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TRANSLATION
229
1156. Just as this woodman who had been treated as a friend by the ape was ready to encompass her destruction so you, reverent sir, have treated me.'
1157. The muni said: 'The person who acts without reflection is subject to remorse like the woman who killed the mongoose.' Said the layman: 'Who was she and how was that?'
1158. In a certain place there dwelt a woman Carabhați who was pregnant and in the yard of her house lived a mongoose who was also pregnant.
1159. She came and went for a long time in the presence of Carabhați, was brought to bed at the same time and with her offspring went to the house.
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1160. Then Carabhați thought: This will be a playmate for my son' so she gave the mongoose milk to drink and brought it food.
1161. One day Carabhați left her baby in the cradle and went to a neighbour's house in order to winnow grain.
1162. A snake at once climbed into the cradle and bit the child but the mongoose saw it as it emerged and tore it to pieces.
1163. Then, its muzzle red with blood, the mongoose went to the mother's feet and made friendly overtures but she looked at it and acting without reflection
1164. thought: 'This wretched creature has eaten my child' and killed it with a pestle and then quickly hurried home.
1165. When she saw that it had torn to pieces the killer of her child she was full of remorse. You will be the same, Kuñcika.'
1166. Said the merchant Kuñcika: Just as the man who had been enriched by an elephant became its enemy so have you now become mine, reverent sir.'
1167. The muni asked: Who was that man?' The layman replied: In a certain forest dwelt a herd of elephants;
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one day.
Q
