_Ogre._ [_From other side of the river._] What are you doing there, you Laughing Dumpling? Go back to my kitchen, I say. Go back!
_Ogre._ How strange that she laughs at everything. She shall not laugh at me. [_Starts to go across river._]
_Sanja._ What shall I do to get away. The magic paddle! The magic paddle! I have it tucked in my belt. I’ll stir the water in the river with it. There! Tee-hee-hee! Tee-hee-hee! See the water flows and flows, higher and higher. The ogre must swim for his life. Tee-hee-hee! Tee-hee-hee!
_Tiger_ _Jackal_ _Brahman_ _Tree_ _Road_ _Buffalo_
_Tiger._ Let me out of the cage, Brahman!
_Brahman._ No, I will not. If I let you out of the cage, you will eat me.
_Tiger._ O Brahman, indeed I will not. I could not be so unkind as that. Only let me out to get a drink of water. Then I will come back. [_Brahman opens the cage._]
_Tiger._ [_Jumping out._] Now, I will eat you first and then I’ll drink the water.
_Brahman._ Alas! How foolish I was to let you out. Only do not kill me hastily. Let me ask the first three things I meet to tell me whether it is just and fair that you should put me to death. If all of them say it is just and fair for you to kill me I shall be willing to die.
_Tiger._ It shall be as you say. You may ask the opinion of three.
_Brahman._ O Tree, hear my story and tell me who is right. The tiger begged me to let him out of his cage, to drink a little water. He promised not to hurt me if I did so. But now that I have let him out he wishes to kill and eat me. Is this right?
_Tree._ I give shade to all who pass by, but when they are rested they cut my branches and break off my leaves. Why do you complain?
_Brahman._ Alas! Alas! [_Goes on._] O Buffalo, hear my story and tell me who is right. The tiger begged me to let him out of his cage to drink a little water. But now that I have let him out he wishes to kill and eat me. Is this right, O Buffalo?
_Buffalo._ Look at me! See how hard I work. When I was young I had the best of food. But now that I am old I am kept here in the field. I have only the coarsest food to eat. Why do you complain?
_Brahman._ Alas! Alas! [_Goes to Road._] O Road, hear my story and tell me who is right. The tiger begged me to let him out of his cage to drink a little water. But now that I have let him out he wishes to kill and eat me. Is this right, O Road?