hole to take an airing--Enters the Raja's
court--All flee in terror--Raja orders the Snake to be killed--The
Prince kills it--Snake's wife goes in search--Enters the court and
learns his fate--Vows to make his wife also a widow--Coils round the
Prince's neck in the night--He dares not stir--Queen-mother goes to see
what is the matter--Sees the Snake--Raja sends archers--They prepare to
shoot--Snake pleads fair reprisals, and asks that the matter be decided
by Panch--They find five Shepherds holding a Panchayat--They all go
thither--The men all agree that the Snake is right except one--He asks
how many sons has the Snake--"Seven"--"Then you must wait till the
Princess has three more, and then you may kill him."

There is a universal taboo in India against killing a snake. When a
cobra is slain it is supposed that its mate always avenges its death
(Crooke, "Popular Religion and Folk-lore of Northern India," i. 226).

12.--Beware of Bad Company

Told by JAGAT KISHOR, master at the Government School,
Gonda, Oudh.

A Swan made friends with a Crow--They fly away from Mansarowar to find
some sport--Perch on a pipal tree under which a pious Raja is
worshipping his Thakurji (idol of Ram or Krishna)--Crow drops filth on
his head and flies away--He sees the Swan and shoots it--Swan says:--

"Kak nahin, ham hans hain,
Man karat ham bas;
Dhrisht kag ke mel son,
Bhayo hamaro nas."

("I am no Crow but a Swan, dwelling in Man Sarowar; being friend of an
ignoble Crow I am destroyed.")

The Crow, as in several tales in this collection, is in Oriental
folk-lore the representative of all that is thievish and mischievous.

13.--The Foolish Wolf

Told by MAHADEVA PRASAD, pupil of branch school, Nau
Shaharah, District Gonda, Oudh.

Wolf and Ass were friends--Played as described in text--Boy sees Wolf
running away from Ass, and says, "What a timid Wolf"--Says the Wolf,
"You shall rue it, I'll carry you off to-day"--Boy tells his
mother--"Never mind, he won't hurt you"--Hides stone in loin-cloth--Wolf
comes for him--Leaves him in his den for the morrow--Goes to play with
the Ass--Boy climbs a tree--Wolf finds no Boy--Stands gaping with
perplexity--Boy throws stone into his mouth and kills him.

14.--Reflected Glory

Told by MATA DIN, assistant teacher, Pili-Bhit district, N.W.P.

A Shepherd had a lame Goat which he beat--It ran away-