Atondido Stories
"That is very strange," said the rabbit. "The order has gone
forth that every beast shall fortify himself by building a stockade
around himself. All the beasts are doing it."
The tiger became very much alarmed. "O, dear! O, dear!
What shall I do," he cried. "I don't know how to build a stockade.
I never could do it in the world. O, good rabbit! O, kind rabbit!
You are such, a very good friend of mine. Couldn't you, as a
great favour, because of our long friendship, build a stockade
about me before you build one around yourself?"
The rabbit replied that he could not think of risking his own
life by building the tiger's fortifications first. Finally, however, he
consented to do it.
The rabbit cut down great quantities of long sharp sticks. He
set them firmly in the ground about the tiger. He fastened others
securely over the top until the tiger was completely shut in by
strong bars. Then he went away and left the tiger.
The tiger waited and waited for something to happen to
show him the need of the fortifications. Nothing at all happened.
He got very hungry and thirsty. After a while the monkey
passed that way.
The tiger called out, "O, monkey, has the danger passed?"
The monkey did not know what danger the tiger meant, but he
replied, "Yes."
Then the tiger said, "O, monkey, O, good, kind monkey, will
you not please be so kind as to help me out of my stockade?"
"Let the one who got you in there help you out," replied the
monkey and he went on his way.
Along came the goat and the tiger called out, "O, goat, has
the danger passed?"
The goat did not know anything about any danger, but he re-
plied, "Yes."
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