Story of the Burong Geruda and the Raja 

 Merong Mahawangsa. 



By Hon. E. N. Bland from the Kedah Annals. 



After the war of Sri Rama and Raja Hancluman, the 

 Island of Langka Puri was deserted except by the bird " Ge- 

 ruda." The Geruda was a descendant of Raja Dewa. He 

 was exceedingly wise and powerful. All birds and beasts 

 feared him. 



One day the Eagle came and said to him " Has the news 

 " reached you Geruda that the Raja of Rum is going to 

 "marry his son to the daughter of the Emperor of China? 

 " These countries are very far apart, one at the rising, the 

 " other at the setting of the Sun; the sultan is sending his son 

 " with a mighty fleet. They are even now weighing anchor and 

 " setting sail. The Cockatoo gave me the news. He saw the 

 " messengers who went backwards and forwards. Then I the 

 " Eagle flew upwards and saw that his report was true." 

 Then said the Geruda to the Eagle " Such arrogance can not 

 be allowed and I will consult the Nabi Suleiman about it." 

 So the Geruda flew to the throne of the Nabi Suleiman and 

 told him what he had heard about the marriage of the prince 

 and princess saying that such a match was not meet or fitting 

 the countries being so far apart. Said the Nabi: " If it is the 

 "will of Allah, no one can separate them." Then said the 

 Geruda : " Give me this task and if I do not succeed let me 

 " be banished from the sky, and the earth, and all abodes of 

 "men." "Be it so," replied the Nabi, "do what is in your 

 " power with this condition that you must tell me whatever 

 "you do." Bowing before the throne, the bird Geruda promised 

 and departed. 



He flew far over the sea to the land of China. There he 

 saw the princess playing in a- garden with a companion and 



Jour. Straits Branch R. A. Soc, No. 54. 190& 



