439: Indian folklore: Guess I'll Die

Summary

Myths and Legends Episode 439: Indian folklore – Guess I'll Die

Podcast: Myths and Legends
Hosts: Jason Weiser & Carissa Weiser
Air Date: July 15, 2026
Theme: An epic South Indian folktale about fate, prophecy, trust, betrayal, and supernatural friendship—with a twist of humor and modern commentary.

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Episode Overview

This episode retells a classic Indian folktale collected by Tamil pandit Matissa Sastry and published in English by Georgiana Kingscote in 1890. The story follows Gangathara, the son of a soothsayer, whose life unfolds under the shadow of an ominous prophecy: poverty, ten years’ imprisonment, death by the sea, and—after all that—some happiness. Along the way, Gangathara's steadfast character and trust are tested as he rescues unlikely companions (a tiger, a serpent, a rat, and a goldsmith) and suffers betrayal, supernatural intervention, imprisonment, and even a taste of death.

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Key Discussion Points & Story Beats

The Soothsayer’s Prophecy (00:00–05:36)

• The episode opens on Gangathara and his older brother at their father's deathbed. The soothsayer predicts his own moment of death and leaves everything to his older son, while Gangathara receives only a cupboard—but more importantly, a horoscope and prophecy.

  • Prophecy's content: Poverty, 10 years’ imprisonment, death on the seashore, and "some happiness afterward."
  • Notable Quote:
    “It’s nearly time. No person can see beyond this life, so I know not what I’ll do next, but I will do what I can for you in this life.” – The Soothsayer ([01:09])

• Gangathara, pragmatic and fatalistic, refuses to counteract his fate by taking any inheritance.

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Journey and the Well of Talking Animals (06:52–15:55)

• Facing his predicted doom, Gangathara travels to bathe in the holy Ganges and stumbles, parched and desperate, upon a ruined well.

• Inside, he finds:

  • The talking Tiger King: begs to be rescued, pledges lifelong friendship ("Always watching. Even in the bathroom? Especially in the bathroom. You know how many snakes like a quiet, cool place to sleep?" – Tiger, [09:56])
  • A serpent, a rat, and a human goldsmith also trapped.

• Despite repeated warnings from all the animals that humans—especially the goldsmith—are untrustworthy, Gangathara rescues everyone.

  • Notable Quote:
    “I’m not just going to leave him to die based on all of your prejudices.” – Gangathara ([13:35])

• The rescued goldsmith, Manakashiri, immediately offers an insincere promise of loyalty and later gives Gangathara directions to find him if he needs help.

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Religious Pilgrimage and Supernatural Rewards (19:07–22:58)

• After 10 years of religious austerity, Gangathara—still dodging the sea—returns to the well.
• The animal kings reunite and reward him for their salvation:
  • The Tiger King delivers a gold crown.
  • The Rat and the Serpent bring jewels and coins.
  • Humorous camaraderie and banter return ("Way to ruin the surprise," complains the Rat when the Tiger announces they brought treasure, [21:49]).

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Betrayal and Imprisonment (22:58–31:40)

• Gangathara seeks out the goldsmith Manakashiri to melt down the conspicuous crown. Predictably, the goldsmith betrays him to the city’s prince, accusing Gangathara of regicide for possessing the late king's crown.

  • Notable Quote:
    “He confessed to it. Said he bribed the hunters to lie for him. Wanted me to melt down your father’s crown so he could bribe more people to kill you. That’s how much he loves regicide.” – Goldsmith ([26:25])

• Gangathara is thrown into a corpse-filled dungeon, "the Pit," meant to starve prisoners to death.

• Due to the prophecy, no violence can harm him, and attempts to strangle or bite him are futile and even comically ineffective ("…it was maybe as strangled as like wearing a turtleneck shirt." – Gangathara, [30:17]).

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Surviving the Impossible (31:40–39:19)

• Bored and hungry, Gangathara calls for supernatural help. The Rat King tunnels into the cell, leading an army of rats to supply (somewhat disgusting) food and water.
• The Tiger and Serpent Kings let loose devastation on the kingdom: tigers attack and serpents poison, driving the populace to despair and shaking the king’s rule.
• For ten years, Gangathara survives, the city's woes mounting in his name as the prophecy is fulfilled.

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Restoration: Miracles and Coronation (42:23–48:41)

• Eventually, a coincidence (the princess succumbing to a serpent bite) prompts the now-king to reconsider. Gangathara is discovered alive and, mistaken for a divine being after surviving ten years in the pit, is released.

• The animal kings provide magical resurrection elixirs:

  • The Serpent’s potion revives from venom and even death
  • The Tiger’s… (dubiously) protects against tiger attacks.

• Gangathara saves the princess, resurrects the recently dead, and brings peace with tigers and serpents after an audience in the forest, exposing the wrongful imprisonment and betrayal.

• The king begs forgiveness, and Gangathara is offered the princess’s hand and, later, the kingdom. The goldsmith’s treachery is revealed and, after some debate, he is pardoned at Gangathara’s request (though the hosts openly question its wisdom).

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Fulfillment of Fate and Divine Comedy (48:41–57:49)

• Gangathara, weary from twenty years of prophecy-driven living, sets out to see his brother.

• Finally, the prophecy unfolds:

  • On the road, Gangathara collapses and dies near the seashore, his brother by his side, precisely as foretold.

• His brother carries the body to a temple of Ganesh (the elephant-headed god) and prays for a miracle.

• The gods’ servants ("gunnas/gannas"), finding Gangathara’s body irresistibly sweet due to his "sweetmeats-only" diet (a comical misreading: sweetmeats = sweets, not meats), eat the corpse. Ganesh fixes the issue by resurrecting Gangathara from mud and water, bringing the prophecy full circle: “Death on the seashore, and some happiness afterward.“ ([56:09]–[57:27])

• Gangathara marries the princess and reigns wisely and benignly. Even the goldsmith seeks forgiveness and a better path.

• Insightful Final Reflection by Jason ([58:19]):

  • The story’s approach to prophecy: Unlike Greek myths, Gangathara accepts his fate, and rather than causing his doom, his faith and virtue guide him through suffering to happiness.
  • Memorable Quote:
    “His resurrection has nothing to do with him, but by showing that even the powerful and eternal both struggle with appetite and temptation and have the desire to make things right… there truly was no enemy in this story.” – Jason ([58:36])

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Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Prophesy:
  “You don't forget the death prophecy that for the last 20 years has defined your life.” – Jason ([48:05])

• On Friendship:
  “Always watching. Even in the bathroom? Especially in the bathroom.” – Tiger ([09:56])

• On Human Nature:
  “But it's a snake, a rat and a man-eating tiger. I mean they're archetypal traitors.” – Carissa ([14:52])

• On Betrayal & Forgiveness:
  “To me it seems like pardoning someone for malicious behavior if they haven't changed or expressed remorse at all, is probably going to lead to more malicious behavior.” – Carissa ([47:44])

• Comic Relief (Food Metaphors):
  “So by the logic of you are what you eat, the all sweet meat diet meant he was sweet meat… as we’re supposed to understand it, Gangathara at this point was something literally akin to cake.” – Jason ([54:40], [55:18])

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Mini-Creature Feature: Denpachi Kitsune (60:11–64:07)

• The episode closes with the story of Denpachi Kitsune, a fox spirit who excelled at a raucous Buddhist university in Japan and, after exposure, became the temple’s supernatural protector.
  • Memorable Line:
    “A yokai. Denpachi not only studied, but he was the best of the students.” – Carissa ([62:58])

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Structure & Timestamps

• Prophecy & Departure: 00:00–05:36
• The Well & Animal Rescue: 06:52–15:55
• Ten Years' Pilgrimage: 19:07–22:58
• Goldsmith’s Betrayal & Imprisonment: 22:58–31:40
• Surviving the Corpse Hole: 31:40–39:19
• Revelation & Miracles: 42:23–48:41
• Death, Resurrection, and “Some Happiness”: 48:41–57:49
• Final Analysis: 58:19–59:21
• Creature of the Week: 60:11–64:07

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Tone & Language

• Richly humorous, modern, and irreverent, with asides and witty commentary.
• Faithful to the folktale’s original events but always filtered through Jason and Carissa’s playful, witty narration style.
• Memorable moments often hinge on the intersection of the fantastic and the absurd (e.g. the talking tiger's bathroom vigilance, the sweetmeats confusion, or divine beings with all-too-human flaws).

