Hitopadesha 1.74.p1

1.74.p1

jambukaḥ pāśaṃ muhur muhur vilokyācintayat-dṛḍhas tāvad ayaṃ bandhaḥ | brūte ca-sakhe ! snāyu-nirmitāḥ pāśāḥ, tad adya bhaṭṭāraka-vāre katham etān dantaiḥ spṛśāmi ? mitra ! yadi citte na anyathā manyase, tadā prabhāte yat tvayā vaktavyaṃ tat kartavyam iti | anantaraṃ sa kākaḥ pradoṣakā mṛgamanāgatam avalokya itas tato 'nviṣyan tathāvidhaṃ taṃ dṛṣṭvā uvāca-sakhe ! kim etat ? mṛgeṇoktam-avadhīrita-suhṛd-vākyasya phalam etat tathā coktam-

"Small-wit answered nothing, but betook himself to examining the snare very closely.

'This will certainly hold,' muttered he; then, turning to the Deer, he said, 'Good friend, these strings, you see, are made of sinew, and to-day is a fast-day, so that I cannot possibly bite them. To-morrow morning, if you still desire it, I shall be happy to serve you.'

When he was gone, the Crow, who had missed the Deer upon returning that evening, and had sought for him everywhere, discovered him; and seeing his sad plight, exclaimed—

'How came this about, my friend?'

'This came,' replied the Deer, 'through disregarding a friend's advice.'