In a country, at the time when a Crow is walking about and seeking
food, having seen a Darter [352] eating small fishes, [353] and gone
near the Darter, he said, "Friend, because there is no food for me
assist me."
Thereupon the Darter having said, "It is good; I will give you food,"
and having constructed the nest on the high ground at the side of the
tank at which the Darter stays, and told the Crow to be in the nest,
the Darter brought small fishes, and gave [them to him] near the nest.
When he was [there] a long time eating the fishes, the Crow, having
thought of going to his country in which he stayed [before], said to
the Darter, "Friend, I must go to my village," he said.
The Darter says, "Why are you going?" When he asked, "Can't you remain
and eat the small fishes I give?" to say otherwise, because there was
not a fault of the Darter's the Crow says, "Friend, because there is
one fault at your hand I must go," he said.
[As an excuse] for the Crow to go, because there was no fault he says
to the Darter, "Friend, every day at the time when you go to seek fish,
drawing up your anus to me you go to the bottom of the water. Because
it is so I cannot endure it."
"If so, go you away," the Darter said.
North-western Province.
The latter part of the story reminds one of the rude-mannered peacock
of the Jataka story No. 32, and also of one which lost its election as
King of the birds owing to its indecent behaviour. Cinq Cents Contes
et Apologues (Chavannes) vol. ii, p. 332.