Then the Jackal having taken hold of the Turtle with his mouth, and placed it in a pond containing water, when he had been treading on it [to prevent it from escaping] for a little time, the Turtle says, “Now every place is soaked. Under the sole of your foot, Sir, I have not got wet. Should you raise the sole of your foot a little it would be good,” it said. So the Jackal raised the foot a little. Then the Turtle crept to the bottom of the mud. The Jackal quickly seized the Turtle [by its leg] again.
After he had caught it the Turtle says, “The Jackal-elder-brother being cheated has got hold of the Keṭala [plant] root.” The Jackal-elder-brother quickly having let go the Turtle, speedily got hold of the Keṭala root that was near by. Then the Jackal being unable [to go deeper], the Turtle going yet a little further in the water, says, “Bola! Even to-day you are Jackals! When didst thou eat us?”
Many Jackals prated to the Jackal about the Turtle. On account of the Jackal’s being unable to eat the Turtle or to seize it, he became much ashamed. While he was there, having contrived and contrived a trick, saying he must somehow or other kill the Turtle, another Jackal came there to drink water. Having drunk water, he asks the other Jackal, “What, friend, are you thinking of and clenching your nails about?”
Then the Jackal who was unable to seize the Turtle, says, “Friend, a Turtle cheated me, and went into this pond. Having become angry on account of that, I am looking for it in order to kill that one should that one come onto the land,” he said to the other Jackal.
That Jackal says, “Āē, Bola! Fool! How many Turtles are there yet in the pond? How canst thou seek out the one that cheated thee?” the Jackal that came to drink water said.
Every day in that manner this Jackal comes to the pond to drink water. One day when he came to drink water, having seen that a crowd of Turtles are grimacing on the lotus, the Jackal says, “If ye and we be friends, how much advantage we can gain by it!” Having spoken thus on that day the Jackal went away.
Having gone, when he met the Jackal whom the Turtle cheated he said, “Friend, having met with a crowd of Turtles while they were in the pond to-day, I spoke words [to them]. We must devise together a trick to kill them.” Having said this the two Jackals talked together.
Again, on a day when the Jackal went to the pond to drink water, having seen in the [same] way as on that day the Turtles grimacing on the lotus, the Jackal says, “How can ye and we remain in this manner? Should ye and we, both parties, take wives [from each other] wouldn’t it be good?” the Jackal asked the Turtles.
Then the Turtles say, “If so, indeed how good it would be!”
“Then one day we will come and speak with ye [about] the wedding.” Having said this the Jackal went away.