The Great Epic of the Bhārata dynasty 1.222.2

1.222.2

śārṅgakā ūcuḥ |
na hṛtaṃ taṃ vayaṃ vidmaḥ śyenenākhuṃ kathaṃcana |
anye'pi bhavitāro'tra tebhyo'pi bhayameva naḥ || 2 ||

"Vaisampayana said, 'Hearing those words of her sons Jarita continued, 'The little mouse that had come out of this hole was seized by a hawk with his claws and carried away hence. Therefore, ye may fearlessly enter this hole now.' The young ones replied, 'We are not by any means certain of that mouse having been taken away by the hawk. There may be other mice living here. From them we have every fear. Whereas it is doubtful whether fire will at all approach us here. Already we see an adverse wind blowing the flames away. If we enter the hole, death is certain at the hands of the dwellers in the hole. But if we remain where we are, death is uncertain. O mother, a position in which death is uncertain is better than that in which it is certain. It is thy duty, therefore, to escape thyself, for, if thou livest thou mayest obtain other children as good.'