And when the monk fell on the ground to show the attitude of reverence,
the king cut off his head with a sword, and cut out his heart and split
it open. And he gave the head and the heart to the goblin.
Then all the little gods were delighted and cried: "Well done!" And the
goblin was pleased and spoke to the king from the body he was living
in: "O King, this monk was trying to become king of the fairies. But
you shall be that when you have been king of the whole world."
And the king answered the goblin: "O magic creature, if you are pleased
with me, I have nothing more to wish for. Yet I ask you to make me one
promise, that these twenty-two different, charming puzzle-stories shall
be known all over the world and be received with honour."
And the goblin answered: "O King, so be it. And I will tell you
something more. Listen. When anyone tells or hears with proper respect
even a part of these puzzle-stories, he shall be immediately free from
sin. And wherever these stories are told, elves and giants and witches
and goblins and imps shall have no power."
Then the goblin left the dead body by magic, and went where he wanted
to. Then Shiva appeared there with all the little gods, and he was well
pleased. When the king bowed before him, he said: "My son, you did well
to kill this sham monk who tried by force to become king of the
fairies. Therefore you shall establish the whole earth, and then become
king of the fairies yourself. And when you have long enjoyed the
delights of heaven and at last give them up of your own accord, then
you shall be united with me. So receive from me this sword called
Invincible. While you have it, everything you say will come true."
So Shiva gave him the magic sword, received his flowery words of
worship, and vanished with the gods.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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