This manuscript pertains to a ruler of Vārāṇasī city (present-day Benares) who had 500 wives but no children. God Indra gave him 101 crabs and said that his wife should eat all 101 crabs in order to get pregnant. Only one of his wives named Suwanna could do it while the other wives dare not. Then Suwanna became pregnant and gave birth to 101 crabs. Having been provoked by other wives, the city ruler expelled Suwannand ordered her to become a servant living in the space beneath the palace. The 101 crabs were floating on a log along a river. A couple who worked laundry jobs saw the crabs and adopted them. Later, the crabs became 100 boys and one girl. One day, they won a cock battle against the cock of the city ruler. They asked the ruler to release their imprisoned mother as reward. He therefore realized the truth, reappointed her as his main wife, and drove other wives who had accused her out of the city.
Colophon:
Nibbāna paccayo hontu no niccaṃ dhuvaṃ.
[The writing of this manuscript was completed] in CS 1264, a tao yi year, on the eighth waning-moon day of the seventh [lunar] month. Khanan (ey-monk) Maṅgala wrote the manuscript. May I, my wife, and my children attain the threefold happiness of which Nibbāna is the ultimate one. May I definitely be reborn with sharp wisdom to solve all complex puzzles. “My handwriting is not that beautiful” (Thai Scripts).
Other notes:
This date corresponds to Wednesday, 30 April 1902 (1264 Caitra 23).