his reflections.  Having reflected in this strain, the mouse, conversant with the science of Profit and well acquainted with occasions when war should be declared and peace made, gently addressed the cat, saying, ’I address thee in friendship, O cat!  Art thou alive?  I wish thee to live!  I desire the good of us both.  O amiable one, thou hast no cause for fear.  Thou shalt live in happiness.  I shall rescue thee, if, indeed, thou dost not slay me.  There is an excellent expedient in this case, which suggests itself to me, and by which you may obtain your escape and I may obtain great benefit.  By reflecting earnestly I have hit upon that expedient for thy sake and for my sake, for it will benefit both of us.  There are the mongoose and the owl, both waiting with evil intent.  Only so long, O cat, as they do not attack me, is my life safe.  There that wretched owl with restless glances and horrid cries is eyeing me from the branch of that tree.  I am exceedingly frightened by it.  Friendship, as regards the good, is seven-paced.[409] Possessed of wisdom as thou art, thou art my friend.  I, shall act towards thee as a friend.  Thou needst have no fear now.  Without my help, O cat, thou wilt not succeed in tearing the net.  I, however, shall cut the net for serving thee, if thou abstain from killing me.  Thou hast lived on this tree and I have lived at its foot.  Both of us have dwelt here for many long years.  All this is known to thee.  He upon whom nobody places his trust, and he who never trusts another, are never applauded by the wise.  Both of them are unhappy.  For this reason, let our love for each other increase, and let there be union amongst us two.  Men of wisdom never applaud the endeavour to do an act when its opportunity has passed away.  Know that this is the proper time for such an understanding amongst us.  I wish that thou shouldst live, and thou also wishest that I should live.  A man crosses a deep and large river by a piece of wood.  It is seen that the man takes the piece of wood to the other side, and the piece of wood also takes the man to the other side.  Like this, our compact, also will bring happiness to both of us.  I will rescue thee, and thou also wilt rescue me.’  Having said these words that were beneficial to both of them, that were fraught with reason and on that account highly acceptable, the mouse Palita waited in expectation of an answer.

“’Hearing these well-chosen words, fraught with reason and highly acceptable, that the mouse said, the mouse’s foe possessed of judgment and forethought, viz., the cat spoke in reply.  Endued with great intelligence, and possessed of eloquence, the cat, reflecting upon his own state, praised the Words of the speaker and honoured him by gentle words in return.  Possessed of sharp foreteeth and having eyes that resembled the stones called lapis lazuli, the cat called Lomasa, gentle eyeing the mouse, answered as follows:  I am delighted with thee, O amiable one!  Blessed be thou that wishest me to live!