The Story of the Camel, the Lion, and His Court
"A Camel, may it please you," replied Night-cloud, "who strayed away from a kafila, and wandered into the forest. A Lion, named 'Fierce-fangs,' lived in that forest; and his three courtiers, a Tiger, a Jackal, and a Crow, met the Camel, and conducted him to their King. His account of himself was satisfactory, and the Lion took him into his service under the name of Crop-ear. Now it happened that the rainy season was very severe, and the Lion became indisposed, so that there was much difficulty in obtaining food for the Court. The courtiers resolved accordingly to prevail on the Lion to kill the Camel; 'for what interest have we,' they said, 'in this browser of thistles?'
'What, indeed!' observed the Tiger; 'but will the Rajah kill him after his promise of protection, think you?'
'Being famished he will,' said the Crow. 'Know you not?—
'Hunger hears not, cares not, spares not; no boon of the starving beg;
When the snake is pinched with craving, verily she eats her egg.'
Accordingly they repaired to the Lion.
'Hast brought me food, fellow?' growled the Rajah.
'None, may it please you,' said the Crow.
'Must we starve, then?' asked his Majesty.
'Not unless you reject the food before you, Sire,' rejoined the Crow.