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 206 that he will offer himself for food. To that your Majesty would surely not object?"

"I am parlous hungry," murmured the King.

Thereupon the Crow departed to find the Camel; and having summoned all the Court into the presence of the King, under some pretence or other, he spoke as follows:

"Sire, all our efforts have come to nothing; we can find no food and see Thee, our Lord and Master, pining away. Take me, therefore, your Majesty, and break your fast upon me."

"Good Crow," said the Lion, "I had liefer die than do so."

"Will your Majesty deign to make a repast off of me?" asked the Jackal.

"Not on any account," replied the Lion.

"Condescend, my Lord," said the Tiger, "to appease your noble hunger with my poor flesh!"

"Impossible!" responded the Lion.

Thereupon, Crop-Ear, not to be behind in what seemed quite safe, made offer of his own carcase, and barely had time for regret, since his offer was accepted before he had finished speaking. The Tiger instantly sprang upon his flank, and all the rest promptly joined in the feast.

(Hitopadeça. Book IV. Fable 10. Adapted from the translation by Sir Edwin Arnold.)

THE FROGS AND THE OLD SERPENT

N a deserted garden there once lived an old Serpent, named Slow-Coil. He was so very old that he could no longer catch mice or other animals for food. As he lay, one day, by the edge of a pond, a certain Frog saw him there and asked him: