Page:Tales of the Punjab.pdf/146

124 'There is no occasion for delay, and I should be sorry to keep you waiting,' returned the tiger.'If you'll unyoke the ullocks I'll be ready in a moment.'With that the savage creature fell to sharpening his teeth and claws in a very significant manner.

But the farmer begged and prayed that his oxen might not be eaten, and promised that if the tiger would give in exchange a fine fat young milch cow, which his wife had tied up in the yard at home.

To this the tiger agreed, and, taking the oxen with him, the farmer went sadly homewards.Seeing him return so early from the fields, his wife, who was a stirring, busy woman, called out.'What! lazybones!saving your stupid old bullocks at the expense of my beautiful cow!Where will the children get milk? and how can I cook my pottage and collops without butter?'

'All very fine, wife,' retorted the farmer, 'but