will last me for a whole month, and the Deer and the Boar for two more;
then the Serpent will serve me a day; and let me taste the bow-string
too. But, in the first place, let me try that which is the least
savoury. Suppose, then, I eat this catgut line which is fastened to
the bow": saying so, he drew near to eat it; but the instant he had bit
the line in two, he was torn asunder by the spring of the bow; and he
was reduced to the state of the five elements. I say, therefore, "A
hoard should always be made; but not too great a hoard."



The Elephant and the Jackal

That which cannot be effected by force may be achieved by cunning. An
Elephant was killed by a Jackal, in going over a swampy place.

In the forest Brahmaranya there was an Elephant, whose name was
Karphooratilaka,[1] who having been observed by the jackals, they all
determined that if he could by any stratagem be killed, he would be
four months' provisions for them all. One of them, who was of
exceeding vicious inclination and by nature treacherous, declared that
he would engage, by the strength of his own judgment, to effect his
death. Some time after, this deceitful wretch went up to the
Elephant, and having saluted him, said: "Godlike sir! Condescend to
grant me an audience." "Who art thou?" demanded the Elephant, "and
whence comest thou?" "My name," replied he, "is Kshudrabuddhi,[2] a
jackal, sent into thy presence by all the inhabitants of the forest,
assembled for that purpose, to represent that, as it is not expedient
to reside in so large a forest as this without a chief, your Highness,
endued with all the cardinal virtues, hath been selected to be anointed