Reading Notes: Inayat's Twenty Jataka Tales, Part B

• The Two Pigs
• Two little pigs were abandoned (presumably) at the side of a village road
• A little old woman comes along and sees them, and tells them to come into her cotton basket and come home with her; she will be their mother
• She laughed and smiled and was happy as could be, and named the elder one Mahatundila and the younger Cullatundila
• Years passed and the little old woman fed and loved the two pigs as her own children
• But one day a big feast was held in the village nearby
• The men were all very drunk and had eaten all the meat in the village, and were unsatisfied and wanted more
• They go to the little old woman and offer her money for her pigs. She says no; does one give away one's children for money?
• The men made her drink, and asked her again for the pigs when she was drunk
• So she says, I cannot give you Mahat, but take Culla.
• She puts rice in the little bowl at the door and calls for Culla.
• Mahat hears the call and thinks, Mother has never called Culla first; she always calls me first. What danger is upon us today?
• Culla goes to the old woman, but sees the bowl and the men with ropes, and he turns back and goes to Mahat, trembling with fear, and explains
• Mahat tells him not to grieve, that for this day they have been reared and fed, and tells him to go answer Mother's call
• Moved by the tears in his brother's eyes, Mahat says this: "Bathe in the pool of water as on a bright feast-day, and you shall find a perfume that never fades away."
• As he spoke all the world changed. The little flowers opened up their hearts to hear, the trees bent over, the wind became silent, and the birds tarried in their flight. The men and old woman were instantly sobered and dropped the ropes. His voice reached into the city and was heard by thousands of citizens, rich and poor. All were moved to tears and drawn towards the little house where they crowded around
• But Culla, not being a very bright pig, was confused. 
• He asks why his brother spoke those words, as they had never bathed in a pool of water nor do they find perfume. So he asks what they are
• Mahat answers, and the great crowd was silent.
• "The pool of water is love, and love is the fragrance that never fades away. Be not sad brother, be not sad to leave this world. Many stay and are unhappy, many leave and joy is theirs."
• The sweet voice reaches even to the king, who cries as well.
• The crowd waved their hands and uttered loud and joyful cries. They then brought the pigs to the palace
• The King demands that the brothers be bathed in the sweetest perfume and clad in silken garments. They were given jewels to hang around their necks, and dwelt with the King in the palace
• All disputes were brought to Mahat, the blessed one, and settled by him
• Finally, in fullness of years, the King died and Mahat and Culla left the city to dwell in the forest, to the great grief of the people of Benares, who wept as they departed
• However, the reign of justice endured, and the people continued to dwell together in amity
• And all lived happily ever after.
• Bibliography: Twenty Jataka Tales by Noor Inayat (link)

Two Pigs (Ruben van Kuik, link)