The mule, the jackal, and the lion went in company. "We will eat the one
whose race is bad," they said to each other.
"Lion, who is your father?"
"My father is a lion and my mother is a lioness."
"And you, jackal, what is your father?"
"My father is a jackal and my mother, too."
"And you, mule, what is your father?"
"My father is an ass, and my mother is a mare."
"Your race is bad; we will eat you."
He answered them: "I will consult an old man. If he says that my race is
bad, you may devour me."
He went to a farrier, and said to him, "Shoe my hind feet, and make the
nails stick out well."
He went back home. He called the camel and showed him his feet, saying:
"See what is written on this tablet."
"The writing is difficult to decipher," answered the camel. "I do not
understand it, for I only know three words--_outini, ouzatini,
ouazakin_." He called a lion, and said to him: "I do not understand
these letters; I only know three words--_outini, ouzatini, ouazakin_"
"Show it to me," said the lion. He approached. The mule struck him between
the eyes and stretched him out stiff.
He who goes with a knave is betrayed by him.
* * * * *