Page:The Folk-Lore Journal Volume 3 1885.djvu/338

 330 FOLK-TALES OF INDIA.

It happened one day that a certain crow going along the top of the kitchen smelt the savoury odour of the fish, meat, sauces and the rest : whereat he conceived an intense longing for them. Not far off he sat thus thinking to himself, " By what means now shall 1 be able to secure a piece of fish ? " In the evening he saw the Bodhisat return and enter the kitchen. Thought he, '^ By means of this pigeon I'll contrive to get a lump of fish." The very next day, early in the morning, he returned ; and when the pigeon left the Idtchen in search of food he followed close behind him. At last the Bodhisat espied him and said, " Why, sir, do you follow me in this way ? " The crow replied, " Master, your proceedings please me ; henceforth I'll be your attendant."

Said the pigeon, " Our food is very different ; you will find attend- ance on me a somewhat difficult task." The crow answered, " Master, when you are getting your own food I'll get mine too, and so shall be able to accompany you to and fro." " Good," said the pigeon, as he consented ; " but you must mind what you are about."

Having thus duly admonished the crow the Bodhisat went about in search of food, eating grass, seeds, and the like. But while the pigeon was thus occupied the crow, having alighted on some cow-dung, took to picking out the worms and eating them. When he had filled his crop he returned to his companion and said, " Master, you have been staying here somewhat later than usual ; you will surely have had very much food by this time." Having finished his meal the crow returned in the evening and entered the kitchen in company with the pigeon.

The cook said, " Our pigeon has come back, bringing with him also another bird." So he placed a nest-basket for the crow. From that time forth these two creatures lived together. One day, however, the wealthy citizen already mentioned received a quantity of fish, which the cook hung here and there in the kitchen. As soon as the crow perceived it he conceived a longing for it. " When the pigeon," thought he, " goes to look for food I must e'en manage to get hold of a morsel."

All night long he lay moaning and groaning. The next day the Bodhisat, on setting out, as usual, to look for food, said, '' Friend crow, let's be off".'' The crow replied, *' Do you go, master ; I can't.