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 204 another, "it would be a fine trick!" So they made their plans and ran on ahead of the Brahman through the woods, and seated themselves at the foot of three different trees by the side of the road, that the Brahman was following.

Presently the Brahman came up with the first of the three rogues, who said to him: "Master, why are you carrying that dog on your shoulders?"

"Dog!" said the Brahman, "it is no dog, but a goat for sacrifice." And he continued on his way home. A mile or two further he came upon the second rogue, who called out. "Master, what are you doing with that dog that you carry on your shoulder?"

The Brahman laid the goat down on the ground, looked it all over, took it up again upon his shoulder and walked on with his mind in a whirl. Presently he came upon the third rogue who called out to him, "Master, why are you carrying that dog on your shoulder?" On hearing this question for the third time the Brahman threw down the goat, washed himself clean in the river, and went home without his sacrifice. But the three rogues seized the goat, cooked it, and had a fine dinner.

(Hitopadeça, Book IV. Fable 9. Adapted from the translation by Sir Edwin Arnold.)

THE CAMEL, THE LION AND HIS COURT

A CAMEL who had strayed from a Caravan, wandered into a forest in which there dwelt a Lion named Fierce-Fangs. Three of the Lion's Courtiers, the Tiger, the Jackal and the Crow, met the Camel and at once conducted him into the presence of their King.