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Key Insights

• On Prophecy: The story explores the inevitability of fate, but also the virtue of acceptance. Gangathara, by trusting the prophecy, paradoxically gains the courage for wise action—contrasting familiar “self-fulfilling” prophecy stories in mythology.
• On Betrayal: Animal characters (tiger, snake, rat) symbolize classic treachery, but here, the real betrayal is from the goldsmith—a reminder that malice is rooted in specific choices more than in archetype.
• On Redemption and Justice: Degrees of forgiveness and reform are weighed, especially regarding the goldsmith; both the folktale and the hosts question the wisdom of easy pardons.
• On the Supernatural: Everyday wisdom is blended with magical logic (resurrection potions, animal alliances), always undercut with a dose of skeptical humor and contemporary reference.

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Engaging, Full-Circle Ending

• The story closes with Gangathara's literal and figurative resurrection: his fate fulfilled, happiness attained, and lessons on fate, kindness, and cunning both for him and those who wronged him.
• Hosts muse on the story’s surprising outlook and how it subverts familiar tropes.

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Highly recommended for listeners who enjoy:

• Humorous, modern retellings of world folklore
• Subtle philosophical reflections on fate and morality
• Animal companions with attitude
• Metafictional commentary and comic timing

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[End of Episode Summary]

Transcript

[Jason Weiser]

This week on Myths and Legends, we have a story from India about fate,

[Carissa Weiser]

trust and how if you ever get

[Jason Weiser]

tossed into a corpse hole prison, you

[Carissa Weiser]

want to remember who your friends are.

[Jason Weiser]

The creature this time is the best student in your school who might actually

[Carissa Weiser]

be a secret monster.

[Jason Weiser]

This is Myths and Legends, episode 439 Guess I'll die. This is a podcast where we tell stories from mythology and folklore. Some are incredibly popular tales you might think you know, but with surprising origins. Others are stories that might be new to you, but are definitely worth a listen. Today we're in the folklore of South India, specifically Hindi folklore, and that's really as specific as I can get without guessing. The story today was collected from oral tales by a Tamil pandit named Matissa Sastry and told to the writer Georgiana Kingscote, to be published in English in 1890. We'll jump in with a soothsayer on his deathbed, which of course he definitely saw coming.

[Carissa Weiser]

The sons of the soothsayer held their father's hand as he lay on his deathbed. The physician said this day would be his last, but they didn't know the hour. They weren't, well, fortune tellers like the man lying in bed.

[Jason Weiser]

I have 1 minute and 45 seconds

[Carissa Weiser]

left, my boys, he said to the young men, rolling his eyes. The physician at the foot of the bed muttered that he couldn't possibly, possibly know that. Oh, that physician will question it, and then he'll see the horoscope and be silenced, the soothsayer stated. It's nearly time. No person can see beyond this life, so I know not what I'll do next, but I will do what I can for you in this life. Eyes growing dim, the soothsayer called for his older son. I'm here, father. The son choked back the tears. To you, I give my home, my estate, my horses, my gold, my silver, all my property.

[Jason Weiser]

Everything.

[Carissa Weiser]

The soothsayer mustered a smile. I'm not ready to say goodbye. I would give it all back for another year, another day with you. The son cried, his face bursting as he buried it in his father's chest. It was sad, definitely. But the younger son, Gangata, he had questions.

[Jason Weiser]

He didn't care about stuff, truly. It's just.

[Carissa Weiser]

Well, his brother's inheritance was everything. And the definition of everything was, well, everything. And to you, my second son. The father gestured to the cupboard. I get the cupboard. The father vigorously shook his head, though it pained him. That was how ridiculous he found the idea of his second son getting the cupboard. Something Inside, the physician said, and the soothsayer nodded. Sliding the drawer open. The physician pulled out some papers and gasped, he's dead. The physician read and looked up to confirm it was true.

[Jason Weiser]

The soothsayer was dead at just the

[Carissa Weiser]

moment he had predict. I mean, it's technically my money now, the older brother informed the younger. So I can split it with you. The younger Gangathara sipped at the tea, looking over the horoscope once more. No, he appreciated it, but it was not what dad wanted. Their father had never been wrong, ever even managing to predict the moment of his death. It would be foolish to defy him now. Well, okay, but can you make heads

[Jason Weiser]

or tails of the horoscope?

[Carissa Weiser]

Older Brother asked.

[Jason Weiser]

Kunkatara said it was actually really straightforward

[Carissa Weiser]

and also completely confusing. Here he read the words, which I won't attempt, but it said essentially from the father's death.

[Jason Weiser]

Poverty.

[Carissa Weiser]

That tracks. Technically, older Brother said, you were in your father's house. And now I have all his money. So yeah, gungothara agreed. Then the prophecy said for 10 years imprisonment, a fate harder than poverty. That's not great.

[Jason Weiser]

Oh, just wait, goongathra said, then pointed

[Carissa Weiser]

to the next line. Death on the seashore.

[Jason Weiser]

Oh, then there's this.

[Carissa Weiser]

Gongathara pointed to the last line. I'll have some happiness afterward. Both brothers sat in silence. Well, I guess you don't have to worry if there's an afterlife because you'll

[Jason Weiser]

be happy, older Brother said.

[Carissa Weiser]

That his best consolation was also his most tepid was not lost on his younger brother. I don't think that's what that means, goongathra said. Their father had spoken about how no one could see beyond the veil of death, so even he had no idea what waited in the hereafter. Also, some happiness doesn't sound like paradise, does it? Father could be wrong. No, he was never wrong. Goongathra folded the paper.

[Jason Weiser]

Older Brother took a deep breath. Okay.

[Carissa Weiser]

Now more than ever, Younger Brother needed to take his share of the father's estate. That way he wouldn't be in poverty. Therefore the chain would be broken or you lose half of your inheritance. Because I'm destined to live in poverty, Goongathra said.

[Jason Weiser]

No. There was no way out.

[Carissa Weiser]

No, I'm leaving. I will prepare for my death. I will bathe in the holy Ganges, washing away my sins. I won't hasten my death, though I'll avoid the sea imprisonment if it truly lasts only 10 years. That I can manage. So after his father's funeral, Gungathra took leave of his older brother and started for Varanasi, where he would bathe in the Ganges. The trip was long, but he was fine with that. I don't want to generalize too much, but I feel like death to a normal young man is still a concept, a theoretical. It's coming for all of us, of course, but it seems far off. Not to Gangathara, who had to confront his own mortality. Yes, he had 10 years, but after that he would be gone. And those 10 years that he was guaranteed would be in prison. So he didn't mind a bit of an extra walk through the mountains. And it seemed a desert.

