20-24 septembrie 2009 - Biblioteca Metropolitana Bucuresti

508 Sendenjav Dulam(Heissig 1995: 481). I think “The tale of Merz” in Mongol folklore is similarto the tale of Polyphemus in the series of Homer’s Odysseys. AcademicianD. Tserensodnom published two versions of a tale of Lalar in hisMongolian myths and tales (1989: 141-142) and provided the Russiantranslation of the tale of Polyphemus as an attachment (1989: 222-224).D. Tserensodnom states: “It’s interesting to see that narrative of theMongolian tale of single-eyed Lalar is same with of Cyclops, single-eyedgiant in the Greek mythology. It was common for Mongols to tell the storyof single-eyed giant in their everyday lives”. In the following, I introduce aversion of the tale of Merz widely talked among Khalkh Mongols.Once upon a time a man was looking for his lost animal and huntingon his way. He lost his path in the wilderness and found a cave to stayovernight. In the evening, a man-like giant with single red eye on itsforehead and two dogteeth came to the cave and captured the man.He was a cannibal called Merz. He had a wide cave and seven sheepbig like a cow. He tied his sheep and fell asleep. In the morning, thegiant enclosed the entrance of the cave with a big boulder and left. Inthe evening, he came back carrying two dead bodies, and pinned thosebodies and broiled them. After his dinner, he tied his sheep and fellasleep. While the giant was sleeping, the man took the sharp pin andpinned the only eye of the giant. Suffering from pain, Merz blindlysearched the man in vain hitting the wall of the cave. The man concealedhimself from him until the morning. Next morning the giant dischargedhis sheep from the cave, identifying one by one in order to find the manafterward. Nevertheless, the man survived by clinging under the bellyof the biggest sheep. After receding, the man climbed on the hilltop andshouted out ’You, miserable Merz! Can’t you eat me?’ Infuriated Merztook big boulder and threw it in the direction of the man. The man keptcrying. Hearing his voice Merz was maddened and hit against the rockwith his forehead and died. 1Merz, the giant in this myth is similar to the arrogant creature appearsin Greek myths. There is another motive about a single eyed man DuvaSohor (Duva the Blind), which appears in the Secret History of Mongols.However, it is incomparable with the giant monsters. He was the prophetwho could see the past and the future. He predicted the future of AlanGoo, young lady travelling in the cart to become the mother of the Mongol1Narrated by Renjingiin Tsendeekhuu, from Bayanbulag sum of Bayankhongoraimag, in September 1990. She learned the story from her father in law.