man in my position overlook such a transgression? It is better to die." Thus the king argued against it. For the truly great throw away life rather than virtue. And when all the citizens came together and urged him, he was steadfast and refused.
So he slowly shrivelled away over the fever-flame of love and died. There was nothing left of King Glorious except his glory. And the general could not endure the death of his king. He burned himself alive. The actions of devoted men are blameless.
When the goblin on the king's shoulder had told this story, he asked the king: "O King, which of these two, the king and the general, was the more deserving? Remember the curse before you answer."
The king said: "I think the king was the more deserving."
Then the goblin said reproachfully: "O King, why was not the general better? He offered the king a wife like that, whose charms he knew from a long married life. And when his king died, he burned himself like a faithful man. But the king gave her up without really knowing her attractions."
Then the king laughed and said: "True enough, but not surprising. The general was a gentleman born, and acted as he did from devotion to his superior. For servants must protect their masters even at the cost of their own lives. But kings are like mad elephants who cannot be goaded into obedience, who break the binding-chain of virtue. They are insolent, and their judgment trickles from them with the holy water of consecration. Their eyes are blinded by the hurricane of power, and they do not see the road. From the most ancient times, even the kings who conquered the world have been maddened by love and have fallen into misfortune. But this king, though he ruled the whole world, though he was maddened by the girl Passion, preferred to die rather than set his foot on the path of iniquity. He was a hero. He was the better of the two."
Then the goblin escaped by magic from the king's shoulder and went back. And the king pursued him, undiscouraged. No great man stops in the middle of the hardest undertaking.
"Shall I go into the fire or go home?"
Story DNA
Moral
True greatness lies in upholding virtue and duty, even at the cost of one's own life or desires.
Plot Summary
King Glorious falls deeply in love with Passion, a merchant's daughter he previously rejected due to false advice, and who is now married to his General, Force. Despite wasting away from unrequited love and being offered Passion by her loyal husband, King Glorious steadfastly refuses to commit the immoral act of taking another man's wife, choosing instead to die from his sorrow. General Force, out of devotion, then immolates himself. The framing goblin asks the king carrying him to judge who was more deserving, and the king argues that King Glorious's virtue in resisting temptation, despite his power, made him the greater of the two, causing the goblin to escape.
Themes
Emotional Arc
desire to tragic sacrifice
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
This story is part of a larger collection of frame stories, where a king is tasked with carrying a Vetala (goblin/vampire) and must answer riddles or moral dilemmas posed by the Vetala, or face consequences. The Vetala escapes if the king answers correctly, requiring him to recapture it.
Plot Beats (14)
- The framing king carries a goblin, who begins a story to entertain him.
- The goblin introduces King Glorious of Golden City, a virtuous ruler, and Passion, a merchant's daughter of unparalleled beauty.
- The merchant offers Passion to King Glorious, but his Brahmans, fearing the king would neglect his duties, falsely report her as having bad qualities.
- King Glorious rejects Passion and arranges her marriage to his General, Force.
- During a spring festival, King Glorious sees Passion on her balcony and is instantly smitten, fainting from her beauty.
- Upon learning she is the woman he rejected, King Glorious banishes the deceitful Brahmans and pines for Passion, wasting away.
- When advised to seize Passion, the king refuses, prioritizing his virtue.
- General Force, hearing of the king's suffering, offers his wife, Passion, to the king out of loyalty.
- King Glorious angrily refuses, stating that as a king, he must uphold virtue and cannot commit such a sin, even if it means his death.
- King Glorious dies from his unrequited love and commitment to virtue.
- General Force, unable to bear his king's death, commits suicide by burning himself alive.
- The goblin asks the framing king whether King Glorious or General Force was more deserving.
- The framing king argues that King Glorious was more deserving because he, as a powerful ruler, chose virtue over desire, a harder feat than a loyal servant's devotion.
- The goblin, having been answered correctly, escapes from the king's shoulder.
Characters
King Glorious
A man of regal bearing, likely of average height and a strong, well-proportioned build, reflecting his bravery and leadership. His features would be considered handsome, capable of inspiring love and loyalty. His skin tone would be consistent with someone from the Ganges region of ancient India.
Attire: Royal attire of ancient India, likely a finely woven dhoti or a long tunic (angarkha) made of silk or fine cotton, possibly in deep jewel tones like sapphire or emerald. He would wear minimal, elegant gold jewelry, such as a simple necklace or armbands, emphasizing his virtue over extravagance. His garments would be practical yet dignified, suitable for both court and public appearances.
