ONCE a Camel was grazing in a forest. He had a ring in his nose, as the
custom is, and to the ring was tied a string, by which the Camel's
master used to lead him about. As the Camel grazed, this leading-string
became entangled in a bush, and the Camel could not get it loose. This
misfortune so much confused the mind of the Camel that he did not know
what to do.
Suddenly, as the Camel was struggling to get free from the bush, a
Jackal appeared.
"Brother Jackal," said the Camel, "do please set me free from this
bush."
"Brother Camel," said the Jackal, "I will set you free, only you must
pay me for it. Do not the wise say, 'Even a brother will not serve thee
for nothing'?"
"What shall I pay you, brother Jackal? I am a very poor Camel."
"You shall pay me," quoth the Jackal, "a pound of your flesh."
This was a hard condition, but there was nothing for it, "Better to lose
a pound of my flesh," thought the Camel, "than lose my life." So he
agreed to pay the Jackal a pound of flesh.
Then the Jackal set the Camel free, and the Camel sat down on the ground
and said--
"I am ready; take your pound of flesh."
"Open your mouth, then," said the Jackal.
"Why?" asked the Camel.
"Because I choose to take my pound of flesh from your tongue."
This was a terrible blow. The Camel could not agree, because he knew
that if his tongue were torn out, he was bound to die.