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TWO PRAKRIT VERSIONS OF THE MAŅIPATI-CARITA
1143. Said the muni : Who was this woodman ?' The disciple
Kuñcika replied : 'Listen to this worldly parable. 1144. A man used to go about in search of wood. He went
to the forest where he saw a lion and being afraid of
it clambered up a tree. 1145. Then he saw that an ape had climbed that lofty tree and
his body trembling with fear he thought : 'In between
these two 1146. I am betwixt the devil and the deep sea.' Then the she
ape said to him : “My son do not be afraid, do not
tremble.' 1147. He became reassured but the lion remained at the foot
of the tree. Then night fell and the woodman grew
drowsy. 1148. The ape said to him : Put your head in my lap and
sleep.' When he did so the lion said to the ape : 1149. 'I am very hungry. Drop this man and I will be your
best friend and some day will do you a good turn in
return. 1150. What need have you to protect this ungrateful and evil
mortal ?' The ape replied: 'I will not abandon
anyone who has come to me for protection.' 1151. After making other vile proposals the lion grew bored.
Then the woodsman awoke and said 'You sleep now,
mother.' 1152. The ape then put her head in his lap and went to sleep.
The lion said : Man, give me this ape 1153. and when I have eaten her I will go away and the road
will be open to you.' The man then threw down the
ape from his lap. 1154. but she clung to a branch because of her agility and said:
'Shame on your human nature and your human
ingratitude.' 5155. A great caravan came along that road and at the sound
of it the lion made off and the woodman went home.
