They say:
As often as thou shalt be deprived of the society of the good, so often shalt thou
fall into the company of knaves.
After a few days, the Elephant dying for want of food, his flesh was devoured by
the Jackals. I say, therefore: "That which cannot be effected by force, may be
achieved by cunning."
[1]Marked with white spots.
[2]Low-minded, mean-spirited, bad-hearted.
The Lion, the Mouse, and the Cat
The master should never be rendered free from apprehension by his servants, for
a servant having quieted the fears of his master may experience the fate of
Dahdikarna.[1]
Upon the mountain Arbuda-sikhara, there was a Lion, whose name was
Maliavikrama[2] the tips of whose mane a Mouse was wont to gnaw, as he slept
in his den. The noble beast, having discovered that his hair was bitten, was very
much displeased; and as he was unable to catch the offender, who always slipped
into his hole, he meditated what was best to be done; and having resolved, said
he:
"Whoso hath a trifling enemy, who is not to be overcome by dint of valour,
should employ against him a force of his own likeness."
With a review of this saying, the Lion repaired to the village, and by means of a
piece of meat thrown into his hole, with some difficulty caught a Cat, whose
name was Dadhikarna. He carried him home, and the Mouse for some time
being afraid to venture out, the Lion remained with his hair unnipped. At length,
however, the Mouse was so oppressed with hunger, that creeping about he was
caught and devoured by the Cat. The Lion now, no longer hearing the noise of
the Mouse, thought he had no further occasion for the services of the Cat, and so
began to be sparing of his allowance; and, in consequence, poor Puss pined away
and died for want. Wherefore, I say: "The master should never be rendered free