In the environs of Basrah there was an island of excessively pleasant
climate, where limpid waters flowed on every side and life-bestowing
zephyrs breathed around.
From its excessive exquisiteness they called it the "Joy-expanding
Wilderness," and a Tiger bore sway there, such that from dread of him
fierce lions could not set foot in that retreat.
He had lived much time in that wild, according to his wish, and had
never seen the form of disappointment in the mirror of existence. He
had a young one whose countenance made the world seem bright to him,
and his intention was that when that young one came to years he would
commit that solitude to his charge, and pass the rest of his life at
ease in the corner of retirement. The blossom of his wish had not yet
expanded on the stem of desire when the autumn of death gave the fruit
of the garden of his existence to the mind of destruction.
And when this Tiger was seized by the claw of the Lion, Death, several
wild beasts who for a long time entertained a desire for that
wilderness made a unanimous movement and set about appropriating it.
The young Tiger saw that he possessed not the strength to resist. He
went voluntarily into exile, and amongst the wild beasts a huge contest
arose. A blood-spilling Lion overcame all the others and brought the
island into his own possession, and the young Tiger, having for some
time endured distress in the mountains and wastes, conveyed himself to
another haunt, and disclosed his affliction to the wild beasts of that
district, asking their aid to find a remedy.
They, having received intelligence of the victory of the Lion, and his
overpowering might, said: "O unfortunate! thy place is now in the
possession of a Lion such that from terror of him the wild birds will
not fly over that wilderness, and from fear of him the elephant will
not approach. We have not strength to fight with him and thou too art
not able to enter with him the arena of strife. Our opinion demands
that thou shouldst betake thyself to his court, and with perfect
loyalty enter his service."
These words seemed reasonable to the young Tiger, and he looked upon
his best course to be this--that he should voluntarily enter the
service of the Lion, and, to the extent of his ability, offer the
duties of attendance. Through the intervention of one of the nobles he
obtained the honour of waiting on the Lion, and, having become the
object of the imperial regard, was appointed to an office suited to his
spirit. Having tightly fastened the belt of obedience on the waist of
affection the royal favour was constantly augmented and he incessantly
displayed increased exertion in the affairs of the state.
Upon a certain time an important matter arose which called the Lion
away to a distant jungle; and at that time the heat of the oven of the
sky was unmitigated, and the expanse of waste and mountain like a
furnace of glass fiercely inflamed. From the excessive heat of the
air, the brains of animals were boiled in their craniums, and the crabs
in the water were fried like fish in the frying-pan.
The Lion reflected: "At such a time, when the shell at the bottom of
the deep, like a fowl on a spit, is roasting, an affair of this
importance has occurred. Who may there be among my attendants who
would not be affected by the labour and who, undeterred by the heat of
the atmosphere, would approach this undertaking?"
In the midst of this reflection the Tiger came in with the line of
attendants and observed that the Lion was thoughtful. On the ground of
his tact and affection, he advanced near the throne of royalty, and was
emboldened to ask the cause of that thoughtfulness, and having learned
how the case stood, he took upon himself to accomplish the matter, and
having been honoured with permission, he set off with a body of
attendants, and, arriving at that place at noon, he betook himself to
the accomplishment of that affair, and the instant that the business
was settled to his satisfaction he changed his reins to return.
The officers who had been appointed to attend him unanimously
represented as follows: "In such heat as this, all this distance has
been traversed by the steps of completion, and now that the affair has
been settled and the confidence placed in you by his majesty been
demonstrated, it will certainly be advisable if you should repose a
short time in the shade of a tree and allay the fiery tongue of thirst
by drinking cool water."
The Tiger smiled and said: "My intimacy and rank with his majesty the
king is a banner that I have by toil and effort set up. It would not
be well to level it with the ground by indulgence and sloth. Without
supporting trouble it is impossible to arrive at the carrying off of
treasure, and unaccompanied by the thorn we cannot reap the enjoyment
of the rose garden."
The informers furnished intelligence of this to the Lion, and recited
the book of the affair, from preface to conclusion. The Lion nodded
the head of approval, and said: "The people may be at peace in the just
reign of that ruler who does not place his head on the pillow of
repose." He then sent for the Tiger, and having distinguished him with
special honours, committed that jungle to him, and, having bestowed on
him the place of his sire, conferred on him, in addition, the dignity
of being his heir.
And the use of this fable is, that thou mayest learn that to no one
does the sun of his wish rise from the eastern quarter of hope without
the diligent use of great exertion.