Page:The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa (Volume 1).pdf/348

334 "Kanika replied, 'Listen, O monarch, to the history of a jackal dwelling in days of yore in the forest and fully acquainted with the science of politics. There was a wise jackal, mindful of his own interests who lived in the company of four friends, viz., a tiger, a mouse, a wolf, and a mongoose. One day they saw in the woods a strong deer--the leader of a herd-whom, however, they could not seize for his fleetness and strength. They thereupon called a council for consultation. The jackal opening the proceedings said, --o tiger, thou hast made many an effort to seize this deer, but all in vain simply because this deer is young, ffeet and very intelligent. Let now the mouse go and eat into its feet when it lieth asleep. And when this is done, let the tiger approach and seize it. Then shall we all, with great pleasure feast on it-Hearing these words of the jackal, they all set to work very cautiously as he directed. And the mouse ate into the feet of the deer and the tiger killed it as anticipated. And beholding the body of the deer lying motionless on the ground, the jackal said unto his companions.-Blessed be ye I Go and perform your ablutions. In the meantime I will look after the deer. Hearing what the jackal said, they all went into a stream. And the jackal waited there, deeply meditating upon what he should do. The tiger endued with great strength, returned first of all to the spot after having performed his ablutions. And he saw the jackal there plunged in meditation. The tiger said, -Why art thou so sorrowful. O wise one! Thou art the foremost of all intelligent beings. Let us enjoy ourselves to-day by feasting on this carcass! - The jackal said-Hear, o mighty-armed one, what the mouse hath said, He hath even said :-(0, fie on the strength of the king of the beast ! This deer hath been slain by me ! By might of my arm he will to-day gratify his hunger !)_When he hath boasted in such a language, I, for my part, do not wish to touch this food. The tiger replied, If, indeed, the mouse hath said so, my sense is now awakened. I shall, from this day, slay with the might of my own arms, creatures ranging the forest and then feast on their flesh !-Having said this, the tiger went away.

And after tbe tiger bad left the spot, the mouse came. And seeing. the mouse come, the jackal addressed him and said, -Blest be thou, O mouse, but listen to what the mongoose hath said. He hath even said, - ("The carcass of this deer is poison (the tiger having touched it with his' claws). I will not eat of it. On the other hand, if thou, O jackal, permittest it, I will even slay the mouse and feast on him !) Hearing this the mouse became alarmed and quickly entered his hole. And after the mouse had gone, the wolf, O king, came there having performed