THE FABLES OF BIDPAI

    "In English now they    teach   us  wit.    In  English now they    say:

    Ye  men,    come    learn   of  beasts  to  live,   to  rule    and to  obey,

    To  guide   you wisely  in  the world,  to  know    to  shun    deceit,

    To  fly the crooked paths   of  guile,  to  keep    your    doings  straight."

SIR THOMAS NORTH

THE FABLES OF BIDPAI

The Snake and the Sparrows

It is related that two Sparrows once made their nest in the roof of a house; and,
contenting themselves with a single grain, so lived. Once on a time they had
young ones, and both the mother and father used to go out in search of food for
their support; and what they procured they made up into grains and dropped into
their crops.

One day, the male Sparrow had gone out somewhere. When he came back he
beheld the female Sparrow fluttering in the greatest distress around the nest,
while she uttered piteous cries. He exclaimed, "Sweet friend! what movements
are these which I behold in thee?" She replied, "How shall I not lament, since,
when I returned after a moment's absence, I saw a huge Snake come and prepare
to devour my offspring, though I poured forth piteous cries. It was all in vain, for
the Snake said, 'Thy sigh will have no effect on my dark-mirrored scales.' I
replied, 'Dread this, that I and the father of these children will gird up the waist
of vengeance, and will exert ourselves to the utmost for thy destruction.' The
Snake laughed on hearing me, and that cruel oppressor has devoured my young