XII
THE JACKALS AND THE ELEPHANT
The Jackals had eaten all the carrion in the forest, and there was nothing left for them to devour. Now there was an aged Jackal, and he devised a plan to get food. He went to the Elephant, and said:—
"We used to have a tsar, but he became spoiled; he would lay such tasks on us that it was impossible to do them; we wish to elect another tsar; and my people have sent me to beg you to become our tsar. We live well; whatever you wish, that we will do, and we will honor you in all respects. Come, let us go to our empire."
The Elephant consented, and followed the Jackal. The Jackal led him into a bog. When the Elephant began to sink, the Jackal said:—
"Now order whatever you desire, and we will do it."
The Elephant said:—
"I command you to pull me out of here."
The Jackal laughed, and said:—
"Seize my tail with your proboscis, and I will instantly pull you out."
The Elephant replied:—
"Can you pull me out with your tail?"
But the Jackal demanded:—
"Why, then, did you order anything that was impossible to do? We drove away our first tsar for the very reason that he laid impossible commands on us!"
When the Elephant had perished in the swamp, the Jackals came and ate him up.
XIII
THE HERON, THE FISHES, AND THE CRAB
A Heron lived by a pond, and was beginning to grow old. She was no longer strong enough to catch fish. So she began to plan how she might contrive to get a living. And she said to the Fishes:—
