Tiger. [Jumping out.] Now, I will eat you first and then I’ll drink the water.
Brahman. Alas! How foolish I was to let you out. Only do not kill me hastily. Let me ask the first three things I meet to tell me whether it is just and fair that you should put me to death. If all of them say it is just and fair for you to kill me I shall be willing to die.
Tiger. It shall be as you say. You may ask the opinion of three.
[Brahman goes off.]
Brahman. O Tree, hear my story and tell me who is right. The tiger begged me to let him out of his cage, to drink a little water. He promised not to hurt me if I did so. But now that I have let him out he wishes to kill and eat me. Is this right?
Tree. I give shade to all who pass by, but when they are rested they cut my branches and break off my leaves. Why do you complain?
Brahman. Alas! Alas! [Goes on.] O Buffalo, hear my story and tell me who is right. The tiger begged me to let him out of his cage to drink a little water. But now that I have let him out he wishes to kill and eat me. Is this right, O Buffalo?
Buffalo. Look at me! See how hard I work. When I was young I had the best of food. But now that I am old I am kept here in the field. I have only the coarsest food to eat. Why do you complain?
Brahman. Alas! Alas! [Goes to Road.] O Road, hear my story and tell me who is right. The tiger begged me to let him out of his cage to drink a little water. But now that I have let him out he wishes to kill and eat me. Is this right, O Road?
Road. Poor Brahman! How can you hope for anything else? Think of me. Here I am useful to every one. Yet all, rich and poor, great and small, trample on me as they go past. Why do you complain?