62 SOME MOUSE-DEER TALES. 



Mr. George Maxwell and others have reminded me, that 

 one of these tales of mine bears an extraordinary resemblance 

 to that of Brer Rabbit and the Tar Baby. 



The only story which I have abbreviated and altered 

 verbally in translation, is the rather indelicate anecdote of how 

 Si Plandok behaved, when he leapt right into the tiger's maw. 

 * # ■* * * 



Once upon a time, a tall tree by a river-bank fell sud- 

 denly and pinned down a crocodile by the tail. It happened, 

 that some buffaloes came down to drink hard by and the croco- 

 dile besought them to lift the fallen tree and release him. One 

 of the buffaloes answered, " But how can we release you ? how 

 can we lift the tree ? We have neither fingers nor paws, where- 

 with to grasp its trunk." " No, my friends," said the crocodile, 

 " but you have strong horns and foreheads : of your mercy, 

 place them under the trunk and heave all together." Then, 

 three buffaloes pushed their horns under the tree and heaved 

 all together and raised the trunk. And, the crocodile slipped 

 out, like an eel that has had his tail nipped, quick as light- 

 ning ; and forthwith siezed the hindleg of the biggest buffalo 

 in his jaws. The buffalo cried out with pain and anger. 

 11 What is this ? Have I not helped you that you serve me 

 thus ? Why do you requite evil for good ? But, the croco- 

 dile only bit the harder. Now, Mr. Mouse-deer had come up, 

 while this was going on, and jumping upon the tree-trunk 

 said to the buffalo. " Why, do you ask such stupid questions ? 

 It is the nature of beasts and men to be ungrateful. See, here 

 is an old sleeping-mat drifting down- stream. I will ask it 

 about the matter." Therewith, he called out, " Ho, sleeping- 

 mat, is it the custom of the world to requite good with evil or 

 with gratitude ? " "With evil," answered the mat : " I was 

 once clean and new, soft to lie upon and comporting to my 

 master, but see, now I am old and worn, he has flung me 

 adrift in the river." "Hear that," quoth the Mouse- deer : 

 "but I will enquire, also, of this dish-cover I see floating 

 down." And he called out, " Ho, dish-cover, is it the custom 

 of the world to requite good with evil or with gratitude ? " 



Jour. Straits Branch 



