The Rajah was exceedingly well pleased, and gave her some money.  So having displayed her consequence to the priesthood of the country, to the leaders of the army, and to all the rest of the people, she provided such fruits as she conceived the monkeys were fond of, and went into the wood; where strewing them about, they presently quitted the Bell, and attached themselves to the fruit.  The Poor Woman, in the meantime, took away the Bell, and repaired to the city, where she became an object of adoration to its inhabitants.  Wherefore, I say:  “It is not proper to be alarmed by a mere sound, when the cause of the sound is unknown.”

The Lion and the Rabbit

He who bath sense hath strength.  Where hath he strength who wanteth judgment?  See how a Lion, when intoxicated with anger, was overcome by a Rabbit.

Upon a certain mountain there lived a Lion, whose name was Durganta,[1] who was perpetually sacrificing animals to his gods; so that, at length, all the different species assembled, and, in a body, represented that, as by his present mode of proceeding the forest would be cleared all at once; if it pleased his Highness, they would, each of them in his turn, provide him an animal for his daily food; and the Lion gave, his consent accordingly.  So every beast delivered his stipulated provision, till at length, in coming to the Rabbit’s turn he began to meditate in this manner:  “Policy should be practised by him who would save his life; and I myself shall lose mine, if I do not take care.  Suppose I lead him after another Lion?  Who knows how that may turn out for me?  Then I will approach him slowly, as if fatigued.”

The Lion by this time began to be very hungry; so, seeing the Rabbit coming toward him, he called out in a great passion:  “What is the reason thou comest so late?” “Please your Highness,” said the Rabbit “as I was coming along, I was forcibly detained by another of your species; but having given him my word that I would return immediately I came here to represent it to your Highness.”  “Go quickly,” said the Lion in a rage, “and show me where this vile wretch may be found?”

Accordingly the Rabbit conducted the Lion to the brink of a deep well, where being arrived, “There,” said the Rabbit, “look down and behold him”; at the same time he pointed to the reflected image of the Lion in the water; who swelling with pride and resentment, leaped into the well, as he thought, upon his adversary, and thus put an end to his own life.  I repeat, therefore:  “He who hath sense, hath strength.”

[1]Hard to go near.

The Birds and the Monkeys

A wise man is worthy to be advised; but an ignorant one never.  Certain birds, having given advice to a troop of monkeys, have their nests torn to pieces, and are obliged to fly away.