[Jason Weiser]

All this talk of death was actually

[Carissa Weiser]

a comfort because until he was imprisoned for 10 years, he was functionally immortal. When his water ran out in the middle of the desert, he reasoned that

[Jason Weiser]

he couldn't be farther, in a figurative

[Carissa Weiser]

sense, from the sea coast. So he was safe.

[Jason Weiser]

Safe but thirsty.

[Carissa Weiser]

Courting heatstroken, he jogged along the desert until off in the distance, he spotted a ruined well. The good thing about wells was that if the hole was still going down to water, it was kind of hard for it to not be working. It's like an old Mitch Hedberg joke about how an escalator can't break, it can only become stairs. A well was still a hole in the ground. So if you had a canteen and a rope like Gangathura did, congrats. You had a well. Oh, relieve me, a voice called back. I am the king of tigers, dying here of hunger. For the last three days I have had nothing. Fortune has sent you here. If you assist me now, you will find a sure help in me throughout your life.

[Jason Weiser]

Do not think that I am a beast of prey.

[Carissa Weiser]

When you have become my deliverer, I can never touch you. Pray, kindly lift me up. So if it were me, I would try to get my canteen back immediately and put some distance between myself and that well. But you know, my dad wasn't a soothsayer that I know of. And the young man had a choice to make.

[Jason Weiser]

Jogging across the desert was one thing.

[Carissa Weiser]

Rescuing a live tiger from a well was very much another. Did he have faith in his father's prediction that this animal, who had been

[Jason Weiser]

starving for three days, wouldn't pop off

[Carissa Weiser]

his head like the top of a Pringles can and feast on the layers within also like a Pringles can. After a few moments of thought, Kingathra told the tiger to grab onto the rope. As both the animal and the younger brother strained against gravity, Kingathra did think

[Jason Weiser]

that there were actually a lot of

[Carissa Weiser]

ways the tiger could attack him without killing him. Eat him too. Maybe he had made a horrible mistake. When the hooked claws gripped what remained of the stone wall of the well, the tiger's head popped over and he pounced. Gingathara tumbled and thinking that his father was wrong and he had left home for nothing, was surprised to see the tiger on top of him making biscuits. After nearly being suffocated by the tiger's gratitude, Gangathra managed to communicate that he was low key dying and the tiger jumped off. Pacing in the cooling evening sun, the tiger said that he never thought he

[Jason Weiser]

would be so happy to see a desert.

[Carissa Weiser]

I will stand by you in all calamities, the tiger said with a serious nod. Whenever you are in difficulty, just think of me and I'll be there to help you with any means I can. Oh, are you like a magic tiger? I mean, I know you were talking, but just thinking of you. Kingathra stood puzzled. Well no, I can't read your mind. The tiger laughed. I'll just always be watching you, ready for you to call out for my aid.

[Jason Weiser]

Always watching.

[Carissa Weiser]

Always watching. Even in the bathroom? Especially in the bathroom. You know how many snakes like a

[Jason Weiser]

quiet, cool place to sleep?

[Carissa Weiser]

The tiger informed the young man. Oh well, all that's unnecessary. I rescued you because it was the right thing to do. Also, you couldn't eat me if you wanted to, so. I'm sorry. What?

[Jason Weiser]

The tiger looked at him. Oh, it's like this whole thing with

[Carissa Weiser]

my dad and a prophecy. I'm in no danger, Nungothra assured the tiger. Okay, just to be clear, I could eat you right now. The tiger growled.

[Jason Weiser]

Yeah, but you won't.

[Carissa Weiser]

Gangathra shrugged and looked down to the well.

[Jason Weiser]

Were there.

[Carissa Weiser]

Wait, were there more things down there? You're right, I won't. But it's because I don't want to.

[Jason Weiser]

That's.

[Carissa Weiser]

The tiger assured the young man. Okay, I'm just saying that even if you did want to, you wouldn't be able to. But I really don't want to get into a free will and determinism thing here.

[Jason Weiser]

Seriously, are there other things down there talking to us?

[Carissa Weiser]

Gengothra kept looking down the well. Oh yeah, but you can never rescue that goldsmith, the tiger said. What?

[Jason Weiser]

Yeah, just don't do it.

[Carissa Weiser]

He'll betray you. He's actually the reason I was stuck down there. The jerk didn't want to be eaten, so he jumped down a well. Okay, so there's a human down there. Gengothra began to grow worried that you can never rescue. I just have a feeling about this guy, you know?

[Jason Weiser]

The tiger said.

[Carissa Weiser]

You're a tiger, Gongathra informed the tiger. Yeah, and I don't have any illusions about who I am or what I do. Same with the serpent who will kill

[Jason Weiser]

you with a single bite, or.

[Carissa Weiser]

Or the Rat King who will do

[Jason Weiser]

a thousand bits of mischief to your house.

[Carissa Weiser]

Those guys are down there also, but just on different levels. Gangathura clasped his hands together and said, okay, now he really needed to know what was going on.

[Jason Weiser]

It was apparently quite a roomy well. There were at least four levels with

[Carissa Weiser]

locked doors because after the human goldsmith hit the bottom, moderately scathed, he rushed down to the next level when he saw the tiger's shadow descending from above. That next level was occupied by the King of the Serpents who had jumped in after a rat who was on the next level down. Rushing past both of them, the human barricaded himself on the floor. Fourth level down. That was three days ago. Gothra didn't want to leave helpless people and animals starving in the darkness. Also nearly as important, he himself was

[Jason Weiser]

very thirsty, so the sooner he got everyone out of that well, the better.

[Carissa Weiser]

Maybe the serpent was the king of Serpents. Who knows? As trustworthy as talking snakes are, he could just be saying that he made

[Jason Weiser]

the same pledge as the tiger.

[Carissa Weiser]

Though when Golgothra helped him up and curiously gave the same warning about the goldsmith, there was just something about that guy the rat rode up next. That one was the easiest.

[Jason Weiser]

He too pledged help.

[Carissa Weiser]

I think I heard you guys. You told me about the goldsmith, right?

[Jason Weiser]

The rat asked.

[Carissa Weiser]

The tiger nodded. I mean you're literally a rat, Kungathra said, cranky from thirst and how wordy these animals were. Yeah, so I mean, I should know, right? I'm going to get going. I don't like the way this tiger's looking at me, the rat said. With that, Gengothra lowered the rope one last time.

[Jason Weiser]

Seriously?

[Carissa Weiser]

The tiger asked. I'm not just going to leave him to die based on all of your prejudices, Gongothra said.

[Jason Weiser]

Well, you can do what you want,

[Carissa Weiser]

but I don't want to be here when he gets out. Let me know if you need my help, the tiger said and loped off. Will do, Gengothra lied and lowered the rope. I won't betray you, Manikashiri, the goldsmith said, sitting next to Gingathura as both men caught their breath after the climb.

[Jason Weiser]

Pull up the side of the well. Oh okay.

[Carissa Weiser]

Gangathra forced a smile. I'm just saying you don't have to worry about that from me.

[Jason Weiser]

I'm like such a good guy that

[Carissa Weiser]

I never betray people. Manokasha Re said. Yeah, I mean cool.

[Jason Weiser]

Most people who don't betray other people

[Carissa Weiser]

don't make it the absolute first thing they say. But great. I appreciate it. Kingathra smiled and rose to go dip the canteen in the now vacant well and tried not to think of what all these living things used for a bathroom for the last three days. I bet all those guys had a

[Jason Weiser]

lot to say but.

