Page:Tales of the Punjab.pdf/145

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NE day a farmer went with his bullocks to plough his field.He had just turned the first furrow, when a tiger walked up to him and said, 'Peace be with you, friend!How are you this fine morning?'

'The same to you, my lord, and I am pretty well, thank you!' returned the farmer, quaking with fear, but thinking it wisest to be polite.

'I am glad to hear it,' replied the tiger cheerfully, 'because Providence has sent me to eat your two bullocks.You are a God-fearing man, I know, so make haste and unyoke them.'

'My friend are you sure you are not making a mistake?' asked the farmer, whose courage had returned now that he knew it was merely a question of gobbling up bullocks; 'because Providence sent me to plough this field, and, in order to plough, one must have oxen.Had you not better go and make further inquiries?'