248 THE ORIENTAL ANNUAL. 
of more formidable appearance, so that his antagonist 
again fled in fear of him. And again for the same 
reason did the Sanias transform the buffalo into a 
rhinoceros, and the rhinoceros into an elephant. 
“Then the elephant became over elated at the extra- 
ordinary good fortune which had befallen him, in 
being changed from so weak and helpless a creature 
as a mouse into an elephant of incomparable strength, 
and thus rejoicing in his newly-acquired might, he 
wandered to and fro, displaying his terrible prowess 
in various acts of mischief and devastation, until the 
neighbours, becoming fearful as well as angry, ex- 
claimed, ' Who is this elephant, that he should thus 
lay waste our gardens and vineyards, and destroy our 
cattle ? Is he not the miserable mouse whose life the 
Sanias saved again and again, and now his usurped 
and unnatural strength is turned against his friends ? 
What mariner of elephant is he ? Truly his ingrati- 
tude deserves a severe chastisement : let us destroy 
him.’ 
“ Then the elephant became greatly distressed. 5 Is 
it thus ?•’ said he within himself. ‘ Then as long as 
that Sanias continues to breathe, he will relate the 
story of my former insignificance, and how I have 
been exalted to my present might from the pitiable 
condition of a dying mouse. This ignominy shall no 
longer cleave to me. The vile Sanias shall die, and 
with him will perish the history of my altered state.’ 
Having come to this abominable determination, the 