[Carissa Weiser]

But it's a snake, a rat and a man eating tiger. I mean they're archetypal traitors. Gangathra finally got the canteen up. Aw thanks. Manokashiri snatched the canteen and took a gulp. Several actually, all the gulps. He belched and turned back to Kungathura.

[Jason Weiser]

The tiger too though. Did he say anything he didn't tell you about?

[Carissa Weiser]

Never mind. Thanks for the rescue and the water. Stop by my shop in Ujaini. It's not too far south of here. I'll give you a kind of remembrance for your assistance, manakashiri said, tapped the last few drops out of the canteen and tossed it onto the sand and said he should be getting home. Remember Ujaini East Main Street? You give the kids something nice. Kangathura brushed the sand off his canteen with a groan and went to finally get a drink of that water. We'll make a time jump to the

[Jason Weiser]

other side of Goongathra's religious development, but

[Carissa Weiser]

that will be right after this.

[Jason Weiser]

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[Carissa Weiser]

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[Jason Weiser]

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[Carissa Weiser]

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[Jason Weiser]

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[Carissa Weiser]

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[Jason Weiser]

Sign up and get 10% [e-mail] that's betterhelp.com Myths. Ten years later, Gingathra reasoned that he was good.

[Carissa Weiser]

He was ready to die, or at least he had secured enough merit through religious observances like bathing, prayer and other ceremonies. Basically ritual immersion in the Ganges, daily prayer and repeating mantras and stuff like fasting and giving alms and such. His thoughts returned to his home, though, and his brother, and fully prepared to meet his end, or as prepared as anyone is. Gangathara made his way home once again, though he was prepared but not eager, so he made sure to avoid any shoreline, the place of his prophesied demise. That's how once again he ended up back in the middle of the desert at the ruined well. And while sitting there drinking from his old canteen, he remembered that weird tiger from a decade earlier. Hmm.

[Jason Weiser]

Yeah, it was probably just overly enthusiastic

[Carissa Weiser]

to not be starving in a well. There's no way the cat had actually been watching him for 10 years.

[Jason Weiser]

Right, Tiger?

[Carissa Weiser]

Gangathara called out to the wide expanse of desert. King of tigers.

[Jason Weiser]

Tiger King.

[Carissa Weiser]

Silence. The horizon in front of him still empty. Gangathura chuckled. About time you called. He heard behind him and spun.

[Jason Weiser]

It was the tiger.

[Carissa Weiser]

He looked basically the same as he had 10 years prior, except now he was wearing a bunch of jewels and he held a gold crown in his mouth. Setting the crown down at Gangathara's feet, the tiger said he thought that the formerly young man had forgotten about him, but Gangathara should be assured he the tiger never forgot about Gongathra. Go remembered why he had put the memory of the tiger out of his

[Jason Weiser]

head as it became clear the tiger

[Carissa Weiser]

had been keeping tabs on him for the last decade. All the times you think you're alone, you're never alone. The tiger looked into Gangathara's eyes. It was meant to be reassuring, but it definitely wasn't. Oh, silly me, the tiger king said. I got you something here. He nuzzled the crown over to the soothsayer's son. I feel like you humans love your shiny stuff, and the people who have more shiny stuff generally are more comfortable and better fed.

[Jason Weiser]

So I figured I'd get you some

[Carissa Weiser]

shiny stuff, the tiger said. I passed along the message to the serpent and the rat, so I think they got you some shiny stuff too, Tiger. A voice squeaked from Gongothra's side as the Rat King hobbled up under an armful of coins and jewels.

[Jason Weiser]

Way to ruin the surprise.

[Carissa Weiser]

The serpent was just as annoyed when he slithered up and literally coughed up several necklaces and also part of a mouse, with all the animals saying once again how grateful they were to have been rescued all those years ago. They then left Kingathra at the well, making it abundantly clear that they were with him always after he washed off the gold and jewels from the serpent and the rat. Those fit easily in his shoes and in the hidden pockets of his pack. But that crown. That crown was a different issue. It did not fit in his pack at all.

[Jason Weiser]

It threatened to tear through if he

[Carissa Weiser]

shoved it to the bottom, and if he left it peeking out the top, it might as well be a big anachronistic neon sign that said rob me. Then he remembered just south of here in Ugani, the goldsmith, the fourth thing he rescued from the well, who also owed him a favor. Well offered him a favor. Gengothra would take him up on it and ask him to melt down the crown so he could take it with him in the form of bars. Knowing that he must remain impoverished, he

[Jason Weiser]

reasoned that it was better for the

[Carissa Weiser]

money to be given away as alms or go to his brother than line the pockets of highwaymen. So Gongathra made his way to Eugenie. Sorry, doesn't ring a bell, Manakashiri, the goldsmith said when he answered the door. I didn't say anything yet, gingathura pointed out. He just knocked. Manekashiri answered and jumped part of the way into a conversation where he was pretending to not know the man. Kingathra. I assure you, we've never met before, manikashuri said, then swore. Yep, he heard it too. Man, why did he have to be so good with names? Come on in. So I have a favor to ask, kingathra said, but Manikashri was already eyeing the crown shaped object in the man's pack. Kingathara pulled out the crown. He explained to Manikashri that it was actually their mutual friend the Tiger King's gift to him. One, not my friend.

[Jason Weiser]

Two.

[Carissa Weiser]

Did he say where it came from? Inekashiri interrupted. Genathara thought about the question. He did not. And it wasn't that Gingathara wanted to live in ignorance or anything and thus try to absolve himself.

[Jason Weiser]

It was just that tigers are gonna

[Carissa Weiser]

tiger, and whatever royalty this was was already dead, even if the tiger did know the deceased's name and location, which he wouldn't.

[Jason Weiser]

So it was better that the golden

[Carissa Weiser]

jewels just go to the impoverished rather than play tiger detective. Fair enough, Manokashri said to melt this down and recast it into something that would travel well. It would take a few hours. Gengotharu could wait here. Manokashiri would just be out in the forge out back. Gengothara thanked him for his kindness and Manokashiri shrugged.

[Jason Weiser]

A debt is a debt.

[Carissa Weiser]

He left out the back door, tossed a couple of logs in the fire, waited a few minutes to make sure the curious holy man wasn't going to get chatty and want to hover around him the whole time, and then slipped off into the street via an alley, the crown under his cloak. He made it just as the hours with the prince were finishing up and the young man sat atop a high throne with rings under his bloodshot eyes. Despite being half delirious with lack of sleep, the prince could see what was right in front of his face. And even if he couldn't, the goldsmith was more than happy to explain it. I am the goldsmith off of East Main. This was brought into my shop this morning by the man who killed your father. Kingathra was still in the goldsmith's house when the prince's guards picked him up.

[Jason Weiser]

Literally.

[Carissa Weiser]

They dragged him up from the ground after they put him there with a

[Jason Weiser]

spear butt to the face.

[Carissa Weiser]

Gingathra, it seemed, was clumsy and kept just running into punches on his way to see the prince. The prince wouldn't even look at Gangathra's quickly swelling face, instead pacing the throne room and declaring that he knew it. He knew those hunters had been lying when they said his father, the king, challenged a tiger on their hunt, was

[Jason Weiser]

killed by the tiger and carried off by the tiger.

[Carissa Weiser]

Is this the man? The prince asked the goldsmith, who nodded. It is, the goldsmith said. He confessed to it. Said he bribed the hunters to lie for him. Wanted me to melt down your father's crown so he could bribe more people to kill you. That's how much he loves regicide. The goldsmith held his hands open as the prince waved over the reward the monarch had announced for bringing in his father's murderer. You've done a good thing here today, the prince said to the goldsmith and then addressed his vizier. Take it to the cellar to starve without food and drink, the vizier said. Oh, the accused murderer. He was further dehumanizing the man. Sorry, it got it. No trial.

