THE WOMAN, THE BIRD, AND THE OTTER 403 



The bird Teong, who had heard she was beautiful, 

 saw her and he liked her much. He flew to a tree from 

 which he could get a good look at her where she was husk- 

 ing the paddi. In admiration he jumped from branch to 

 branch until a dead one broke which fell down and 

 wounded young Otter in the river under the tree. The 

 mother of Otter became angry with Bird Teong for the 

 injury. "I have been in this tree quite a while," Bird 

 answered, "because I like to look at that woman. I did 

 not know Otter was underneath. If you want damages, 

 ask that woman there." "Why should I pay Otter?" 

 the woman said. "I did not call Bird Teong. I have 

 just finished pounding and am going to cook fish. This 

 case we will settle to-morrow. I am hungry now." She 

 went away and so did Bird and Otter. She cooked rice 

 in one bamboo and the fish in another. Then she ate, 

 after which she went to the river as the sun was setting, 

 to take her bath. She soon went to sleep. 



Early the next morning she made her usual tour to 

 the river to bring water and take her bath, and when 

 she had eaten, Bird and Otter arrived. Otter wanted 

 damages from Bird, and Bird insisted that the woman 

 should pay. She repeated that she knew nothing of Bird 

 and had not asked him to come. As they were arguing, 

 to her great relief her husband arrived. He brought 

 many prisoners and many heads. "It is well you have 

 come," she said. "Bird and Otter have made a case 

 against me. I was husking paddi, and Bird liked to look 

 at me. I did not know he was there in the tree for a long 

 time. A branch fell down and wounded Otter's child, 



