'Wisdom from the mouth of children be it overpast of none; What man scorns to walk by lamplight in the absence of the sun?' 'Good Damanaka,' said King Tawny-hide, somewhat appeased, 'how is it that thou, so wise a son of our first minister, hast been absent all this while from our Court? But now speak thy mind fearlessly: what wouldst thou?' 'Will your Majesty deign to answer one question?' said Damanaka. 'Wherefore came He back from the river without drinking?' 'Hush!' whispered the King, 'thou hast hit right upon my trouble. I knew no one unto whom I might confide it; but thou seemest a faithful fellow, and I will tell thee. Listen, then,' continued his Majesty in an agitated whisper, 'there is some awful beast that was never seen before in this wood here; and we shall have to leave it, look you. Did you hear by chance the inconceivable great roar he gave? What a strong beast it must be to have such a voice!' 'May it please your Majesty, I did hear the noise,' said the Jackal, 'and there is doubtless cause for terrible apprehension therein; but take comfort, my Liege, he is no minister who bids thee prepare for either war or resignation. All will go well, and your Majesty will learn by this difficulty which be your best servants,' 'Good Jackal,' said Tawny-hide, 'I am horribly frightened about it.' 'I can see that,' thought Damanaka; but he only said, 'Fear nothing, my liege, while thy servant survives,' 'What shall I do?' asked the King. 'It is well to encourage those who can avert disaster. If your Majesty condescended now to bestow some favor on Karataka and the other----' 'It shall be done,' said the Rajah; and, summoning the other Jackals, he gave them and Damanaka a magnificent gift of flesh, and they left the presence, undertaking to meet the threatened danger. 'But, brother,' began Karataka,'haven't we eaten the King's dinner without knowing what the danger is which we are to meet, and whether we can obviate it?' 'Hold thy peace,' said Damanaka, laughing; 'I know very well what the danger is! It was a bull, aha! that bellowed--a bull, my brother--whose beef you and I could pick, much more the King our master.' 'And why not tell him so?' asked Karataka. 'What! and quiet his Majesty's fears! And where would our splendid dinner have been then? No, no, my friend-- 'Set not your lord at ease; for, doing that, Might starve you as it starved "Curd-ear" the Cat.' 'Who was Curd-ear, the Cat?' inquired Karataka. Damanaka related:-- THE STORY OF THE CAT WHO SERVED THE LION