Kumāra or Kuman (the section on the children) is the eighth of the 13 sections of Vessantara Jataka. It tells of Brahmin Jūjaka who had arrived at Mount Vamka and stayed overnight near the hermitage of the ascetic Vessantara. At dawn on the next morning, Jūjaka waited until Princess Maddī went away to gather fruits. He then came out and begged Vessantara for Prince Jali and Princess Kanha. When the children realized that the Brahmin was asking for them, they were so scared that they hid themselves under the lotus leaves in the pond. Vessantara called them and made them understand his wishes. Then the ascetic gave them to Jūjaka who bound their hands together and dragged them out of there.
Colophon:
ข้าภะเจ้าหนารญานะ บ้านดอนกอก เขียนปลางเมื่อพระพุทธสักราษได้ 2462 ตัว ปลีกัดเม็ด เดือน 12 ออก 5 ฅ่ำ วัน 7 ยามตูดช้าย ธัมมลิกขิตตะค็ปริปุณณาแล้วแก่ข้าแล ฯ ใบปายกุมมารปัพพคถา มีร้อยถ้วน จบับท่าแป้นรอม ม่วนเตมธีแลเจ้าเอิย ฯ
I, Khanan (ex-monk) Yana from Ban Dòn Kòk, finished writing [this manuscript] in 2462 BE, a kat met year, on the fifth waxing-moon day of the twelfth [lunar] month, the seventh day of the week, in the afternoon.
Last folio of the manuscript Kumārapabbagathā, 100 gathā in total, Tha Paen Ròm Version. The story is much fun.
Remark: The date corresponds to Saturday, 30 August 1919 (1281 Bhadrapada 5).
Other notes:
(Front cover) “Kumārapabba. Front cover of Kumāra, Tha Paen Ròm Version”
(Back cover) “Back cover of Kumāra, Tha Paen Ròm Version. The story is much fun.”