This is connected with the Æsopian fable of "The Fox who Lost his Tail."
26.—[The Wily Tortoise]
Told by Brij Mohan Lál, second master, High School, Manipuri,
N.W.P. The bird is a Hansa. N.I.N.Q., iii. § 295.
27.—[The King of the Mice]
Told and recorded by Babu Gandharab Sinh, of Etah.
Kingdom of Mice—Mouse King and Fox Wazir—All animals of forest did homage—Caravan passed—Camel left behind—Eats the Mouse King's garden—Fox brings him in—Mocks the King—Nose-string gets entangled—King says he is served right—He begs release and promises service—Mouse gnaws string—Camel serves him—Woodcutters find Camel and take him—King sends to fetch them—Demands his Camel—The Woodcutters tell their King—He refuses—King of Mice collects armies and burrows under Woodcutter's treasury—Brings all the money out in charge of a detachment of Mice—Wise man sees it—Covets the money—Old Mouse says, "Why do you covet? our King will give you service"—Goes to the King—The King bids him fetch more of his brethren—With these the Mouse King invades the realm of Woodcutters—Mice undermine the walls of the enemy's fort—Woodcutters' army flee—King of Mice gets back his Camel, and makes the Woodcutter King his vassal.
(The episode of the wise man seems to be interpolated, as the men play no part in the attack.)
Another version in N.I.N.Q., iii. § 292, told by Thákur Umráo Sinh of Sonhár, Etah district, N.W.P. For Kings of Animals, compare [No. 9] of this book.
28.—[The Valiant Blackbird]
Told by Wazíran, a Mohammedan servant of Mirzápur, and
recorded by Mirza Muhammad Beg.