So they returned to the cage, by which the tiger was waiting for the
Brâhman, and sharpening his teeth and claws.
'You've been away a long time!' growled the savage beast, 'but now let us begin our dinner.'
'Our dinner!' thought the wretched Brâhman, as his knees knocked together with fright; 'what a remarkably delicate way of putting it!'
'Give me five minutes, my lord!' he pleaded, 'in order that I may explain matters to the jackal here, who is somewhat slow in his wits.'
The tiger consented, and the Brâhman began the whole story over again, not missing a single detail, and spinning as long a yarn as possible.
'Oh, my poor brain! oh, my poor brain!' cried the jackal, wringing his paws. 'Let me see! how did it all begin? You were in the cage, and the tiger came walking by——'
'Pooh!' interrupted the tiger,' what a fool you are! I was in the cage.'
'Of course!' cried the jackal, pretending to tremble with fright; 'yes! I was in the cage—no, I wasn't—dear! dear! where are my wits? Let me see—the tiger was in the Brâhman, and the cage came walking by—no, that's not it either! Well, don't mind me, but begin your dinner, for I shall never understand!'
'Yes, you shall!' returned the tiger, in a rage at the jackal's stupidity; 'I'll make you understand! Look here—I am the tiger—'
'Yes, my lord!'