“Come down out of that tree and watch this hole for me,” said the Leopard. “I am going to gather sticks and kindle a fire to burn up this good-for-nothing Dog.”
The Monkey dared not refuse, and he came down and sat in front of the hole.
When the Leopard had gone away, the Dog peeped out very cautiously.
“I know where there is a tree full of ripe nuts,” he said to the Monkey. “If you will let me get away, I will show you where it is.”
“But I am afraid of the Leopard,” chattered the Monkey.
“The Leopard will never know,” said the Dog. “When the tree burns, she will think that I am burning inside of it.”
Finally the Monkey let the Dog out, and he crept into the grass and hid, for he saw the Leopard coming back with a load of sticks.
“Have you kept close watch of the hole?” asked the Leopard.
“I have not gone away for a minute,” said the Monkey. “I have kept my eyes on the hole ever since you went away.”
Then the Leopard made a fire and the tree began to blaze up.