Wants: To uphold dharma (righteousness) and maintain his kingdom's moral integrity, even at the cost of his own life and desires.
Flaw: His intense, consuming love for Passion, which ultimately leads to his physical decline and death.
Begins as a virtuous king who initially rejects Passion based on his Brahmans' advice. He then falls deeply in love with her, suffers greatly, and ultimately chooses death over committing an immoral act, solidifying his legacy as a truly great and virtuous ruler.
Virtuous, honorable, resolute, self-sacrificing, just.
Passion
A woman of extraordinary and captivating beauty, described as 'the gem of the three worlds.' Her physique would be graceful and alluring, with a presence that naturally draws all eyes. Her skin tone would be consistent with someone from the Ganges region of ancient India, perhaps with a radiant complexion.
Attire: Rich and elegant attire befitting a wealthy merchant's daughter and later a general's wife in ancient India. She would wear a beautifully draped silk sari or a lehenga-choli ensemble in vibrant colors like crimson or gold, possibly with intricate embroidery or brocade work. Her jewelry would be fine, perhaps gold bangles, earrings, and a delicate necklace, chosen to enhance her beauty without being overly ostentatious.
Wants: Initially, to marry a suitable husband. Later, to be seen and admired, perhaps to fulfill her destiny as a woman of unparalleled beauty.
Flaw: Her overwhelming beauty, which causes distress and suffering to those who behold her, and ultimately leads to the king's death.
Remains largely unchanged, serving as the catalyst for the king's moral dilemma and ultimate sacrifice. She lives happily with her husband, unaware of the profound impact she has on the king.
Alluring, captivating, perhaps a touch vain (as she intentionally goes out to be seen by the king), but otherwise seems to be a dutiful wife.
General Force
A man of strong build, befitting a general, likely of average to tall height. His appearance would reflect his loyalty and devotion, perhaps rugged but honorable. His skin tone would be consistent with someone from the Ganges region of ancient India.
Attire: Military attire of ancient India, perhaps a sturdy leather or quilted tunic (angarkha) over a dhoti, in practical colors like earthy browns or deep greens. He would wear minimal, functional jewelry, perhaps a simple bronze or iron armband. When in court, he might wear a slightly more ornate but still practical version of his uniform, emphasizing his role as a general.
Wants: To serve and protect his king, even to the point of sacrificing his own wife and life.
Flaw: His extreme devotion to the king, which leads him to offer his wife and ultimately take his own life.
Begins as a loyal general and devoted husband. Upon learning of the king's suffering, he offers his wife to the king and, after the king's death, commits suicide out of extreme devotion, solidifying his image as a blameless and faithful servant.
Loyal, devoted, self-sacrificing, honorable, obedient.
The Goblin
A small, possibly grotesque or mischievous-looking creature, light enough to be carried on a human's shoulder. Its features would be distinctively non-human, perhaps with pointed ears or unusual skin texture. Its overall appearance would suggest ancient origins and magical abilities.
Attire: No specific wardrobe mentioned, implying it might be unclothed or wear very simple, organic coverings that blend with its magical nature, perhaps made of leaves or rough fibers.
Wants: To challenge the king's wisdom and moral judgment, and to escape its current predicament.
Flaw: Bound by the rules of the curse, requiring the king to answer its questions correctly.
Remains consistent throughout the story, serving as the narrative device to present moral dilemmas to the king.
Cunning, philosophical (in its questioning), persistent, mischievous.
Locations
Golden City on the bank of the Ganges
A bustling ancient city, described as a place where 'a quarter of the old perfect virtue still lingers'. It is situated directly on the sacred Ganges river, implying a vibrant, spiritual, and prosperous urban environment.
Mood: Vibrant, virtuous, ancient, and bustling with life.
The primary setting for the entire narrative, where King Glorious rules and the merchant and General Force reside.
General Force's House Balcony
A specific balcony of General Force's house, from which Passion observes the spring festival procession. It is high enough to offer a view of the passing king and allows her to be seen by him.
Mood: Anticipatory, romantic, fateful.
Passion reveals herself to King Glorious, leading to his infatuation and the central conflict of the story.
King Glorious's Palace
The royal residence of King Glorious, where he conducts affairs of state, receives visitors, and ultimately wastes away from lovesickness. It is a place of power and virtue, where important decisions are made.
Mood: Regal, solemn, later sorrowful and somber.
The king makes decisions regarding Passion's marriage, later suffers from lovesickness, and ultimately dies here, upholding his virtue.