“At length he won the old Vulture’s confidence, and went with him into the hollow tree and lived there. And day after day he stole some of the nestlings, and devoured them.
“The parent birds missed their young ones and sought everywhere for them, and the Cat soon saw that he would have to leave, so he slipped away from the hollow, and escaped.
“A little later the birds found the bones of the nestlings in the dwelling-place of the Vulture, and of course concluded that it was he whom they had helped who had so basely rewarded them. So they called a meeting of all the birds of the forest, told them what had happened, and the poor old Vulture was sentenced to death, and accordingly was executed.”
“Now you have my story,” said Sharp-sense, the Crow, “and this is why I warn you not to become friendly with people about whom you know nothing.”
Then said the Jackal, “When you first met the Deer neither of you knew anything about the other; how is it, then, that you are such friends now? I know I am only Small-wit, the Jackal, but the Deer is my friend, and I hope you will be also.”
“Don’t let us talk so much,” said the Deer, “let us all be friends and live happily together.”
“All right,” said Sharp-sense, “just as you say.”
In the morning each of them started early for his own feeding-ground, returning in the evening, as was their custom. One day the Jackal said to the Deer, “Come with me, and I will show you where there is a field full of sweet young wheat.”
The Deer went with him, and he certainly enjoyed the feast which he found ready. But the owner of the field saw him, set a snare, and the next day the Deer was caught in it.
Very soon Small-wit (who had been watching all the time) came along, and said to himself, “Oho! my scheme worked well. The Deer will furnish me with some very fine meals.”