The king said to his ministers, “O honoured ones, let the matter be so arranged.”
The ministers ordered the oxen to be tied up in their stalls. Breakstump asked, “Does the sun rise in the West? why are not we set free?”
The others said, “We have promised the householder’s [[319]]son, that if he keeps us tied up in our stall, for seven days without giving us grass and water, and lets us go free on the seventh day in a spot which is rich in grass and water, and if he makes asseveration before the king that if he speaks the truth these oxen will neither eat grass nor drink water, then we will neither eat grass nor drink water so long as the king refuses to believe him.”
Breakstump said, “If I were set free I should eat even stones, not to speak of grass.”
The oxen said, “The householder’s son has always acted towards us like a father and a mother. So do not behave in that manner.”
Breakstump said, “It is indeed true that he has behaved towards us like a father and a mother; still, as he has given me the name of Breakstump, I will not consent, but would much rather that his belly should burst.”
The householder’s son visited the oxen from time to time, and asked, “O oxen, how do ye fare?” They replied, “We fare well, but you do not.”
“Why not?”
“Breakstump here has declared that if he be let loose he will devour the very stones, not to speak of grass.”
“Then ought I to give in?”