334 FOLK-TALES OP INDIA.
It came to pass that his wife died, and, having departed with a great love of riches, she was reborn as a rat over a spot where a sum of money lay hidden. So in due course of time all the members of the family died, and it became extinct. The village, too, becoming deserted, disappeared and left no traces behind.
At that time the Bodhisat was cutting and chiselling stone on the site of an ancient village. It happened that this rat, as she went about in search of food, often saw the Bodhisat, and, conceiving an affection for him, thought to herself, " I have much wealth, but it will become worthless if no use is made of it; so along with him I'll enjoy this wealth."
One day, taking a Tcahdpana in her mouth, she paid a visit to the Bodhisat. On seeing her he spoke kindly to her, " How is it, my dear, you come here bringing me a hahdpana? " " Father," said she, " take and use it yourself, only bring me a piece of meat." He agreed to do so. With that Tcahdpana he went home, and purchased, for a small sum (mdsaka)) a piece of meat, which he brought and gave to the rat. As soon as she had received it she went off to her own abode, and ate as she pleased. Henceforward, just in this way, day by day, she gave the Bodhisat a hahdpana, and he in return brought her a piece of meat.
It came to pass one day that a cat caught the rat, and she said to him, « Don't kill me, sir." " Why not ? " asked the cat, " for I am hungry and want to eat flesh, so I can't help eating you." ** Come now, do you want flesh one day only, or constantly ? " asked the rat. The cat replied, " I should, of course, like to eat meat always, could I get it." " If so, let me go, and I'll always give you a piece of flesh."
Then the cat let the rat go, saying, " Now, mind and be careful about this matter." From that time forward the rat divided the meat it received into two portions ; gave the cat one and ate the other herself. It chanced one day that another cat got hold of this rat, and she made her peace with it just as she had done with the first, and so obtained her freedom. From that time she made three portions to be eaten. The rat was caught again, by a third cat ; having pacified him in the same way as the other two, she got free. Hencefoi-ward
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