FABLES FROM THE HITOPADESA

"This work entitled Hitopadesa, or Friendly Instructor, affordeth elegance in the
Sanskrit idioms, in every part variety of language, and inculcateth the doctrine of
prudence and policy."

FABLES FROM THE HITOPADESA

The Traveller and the Tiger

A traveller, through lust of gold, being plunged into an inextricable mire, is
killed and devoured by an old tiger.

As I was travelling on the southern road, once upon a time, I saw an old Tiger
seated upon the bank of a large river, with a bunch of kusa grass in his paw,
calling out to every one who passed: "Ho! ho! traveller, take this golden
bracelet," but every one was afraid to approach him to receive it. At length,
however, a certain wayfarer, tempted by avarice, regarded it as an instance of
good fortune; but, said he, in this there is personal danger, in which we are not
warranted to proceed. Yet, said he, there is risk in every undertaking for the
acquisition of wealth.

The Traveller then asked where was the bracelet; and the Tiger, having held out
his paw, showed it to him and said, "Look at it, it is a golden bracelet." "How
shall I place confidence in thee?" said the Traveller; and the Tiger replied:
"Formerly, in the days of my youth, I was of a very wicked disposition, and as a
punishment for the many men and cattle I had murdered, my numerous children
died, and I was also deprived of my wife; so, at present, I am destitute of
relations. This being the case, I was advised, by a certain holy person, to practise
charity and other religious duties, and I am now grown extremely devout. I