Page:An argosy of fables.djvu/234

 182 young Pigeon whose thoughtlessness had led them into trouble. But when King Speckle-Neck heard their reproaches he said:

"Do not let us quarrel and blame one another; but let us work together and find some remedy. Listen and I will tell you what to do: At one and the same moment and with one purpose we must all rise up under the net and fly off together, net and all. For even small things have great strength when they work together. Even a furious Elephant can be bound with ropes of twisted grass if there are enough of them."

Upon considering this advice the other Pigeons thought it good, and decided to follow it. Accordingly, all together at the same moment they flew upward and bore away the net with them. The Fowler, who was still hiding at a distance, followed them for a time; but presently the Pigeons and the net passed out of sight, and he had to give up the chase.

(Hitopadeça. Book I. Introduction. Adapted from translation by Sir Edwin Arnold.)

THE TIGER AND THE TRAVELLER

NCE upon a time, in the Deccan forest, an old Tiger was sitting on the bank of a pool, stretching forth his fore-paws, and calling out:

"Ho! ho! Ye travellers, take this golden bangle!"

Presently a certain covetous fellow, passing that way, heard the Tiger, and said to himself, "This is a bit of luck,—but I must not get too near to the Tiger's claws for all that." Thereupon he called out and asked, "Where is your bangle?"

The Tiger stretched out his paw still further and showed the bangle.