So the Jackal jumped upon the Camel’s back, and the Camel began to recross the river. When they had got well into the water, the Camel said, “This is a pretty way in which you have treated me, friend Jackal. No sooner had you finished your own dinner than you must go yelping about the place loud enough to arouse the whole village, and bring all the villagers down to beat me black and blue, and turn me out of the field before I had eaten two mouthfuls! What in the world did you make such a noise for?”
“I don’t know,” said the Jackal. “It is a custom I have. I always like to sing a little after dinner.”
The Camel waded on through the river. The water reached up to his knees—then above them—up, up, up, higher and higher, until he was obliged to swim. Then turning to the Jackal, he said, “I feel very anxious to roll.” “Oh, pray don’t; why do you wish to do so?” asked the Jackal. “I don’t know,” answered the Camel. “It is a custom I have. I always like to have a little roll after dinner.” So saying, he rolled over in the water, shaking the Jackal off as he did so. And the Jackal was drowned, but the Camel swam safely ashore.
XIV.
THE BRAHMIN, THE TIGER AND THE SIX JUDGES.
ONCE upon a time, a Brahmin, who was walking along the road, came upon an iron cage, in which a great Tiger had been shut up by the villagers who caught him.
As the Brahmin passed by, the Tiger called out and said to him, “Brother Brahmin, brother Brahmin, have pity on me, and let me out of this cage for one minute only to drink a little water, for I am dying of thirst.” The Brahmin answered, “No, I will not; for if I let you out of the cage you will eat me.”
“Oh, father of mercy,” answered the Tiger, “in truth that will I not. I will never be so ungrateful; only let me out, that I may drink some water and return.” Then the Brahmin took pity on him and opened the cage door; but no sooner had he done so than the Tiger, jumping out, said, “Now, I will eat you first and drink the water afterward.” But the Brahmin said, “Only do not kill me hastily. Let us first ask the opinion of six, and if all of them say it is just and fair that you should put me to death, then I am willing to die.” “Very well,” answered the Tiger, “it shall be as you say; we will first ask the opinion of six.”
So the Brahmin and the Tiger walked on till they came to a Banyan tree; and the Brahmin said to it, “Banyan tree, Banyan tree, hear and give judgment.” “On what must I give judgment?” asked the Banyan tree. “This Tiger,” said the Brahmin, “begged me to let him out of his cage to drink a little water, and he promised not to hurt me if I did so; but now, that I have let him out, he wishes to eat me. Is it just that he should do so or no?”