At a long distant period there stood on the shore of a lake a vilva
[157] forest. In this forest dwelt six hares. [158] Now a vilva tree in
that forest fell into the lake, thereby producing a great noise. When
the six hares heard this noise, they began, as they had but small
bodies, to run away full of fear. The jackals saw them running, and
asked, “O honoured ones, wherefore do ye run?” The hares replied,
“There was a great noise.” Thereupon the jackals also took to flight.
When the monkeys saw them running they asked, “O honoured ones,
wherefore do ye run?” The jackals replied, “There was a great noise.”
Thereupon the monkeys also took to flight. When the gazelles saw them
running they asked, “O honoured ones, wherefore do ye run?” The monkeys
replied, “There was a great noise.” Thereupon the gazelles also took to
flight. When the boars saw them running they asked, “O honoured ones,
wherefore do ye run?” The gazelles replied, “There was a noise.”
Thereupon the boars also took to flight. When the buffaloes saw them
running they asked, “O honoured ones, wherefore do ye run?” The boars
replied, “There was a noise.” Thereupon the buffaloes also took to
flight. When the rhinoceroses saw them running they asked, “O honoured
ones, wherefore do ye run?” The buffaloes replied, “There was a noise.”
Thereupon the rhinoceroses also took to flight. When the elephants saw
them running they asked, “O honoured ones, wherefore do ye run?” The
rhinoceroses replied, “There was a noise.” Thereupon the elephants also
took to flight. When the bears saw them running they asked, “O honoured
ones, wherefore do ye run?” The elephants replied, “There was a noise.”
Thereupon the bears also took to flight. When the hyænas saw them
running they asked, “O honoured ones, wherefore do ye run?” The bears
replied, “There was a noise.” Thereupon the hyænas also took to flight.
When the panthers saw them running they asked, “O honoured ones,
wherefore do ye run?” The hyænas replied, “There was a noise.”
Thereupon the panthers also took to flight. When the tigers saw them
running they asked, “O honoured ones, wherefore do ye run?” The
panthers replied, “There was a noise.” Thereupon the tigers also took
to flight. When the lions saw them running they asked, “O honoured
ones, wherefore do ye run?” The tigers replied, “There was a loud
noise.” Thereupon the lions also took to flight. At the foot of the
mountain there dwelt a maned lion, which likewise seemed to wear a
diadem. When it saw the lions running it asked, “O honoured ones,
wherefore do ye all run, although each of you is strong in claws and
strong in teeth?” The lions replied, “There was a loud noise.” “O
honoured ones, whence did the noise come?” it asked. “We do not know,”
they replied. Then said that lion, “O honoured ones, do not run.
Inquiry must be made as to where the noise came from.” It asked the
tigers, “Who told you about it?” The tigers replied, “The panthers.” It
asked the panthers, “Who was it told you?” The panthers replied, “The
hyænas.” It asked the hyænas, “Who was it told you?” The hyænas
replied, “The bears.” It asked the bears, “Who was it told you?” The
bears replied, “The elephants.” It asked the elephants, “Who was it
told you?” The elephants replied, “The rhinoceroses.” It asked the
rhinoceroses, “Who was it told you?” The rhinoceroses replied, “The
buffaloes.” It asked the buffaloes, “Who was it told you?” The
buffaloes replied, “The boars.” It asked the boars, “Who was it told
you?” The boars replied, “The gazelles.” It asked the gazelles, “Who
was it told you?” The gazelles replied, “The monkeys.” It asked the
monkeys, “Who was it told you?” The monkeys replied, “The jackals.” It
asked the jackals, “Who was it told you?” The jackals replied, “The
hares.” It asked the hares, “Who was it told you?” The hares replied,
“We saw the terrible thing with our own eyes. Come, we will show you
whence the noise came.” So they guided the lion, and showed it the
vilva forest, saying, “That is where the noise came from.” Inasmuch as
the noise was caused by the fall of a vilva tree out of that forest
into the lake, the lion said: “O honoured ones, be not afraid, for that
was only an empty sound.” Consequently they were all tranquillised. And
a deity uttered this verse: “Let not men believe in words. They ought
to see everything for themselves. Observe how, through the fall of a
vilva, the forest lost its beasts.”