Once upon a time, a crow and a cat lived in brotherhood; and one day as they were together under a tree, behold, they spied a leopard making towards them, and they were not aware of his approach till he was close upon them. The crow at once flew up to the tree top; but the cat abode confounded and said to the crow, "O my friend, have you no device to save me, even as all my hope is in you?" The crow replied, "Of very truth it behoves brethren, in case of need, to cast about for a device When peril overtaks them, and how well says the poet,

"A friend in need is he who, ever true, For your well doing would himself undo: One who when Fortune gars us parting rue Victims self reunion to renew.' "

Now close by that tree were shepherds with their dogs; so the crow flew towards them and smote the face of the earth with his wings, cawing and crying out. Furthermore he went up to one of the dogs and flapped his wings in his face and flew up a little way, whilst the dog ran after him thinking to catch him. Presently, one of the shepherds raised his head and saw the bird flying near the ground and lighting alternately; so he followed him, and the crow did not stop flying just high enough to save himself and to throw out the dogs; and yet tempting them to follow for the purpose of tearing him to pieces. But as soon as they came near him, he would fly up a little; and so at last he brought them to the tree, under which was the leopard. And when the dogs saw him they rushed upon him and he turned and fled. Now the leopard thought to eat the cat who was saved by the craft of his friend the crow. This story, O King, shows that the friendship of the Brothers of Purity delivers and saves from difficulties and from falling into mortal dangers. And they also tell a tale of