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way can we disregard his decision." One said, If the judge decrees that we are to release and set free the animals, what will you do?" Then another one said, "We will reply that we are their hereditary masters, and they have come down to us in bondage from the times, of our ancestors. The choice is ours. If we like, we can release and set them free; and if we like, we can refuse to release them."

Another observed, "What if the judge directs us to prove that they are our hereditary slaves by some legal document, or by witnesses ?" One answered him, saying, “We will bring forward our friends, who are just, and tender them as witnesses." He replied, "The judge may say that the testimony of men is not trustworthy, because they are all enemies of the animals, and the evidence of enemies is not attended to in the law. Or he may ask where the deed of sale and contract is, and tell us to produce it if we are honest. What device can then be adopted?”

When they heard this, they were all silent, and gave no reply. At length an Arab said, "We will reply that we had the legal documents, but that they were all lost in the storm. And if the judge directs us to swear that they are our own slaves, then we will object that the oath ought to be taken by the defendants, but we are the plaintiffs." Then one said, "If the judge takes an oath from the animals, and they swear that they are not our slaves, what course must we then pursue?" Another replied, "We will say that the animals have sworn falsely, and that we have many proofs which substantiate our claim."

A person asked, "If the judge decrees that we are to sell them, and accept the price, what will you then do?" Then those who were inhabitants of the settled country said, "We will sell them, and take the money." But those who were dwellers in the woods and wastes, the Arabs, Turks, and the

like, said, "This must not be. If we act upon it we shall perish. Do not mention it." Those who were disposed to sell asked what harm there was in it.

In answer to this they replied, "If we sell the animals we shall suffer great inconvenience. Drinking their milk, eating their flesh, making garments of their skin and hair, the application of them to other uses besides—all these advantages will be lost. Death is preferable to a life like this. Similar inconvenience will also befall the inhabitants of the settled country; for they also have great need of these animals. Never entertain the proposition of selling them, or setting them free; nay, do not even let the idea of it enter into your minds. If you are content to give them relief, and to show kindness to them, there is no objection to your doing so, for these animals are living beings; they have flesh and skin like you and we have; and by troubling them further, torture will fall upon them. You have not worked so much righteousness as that this reward should accrue to you in consequence, and that God should have made these animals your subjects. Nor have they committed any such great crime as that God should have inflicted this punishment because of it, and that they should have been subjected to this suffering. He is Master. Whatever He wishes He does, and no one can evade His commands."

WHE

CHAPTER IX.

Consultation of the Animals.

HEN the King arose from his council, and all were dismissed, they went to their several homes. The beasts having also assembled, began to advise and take counsel together. One of them said, "You have heard all the disputation which has gone on to-day between us and the men, and the contention is not yet settled. Now, what seems to you advisable?" One of them replied, "We will go in the morning and weep before the King, and complain of the tyranny of the men. Perhaps his Majesty may take compassion upon us, and release us from bondage. To-day, indeed, he has been somewhat kind to us; but it is not right in a king to give a decree without hearing proof and argument, and proof and arguments are made effective by eloquence of statement and fluency of language. Thus the Prophet has said, (Arabic, which signifies) 'When you quarrel and come to me, and one (man) is more clever with his proofs and arguments than the other, I decide in his favour. Therefore, if unwittingly the right of one should fall to the other, he ought not to take it. If he does take it, I will appoint hell-fire for him.' The men, indeed, possess greater eloquence and fluency of language than we do, and so we are afraid that we shall be discomfited in our evidence and arguments by their plausibility, and that they will prevail over us. What in your opinion is the best plan? Careful

consideration must be given to this point. If we all assemble, and reflect and consider, then some good plan will turn up."

An individual said, "In my opinion the best course is for us to send messengers to all animals to represent our position, and tell them (all), so that they may despatch their representatives and orators to us, who will then all come here, and act as our supporters. For in every species there is a talent, a wisdom, and an eloquence which no other possesses. When many friends and helpers shall assemble, some means of deliverance and safety will be found. Help also comes from God. He aids whomsoever He will." All the animals said, "Enough; this is the right course." Accordingly six messengers, very trustworthy, were chosen to be sent in every direction : one of them for the wild beasts; the second for the birds; the third for the birds of prey; the fourth for the insects, such as the earthworm, the scarlet fly, &c.; the fifth for the reptiles, such as maggots, ants, snakes, scorpions, &c.; the sixth for the aquatic animals. These having been appointed, were sent in every direction.

WHE

CHAPTER X.

On the matters of the First Messenger.

WHEN the first messenger went to the king of the wild beasts, Abú-l Háris-i.e. to the lion-he said, “A dispute is going on between men and beasts in the presence of the King of the Jins. The beasts have sent messengers to all animals, calling upon them to come and render them assistance. They have sent me also to wait upon you. Deign to send a general with your army along with me, that he may go there and become co-partner with his fellows; and when his turn shall come, let him contend with the men." The king asked the messenger what claim the men were setting up against the beasts, and he replied, “They maintain, ‘ all beasts are our slaves and we are their masters.'

The lion inquired, "What thing do the men boast of? If they boast about vigour, strength, courage, valour, onslaught, leaping, jumping, clutching,1 fighting, close combat, or in fact any one of these, then I will instantly despatch my army that it may go there, and in one onslaught scatter and disperse them." The messenger said, "They do indeed boast about many of these qualities, and besides this they are acquainted with many practices and arts, frauds and stratagems, and they know how to make shields and swords, spears and javelins, daggers and knives, arrows and bows, and many (other) weapons. Having regard to the claws and teeth of wild beasts, they cover their bodies with armour, mail, 1 Changul-márná—“ striking with claws.”