is risk in every undertaking
for the acquisition of wealth.

The Traveller then asked where was the bracelet; and the Tiger, having
held out his paw, showed it to him and said, "Look at it, it is a
golden bracelet." "How shall I place confidence in thee?" said the
Traveller; and the Tiger replied: "Formerly, in the days of my youth, I
was of a very wicked disposition, and as a punishment for the many men
and cattle I had murdered, my numerous children died, and I was also
deprived of my wife; so, at present, I am destitute of relations. This
being the case, I was advised, by a certain holy person, to practise
charity and other religious duties, and I am now grown extremely
devout. I perform ablutions regularly, and am charitable. Why, then,
am I not worthy of confidence?"

"So far, you see," continued the Tiger, "I have an interest in wishing
to give away to some one this golden bracelet from off my own wrist;
and as thou appearest to be rather a poor man, I prefer giving it to
thee; according to this saying:

"'Make choice of the poor, and bestow not thy gifts on others.' Then
go, and having purified thyself in this stream, take the golden
bracelet."

The Traveller no sooner began to enter the river to purify himself,
than he stuck fast in the mud, and was unable to escape. The Tiger
told him he would help him out; and creeping softly toward him, the
poor man was seized, and instantly exclaimed to himself: "Alas! the
career of my heart is cut short by fate!"

But whilst the unfortunate fellow was thus meditating, he was devoured
by the Tiger. Hence also, it is at no time proper to undertake
anything without examination.

The Jackal and the Cat

To one whose family and profession are unknown, one should not give
residence: the Jackal Jarad-gava was killed through the fault of a Cat.

On the banks of the river Bhageerathee, and upon the mountain
Greedhra-koota, there is a large parkattee tree, in the hollow of whose
trunk there dwelt a Jackal, by name Jarad-gava, who, by some accident,
was grown blind, and for whose support the different birds who roosted
upon the branches of the same tree were wont to contribute a trifle
from their own stores, by which he existed. It so fell out, that one
day a certain Cat, by name Deerga-karna,[1] came there to prey upon the
young birds, whom perceiving, the little nestlings were greatly
terrified, and began to be very clamorous; and their cries being heard
by Ja