THE CAT[FN#166] AND THE CROW
Once upon a time, a crow and a cat lived in brotherhood; and one day as they were together under a tree, behold, they spied a leopard making towards them, and they were not aware of his approach till he was close upon them. The crow at once flew up to the tree-top; but the cat abode confounded and said to the crow, "O my friend, hast thou no device to save me, even as all my hope is in thee?" Replied the crow, "Of very truth it behoveth brethren, in case of need, to cast about for a device when peril overtaketh them, and how well saith the poet,
‘A friend in need is he who, ever true, * For they well-doing would himself undo: One who when Fortune gars us parting rue * Victimeth self reunion to renew.'"
Now hard by that tree were shepherds with their dogs; so
