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."