Page:Tales of the Punjab.pdf/195

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THE JACKAL AND THE PARTRIDGE

JACKAL and a Partridge swore eternal friendship; but the Jackal was very exacting and jealous. You don't do half as much for me as I do for you,' he used to say, 'and yet you talk a great deal of your friendship. Now my idea of a friend is one who is able to make me laugh or cry, give me a good meal, or save my life if need be. You couldn't do that!'

'Let us see,' answered the Partridge; 'follow me at a little distance, and if 1 don't make you laugh soon you may eat me!' So she flew on till she met two travellers trudg- ing along, one behind the other. They were both footsore and weary, and the first carried his bundle on a stick over his shoulder, while the second had his shoes in his hand.

Lightly as a feather the Partridge settled on the first traveller's stick. He, none the wiser, trudged on, but the second traveller, seeing the bird sitting so tamely just in front of his nose, said to himself,

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