10 HIKAYAT SERI RAMA. 
people and, informing them that the Princess was pregnant 
gave orders that there should be general rejoicings. Religious 
men (Lébais, Hajis, Imams and Khatibs) were to be assembled, 
and there were to be readings of the Koran and unlimited 
feasting. This was duly carried out, and the rejoicings went 
on until the time for the child’s birth approached. The main 
building was duly prepared for the event and a crowd of Chiefs 
and attendants assembled, but to the horror of everyone, when 
the King’s heir was born it turned out to be an infant monkey, 
“not thicker than a man’s forearm.’ There was some discus- 
sion as to how the news was to be conveyed to Séri Rama and 
who was to ask him, according to custom, to name the new- 
born infant, but at length the eldest of the nurses under- 
took the commission, and presented herself before the King. 
Her speech is a characteristic specimen of the way in which a 
Malay sets to work to break an unwelcome piece of news to a 
Raja. © Pardon, my Lord, a thousand pardons, I prostrate 
myself in the dust before your Highness’ feet. I, your 
old servant, would make known that there is a matter 
which it is difficult either to impart or to withhold, I am 
fearful of mentioning it to your Highness, but if it shall not be 
imputed to me as a fault, I will do so; if I am to ineur your 
Highness’ wrath by informing you, I ask permission to retire, 
but if you approve, I will speak.” : 
Of course the King commanded her to speak; on hearing 
the news he said nothing, but left the naming of his first-born 
to the old woman, who accordingly called him Kéra Kéchil 
Imam Térgangga. In seven days the monkey was able to go 
alone to the great hall to play, and when he was forty-four 
days old he was strong enough to roam about the country from 
hamlet to hamlet amusing himself. He used to absent himself 
all day, and returned home in the evening. His father sat at 
home alone, overcome with grief and shame at the thought of 
the nature of his offspring. For three months and ten days he 
sat pondering in this way, and then again he summoned his 
Chiefs and people to hear a plan which he had resolved on. 
He had decided to rid himself of the animal which was a stand- 
Jour. Straits Branch 
