Page:Folk Tales from Tibet (1906).djvu/87

Rh to meet the Wolf, and sure enough there was the Wolf waiting for them at the appointed spot.

As soon as they came within earshot of where the Wolf was standing the Hare called out in a sharp tone of authority: "Who are you, and what are you doing there?"

"I am the Wolf," was the reply; "and I have come to eat this Sheep and its Lamb, in accordance with a regular arrangement. Who may you be, pray?"

"I am Lomden, the Hare," that animal replied, "and I have been deputed to India on a special mission by the Emperor of China. And, by the way, I have a commission to bring ten Wolf skins as a present to the King of India. What a fortunate thing it is that I should have met you here! Your skin will do for one, anyway."

So saying, the Hare produced his sheet of paper, and, taking his pen in his hand, he wrote down the figure "1" very large.

The Wolf was so frightened on hearing this that he turned tail and fled away ignominiously; while the Sheep and the Lamb, after thanking the Hare heartily for his kind offices, continued their journey safely to their own home.

[This story is a satire on the assumption and arrogance of Tibetan and Chinese officials, and the timidity and submissiveness of the Tibetan peasants. It illustrates how the meanest Government clerk, more especially when armed with pen and paper, can strike terror into the heart the boldest and strongest countryman.]