THIRTEENTH GOBLIN
by Unknown · from Twenty-Two Goblins. Translated from the Sanskrit
Adapted Version
Once, a King lived in a city. There was also a clever thief.
The city had many thieves. The King's guards could not catch them. So The King went out at night. He wore other clothes. He saw a clever thief. The King caught the thief. The King was very strong.
The King said the thief must die. It was a very big bad thing. People took the thief away. They took him to a special place. He was very sad.
Pearl saw the thief. He looked tired and sad. Pearl felt a strong feeling. She loved him very much. She told Pearl's Father. "Save him," she said. "I will stay with him always."
Pearl's Father loved Pearl. He went to The King. He offered much money. "Please free the thief," he said. The King said, "No." The King was fair.
Pearl's people were sad. They asked her to stop. But Pearl did not listen. She went to the thief. She wanted to be with him. She showed great love.
The thief saw Pearl. He knew her kind heart. He heard her sad story. He felt happy for her love. He was also surprised. He had a small smile. Then the thief died.
A strong god watched Pearl. His name was Shiva. Shiva saw Pearl's great love. He was happy with her. Shiva spoke from the sky. "Ask for one wish," he said.
Pearl asked for a wish. "My father has no son," she said. "Please give him many sons." Shiva heard her. He said, "Your father will have many sons."
Shiva liked Pearl's kind heart. "Ask for one more wish," he said. Pearl asked, "Make my husband live. Make him a good man." She loved him.
Shiva said, "It is done." The thief woke up. He was alive and well. He was a good man now. All were very surprised.
Pearl's Father was very happy. He hugged Pearl. The King heard the story. He was happy too. He made the thief a leader. The thief was special.
The thief married Pearl. They lived a good life. They were very happy. The thief was a kind man.
Original Story
THIRTEENTH GOBLIN
The Girl who showed Great Devotion to the Thief. Did he weep or laugh?
Then the king went back to the sissoo tree, put the goblin on his shoulder, and started. And as he walked along, the goblin said to him: "O King, I will tell you another story. Listen."
There is a city called Ayodhya, which was once the capital of Rama the exterminator of giants. In this city lived a strong-armed king named Hero-banner who protected the world as a wall protects a city. During his reign a great merchant named Jewel lived in the city. His wife was named Pleasing, and a daughter named Pearl was given to her prayers.
As the girl grew up in her father's house, her natural virtues grew too: beauty, charm, and modesty. And thus she became a young woman. Now in her young womanhood she was asked in marriage not only by great merchants, but even by kings. But she was prudent and did not like men. She would not have loved a god if he had been her husband. She was ready to die at merely hearing talk of her marriage. So her father was silent on the subject, though his tender love for her made him sad. And the story was known everywhere in Ayodhya.
At this time all the citizens were being plundered by thieves, and they petitioned King Hero-banner in these words: "O King, we are plundered every night by thieves, and cannot catch them. Your Majesty must decide what to do." So the king stationed night-watchmen in hiding about the city, to search out the thieves.
When the watchmen failed to catch the thieves for all their searching, the king himself took his sword, and wandered about alone at night. And he saw a man creeping along a wall with noiseless steps, often casting a fearful glance behind him. The king concluded that this was the thief who all alone robbed the city, and went up to him. And the thief asked him who he was. The king replied: "I am a thief."
Then the thief said joyfully: "Good! You are my friend. Come to my house. I will treat you like a friend." So the king agreed and went with the thief to a house hidden in a grove and guarded by a wall, full of delightful and beautiful things, and bright with shining gems. There the thief offered the king a seat, and went into an inner room.
At that moment a serving-maid came into the room and said to the king: "Your Majesty, why have you come into the jaws of death? This wonderful thief has gone out, intending to do you a mischief. He is certainly treacherous. Go away quickly."
So the king quickly went away, returned to the city, and drew up a company of soldiers. With these soldiers he went and surrounded the house where the serving-maid had been.
