Page:The Folk-Lore Journal Volume 2 1884.djvu/313

Rh other food, but merely drink in air." When he had said this he thus addressed the birds: "I'll give you good advice, listen to me." By way of exhortation he spake the following gâtha:—

Then the birds, not aware that the crow said this only in order to deceive and eat them, praised him in the following gâtha:—

The birds, having the fullest confidence in that wicked crow, before they went in search of food said to him, "Since, sir, you take no special food but only feed upon air, perhaps you'll be good enough to look after our eggs and young ones." "I'll do that," said he. As soon as they had gone the worthless crow ate his bellyful of eggs and young brood. Before they returned he put himself straight (as if nothing had happened), and, as before, stood on one leg with his mouth wide open. When the birds came back and saw not their young ones they made a great outcry. "Who on earth can have eaten them?" they wondered. Not for a moment did they suspect that this holy crow had done it. But one day the Bodhisat thought to himself, "Formerly we had no accidents here with regard to our eggs and young ones, but since this outlandish crow came here we have not been without some misfortune. I must endeavour to see if he is at the bottom of the mischief and expose him." The Bodhisat pretended to go with the other birds in search of food, but stayed behind and remained concealed. When the crow felt assured that the birds were all gone, he flew up and devoured both eggs and young ones. Returning to his former position he stood on one leg with his mouth open. When the birds came back, their leader called them together and said, "To-day I have found out the destroyer of your young ones. I actually saw that wicked crow eating them, therefore now seize him." Having brought up all the flock of birds and surrounded the crow, the chief