[Jason Weiser]

This is how things are going to be in the prince administration. Fun, fun.

[Carissa Weiser]

Time to be the closest and most visible of your underlings. Gangathara's hands were bound and his eyes were covered as his feet descended stairway after stairway. Finally they came to a room where Gangathara could feel the torches burning on either side of him. The scrape of metal proceeded a warm updraft that smelled like if you stewed the contents of a dumpster in Porta Potty water. Okay, now very carefully so you don't

[Jason Weiser]

get hurt, take two steps forward.

[Carissa Weiser]

The voice of the guard said as he unlocked Gangathra's cuffs. Rubbing his wrists, Gengathro took two steps forward and dropped. It was a miracle that hitting the ground 10ft below only knocked the wind out of him and he ripped off the blindfold as the guards above him laughed and slammed the lid to the room shut. Kingathra looked around to well Despair is the wrong word because it's not quite intense enough. Hopelessness was obvious. Devastation was actually accurate in two different ways because the whole scene was horrifying.

[Jason Weiser]

This was where the worst of the worst suffered.

[Carissa Weiser]

The King's justice the Pit it was a room dug out of the deepest portion of the dungeon and lined with stone walls. There was only one way out, a locked hatch 10ft up. The purpose of anyone thrown in the hole was to die slowly. No one went in other than the criminals, and no one came out ever. So the room was peppered with corpses. Some were decades old and mere bones at this point. Some still had the worms working through. There were slits in the ceiling above to let the torchlight in so darkness couldn't shield the interred from what awaited them. But the only thing worse than the dead was the living eyes opened in front of him from the man he thought was a fresh corpse. A half toothless smile said, fresh meat. Gengothara staggered back as the man rose and walked forward. Then more arms found him from the darkness and he tripped, stumbling backwards as the fingers of the man in front of him found his neck and the teeth on the one behind him, his shoulder. He wondered if he had made a grave mistake, if his father had been wrong all along, if Gangathra paused his dire final thoughts. The man's face above him was contorted in murderous rage as his thumbs pressed in on Gonra's windpipe, but that was all the effort he seemed to be putting out. What are you doing? Go Thru asked. I'm strangling you. And then I will eat you and use your bones to build a ladder out of here. Oh, Gangathara said.

[Jason Weiser]

What's the best way to put this? You aren't strangling me.

[Carissa Weiser]

You will die soon. The man grunted. I'm really not. I'm totally fine. This is maybe as strangled as like wearing a turtleneck shirt, gingathura said. And I can't claim credit for that comparison because I think this is my

[Jason Weiser]

second Mitch Hedberg reference this episode.

[Carissa Weiser]

And yeah, it wasn't doing anything. The strangling that is. Same with the man biting him. The force of the bite had knocked out the man's own teeth and now he was just gumming Gengathura's shoulders, which was actually kind of like a nice massage. He had to admire the grit of the prisoners, even if they were trying to murder him, because it took another few minutes until they finally gave up, resigning themselves once again to starvation. Kingathara, though, knew that Today was day one. His father's prophecy had said nothing about the past decade of religious preparation.

[Jason Weiser]

Today was the first day with a

[Carissa Weiser]

time frame for 10 years imprisonment without food or water. Though no one lived longer than a few days in this place, or a few weeks if they managed to find something to drink. How would he possibly last 10 years? Then he had a thought. He quickly dismissed it as ridiculous. Though he was in the middle of a city, in the ground, underneath a palace.

[Jason Weiser]

There was no.

[Carissa Weiser]

No way. Why not? Tiger. Tiger, can you hear me? I need help, Gangathra uttered, and there was a response. That response, though, was the laughter of his fellow prisoners. For the next few days, they made fun of him for calling out to a tiger. The mockery didn't last long though, because having been in there the longest, they starved before tiring of the joke. The silence was the worst thing. After the men were gone, Kingathra almost missed them trying to bludgeon him in his sleep. It was what amounted to a few light taps before they gave up and took a nap. The guards above kept silent, so it was just gingathra in a room full of corpses. Then he heard the scratching. This it? Gengothra heard from the other side of the room. You're literally in front. How would I know if this is it, Garry? Another voice answered. Hello? Gengothra whispered. There was more silence. Was that the guy? I think that was the guy. Okay, go get the boss. The first voice, Garry presumably squeaked, and then more silence. Kingathara found the source of the voices by clearing out some remains against the far wall and uncovering a hole. A small one, maybe four inches in diameter, chewed straight through the rock wall.

[Jason Weiser]

Gengothara.

[Carissa Weiser]

A voice cried in the hole. Gengothara squinted. Rat King.

[Jason Weiser]

Hey to Tiger.

[Carissa Weiser]

Heard you crying out and we've been digging for days to find you. Gross room, by the way. And that's by Rat standards. How'd you end up down here? Oh, crime. I dig crime, Kingathura said. Nice. I thought for sure it was that goldsmith that did something traitorous and underhanded to get you locked up in here. You know, like all the court records said. And he did at your trial. The Rat King shrugged. Oh, Kingathura replied. Nah, I'm just messing with you. I can't read. Um, we vowed to help you though, so what do you need? Gengothar explained his situation, and while he would like to leave prison, he had a feeling he would be stuck here for 10 years. Next best thing was not starving to Death. So the rats would help him. An army of rats would raid everything in the city, bringing him feasts of sweetmeats in tiny rat handled chunks. They would tear any fabric they found and dip it in water, bringing it so that Gangathra could wring it out in his cell and stay alive. I have thankfully never been starving to the point where food held close to the greasy disease ridden fur of a rat. Looks appetizing.

[Jason Weiser]

But Gongathura was grateful.

[Carissa Weiser]

He also learned that from those first utterances. On that first day of his imprisonment the Tiger King and Serpent King had had been busy. The Tiger King was beside himself with grief and knowing that his wanton disregard for human life and inadvertently giving in gothra evidence that placed him at the scene of the crime had led to his savior's imprisonment, he vowed to fix it with more wanton disregard for human life. Humans, he posited, were a superstitious and cowardly lot. Those big brains of theirs were their best assets sure, but. But they were also their worst enemies, drawing connections and building anxieties when none were warranted. Case in point, on the first day of Gangathara's imprisonment, tiger attacks in the wild increased threefold. And they hadn't let up. The Serpent King wanted in on the fun and sent his minions out to shoes, beds, baskets and toilets. Each day people were dying from snake bites or being carried off by tigers. The plan was twofold for the people. They would see nature itself crying out against the reign of the new ruler, the Prince. Now the king, in search of a solution and to quell the growing discontent would draw his own connections to the young man he had put in prison unjustly, who said it was a tiger attack and not a murder.

[Jason Weiser]

So I mean that was the plan. The Rat King explained two weeks later.

[Carissa Weiser]

The people definitely they hate the Prince. But I thought for sure he would make the connection. He is however, very incurious. I think you need to be a little more obvious. So Gangathura was obvious. Looking up and crying as loud as he could, he said. Day after day the wretched prince imprisoned me on the false charge of having killed his father. Well it was a tiger that killed him. From that day these calamities have broken out in his dominions. And if I were released I would save all by my powers of healing poisonous wounds and by incantations. The new guard craned his neck and then put his ear to the ground. Wait, what was that guy saying? His two co workers looked at each other and snickered. Oh, the new guy had so much to learn. He says he can save us from tigers and snakes. They've been attacking people relentlessly for 10 years now. Don't you think we should tell someone about this? The new guy stood. That, my friend, is a ghost. The guard said before crouching and checking the lock on the hatch. I'm not a ghost. A voice cried from below. Nice try. The guard yelled down the slats. No one's gonna fall for your spooky tricks, ghost. He turned to the new guy. That prisoner starved years ago. I don't know what this ghost's game is, but he's not getting up here. Seriously, I'm not dead. I'm magic.

