Thai Rubbing from the West Wall of the Temple of Wat Po, Bangkok; Hanuman Pursues the Fishes, Regains His Rocks from Suvaranamaccha and Seduces Her
When his eyes have accustomed themselves to the green and murky light below the surface, Hanuman is astonished to find the water alive with fishes. Schools, shoals, swarms of the glittering creatures flash here and there, and with a shock of indignation the Son of the Wind realizes that while those swimming towards the causeway have empty jaws, those swimming away from it bear stones, rocks and even boulders, each according to its size, fixed firmly between their teeth.
"Now then," roars Hanuman, brandishing his sword, "be off with you, or you'll all end up over a hot fire."
At the sight and sound of this furry monster, the fishes with one accord turn tail and flee, vanishing in a flash of scales. To his annoyance, Hanuman sees that one fish, is it a fish though?, has disobeyed his command, and hovers resolutely some way off in the mistiness. "Now I'm really getting angry," he mutters to himself and streaks towards the figure, his sword raised for the kill. As he comes closer his arm falls, his resolution deserts him, and he gapes with surprise. Facing him, her tail twitching this way and that with outrage, is the most exquisite mermaid he has ever seen, golden-bodied and with the tail of a fish, but in all other respects a. model of femininity.
This lovely creature is really rather frightened at the sight of the powerful monkey, but she doesn't intend to show it. With yet another whisk of her tail that stirs up a little whirlwind of sand, she says angrily, "How dare you frighten my subjects like that. I'll have you know that you are dealing with Supanna Matcha, daughter of Totsagan of Longka and Queen of the Ocean. From this moment you are my prisoner."
"Prisoner !" shouts Hanuman, and doubles up with laughter. "You are MY prisoner," and in a flash he leaps at her. Supanna Matcha eludes him and is off like lightning. But, fast as she is, the Son of the Wind is faster and very quickly has her in his arms.