When the thief saw that the house was surrounded, he knew that he was betrayed, and came out to fight and die like a man. He showed more than human valour. He cut off the trunks of elephants, the legs of horses, and the heads of men; and he was all alone, with only his sword and shield. When the king saw that his army was destroyed, he ran forward himself.
The king was a scientific swordsman, so with a turn of his wrist he sent the sword and the dagger flying from the thief's hand. Then he threw away his own sword, wrestled with the thief, threw him, and took him alive.
The next morning the thief was led to the place of execution to be impaled, and the drums were beaten. And Pearl, the merchant's daughter, saw him from her balcony. All bloody and dusty as he was, she went mad with love, found her father, and said to him: "Father, I am going to marry that thief who is being led to execution. You must save him from the king. Otherwise I shall die with him."
But her father said: "What do you mean, my daughter? That thief stole everything the citizens had, and the king's men are going to kill him. How can I save him from the king? Besides, what nonsense are you talking?" But the more he scolded, the more determined she became. And as he loved his daughter, he went to the king and offered all he had for the release of the thief.
With a turn of the wrist he sent the dagger flying from the chief's hand.
But the king would not be tempted by millions. He would not release the thief who stole everything, whom he had captured at the risk of his life. So the father returned home sadly. And the girl, not heeding the arguments of her relatives, took a bath, entered a litter, and went to the death-scene of the rogue, to die with him. Her parents and her relatives followed her, weeping.
At that moment the executioners impaled the thief. As his life ebbed away, he saw the girl and the people with her, and learned her story. Then the tears rolled down his cheeks, but he died with a smile on his lips.
The faithful girl took the thief's body from the stake, and mounted the pyre to burn herself. But the blessed god Shiva was staying invisibly in the cemetery, and at that moment he spoke from the sky: "O faithful wife, I am pleased with your constancy to the husband of your choice. Choose whatever boon you will from me."
The girl worshipped the gracious god and chose her boon: "O blessed one, my father has no son. May he have a hundred. Otherwise his childless life would end when I am gone."
And the god spoke again from the sky: "O faithful wife, your father shall have a hundred sons. But choose another boon. A woman faithful as you are deserves more than the little thing you asked."
Then she said: "O god, if I have won your favour, may this my husband live and always be a good man."
The invisible Shiva spoke from the sky: "So be it. Your husband shall be made alive and well. He shall be a good man, and King Hero-banner shall be pleased with him."
Then the thief arose at once, alive and well. And the merchant Jewel was overjoyed and astonished. He took Pearl and the thief, his son-in-law, went home with his rejoicing relatives, and made a feast great as his own delight, in honour of the sons he was to have.
And the king was pleased when he learned the story, and in recognition of the stupendous courage of the thief, he appointed him general at once. The thief reformed, married the merchant's daughter, and lived happily with her, devoted to virtue.
When the goblin had told this story, he reminded the king of the curse, and said: "O king, when the thief on the stake saw the merchant's daughter approaching with her father, did he weep or laugh? Tell me."
And the king answered: "He thought: 'I can make no return to this merchant for his unselfish friendship.' Therefore he wept from grief. And he also thought: 'Why does this girl reject kings and fall in love with a thief like me? How strange women are!' Therefore he laughed from astonishment."
When the goblin heard this, he immediately slipped from the king's shoulder and escaped to his home. But the king was not discouraged. He followed him to the sissoo tree.
Story DNA
Moral
True devotion and virtue can lead to miraculous transformations and a path to redemption.
Plot Summary
In the city of Ayodhya, a valiant king captures a notorious thief. The thief is condemned to death, but a merchant's daughter, Pearl, falls deeply in love with him and vows to die by his side. Despite her father's pleas and the king's refusal to release the thief, Pearl goes to the execution. As the thief dies, he weeps from gratitude for her devotion and laughs from astonishment at her choice. Pearl prepares to commit Sati, but the god Shiva intervenes, granting her boons that result in her father having many sons and the thief being resurrected, reformed, and appointed a general by the king, leading to their happy marriage.
Themes
Emotional Arc
suffering to triumph
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
The story is part of a larger frame narrative involving a king and a goblin (Vetala Panchavimshati or Baital Pachisi), where the goblin tells stories and poses riddles. The concept of Sati, while historically practiced, is presented here in a mythological context of divine intervention.
