Page:Folk-lore of the Telugus.djvu/139

131 but thy own life, and it is then that I shall enter my hole in safety."

The cat, who had quickly and properly performed his part of the covenant, now addressed the mouse, who was not expeditious in discharging his:—"I rescued thee from a terrible danger with great promptness, so thou shouldst do what is for my good with greater expedition. If I have ever unconsciously done thee any wrong, thou shouldst not bear this in remembrance. I beg thy forgiveness. Be a little quicker."

But the mouse, possessed of intelligence and wisdom and knowledge of the Scriptures, replied with these excellent words:—"That friendship in which there is fear, and which cannot be kept without fear, should be maintained with great caution, like the hand of the snake charmer at the snake's fangs. He who does not protect himself after having made a covenant with one that is stronger, finds that covenant productive of injury instead of benefit. Nobody is anybody's friend, nobody is anybody's well-wisher; persons become friends or foes only