He issued from his lurking-place and turned toward the tree. The fowl
being put on its guard by that circumstance, fled, and the Fox, by a
hundred exertions, ascended the tree. Much did he labour till he had
torn the drum, and then he found nought save a skin and a piece of
wood. The fire of regret descended into his heart, and the water of
contrition began to run from his eyes, and he said: "Alas! that by
reason of this huge bulk which is all wind, that lawful prey has
escaped from my hand, and from this empty form no advantage has
resulted to me."

Loudly ever sounds the labour,
But in vain--within is nought:
Art thou wise, for substance labour,
Semblance will avail thee nought.



The Sparrows and the Falcon

Two Sparrows once fixed their nest on the branch of a tree; and of
worldly gear, water and grain sufficed them; while on the summit of a
mountain, beneath which that tree lay, a Falcon had its abode, which,
at the time of stooping on its quarry, issued from its lurking-place
like lightning, and, like heaven's bolt, clean consumed the feebler
birds.

Whenever the Sparrows produced young, and the time was near at hand for
them to fly, that Falcon, rushing forth from its ambush, used to carry
them off and make them food for its own young. Now, to those