The Jackal said, “If so, Friend, put me on the ground on the other side, so that I may go to-day and ask for a mate for you, and come back again.”
Then the Crocodile, placing the Jackal on his back, swam across the river, and after placing the Jackal on the other bank returned to the water.
The Jackal went and ate the body of that dead Elephant. Having eaten it during the whole of that day, he returned again to the river. Having arrived there, when he said “Friend,” the Crocodile rose to the surface and asked the Jackal, “Friend, did you ask for a mate for me?”
Then the Jackal said, “Friend, I did indeed ask for a mate; we have not come to an agreement about it yet. To-morrow I must go again to settle it. On that account put me on the ground on the other side.” So the Crocodile, placing the Jackal on his back, swam across the river, and placed the Jackal on this bank.
Next day, as it became light, the Jackal went to the river, and as he was saying “Friend,” the Crocodile rose to the surface. The Jackal said, “Friend, in order that I may go and make a settlement of yesterday’s affair and return again, put me on the other bank.”
Then the Crocodile, placing the Jackal on his back crossed the river, and having placed the Jackal on the other bank went again into the water.
The Jackal having gone to the dead body of the Elephant, and eaten it even until nightfall, came to the river after night had set in. As he was saying “Friend,” the Crocodile rose to the surface, and asked, “Friend, did you get it settled to-day?”
The Jackal said, “Friend, I have indeed settled the matter. They told me to come to-morrow in order to summon her to come. On that account put me on the far bank.”
After that, the Crocodile, placing the Jackal on his back, went across the river, and having placed the Jackal on the ground on this side returned to the water.
The Jackal next day also, as it became light, went to the river. When he said “Friend,” the Crocodile rose to the surface. The Jackal said, “Friend, if I must bring and give you your mate to-day, put me on the other bank.”