Loss Of friend

THE LION THE CAMEL AND THE JACKAL

In a far off forest, there lived a lion. A leopard, a jackal and a crow served him. One day, they all spotted a camel who had lost his way. They felt that the camel was an unusual animal.

'Find out if he is a wild animal or a domestic one. the lion said to his assistants.

The crow said, "The camel is a domestic animal, fit to be killed and eaten.'

The lion refused to do that. I shall not kill some- one who comes to me seeking protection. According to our elders, you cannot kill even an enemy who comes to you with trust. He who breaks such a trust commits the sin of killing a hundred Brahmins. Go to him now, assure him of safety and bring him to me." The three assistants presented the camel before the lion.

Now, please tell us your story,' said the lion to the camel.

The camel said that he was part of a trade caravan. However, he had lost his way.

The lion asked, "Why do you want to go back to your village and become a beast of burden again? Stay with us here comfortably and feast on this tender grass."

The camel stayed on to live happily with the lion and his three assistants.

One day, the lion was locked in a battle with an elephant. The tusk of the elephant gored him and injured him seriously. He lay in his den for many days. Without food he became too weak to hunt.

'Go out and look for some animal for my meal, the sick lion said one day. Bring the animal here. I'II kill him somehow and provide food for all of you.'

The leopard, the jackal and the crow looked everywhere for an animal but could not find any.

'Friends, what is the use of wasting time like this?" asked the jackal. We have the camel, our lord's loyal friend. Let's kill him and feed ourselves.' "That is a good idea. However, we cannot kill the camel because our lord has assured him his protection, said the crow,

"Trust me. I shall convince the lion, said the jackal. "Wait here. I'll meet him and seek his permission.

Then, the jackal went to the lion and said, "Oh, lord, we went to every nook and corner of the forest. However, we could not find a single animal. We are tired, weak and hungry. Since my lord is also in the same condition, I humbly suggest that we make a meal out of this camel."

The lion was furious. 'You sinner! If you repeat these words, I shall kill you! You know I've given him my word. How can I kill him? Haven't our elders said that no gift of land, cow or food is greater than a promise?'

'You are right, my lord. It's a sin to kill him who has your word. But if the camel voluntarily offers himself as food, it's no sin to accept the offer. If he does not volunteer, you can kill anyone of us. You're hungry and close to your end. If we cannot be of some use to you at such a time, of what value are our lives then? If anything unfortunate happens to our lord, we'll kill ourselves."

"This seems to be more reasonable, agreed the lion. "Friends, our lord is in a pitiable condition, the jackal said to the two friends. "If he dies, there will be no one to protect us from others. Instead of aimlessly searching the forest for food, let's offer ourselves to him. That'll deliver us from the burden of debt. The servant who is witness to the helpless death of his master will go to hell.'

After the jackal's plea, all of them went to the lion with tears in their eyes.

What is the matter? Did you find some food?' asked the lion.

'No, my lord.' said the crow. 'We searched every- where, every inch of the forest. We have not been lucky in finding any food. But I request you to have me for your meal. That'll serve a dual purpose. The lord will survive and I'll go to heaven. He who lays down his life to save his lord will attain true heaven.'

It was now the jackal's turn to show his loyalty.

He said, 'My friend crow, your body is too small to satisfy the hunger of my lord. It amounts to starving him and that's a sin. Get out of my way. I have to submit a plea to my lord.'

Addressing the lion, the jackal said, 'Lord, I request you to have me for your meal and ensure me a place in heaven. The lord has the right of life and death over his servants. Therefore, it's no sin to exercise his rights.'

The leopard interrupted him and said, 'You, jackal, you are no great meal. Let me plead with the lord. Addressing the lion, the leopard said, 'Oh, lord! Let me give away my life to save your life. Please permit me to earn a permanent place in heaven. My sacrifice will win fame for me on earth.'

The camel watched all this with admiration. It made him think deeply. 'All these servants of the lord have said what they wanted to say. Still, the lion did not kill any of them. Let me also offer to be the lord's food today. I'm sure my friends will support me.'

'What you have said is right and proper, the camel said, turning to the leopard. 'But you're a carnivorous animal and belong to the same species as the master. How can he kill you? Let me offer myself.'

The camel then came forward and requested the lion to have him for that day's meal. At once, the jackal and the leopard pounced on him and tore him to pieces. That day all of them had a sumptuous feast.

When the story ended, Sanjeevaka said to Damanaka, Wicked people always surround the king. Good men shouldn't serve such masters. I'll need your advice to get out of this problem.

"The best course is to leave the forest,' said Damanaka.

'It's not wise to leave when the king is still angry. He can catch me anywhere I go. The only alternative I have is to go to war with the king.'

Damanaka was afraid that if Sanjeevaka chose to fight Pingalaka, the lion might die and that would not be good for his brother and him.

'Let me persuade the bullock to leave the forest,' he thought.

'Going to war is all right. But how can there be a war between a servant and a king? If you underestimate the strength of your enemy, you'll meet the same fate as the pair of pheasants met at the hands of the sea.'

Sanjeevaka was curious and asked, "What happened to the birds?'