Indian tales of the great ones among men, women, and bird-people

Among Men, Women, and Bird-people
By Cornelia Sorabji
With Illustrations by Warwick Goble
BLACKIE AND SON LIMITED WARWICK HOUSE, BOMBAY LONDON AND GLASGOW
To my Baby-Friends in all Worlds
INDIAN TALES OF THE GREAT ONES
There were once two great brother-eagles—Jattayu and Sanpati. And Jattayu was King of all the Eagle Tribes; and among the birds of the air there was none more powerful than Jattayu.
The brothers lived together on a crag of the mountains called the Home of Snow, which stretch across the north-east boundary of India.
They lived there because there was no higher spot in all the world that could be found for their home. And day after day Jattayu ranged the air, marshalling his bird-armies, or settling disputes, or swooping down on the things which he sought for food—for all the bird-people belonged to Jattayu, and owed him allegiance even with their lives, if so he should desire.
And Jattayu was strong and took what he willed, without making excuse.
And Jattayu was feared, even though there were those among the bird-people who could tell how Jattayu could be gentle to the weak.
And of these was his brother Sanpati.