Thereupon, not saying the [true] word, the King said, "Thinking of
constructing a tank, I laughed."
Then the Queen said, "Having caused the animals that are in this
Lankawa (Ceylon) to be brought, let us build a tank."
Then the King having said, "It is good," caused the animals to be
brought. The King having gone with the animals, showed them a place
[in which] to build a tank; and telling them to build it came away.
The animals, at the King's command being unable to do anything, all
together began to struggle on the mound of earth. Those which can take
earth in the mouth take it in the mouth. All work in this manner. The
Jackal, not doing any work, having bounded away remained looking on.
After three or four days, the King having gone [there] trickishly
stayed looking on. The King saw that the other animals are all moving
about as though working; the Jackal, only, having bounded off is
looking on.
Having seen it he asked the Jackal, "The others are all working;
thou, only, art looking upward. Why?"