Page:The Folk-Lore Journal Volume 3 1885.djvu/131

 Rh elks "the hogs," and the hogs "the antelopes," and the antelopes said, "We don't know, but the hares know." When the hares were questioned, they pointed out the first hare (who had started them), and said, "This one said it." Then the lion asked him, "Is it true, my friend, that the earth is now coming to an end?" "Yes, my lord, I saw (signs of its dissolution)." "Where were you living when you saw them?" asked the lion. "In a palm-forest where bilva and other trees grow, close to the ocean, my lord. As I sat at the root of a bilva-tree under the foliage of a cocoaaut sapling, I thought to myself, 'If this earth come to an end, where shall I go?' At that very instant I heard a sound portending the dissolution of the earth, and forthwith I fled." The lion thought, "Surely a bilva-fruit must have fallen upon a leaf of the palm-tree and made an awful noise; and the hare, hearing that sound, came to the conclusion that the earth was coming to an end, and therefore took to flight. I'll sift this matter to the very bottom, and learn the real truth of it."

Taking the hare aside he spake words of encouragement to the great host of beasts, saying, "I will, on the spot where the hare has seen these portents, assure myself of the dissolution or non-dissolution of the earth, and then I'll come back here. Do you in the meantime remain here and await my return."

Setting the hare on his back, with a lion's speed he bounded along and at last set down the hare in the palm-forest. "Come," said he, "show me the place where you saw the portents that alarmed you so?" 'I dare not, my lord." "Come, don't be alarmed." The hare was unable to draw near the bilva-tree, but, standing afar off, said, "My lord, this is the place where I heard that fearful and ill-omened sound." Then he gave utterance to the following gâtha:—

On hearing this the lion proceeded to the root of the bilva-tree where the hare used to sit under the cocoanut sapling; and just at