Plot Beats (16)
- The goblin begins a story for the king about the city of Ayodhya, King Hero-banner, and a merchant's daughter named Pearl who rejects all marriage proposals.
- Thieves plague the city, and after his watchmen fail, King Hero-banner disguises himself and captures the lone, valiant thief.
- The thief is condemned to impalement and led to execution.
- Pearl, seeing the bloody and dusty thief, falls instantly in love and demands her father save him, threatening to die with him.
- Pearl's father offers all his wealth to the king for the thief's release, but the king refuses.
- Pearl, ignoring her family, goes to the execution site to die with the thief.
- As the thief is impaled, he sees Pearl and learns her story, weeping from gratitude for her devotion and laughing from astonishment at her choice, then dies.
- Pearl takes the thief's body and prepares to commit Sati on a pyre.
- The god Shiva, pleased with her constancy, appears invisibly and offers her a boon.
- Pearl first asks for her father to have a hundred sons, which Shiva grants.
- Shiva, impressed, offers another boon, and Pearl asks for her husband, the thief, to be brought back to life as a good man.
- Shiva grants this, and the thief immediately revives, reformed and well.
- Pearl's father is overjoyed, and the king, learning the story, appoints the now-reformed thief as his general.
- The thief marries Pearl and lives virtuously and happily.
- The goblin asks the king whether the thief wept or laughed, and the king correctly identifies both emotions and their reasons.
- The goblin, defeated, escapes from the king's shoulder.
Characters
The Goblin
Small, grotesque, and mischievous creature. Its skin is likely greenish or earthy-toned, with sharp features and possibly pointed ears. Agile and quick, able to slip away easily.
Attire: Simple, tattered garments made of natural fibers, possibly adorned with bits of bone or shiny trinkets. Nothing elaborate, designed for stealth and movement.
Wants: To challenge the king's wisdom and perhaps to escape its current predicament (being carried by the king).
Flaw: Bound by certain rules or curses, making it vulnerable to the king's correct answers.
Remains largely unchanged, serving as a narrative device to test the king.
Mischievous, cunning, philosophical, persistent, observant.
The King (Hero-banner)
A strong-armed, imposing figure, likely tall and muscular, reflecting his warrior status and ability to protect his city. His physique suggests a life of combat and physical prowess.
Attire: Royal attire of ancient India: a finely woven silk dhoti, possibly a angavastram (upper cloth) draped over his shoulders, and minimal, elegant gold jewelry. His clothing would be practical for combat yet indicative of his status, perhaps in rich jewel tones like sapphire or emerald.
Wants: To protect his city and its citizens from thieves, uphold justice, and fulfill his royal duties.
Flaw: His unwavering commitment to justice can make him inflexible, even when presented with pleas for mercy.
His wisdom is tested and affirmed through the goblin's stories, reinforcing his role as a just ruler.
Brave, just, persistent, wise, strategic, disciplined.
Pearl
A young woman of exceptional beauty and charm, with a delicate yet determined build. Her appearance would be consistent with a merchant's daughter in ancient India, suggesting grace and refinement.
Attire: Elegant but not overly ostentatious clothing, befitting a wealthy merchant's daughter. A flowing, richly colored lehenga or sari made of fine cotton or silk, perhaps in shades of rose or saffron, with subtle embroidery. Simple, tasteful gold jewelry like bangles and earrings.
Wants: Initially, to avoid marriage. Later, to save the Thief and then to ensure her father's lineage and her husband's well-being.
Flaw: Her intense, almost irrational devotion to the Thief, which leads her to extreme actions.
Transforms from a reclusive girl avoiding marriage into a fiercely devoted wife whose actions earn divine intervention, ultimately leading to a happy, virtuous life.
Beautiful, modest, prudent, fiercely devoted, unwavering, compassionate, unconventional.
The Thief
A strong and agile man, capable of incredible feats of strength and combat. His body would be lean and muscular, built for stealth and fighting. Initially, he is described as 'bloody and dusty' from battle and capture.
