Kunnutaiya Part VIII: Becoming a Father

• Kunnutaiya’s wife Tamarai is now nine months pregnant. The day of her delivery is fast approaching.
  

• When Tamarai’s labour pains begin, Kunnutaiya rushes to call Kuppi the midwife.
  

• After some time Kunnutaiya hears the cry of a baby. The midwife Kuppi confirms that a child has been born.
  

• But when Kunnutaiya enters the birthing room he is shocked. There is only a baby girl. The couple both thought Lord Shiva would gift them sons.
  

• Nonetheless, the kind Kunnutaiya is content and shows plenty of love towards his new daughter.
  

• But the jealous clansmen soon notice the absence of sons. They arrive, beat the couple up and send them into exile.  
  

• Tamarai is taunted and insulted. These rude men wish to humiliate her.
  

• As a result of the clansmen’s aggression the couple are forced to leave their beloved kingdom.
  

• Reaching the forest, Kunnutaiya and his wife locate the palace of the hunter king. He offers them food, but the couple refuse to eat, angering their would-be host.
  

• The hunter king sends the couple away, asking them to stay, instead, in a humble hut near his horse corral.
  

• There is no money. Kunnutaiya’s wife Tamarai is forced to work as a day labourer in order to support the family.
  

• Tamarai’s sore hands are ample evidence of the humiliation the couple feel.
  

• Finally the goddess Celatta arrives. She says she has brought them two sons.
  

• Celatta and her brother Vishnu bless the Ponnivala family, which has suddenly been enlarged.
  

• The couple return to their old palace home but find it is now in terrible disrepair.

[Continue to Part 9==>]

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