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of the openings. Once there, we will all lift up our voices, and call to him at once, when he will be sure to hear
us. So the weary pigeons took up their burden once more, and sped back whence they had come, greatly to
the surprise of the crow, who wondered at their coming back to the very place where misfortune had
overtaken them. He very soon learnt the reason, and got so excited watching what was going on, that he
hopped out of his nest and perched upon a branch where he could see better. Presently a great clamour arose,
one word being repeated again and again:  Hiranya! Hiranya! Hiranya.
 Why, that's the name of the mouse who lives down below there! thought the crow.  Now, what good can he
do? I know, I know, he added, as he remembered the sharp teeth of Hiranya.  That king of the pigeons is a
sensible fellow. I must make friends with him.
Very soon, as the pigeons lay fluttering and struggling outside one of the entrances to Hiranya's retreat, the
mouse came out. He didn't even need to be told what was wanted, but at once began to nibble the string, first
setting free the king, and then all the rest of the birds.  A friend in need is a friend indeed, cried the king;  a
thousand thousand thanks! And away he flew up into the beautiful free air of heaven, followed by the happy
pigeons, none of them ever likely to forget the adventure or to pick up food from the ground without a good
look at it first.
3. What was the chief virtue displayed by the mouse on this occasion?
4. Do you think it is easier to obey than to command?
CHAPTER III.
The mouse did not at once return to his hole when the birds were gone, but went for a little stroll, which
brought him to the ground still strewn with rice, which he began to eat with great relish.  It's an ill wind, he
said to himself,  which brings nobody any good. There's many a good meal for my whole family here.
CHAPTER II. 47
Hindu Tales from the Sanskrit
Presently he was joined by the old crow, who had flown down from his perch unnoticed by Hiranya, and now
addressed him in his croaky voice:
 Hiranya, he said,  for that I know is your name, I am called Laghupatin and I would gladly have you for a
friend. I have seen all that you did for the pigeons, and have come to the conclusion that you are a mouse of
great wisdom, ready to help those who are in trouble, without any thought of yourself.
 You are quite wrong, squeaked Hiranya.  I am not so silly as you make out. I have no wish to be your
friend. If you were hungry, you wouldn't hesitate to gobble me up. I don't care for that sort of affection.
With that Hiranya whisked away to his hole, pausing at the entrance, when he knew the crow could not get at
him, to cry,  You be off to your nest and leave me alone!
The feelings of the crow were very much hurt at this speech, the more that he knew full well it was not exactly
love for the mouse, which had led him to make his offer, but self-interest: for who could tell what difficulties
he himself might some day be in, out of which the mouse might help him? Instead of obeying Hiranya, and
going back to his nest, he hopped to the mouse's hole, and putting his head on one side in what he thought was
a very taking manner, he said:
 Pray do not misjudge me so. Never would I harm you! Even if I did not wish to have you for a friend, I
should not dream of gobbling you up, as you say, however hungry I might be. Surely you are aware that I am
a strict vegetarian, and never eat the flesh of other creatures. At least give me a trial. Let us share a meal
together, and talk the matter over.
5. Can a friendship be a true one if the motive for it is self-interest?
6. Would it have been wise or foolish for the mouse to agree to be friends with the crow?
CHAPTER IV.
Hiranya, on hearing the last remark of Laghupatin, hesitated, and in the end he agreed that he would have
supper with the crow that very evening.  There is plenty of rice here, he said,  which we can eat on the spot.
It would be impossible for you to get into my hole, and I am certainly not disposed to visit you in your nest.
So the two at once began their meal, and before it was over they had become good friends. Not a day passed
without a meeting, and when all the rice was eaten up, each of the two would bring something to the feast.
This had gone on for some little time, when the crow, who was fond of adventure and change, said one day to
the mouse:  Don't you think we might go somewhere else for a time? I am rather tired of this bit of the forest,
every inch of which we both know well. I've got another great friend who lives beside a fine river a few miles
away, a tortoise named Mandharaka; a thoroughly good, trustworthy fellow he is, though rather slow and
cautious in his ways. I should like to introduce you to him. There are quantities of food suitable for us both
where he lives, for it is a very fruitful land. What do you say to coming with me to pay him a visit?
 How in the world should I get there? answered Hiranya.  It's all very well for you, who can fly. I can't walk
for miles and miles. For all that I too am sick of this place and would like a change.
 Oh, there's no difficulty about that, replied Laghupatin.  I will carry you in my beak, and you will get there
without any fatigue at all. To this Hiranya consented, and very early one morning the two friends started off
together.
7. Is love of change a good or a bad thing?
CHAPTER IV. 48
Hindu Tales from the Sanskrit
8. What did Hiranya's readiness to let Laghupatin carry him show?
CHAPTER V.
After flying along for several hours, the crow began to feel very tired. He was seized too with a great desire to
hear his own voice again. So he flew to the ground, laid his little companion gently down, and gave vent to a
number of hoarse cries, which quite frightened Hiranya, who timidly asked him what was the matter.
 Nothing whatever, answered Laghupatin,  except that you are not quite so light as I thought you were, and
that I need a rest; besides which, I am hungry and I expect you are. We had better stop here for the night, and
start again early to-morrow morning. Hiranya readily agreed to this, and after a good meal, which was easily
found, the two settled down to sleep, the crow perched in a tree, the mouse hidden amongst its roots. Very
early the next day they were off again, and soon arrived at the river, where they were warmly welcomed by
the tortoise. The three had a long talk together, and agreed never to part again. The tortoise, who had lived a
great deal longer than either the mouse or the crow, was a very pleasant companion; and even Laghupatin,
who was very fond of talking himself, liked to listen to his stories of long ago.
 I wonder, said the tortoise, whose name was Mandharaka, to the mouse,  that you are not afraid to travel
about as you have done, with your soft little body unprotected by any armour. Look how different it is for me;
it is almost impossible for any of the wild creatures who live near this river to hurt me, and they know it full
well. See how thick and strong my armour is. The claws even of a tiger, a wild cat or an eagle, could not
penetrate it. I am very much afraid, my little friend, that you will be gobbled up some fine day, and
Laghupatin and I will seek for you in vain.
 Of course, said the mouse,  I know the truth of what you say; but I can very easily hide from danger much
more easily than you or Laghupatin. A tuft of moss or a few dead leaves are shelter enough for me, but big
fellows like you and the crow can be quite easily seen. Nobody saw me when the pigeons were all caught [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]