Page:The Folk-Lore Journal Volume 4 1886.djvu/54

46 After dwelling for a long time in Himavat he went to Râjagaba to get salt and vinegar, and then he caused a hermitage to be made right in the midst of the cattle-runs upon the hills. At that time the goat-herds said: "Let the goats graze about here." Then they made them go on to the hill-runs, and there they lived and enjoyed themselves. One day as the goatherds were driving their flocks homeward at sunset a kid, straying far away, was not missed when the goats started (for their folds), and so was left behind. But a certain panther perceived the kid lagging in the rear, and stood at the entrance (of the pen) thinking, "I'll eat that kid." She, too, having seen the panther, thought, "To-day I shall be killed! I'll have a pleasant talk with this panther and cause him to be tender-hearted, and so by some artifice I'll save my life." Then even from afar she held pleasant converse with him, and while coming along spake the following gâthâ:—

On hearing this the panther thought: "This deceitful thing seeks to cajole me by saying 'uncle.' She don't know how cruel I am." Then he uttered the following gâthâ:—

The other, on hearing this, replied, "Don't talk like that uncle"; and then uttered the following gâthâ:—

"There is no place to which my tail does not extend," replied the panther, as he spake the following gâthâ:—