Page:Folk-lore of the Telugus.djvu/130

122 the water : the rat crept into his hole and the; crow flew to the top of a tree. He looked all round, and seeing no sign of danger called to his two friends. They came out and asked the deer what had befallen him. He said:—"My name is Chitranga, and I claim your protection." So they took him into their company, and all four lived pleasantly together.

One day the deer went out alone to graze, and when he did not return at the usual hour they feared lest evil may have befallen him. '

They debated which of them should go in search of him. At last the crow said:—"I am the swiftest of birds, and will fly off and learn what has befallen him." He flew and flew high up in the air until he came to the place where the deer had fallen into a snare. The deer delighted to see his friend, said:—"No time must be lost. Hasten and bring the rat Hiranayaka to gnaw the cords of the snare." So the crow went, and placing the rat on his back speedily flew back with him. When the rat succeeded in extricating the deer they asked him how he had fallen into this fresh