Meer Hassan Ali, B.: Observations on the Mussulmauns of India: descriptive of their manners, customs, habits, and religious opinions ; made during a twelve years residence in their immediate Society (Band 2) (London, 1832)

MORAL FABLE. 337

the fire, for I will candidly confess myself so
stupid as not clearly to understand the descrip-
tion you have both attempted to give. I shall
judge the merits of the case better if I see it
performed.'

" To this proposal the Snake and Traveller
agreed : and when the corn bag was thrown
towards the Snake, he crept into it as before.
The Fox then called out to the Traveller ' Draw
quickly !' he did so, and the Snake was caught
by a noose in the cord which the Fox had
contrived unperceived, by which the Snake
was secured fast round the middle. ' Now,'
said the Fox, ' bruise your enemy, and thus
relieve the world of one base inhabitant!' "

This fable is frequently enlarged and embel-
lished by the reciter to a considerable extent,
by introducing many different objects animate
and inanimate, to elucidate the question before
the Fox arrives, who is generally brought in
to moral the fable.

T trust to be excused for transcribing the
following moral fable which was translated from
the Persian by my husband for my amuse-

vol. II. i: