30 The banyan tree
‘In the middle of a forest there stood a large banyan tree. It gave a most delightful shade. Its upper branches were the favourite haunt of a certain dove, and also of an owl, the first being especially partial to spiders, the second having a particular fondness for rodents.
‘A very wise and intelligent mouse lived in a hole at the foot of the tree.
‘The lower branches of the tree were the preferred hunting ground of a cat, who devoured daily a considerable number of smaller birds incautiously alighting there; and who would have been more than happy to dine also on the mouse, or indeed on the dove, had he the opportunity.
‘The tree entertained four other regular visitors: a spider, who devoted his own great intelligence to avoid being eaten by the birds and the mouse
