poor man was seized, and instantly exclaimed to himself: "Alas! the
career of my heart is cut short by fate!"

But whilst the unfortunate fellow was thus meditating, he was devoured
by the Tiger. Hence also, it is at no time proper to undertake
anything without examination.



The Jackal and the Cat

To one whose family and profession are unknown, one should not give
residence: the Jackal Jarad-gava was killed through the fault of a Cat.

On the banks of the river Bhageerathee, and upon the mountain
Greedhra-koota, there is a large parkattee tree, in the hollow of whose
trunk there dwelt a Jackal, by name Jarad-gava, who, by some accident,
was grown blind, and for whose support the different birds who roosted
upon the branches of the same tree were wont to contribute a trifle
from their own stores, by which he existed. It so fell out, that one
day a certain Cat, by name Deerga-karna,[1] came there to prey upon the
young birds, whom perceiving, the little nestlings were greatly
terrified, and began to be very clamorous; and their cries being heard
by Jarad-gava, he asked who was coming. The Cat Deerga-karna, too,
seeing the Jackal, began to be alarmed, and said to himself: "Oh! I
shall certainly be killed, for now that I am in his sight, it will not
be in my power to escape. However, let what will be the consequence, I
will approach him." So, having thus resolved, he went up to the
Jackal, and said: "Master, I salute thee!" "Who art thou?" demanded
the Jackal. Said he, "I am a Cat." "Ah! wicked animal," cried the