Demon With Matted Hair " 196, part 7 · page 21 2101On this the Brahman turned back sorrowfully, and on the way he met a jackal, who called out, "Why, what's the matter, Mr. Brahman?102You look as miserable as a fish out of water!"103The Brahman told him all that had occurred. "104How very confusing!" said the jackal, when the recital was ended; "would you mind telling me over again, for everything has got so mixed up?"105The Brahman told it all over again, but the jackal shook his head in a distracted sort of way, and still could not understand.106"It's very odd," said he, sadly, "but it all seems to go in at one ear and out at the other!107I will go to the place where it all happened, and then perhaps I shall be able to give a judgment."108So they returned to the cage, by which the tiger was waiting for the Brahman, and sharpening his teeth and claws.109"You've been away a long time!" growled the savage beast, "but now let us begin our dinner."110"_Our_ dinner!" thought the wretched Brahman, as his knees knocked together with fright; "what a remarkably delicate way of putting it!"111"Give me five minutes, my lord!" he pleaded, "in order that I may explain matters to the jackal here, who is somewhat slow in his wits."112The tiger consented, and the Brahman began the whole story over again, not missing a single detail, and spinning as long a yarn as possible.113"Oh, my poor brain! oh, my poor brain!" cried the jackal, wringing its paws. "114Let me see! how did it all begin?115You were in the cage, and the tiger came walking by----"116"Pooh!" interrupted the tiger, "what a fool you are!117_I_ was in the cage."118"Of course!" cried the jackal, pretending to tremble with fright; "yes!119I was in the cage--no I wasn't--dear! dear! where are my wits?120Let me see--the tiger was in the Brahman, and the cage came walking by----no, that's not it, either!121Well, don't mind me, but begin your dinner, for I shall never understand!"122"Yes, you shall!" returned the tiger, in a rage at the jackal's stupidity; "I'll _make_ you understand!123Look here--I am the tiger----"124"Yes, my lord!"125"And that is the Brahman----"126"Yes, my lord!"127"And that is the cage----"128"Yes, my lord!"129"And I was in the cage--do you understand?"130"Yes--no---- Please, my lord----"131"Well?" cried the tiger impatiently.132"Please, my lord!--how did you get in?"133"How!--why in the usual way, of course!"134"Oh, dear me!--my head is beginning to whirl again!135Please don't be angry, my lord, but what is the usual way?"136At this the tiger lost patience, and, jumping into the cage, cried, "This way!137Now do you understand how it was?"138"Perfectly!" grinned the jackal, as he dexterously shut the door, "and if you will permit me to say so, I think matters will remain as they were!"1 2← previousDemon With Matted Hair " 196, part 6next →Demon With Matted Hair " 196, part 8↑ back to Indian Fairy TalesThis page in Markdown → https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg7128/13/page/2/