Page:The jade story book; stories from the Orient (IA jadestorybooksto00cous).pdf/309

Rh thirsty, but trembling and afraid to drink, spoke kindly to him, assuring him that there was no danger.

Then the goat drank, and the tortoise asked him why he was so distressed. The goat replied that he had reason to be, for he had barely escaped death at the hands of a hunter.

"Well," said the tortoise, "you are quite safe now. There are three of us here, a weasel, a crow, and myself, who are great friends. How would you like to join our company? It is our practice to stand by one another in all things, and to make our lives as pleasant as possible.

By this time the weasel and the crow had joined them and they seconded the invitation, so the goat accepted, and each of them swore to be a true friend to the others.

For a long time they lived pleasantly together; but one day the goat failed to be at their meeting-place, and this caused them great anxiety. They waited for some time, but as their friend didn't appear, they decided to search for him, fearing that he was in trouble. So the crow flew up into the air, and looking round about saw the poor