Page:An argosy of fables.djvu/277

 Rh passed the days of their infancy in the same manner of life and the same sports and plays. But one day a wild Elephant passed that way, roaming here and there in the forest. Upon seeing this Elephant the two young Lions bristled with anger and prepared to attack him. But the little Jackal said, "Be careful, that is an Elephant, an enemy of our race! We must not attempt to stand and face him."

So speaking, the Jackal turned and fled back to his home; and the two little Lions were disheartened at seeing the fright of their older brother. But when they also had returned home, they told the parent Lions with much laughter how frightened their older brother had been and how, upon seeing an Elephant from far off, he had promptly fled. When the little Jackal heard them laughing, he was seized with great anger; his lower lip trembled, his eyes grew red, he frowned fiercely and threatened the two Whelps with insulting words. Hereupon the Lioness led him aside and rebuked him. "My child, you must never speak like that, remember that they are your little brothers." But the Jackal was still very angry, and asked, "Am I inferior to them in courage, in beauty, in diligence, or in cleverness, that they should dare to mock me? It is evident that I shall have to kill them!"

Upon hearing this the Lioness, who was really fond of the little Jackal, and wanted him to live, laughed softly, and replied:

"You are brave and wise and handsome according to your own kind, my son. But the breed from which you sprang does not kill Elephants. Listen, my child, you are really the son of a Jackal. I nourished you out of compassion together with my own two Whelps. Therefore, while my two sons are still too young to know that you are a Jackal, go away quickly and stay with your own species. Otherwise they will kill you, and you will travel upon the Road of Death."