After the cat had said these words, the mouse, possessed of intelligence and wisdom and knowledge of the scriptures, said these excellent words unto him:  ’I have, O cat, heard what thou hast said in furtherance of thy own object.  Listen, however, to me as I tell thee what is consistent with my own objects.  That friendship in which there is fear and which cannot be kept up without fear, should be maintained with great caution like the hand (of the snake-charmer) from the snake’s fangs.  The person that does not protect himself after having made a covenant with a stronger individual, finds that covenant to be productive of injury instead of benefit.  Nobody is anybody’s friend; nobody is anybody’s well-wisher; persons become friends or foes only from motives of interest.  Interest enlists interest even as tame elephants catch wild individuals of their species.  After, again, an act has been accomplished, the doer is scarcely regarded.  For this reason, all acts should be so done that something may remain to be done.  When I shall set thee free, thou wilt, afflicted by the fear of the hunter, fly away for thy life without ever thinking of seizing me.  Behold, all the strings of this net have been cut by me.  Only one remains to be cut.  I will cut that also with haste.  Be comforted, O Lomasa!’ While the mouse and the cat were thus talking with each other, both in serious danger, the night gradually wore away.  A great fear, however, penetrated the heart of the cat.  When at last morning came, the Chandala, whose name was Parigha, appeared on the scene.  His visage was frightful.  His hair was black and tawny.  His hips were very, large and his aspect was very fierce.  Of a large mouth that extended from car to car, and exceedingly filthy, his ears were very long.  Armed with weapons and accompanied by a pack of dogs, the grim-looking man appeared on the scene.  Beholding the individual who resembled a messenger of Yama, the cat became filled with fear.  Penetrated with fright, he addressed Palita and said, ‘What shalt thou do now?’ The mouse very quickly cut the remaining string that held fast the cat.  Freed from the noose, the cat ran with speed and got upon the banian.  Palita also, freed from that situation of danger and from the presence of a terrible foe, quickly fled and entered his hole.  Lomasa meanwhile had climbed the high tree.  The hunter, seeing everything, took tip his net.  His hopes frustrated, he also quickly left that spot.  Indeed, O bull of Bharata’s race, the Chandala returned to his abode.  Liberated from that great peril, and having obtained back his life which is so very valuable, the cat from the branches of that tree addressed the mouse Palita then staying within the hole, and said, ’Without having conversed with me, thou hast suddenly run away.  I hope thou dost not suspect me of any evil intent.  I am certainly grateful and thou hast done me a great service.  Having inspired me with trustfulness and having given me my life, why dost thou not approach