[Jason Weiser]

Gongothra called up.

[Carissa Weiser]

Yeah, that's what all the corpses say. The second guard shook his head. You could tell his heart wasn't in it though.

[Jason Weiser]

Hey, is that Viripa? You're back. How you doing? How's the new baby?

[Carissa Weiser]

Kingathra yelled from below.

[Jason Weiser]

Oh, she's great, the guard said. You know, the first few weeks are tough.

[Carissa Weiser]

But then he stopped when he saw the other guard scowling that he was fraternizing with a ghost. We'll talk later, the guard said. The new guy fell into the routine, getting to know Gengathura bit by bit. Pretty sure he wasn't a ghost, but not having the seniority to go over the other guard's head until the princess opened her closet door one fateful morning. She didn't see the coiled mass at the bottom. She didn't even cry out from the bite before collapsing. He's been saying what for 10 years? Why has no one told me this before? The prince, the king for the past decade, slammed his fist on the throne. The new guy looked at his superior. Well, we thought it was a ghost. It's not though. They opened the cell this morning and looked at him. He's a man, stinky and shaggy and from the rocks they lobbed at him.

[Jason Weiser]

Very much corporeal.

[Carissa Weiser]

He's a divine being, the king whispered. Oh, oh, he made a grave, grave error. Pull the man out.

[Jason Weiser]

We'll see that the king will still refuse to look at Gongothra. But that will once again be right after this. I just ordered two shirts from Quince, an organic cotton stretch selvedge short sleeve shirt. A lot of sibilance in that sentence, and a 100% merino wool all season short sleeve base layer tee. I noticed two things. One, there were so many options, even more than last time, and two, they list comparable items at other brands and how much more they cost for the Merino wool T it was like twice

[Carissa Weiser]

the cost at least somewhere else.

[Jason Weiser]

And they put the brand in there and everything. Bold move. But the thing is, it's just confidence. And Quints has every right to be confident because they work directly with factories and cut out the middlemen. They're able to offer the same quality as other luxury brands, but at a fraction of the price. Carissa has a bunch of their denim

[Carissa Weiser]

and actually has a wedding ring from

[Jason Weiser]

Quince and she loves it. The denim is super soft and comfortable. She has a number of their sweaters and they're soft and warm yet they let air flow. So they're perfect for when things cool down. Quint's just has all these high quality staples that you find yourself reaching for again and again. Make your summer wardrobe feel easier. Go to quince.com legends for free shipping on your order and 365 day returns. Now available in Canada too. That's Q-U-I-N-C-E.com legends for free shipping and 365 day returns. Quint.com legends there are some things that you don't want to be transparent like

[Carissa Weiser]

your swimsuit or I was in a

[Jason Weiser]

bathroom once that had one of those big windows that was one way that looked out on the street. And while it was novel, it was not a relaxing experience. Like they can't see me too, right? When it comes to your bills, especially your wireless bill though, transparency is everything. With the big ones, you get the bill and you're like that's not what

[Carissa Weiser]

I remember signing up for.

[Jason Weiser]

Why are there so many extra numbers? With Mint Mobile there are no gimmicks, no gotchas, just high speed data and reliable coverage on the T Mobile 5G network. And right now all plans are $15 per month, even unlimited. It's so easy to get started and make the switch. You can even bring your current phone and number and you can lock in the $15 a month for up to a year with three, five or 12 month plans. To get your new wireless plan for just 15 bucks a month, go to mintmobile.com legends that's mintmobile.com legends cut your wireless bill to 15 bucks a month at mintmobile.com legends that's it. There's no no catch. Upfront payment of $45 for three months, $90 for six months or $180 for 12 month plan required $15 per month equivalent taxes and fees. Extra initial plan term Only greater than 50 gigabytes may slow when network is busy includes up to 20 gigabyte hotspot capable device required availability, speed and coverage varies. See mintmobile.com.

[Carissa Weiser]

They couldn't even see Gongothura's face without a haircut and a shave. But after that, he appeared to be in perfect health. Well, except for his bright red skin. But we'll get to that. The brightness of the palace, even the interior, burned Gangathura's eyes. And as he changed, he put the two vials carefully into the ornate robes. Okay, so Serpent King has this for you, the Rat King had told him earlier that day upon presenting the vial. It will counteract the effects of the serpent's venom on any human body, even one that has died.

[Jason Weiser]

One drop of this anywhere on the

[Carissa Weiser]

skin, even the dead would come back to life. Kingathra studied the vial. How did that work? Yeah, I was a little confused too. But I guess if serpents have the power to kill things, they could conceivably

[Jason Weiser]

have the power to do the opposite.

[Carissa Weiser]

You know, reverse their own venom.

[Jason Weiser]

The Rat King shrugged.

[Carissa Weiser]

Okay, then he had this one. The Tiger King saw the Serpent King give the vial and gave a vial of his own. He says it does the same, counteracting the effects of tiger teeth and claws.

[Jason Weiser]

His words.

[Carissa Weiser]

Gongothura studied the vial. Tiger King does know that poison is different from lacerations and blood loss, right? The Rat King held up a paw. Actually, venom. But no, I'm pretty sure he doesn't. I probably wouldn't stake my reputation on that vial. Then the Rat King turned to scurry back up and collapse the hole. As the key turned in, the lock on the hatch above, Gengothra, washed, shaved and dressed, was brought before the king, who again wouldn't look at him. This time, though, it was out of deference. The king bowed on the floor before Kungathara. To live for 10 years with no food to be able to heal the sick, Kungathara must be a divine being. Where is the princess? Kungathara demanded. After a drop of the serpent's potion soaked into her skin, the Princess's eyes opened and she gasped. The King scooped her up in an embrace and said he would be honored if Gangathara joined his family. Gingathara only replied that he needed to see the corpses. Dozens, all of them that hadn't been burned or buried for more than two days, were brought before Gangathra, who, with the touch of the potion and some nonsense words, restored them all to life. The people praised him, and he raised his hands to silence them. Now Gongothra would see if the Attacks could cease. Come. The entire city followed him to the forest, where after a few more nonsense words and a hey, Tiger and serpent, thanks for the potions.

[Jason Weiser]

We're just about there.

[Carissa Weiser]

Spoken. When no one was within earshot, the tree shook and the people screamed as tiger after tiger emerged. The ground itself seemed to move with serpents, who sat up in attention. Why should you, my children, thus trouble these poor subjects and what reply to me and henceforth desist from your ravages? He looked up at Tiger King, who sat in front, staring at him blankly.

[Jason Weiser]

Wait.

[Carissa Weiser]

Oh, shoot line. Why should this base king? Gengothra whispered and waved. Oh, right, the Tiger king said, and then cleared his tiger throat. Why should this base king imprison your honor, believing the mere word of a goldsmith that your honor killed his father? All the hunters told him that this father was carried away by a tiger. I was the messenger of death, sent to deal the blow on his neck. I did it and gave the crown to your honor. The prince makes no inquiry and at once imprisons your honor. How can we expect justice from such a stupid king as that? Unless he adopts a better standard of justice, we will go on with our destruction. There was a wail from the king behind Gongothra.

