CHAPTER IX.

Consultation of the Animals.

HEN the King arose from his council, and all were

WHEN 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.

WH

CHAPTER X.

On the matters of the First Messenger.

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HEN 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,' 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."

double armour, felt and helmets, so that the claws and teeth of the beasts may never take effect upon their bodies. They practise many wiles and stratagems in order to catch the savage and other wild animals. They make nets and snares, and digging ditches, pits, and holes, they cover the mouths lightly with dirt and grass; when the animals unwittingly walk upon them, they fall in, and then it is impossible for them to get out. But before the King of the Jins there is no mention of these characteristics; there they bring forward proofs and arguments for eloquence of statement, activity of tongue, and superiority of intellect and judgment, (in fine), for all these things."

When the king heard (this) from the mouth of the messenger, after pondering for an hour, he gave his orders, saying, “Yes, let all the wild beasts of my army come." In accordance with this command, many varieties of wild beasts-lions, wolves, different sorts of monkeys, weasels, and, in fine, carnivorous and lacerating 1 animals of every sort and kind—came to wait upon him. The king related to them everything which he had heard from the tongue of the messenger, and said, "Who? is there among you who will go there and be the coadjutor of the animals? Whenever any one proceeds thither and prevails with evidence and reasoning, then whatsoever he shall desire of me I will grant, and I will confer greatness upon him." When the wild beasts heard this they meditated in thought for an hour, as to whether any one was fit for the business or not. The leopard, who was minister, then said to the king, Thou art our king and chief, and we are your dependants and subjects. It behoves the king that in every matter he should consult carefully and deliberately with the wise, and then issue his orders. And it behoves the subjects that they should listen to the orders of the king with the ear of 1 Changul-márne-háre-lit. " claw-strikers." 2 Lit. "Who is such a one?"

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their hearts, and in every point should show obedience to him. Because the king stands in the exalted position of the head and the subjects in the places of the limbs (of the animal frame). When the king and the subjects each keep to their respective positions and courses, all affairs are adjusted, and due order prevails in the kingdom."

The king asked the leopard what sort of qualities those are which are meet for the king and for the subject, and told him to detail them. The leopard said, "It behoves a king to be just, brave, and wise; in every transaction he should carefully deliberate; he should show kindness and affection to his subjects, just as parents show affection and kindness to their offspring; (and) he should occupy himself in whatever may be for the welfare and comfort of his subjects. And it is incumbent on the subject that in every way he should be ready in obedience, service, and devotion to the king; and whatever skill and art he may possess he should make known to the king, and inform him of its defects and merits; the duties of his service he should discharge in a befitting manner; and, making his wants known to the king, he should seek from him aid and assistance."

The lion said, “You speak truly; but now, what advice do you give in this matter?" The leopard said, “May the star of prosperity ever continue bright and resplendent, and may the king be always victorious and triumphant. If there be any need there of strength and vigour, courage and ambition, then deign to give me permission that I may go there and effectually provide for it." The king said, "For these matters there is indeed no one there." The ounce said, "If there be any need there of leaping, jumping, keeping and seizing; then I am bail for it." The wolf said, "If there be any need there of attacking, plundering, and devastating, I will provide for it." The fox said, "If there be any need there of craft and trickery, I am the one for it." The weasel