Once upon a time, a crow and a cat lived in brotherhood; and one day as
they were together under a tree, behold, they spied a leopard making
towards them, and they were not aware of his approach till he was close
upon them. The crow at once flew up to the tree-top; but the cat abode
confounded and said to the crow, "O my friend, hast thou no device to
save me, even as all my hope is in thee?" Replied the crow, "Of very
truth it behoveth brethren, in case of need, to cast about for a device
when peril overtaketh them, and how well saith the poet,
A friend in need is he who, ever true, *
For they well-doing would himself undo:
One who when Fortune gars us parting rue *
Victimeth self reunion to renew.'"
Now hard by that tree were shepherds with their dogs; so the crow flew
towards them and smote the face of the earth with his wings, cawing and
crying out. Furthermore he went up to one of the dogs and flapped his
wings in his face and flew up a little way, whilst the dog ran after
him thinking to catch him. Presently, one of the shepherds raised his
head and saw the bird flying near the ground and lighting alternately;
so he followed him, and the crow ceased not flying just high enough to
save himself and to throw out the dogs; and yet tempting them to follow
for the purpose of tearing him to pieces. But as soon as they came
near him, he would fly up a little; and so at last he brought them to
the tree, under which was the leopard. And when the dogs saw him they
rushed upon him and he turned and fled. Now the leopard thought to eat
the cat who was saved by the craft of his friend the crow. This story,
O King, showeth that the friendship of the Brothers of Purity[FN#167]
delivereth and saveth from difficulties and from falling into mortal
dangers. And they also tell a tale of