They thereupon called a council for consultation. The jackal opening the
proceedings said, 'O tiger, thou hast made many an effort to seize this
deer, but all in vain simply because this deer is young, fleet and very
intelligent. Let now the mouse go and eat into its feet when it lieth
asleep. And when this is done, let the tiger approach and seize it. Then
shall we all, with great pleasure feast on it.' Hearing these words of the
jackal, they all set to work very cautiously as he directed. And the mouse
ate into the feet of the deer and the tiger killed it as anticipated. And
beholding the body of the deer lying motionless on the ground, the jackal
said unto his companions, 'Blessed be ye! Go and perform your ablutions.
In the meantime I will look after the deer.' Hearing what the jackal said,
they all went into a stream. And the jackal waited there, deeply
meditating upon what he should do. The tiger endued with great strength,
returned first of all to the spot after having performed his ablutions.
And he saw the jackal there plunged in meditation. The tiger said, 'Why
art thou so sorrowful, O wise one! Thou art the foremost of all
intelligent beings. Let us enjoy ourselves today by feasting on this
carcass.' The jackal said, 'Hear, O mighty-armed one, what the mouse hath
said. He hath even said, 'O, fie on the strength of the king of the
beasts! This deer hath been slain by me. By might of my arm he will today
gratify his hunger.' When he hath boasted in such a language, I, for my
part, do not wish to touch this food.
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