Tall Stripes was astonished to hear the words of Old Guile, and asked him how
he, a Tiger, could be the friend of his father, a Giraffe.
"I am not surprised at your question," replied Old Guile; "it is a truth known to
very few indeed that the Tiger and the Giraffe belong to the same family. Just
look at your skin and my own: yours is of a pale yellow colour, mine is very
nearly the same; you have stripes, I have them, too. What more proofs do you
want?"
Tall Stripes, who was extremely simple and guileless, believed these words, and
said: "I am very happy to know that my father was your friend, and that we are
of the same family. Can I do anything for you?"
Old Guile replied, "No, thank you; old as I am, I make it a point of relying on
myself. Further, a great part of my time is spent in prayer and meditation; for I
consider it necessary, at this age, to devote all my attention to spiritual things. It
will, however, be a great gratification to me to have your company whenever
you should chance to pass by this lake."
Tall Stripes acceded to this request, and was about to go on his Way, when Old
Guile observed; "My dear Tall Stripes, you are well aware of the instability of all
earthly things. I am old and infirm, and who knows what may happen to me to-
morrow. Perhaps I may not see you again; so let me do myself the pleasure of
embracing you before you leave me for the present."
"Certainly," said Tall Stripes. Thereupon Old Guile rose up slowly from his seat,
like one devoid of all energy, and embracing him, plunged his deadly teeth into
his long neck, and stretching him on the ground made a hearty breakfast on him.
Beware of the crafty professions of the wicked.
The Man of Luck and the Man of Pluck
A King in the East said to his Minister; "Do you believe in luck?"
"I do," said the Minister.
"Can you prove it?" said the King.