and the expanse of waste and mountain like a furnace of glass fiercely inflamed.
From the excessive heat of the air, the brains of animals were boiled in their
craniums, and the crabs in the water were fried like fish in the frying-pan.
The Lion reflected: "At such a time, when the shell at the bottom of the deep,
like a fowl on a spit, is roasting, an affair of this importance has occurred. Who
may there be among my attendants who would not be affected by the labour and
who, undeterred by the heat of the atmosphere, would approach this
undertaking?"
In the midst of this reflection the Tiger came in with the line of attendants and
observed that the Lion was thoughtful. On the ground of his tact and affection,
he advanced near the throne of royalty, and was emboldened to ask the cause of
that thoughtfulness, and having learned how the case stood, he took upon
himself to accomplish the matter, and having been honoured with permission, he
set off with a body of attendants, and, arriving at that place at noon, he betook
himself to the accomplishment of that affair, and the instant that the business
was settled to his satisfaction he changed his reins to return.
The officers who had been appointed to attend him unanimously represented as
follows: "In such heat as this, all this distance has been traversed by the steps of
completion, and now that the affair has been settled and the confidence placed in
you by his majesty been demonstrated, it will certainly be advisable if you
should repose a short time in the shade of a tree and allay the fiery tongue of
thirst by drinking cool water."
The Tiger smiled and said: "My intimacy and rank with his majesty the king is a
banner that I have by toil and effort set up. It would not be well to level it with
the ground by indulgence and sloth. Without supporting trouble it is impossible
to arrive at the carrying off of treasure, and unaccompanied by the thorn we
cannot reap the enjoyment of the rose garden."
The informers furnished intelligence of this to the Lion, and recited the book of
the affair, from preface to conclusion. The Lion nodded the head of approval,
and said: "The people may be at peace in the just reign of that ruler who does not
place his head on the pillow of repose." He then sent for the Tiger, and having
distinguished him with special honours, committed that jungle to him, and,
having bestowed on him the place of his sire, conferred on him, in addition, the
dignity of being his heir.