[Jason Weiser]

He cursed the day he believed.

[Carissa Weiser]

The goldsmith tore his hair and shirt and asked Gengathora a thousand pardons, swearing to rule with justice from that day forward, a full 10 years into his reign. But hey, better late than never. Not that he would need it. But the tigers and the serpents vowed to hold him accountable, bowed and took their leave. The goldsmith, who really should have read the writings on the wall before right now, backed away quietly before bolting to jam as much riches as he could into his go bag and leave town forever. He was clotheslined approximately 20ft later by the king's guards, who were already closing in. Kingathra, though, knew that the goldsmith was only playing his part in the role that fate cast for him, and asked the king to pardon the man. So this is Jason for me.

[Jason Weiser]

I'm all for forgiveness.

[Carissa Weiser]

That being said, the goldsmith showed absolutely zero remorse for leaving Gongathra to die in a corpse hole for a little extra money and didn't ask for forgiveness, but tried to flee. His lack of morals and character were so obvious that even a rat and snake were like, I know, worthy animal symbols of betrayal and all. But something's up with that guy. Basically, to me it seems like pardoning someone for malicious behavior if they haven't changed or expressed remorse at all, is probably Going to lead to more malicious behavior.

[Jason Weiser]

All the people that the goldsmith would

[Carissa Weiser]

hurt in the future though, were apparently beyond Gangathara's concern. He was getting married. Eventually he wanted to go home and tell his brother everything that happened. Then he would return. Outfitted with a pack and provisions, Kingathara left the city and began his journey.

[Jason Weiser]

You don't forget the death prophecy that

[Carissa Weiser]

for the last 20 years has defined your life. I do think it's possible to overestimate the control you think you have over your own life and fate. Though Gingathura left on a road he didn't recognize and traveled south for a few days, he went slowly. He was protected from death in the dungeon. But he still spent a decade in a corpse hole. So he was at least extremely deconditioned for walking dozens of miles per day. He was also red and puffy, which seems like a problem and probably is, but we'll get to that.

[Jason Weiser]

For his part, Gonathra was just grateful

[Carissa Weiser]

to be alive after a decade in a hole.

[Jason Weiser]

He thought he would never tire of

[Carissa Weiser]

seeing the endless expanse and creativity of the clouds or the tapestry of stars at night.

[Jason Weiser]

Each breeze and birdsong brought his heart full to bursting.

[Carissa Weiser]

Then he noticed two things. The first was his brother.

[Jason Weiser]

Now Gangathara's brother.

[Carissa Weiser]

When the man didn't return for 20

[Jason Weiser]

years, began to get a little worried.

[Carissa Weiser]

Maybe it doesn't say. He might have just been traveling between cities. But before him on the road, he couldn't mistake the form and walk of his younger brother. The red sheen and puffiness notwithstanding, the joy of seeing his brother was too much for Gongathara's weak heart. He gasped and crumbled to the ground. It was then that he noticed the second thing. Glancing under the plants that lined the road, he saw the waves. In 10 years the paths between cities had changed and he had taken the one that led him by the sea. His brother's face filled his vision. Kingathara smiled and closed his eyes in death.

[Jason Weiser]

It wasn't easy for the older brother

[Carissa Weiser]

to drag his younger to the temple of Ganesh where the older brother worshipped Ganesh, the four armed elephant headed God of beginnings who brings good luck and removes obstacles.

[Jason Weiser]

He's the son of Parvati and Shiva

[Carissa Weiser]

and lord of the Gunas. And apparently he takes personal requests at his temple.

[Jason Weiser]

Through tears, the elder brother prayed for

[Carissa Weiser]

Ganesh's presence and the God appeared. He listened intently to the brother's pleas.

[Jason Weiser]

Watch over his brother while he worshipped

[Carissa Weiser]

Ganesh as Ganesh knew he must be worshipped.

[Jason Weiser]

First.

[Carissa Weiser]

The brother Couldn't leave Gingathara for the wolves or the demons. Afterward, he would cremate his brother. The elephant head nodded, and Gingathara's elder brother went to prepare himself. There are many stories regarding Ganesh's birth. One version has his mother, the goddess Parvati, wanting to take a bath without Shiva, to whom she was a consortium, barging in on her. She forms the dirt she rubs from her skin into the shape of a child who came to life after he was complete. Shiva did barge in, but saw the

[Jason Weiser]

handsome boy in the room with his

[Carissa Weiser]

consort bathing and cut off the kid's head to fix things. And apparently proving that two wrongs can in fact make a right, he cut off an elephant's head and placed it on the body. That's a roundabout way of saying that even though he's not technically the son of Shiva, he's considered to be and actually commands Shiva's gunas. So I struggled to find a sufficient definition for the gunas. The Encyclopedia Britannica calls them the goblin host of Shiva, which seems simplistic. And I mean, I respect the Encyclopedia Britannica as a source, but let's just say I'm wary of leaning too heavily on a British source when it comes to India, even for the optics alone. The sites I found to research this either look like they were made in 2005, or they're so stuffed with AI images that I have a hard time trusting anything they say.

[Jason Weiser]

What I can glean is this.

[Carissa Weiser]

They're kind of the goblin host of Shiva. There are different types of them, but the version in today's story, according to the writing, and it really does fit, is the chaotic, distorted beings that have undying loyalty to Shiva. And thus they were commanded by his son, who, upon calling them to the temple, told the gunness that a very nice man had brought his brother's corpse here and asked Ganesh to look after it. He was now delegating that task to them. Did they understand that word, delegating the creatures? Some versions of them don't have bones and have weird limbs sticking out all over. Shrieked the garbled cacophony. That was their language.

[Jason Weiser]

Okay, I'm going to assume that that is a yes.

[Carissa Weiser]

Ganesh said and left. Okay, so Jason here.

[Jason Weiser]

I like cake.

[Carissa Weiser]

I know pretty controversial stuff when I'm walking through the kitchen and there's part of a cake there. Oh, well, I'm not proud of this. So of course I'm telling hundreds of thousands of people. I'll take a look and maybe if

[Jason Weiser]

someone didn't cut it quite straight the last time.

[Carissa Weiser]

I'll grab a fork and even it out then. Well, I've gotten a taste for cake. What's a small piece that anyone will miss then? What's the definition of a small piece? Is it a quarter of the remaining cake? It isn't by the way.

[Jason Weiser]

And it's like, well what's worse?

[Carissa Weiser]

Leaving like half a piece of cake

[Jason Weiser]

or leaving no cake?

[Carissa Weiser]

It's like leaving half a scoop of ice cream in the bottom of the container. Which I'm also thoughtful enough to not do by the way, because I'm so helpful. I'll also take the trash out. Definitely not to remove the evidence of the box the cake came in. With the Gunnis it was kind of

[Jason Weiser]

like that, but with Gongothra's corpse. And this is not at all a

[Carissa Weiser]

justification but an explanation for why that corpse was so irresistible to anything inclined to eat a corpse. Remember how I said that Gangathra was red and shiny? Well it's because he ate nothing but rat secured sweet meats for a year. And by the logic of you are what you eat, the all sweet meat diet meant he was sweet meat. And I'll confess I didn't know what sweet meats were until I looked them up literally 15 seconds ago. My first and main exposure to the

[Jason Weiser]

word was the orcs in Lord of

[Carissa Weiser]

the Rings, I think referring to the hobbits as sweet meats.

