Page:Folk-lore of the Telugus.djvu/135

127 cause for fear. Thou shalt live in happiness. I will rescue thee, if, indeed, thou dost not slay me. An excellent expedient suggests itself to me, by which thou mayest escape and I obtain great benefit. By reflecting earnestly I have hit upon that expedient for thy sake and for my sake, for it will benefit both of us. There are the mungoose and the owl, both waiting with evil intent. Only so long, cat, as they do not attack me, is my life safe. Possessed of wisdom as thou art, thou art my friend and I will act towards thee as a friend. Without my help, cat, thou canst not succeed in tearing the net, but I can cut the net for thee, if thou abstain from killing me. Thou hast lived on this tree and I have lived at its foot. Both of us have dwelt here for many long-years. All this is known to thee. He, upon whom nobody places his trusty and he who never trusts another, are never applauded by the wise. Both of them are unhappy. For this reason, let our love for each other increase and let there be union between us. The wise