Attire: Simple, dark, and practical clothing suitable for stealth and combat, likely made of coarse cotton or linen. Perhaps a dark tunic and trousers, with minimal adornment. After his transformation, he would wear more respectable attire, possibly similar to a general's uniform in ancient India.
Wants: Initially, to plunder and survive. Later, to live a virtuous life and honor his wife's devotion.
Flaw: His initial life of crime and treachery, which leads to his capture and near-death.
Undergoes a dramatic transformation from a condemned criminal to a virtuous man, resurrected by divine intervention, and appointed a general, living happily and devoted to virtue.
Cunning, brave, treacherous (initially), valiant, resourceful, ultimately good-hearted, astonished, grateful.
Jewel
A wealthy merchant, likely well-fed and of a respectable build, reflecting his prosperity. He would carry himself with the dignity of a successful businessman.
Attire: Rich, but not overly flashy, merchant attire of ancient India. A fine cotton or silk dhoti and a matching kurta, perhaps in deep blues or greens, with minimal, elegant gold jewelry like a ring or a simple necklace. His clothes would be clean and well-maintained.
Wants: To ensure his daughter's happiness and well-being, and later, to celebrate his new son-in-law and the promise of many sons.
Flaw: His tender love for his daughter makes him susceptible to her strong will.
Experiences sorrow and frustration due to his daughter's unconventional choices, but ultimately finds immense joy and satisfaction with the outcome.
Wealthy, loving father, concerned, generous (offering all his wealth), overjoyed.
The Serving-Maid
A humble and observant woman, likely of average build and height, consistent with her role as a servant in ancient India.
Attire: Plain, functional clothing made of coarse cotton, perhaps a simple sari or a tunic and skirt in muted colors like earthy browns or off-white, without any adornment.
Wants: To warn the king of danger, possibly out of a sense of duty or fear for his life.
Flaw: Her subordinate position, which limits her ability to act more directly.
A brief but pivotal role, she acts as a catalyst for the king's capture of the thief.
Observant, loyal (to the king, or perhaps to justice), courageous (to warn the king), quick-thinking.
Shiva
Invisible, but when manifesting or implied, he would embody the traditional iconography of Shiva: powerful, serene, with a blue throat and a third eye, often associated with asceticism and destruction/creation. His presence is felt as a divine voice.
Attire: Not explicitly seen, but traditionally depicted wearing a tiger skin or simple ascetic garments, adorned with rudraksha beads and snakes.
Wants: To reward true devotion and constancy, and to uphold dharma (righteousness).
Flaw: None apparent, as a supreme deity.
Intervenes directly to reward Pearl's devotion, demonstrating divine justice and mercy.
Gracious, benevolent, powerful, pleased by devotion, generous.
Locations
City of Ayodhya
An ancient, bustling city, once the capital of Rama, protected by King Hero-banner. It is a place where merchants thrive and citizens live, but also where thieves operate under the cover of night.
Mood: Initially secure and prosperous, later tense due to widespread thievery, then restored to peace.
The primary setting for the entire narrative, where Jewel and Pearl live, and where the thievery and subsequent events unfold.
Thief's Hidden House
A secluded house, hidden within a grove and protected by a wall. It is described as being full of delightful and beautiful things, and bright with shining gems, suggesting opulence acquired through illicit means.
Mood: Mysterious, opulent, and initially welcoming but quickly revealed to be dangerous and treacherous.
The king, disguised as a thief, is invited here by the actual thief. It's where the king learns of the thief's treacherous nature and where the confrontation between the king's army and the thief takes place.
Place of Execution / Cemetery
A public space where executions are carried out, marked by the presence of an impaling stake. Later, it is revealed to be a cemetery, where the god Shiva invisibly resides.
Mood: Somber, tragic, filled with public spectacle and sorrow, but ultimately transformed by divine intervention into a place of miracles.
The thief is led here for execution. Pearl declares her love and vows to die with him. Shiva appears and grants boons, bringing the thief back to life and transforming the tragic scene into one of divine intervention and joy.