[Jason Weiser]

So I just figured it was maybe a very rich and flavorful meat. Apparently meat and sweet meats comes from the old English word M e t

[Carissa Weiser]

e meat meaning food. And sweetmeats in literally any context other than Lord of the Rings means sweet food. Literally confections. So like cakes, breads, not meat at all. So my cake metaphor was more apt than I thought because as we're supposed to understand it, Gangathara at this point was something literally akin to cake.

[Jason Weiser]

So the Gannas devoured his corpse. When the elder brother returned, he found

[Carissa Weiser]

a few red specks in the Gunnis wiping their mouths. He called upon the God Ganesh.

[Jason Weiser]

He looked into Ganesh's elephant eyes and

[Carissa Weiser]

asked where his brother was. Ganesh was just as confused as he was until one of the Gunas burped.

[Jason Weiser]

Are you serious?

[Carissa Weiser]

Ganesh said, I left you alone for

[Jason Weiser]

10 minutes and you ate him.

[Carissa Weiser]

Wait, they ate my brother.

[Jason Weiser]

The older brother cried. This was what he got for worshiping Ganesh. He was unable to even watch his brother's corpse. Ganesh for a God seems pretty chill. Zeus for sure would lightning bolt the older brother instantly for daring to call

[Carissa Weiser]

out his insufficiencies because Zeus has no insufficiencies. So the man was lying. Thor would punt him into a fire. Ganesh clasped his pink, sometimes red hands together and said he was going to make this right. They walked outside and Ganesh raised his hands. As he did. Water flowed from deep within the earth to meet the dirt of the ground. And a form rose. Seconds later, Kingathara gasped awake. His brother caught him as he found himself standing not by the sea where he remembered dying, but outside the temple. Death on the seashore, Gingathara said, astonished. And some happiness afterward. His brother smiled and embraced him. As they walked back to Eugeni, Gingathra told how his father's prophecy had been perfect. 10 years death. Now again he lived. And he did have some happiness afterward. Gengathora was married to the princess he saved and together they ruled the kingdom after her father abdicated the throne for them. Gen was seen as an enlightened ruler, having studied and suffered so much.

[Jason Weiser]

And he was an inspiration to other

[Carissa Weiser]

kings with his kindness and magnanimity. All sought his wisdom. Even the goldsmith who came one day to beg forgiveness and learn from the king. And Gengothra was happy to teach him. And inspired in turn by the goldsmith's

[Jason Weiser]

own change of heart, never really ended

[Carissa Weiser]

up as friends, though Gengothra didn't think

[Jason Weiser]

the man would betray him again.

[Carissa Weiser]

But there was just something about that guy. What he absolutely never did again though, was talk to a soothsayer. Gathura had lived enough years both running to and running from his fate and thus wanted the future to remain a mystery. As I was reading this, I was like, oh, okay.

[Jason Weiser]

This story fits firmly in that famous Greek tradition of person tries to avoid a prophecy and ends up doing the thing that leads to said prophecy's fulfillment. But it really wasn't. In fact, as soon as Gongathra hears the prophecy, he submits to it. He learns how to make peace with death. And it's because of his faith in the prophecy that he has the strength to do the right things when it comes to rescuing everyone in the well. And it gives him hope for surviving in prison. His resurrection has nothing to do with him, but by showing that even the powerful and eternal both struggle with appetite and temptation and have the desire to make things right. Gangathra was right. There truly was no enemy in this story. Like the prophecy needed the long suffering brother to bring Gengothra to the temple. It also needed the traitorous goldsmith and the Capricious King. Next week we're back in the story of the Monkey King where the Tang monk Xuanzong damages his soul by taking too much pleasure and doing nice things and sweeping temples and stuff.

[Carissa Weiser]

So watch out.

[Jason Weiser]

I guess real quickly. Myths and Legends has a book coming out this year. It's the first of a three book series telling a comprehensive version of the King Arthur legends. And the first book comes out in December of this year. You can pre order it now, but you can also enter to win a free copy beforehand. There was so much demand for the other two giveaways that the publisher has started a third. There are links in the show notes where you can sign up to win one of 15 galley copies. And honestly, please sign up. We would love these to go to the Myths and Legends audience. I feel like you're the perfect audience for this book. I mean, obviously. Anyway, the book is for the King by Carissa Weiser. The links are in the show notes. This giveaway ends on July 24th of this month, so check it out. Thanks so much.

[Carissa Weiser]

The creature this time is Denpachi Kitsune, a yokai from Japan. In the Kanto region in eastern Japan, a famous Buddhist seminary was founded in the year 1580, and it was apparently different. They said they were open to everyone of any background or ability, as long as they were hardworking and had a

[Jason Weiser]

passion for the sutras.

[Carissa Weiser]

One student, Denpachi, wandered in one day. The leaders of the school could see that he was young and didn't seem to have any parents or family that he would speak of. But everyone means everyone, so they admitted him for 10 years in this university that took students from anywhere and everywhere. Dempache was the youngest and the quietest, but he was also the best.

[Jason Weiser]

He was always the first in the

[Carissa Weiser]

temple studying the scriptures and the last to leave. And not only did he study them, but he applied the knowledge and treated everyone with respect and compassion. The 10 years were not without incident, though. Around year seven, after a heavy rain, one of the priests confided in him. There was something in this school that didn't belong. After the rain, they had seen tracks going from the school to the dormitory.

[Jason Weiser]

Fox tracks.

[Carissa Weiser]

It wasn't meandering or going this way and that like a normal animal, but following the paths of the students. There was a kitsune, a fox spirit here among them. Curiously, that was the one and only time the fox prints were found. So while the rumor persisted among the students, the faculty didn't think about it again. Then there was graduation or a new headmaster Depending on the version. Regardless, it was a time for celebration, and the students were allowed to drink alcohol. The new headmaster must have uncorked the wine barrels and then just gone to bed because things got out of hand.

[Jason Weiser]

The students started laughing and singing and dancing.

[Carissa Weiser]

Then the competition. We don't know what the bet was, but we do know that Denpachi won it. When the kid across the table from him passed out with a thud, slammed his cup down and noticed that it wasn't a hand that did so, but a paw. His paw. The deception that had taken just a small amount of focus to maintain all of these years was gone. He was in his fox form, his true form. The whole school saw him for what he was. Denpachi the Kitsune. If they had teachers with them, if they had remembered their teachings, if they hadn't all been drunk, they might have acted differently. But the students grabbed the yokai before he could flee and bound him to his chair. The fox's cries awoke the new headmaster and the abbot in the temple, Noke Sejin, who rushed in to put a stop to the beating and get an explanation. The fox, the Kitsune, said his name was Konoha. He was a fox that grew up in a hole not far from the temple. He heard the temple was accepting everyone, but he knew it couldn't be everyone. So he took a human form. A student, Denpachi. The abbot and the headmaster were moved almost to tears that the Lotus Sutra could work on the heart of even this lowly beast. A yokai. Denpachi not only studied, but he was the best of the students. They ordered Depchi unbounded, and as he began to reapply his deception, the abbot stopped the fox. No, Tampachi was to remain as he was. Timpachi graduated from the school soon after, and before he left, pledged to the leaders of the temple that he would use his powers to protect the school and the temple. The school built a shrine for him that apparently still stands to this day

[Jason Weiser]

near the school, the modern day Risho

[Carissa Weiser]

University, and Shinagawa, Tokyo. That's it for this time. Myths and Legends is by Jason and Carissa Weiser. Our theme song is by Broke for Free. And the Creature of the Week music is by Steve Combs. There are links to even more of the music we used in the show Notes. Thank you so much for listening and we'll see you next time.

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[Jason Weiser]

Refreshers contain caffeine.