The ox rejoined likewise in verse—

“Śakara has not provided a ladder; still less is there any question about going to Brahma’s world. As thou hast been laid in the fetters of contrivance, thou wilt never see thyself saved.” [[341]]

[1] Kah-gyur, iv. f. 293. [↑]

[[Contents]]

XXXVIII.

THE JACKAL IN THE ELEPHANT’S FOOTPRINTS.[1]

An elephant came long ago to the Himalayas to drink water. In its track followed a jackal, which saw the elephant’s footprints, and began to measure its own stride with them.

“These footprints are mine,” it said to itself.

Then springing forwards it set its foot in one of the footprints, and tripped over a broken piece of wood.[2]