“Yesterday also, having given milk-rice to a yoke of Jackals I was foolish.”
“They were Jackals of the brinjal (egg-plant) caste; owing to being in full bloom we are Jackals of the tusk elephant caste,” they said.
After that, having said, “Inḍaw,” he gave them it. After they ate it, having come dragging the two Jackals and tied the yoke [on their necks], he tried to plough. Thereupon, when they were unable to draw [the plough] having beaten and beaten them he threw them into the weeds. At that time they saw that those [former] Jackals are groaning and groaning. These Jackals also having gone away, lay down.
A Jackal having gone near the Wild Cat,[1] says, “Preceptor, [tell me] how to eat a little milk-rice from the Gamarāla’s house?”
“If so, having hidden at the place of the firewood bundles remain [there].”
After that, the Jackal having gone, remained hidden at the place of the firewood bundles. Having waited there, at the time when the Gamarāla’s wife is going for water the Cat told the Jackal to come into the house. Thereupon the Jackal having gone into the house got upon the platform (at the level of the top of the side walls). Then the Cat having gone, gave him a little milk-rice in a piece of coconut shell. While he was on the platform with the Cat it became evening.
At that time, in the evening the Jackals having come to the rice field, howled. Thereupon this Jackal said, “Preceptor, I must bring to remembrance my religion.”[2]
Then the Cat said, “Anē! Appā! Having killed thee they will kill me.”
Again the Jackals at midnight having come into the rice field, howled. Thereupon the Jackal [said], “Preceptor, I must bring to remembrance my religion; I cannot endure it.”
When [the Cat] was saying, “The top of thy head will be split,” he howled, “Hokkiyā!”