Page:Folk-lore of the Telugus.djvu/137

129 magnanimously. It could scarcely be unexpected from one like thee. Listen to me as I disclose my expedient. I will crouch beneath thy body and so shalt thou save me from the owl and the mungoose, and I will cut the noose that entangles thee. I swear by Truth, friend."

The mouse, having thus made the cat understand his own interest, trustfully crouched beneath his enemy's body. Possessed of learning, and thus assured by the cat, the mouse trustfully laid himself thus under the breast of the cat as if it were the lap of his father or mother. Beholding him thus ensconced the mungoose and the owl both became hopeless of seizing their prey. Indeed, seeing the close intimacy between the mouse and the cat, the owl and the mungoose became alarmed and were filled with wonder, and felt themselves unable to wean the mouse and the cat from their compact. So they both left the spot and went away to their respective abodes.

After this the mouse, conversant with the requirements of time and place, began, as he lay under the body of the eat, to cut the strings