Loss Of friend

THE BED BUG AND THE FLEA

Once upon a time, a bedbug made a small home for himself in the folds of the linen draped on the king's ornamental bed. One day, the bedbug saw a flea drifting into the king's royal bedroom. He told the flea that he had come to the wrong place and asked him to leave before somebody noticed him.

O venerable sir,' the flea said, 'it's not proper to ask a guest to leave even if he is a wicked person. You must welcome him. Then, you must inquire about his well-being. That is how good hosts treat their guests. Besides, I've tasted the blood of a variety of men and animals. Never have I tasted royal blood. The king's blood is a compound of rich foods and is bound to taste better. Please permit me to relish this delicacy once.

The flea continued. Everything we do in this world is to satisfy our hunger. I've come to you in search of food. It's not proper for you to keep the king's blood all for yourself. You should share it with me, too."

O flea, the bedbug said, I suck the blood of the king when he is fast asleep. You are impatient. You will have to wait till I finish my job. You can have your fill once I've had my share.

The flea agreed. Meanwhile, the king entered his bedroom to sleep. But the impatient flea began feast- ing on the king's blood even before he fell asleep. Stung by his bite, the king rose from his bed and asked his servants to search his bed and take away that which was causing him discomfort. The king's attendants pulled the linen off the bed and examined it closely. Before they could find him, the flea jumped away. The servants found the poor bedbug and killed him at once.

Damanaka said to Pingalaka. "This is why you should kill Sanjeevaka before he kills you. He who trusts an outsider will die like the blue jackal. 'How did he die?' Pingalaka asked.