Page:Indira and Other Stories.pdf/172

 in procuring flesh food. This is an excellent device. I look forward to the time when we shall see the convenience of erecting mensheds, and keeping and breeding these useful animals for food.

I have already told you of their care for cattle, horses, sheep and goats. But they also keep and feed elephants, camels, asses, dogs, cats, and even birds. It may therefore be said with truth that men are the natural slaves and servants of all other living creatures.

I noticed many monkeys among the abodes of men. These monkeys are of two sorts: those with tails and those without tails. The former dwell for the most part on roofs or in trees. I have seen many on the ground, it is true; but most of them occupy the more exalted position. This is probably due to some mistaken notion of racial pride.

The morals of men are extremely amusing. But their political arrangements are also very surprising. I will describe them in detail."

The lecturer had reached this point, when