Hitopadesha 1.53

1.53

yāni kāni ca mitrāṇi kartavyāni śatāni ca |
paśya mūṣika-mitreṇa kapotā mukta-bandhanāḥ //

One should make friends of whatever sort and by hundreds; / look: through a mouse as a friend, the doves were freed from their bonds.

1.53.p1

atha laghu-patanaka-nāmā kākaḥ sarva-vṛttānta-darśī sāścaryam idam āha-aho hiraṇyaka ! ślāghyo 'si, ato 'ham api tvayā saha maitrīṃ kartum icchāmi | atas tvaṃ māṃ maitryeṇānugrahītum arhasi | etac chrutvā hiraṇyako 'pi vivarābhyantarād āha-kas tvam ?

Now a crow named Laghupatanaka, who had witnessed the whole event, said in wonder: “Oh Hiraṇyaka! You are praiseworthy; hence I too desire to make friendship with you. Therefore, you ought to favor me with friendship.” Hearing this, Hiraṇyaka also said from inside the hole: “Who are you?”

Now Light o' Leap, the Crow, had been a spectator of the whole transaction, and wondered at it so much that at last he called out, "Ho! Golden-skin, thou very laudable Prince, let me too be a friend of thine, and give me thy friendship."

"Who art thou?" said Golden-skin, who heard him, but would not come out of his hole.

1.53.p2

sa brūte-laghupatanaka-nāmā vāyaso 'ham | hiraṇyako vihasyāha-kā tvayā saha maitrī ? yataḥ-

He said: “I am a crow named Laghupatanaka.” Hiraṇyaka laughed and said: “What friendship can there be with you? For:

"I am the Crow Light o' Leap," replied the other.

"How can I possibly be on good terms with thee?" answered Golden-skin with a laugh; "have you never read—