Atondido Stories
impossible to escape my claws, jumped into this well, and is liv-
ing to this moment in the very bottom of it. I also jumped in, but
found myself on the first ledge of the well; he is on the last and
fourth ledge. In the second lives a serpent half-famished with
hunger. On the third lies a rat, also half-famished, and when you
again begin to draw water these may request you first to release
them. In the same way the goldsmith also may ask you. I beg
you, as your bosom friend, never assist that wretched man,
though he is your relation as a human being. Goldsmiths are
never to be trusted. You can place more faith in me, a tiger,
though I feast sometimes upon men, in a serpent, whose sting
makes your blood cold the very next moment, or in a rat, which
does a thousand pieces of mischief in your house. But never
trust a goldsmith. Do not release him; and if you do, you shall
surely repent of it one day or other." Thus advising, the hungry
tiger went away without waiting for an answer.
Gangazara thought several times of the eloquent way in
which the tiger spoke, and admired his fluency of speech. But
still his thirst was not quenched. So he let down his vessel again,
which was now caught hold of by the serpent, who addressed
him thus: "Oh, my protector! Lift me up. I am the king of ser-
pents, and the son of Adisesha, who is now pining away in ago-
ny for my disappearance. Release me now. I shall ever remain
your servant, remember your assistance, and help you through-
out life in all possible ways. Oblige me: I am dying." Gangazara,
calling again to mind the "DEATH ON THE SEA-SHORE" of the
prophecy lifted him up. He, like the tiger-king, walked round
him thrice, and prostrating himself before him spoke thus: "Oh,
my life-giver, my father, for so I must call you, as you have given
me another birth. I was three days ago basking myself in the
morning sun, when I saw a rat running before me. I chased him.
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