Page:The Folk-Lore Journal Volume 4 1886.djvu/61

Rh Then those two together brought out the rohita-fish, set it upon the land and killed it. On coming to divide it a quarrel arose, and they sat down, with the fish alongside them, unable to apportion the prey.

At that moment the jackal came up to that place, and, on seeing him, both of them went forth at once to welcome him, saying, "This fish, friend Tawny, was captured by both of us together; but a quarrel has arisen between us, because we are unable to divide it in such a way as to satisfy each of us. Do you divide it, and give each his just share." Thereupon they spake the following gâthâ:—

On hearing this the jackal, in explanation of his own power (as a settler of disputes), spoke the following gâthâ:—

And as he was making the division he uttered the next gâthâ:—

Having thus apportioned the fish the jackal said to the others: "Don't quarrel, but eat both head and tail." Then, with the middle of the fish in his mouth, he went off under their very eyes. They, like one who had lost a law-suit of a thousand pence, sat down chap-fallen and spake the following gâthâ:—

The jackal went home to his wife, delighted that she should get such a fine white fish to eat.