30 A PELANDOK TALE. 



The tiger went close to look at the python and said, " Hei 

 Salam di Rimba, what is this called ? ? ' 



The pelandok replied, " This is what I have been ordered 

 by my lord King Solomon to take care of. It is called King 

 Solomon's waist-cloth. This handsome cloth descended to 

 him from his ancestors. Its great charm lies in the fact that 

 it prevents one from dying. If it is worn for an hour, you are 

 not likely to die for at least a year after that." 



The tiger thought, perhaps what he says is true, so he 

 said " Hei Salam di Rimba let me put it on for an hour, for I 

 am not very well able to search after my food." 



Then Salam di Rimba replied, " Hei Ka Sang Rimau, 

 just reflect a moment. Is it right ? I nor my ancestors have 

 never seen a cloth like this, let alone possessed one. This is 

 King Solomon's own and I have been ordered by him to take 

 care of it. Still if you are really want to try it, wait a bit till 

 I first go and lay your request before King Solomon." 



The tiger said, " Make haste Salam di Rimba. for I am 

 very hungry." 



So the pelandok rushed off swiftly- A little later he 

 called out from a distance. " Ho Ka Sang Rimau, put it on, 

 put it on." 



So the tiger took the python's head and put it round his 

 waist. The snake gave him a terrific squeeze and the tiger 

 jumped here and there like a stuck fowl, half dead, struggling 

 to escape from the snake's coils. At last he managed to get 

 free. He was till more incensed against the pelandok. He 

 went on his way looking out for some food, and peering here 

 and there for the pelandok. The pelandok also went away from 

 that place. At last about five or six days after, he met the tiger. 

 The tiger said, " This very day your doom has newly overtaken 

 you Salam di Rimba." 



The pelandok answered, "What is to be done? Still 

 I would like to ask you one thing." 



The tiger said, '■ What do you want to ask ? " 



Jour, Straits Branch, 



