Wit and Wisdom: Folk Tales of Narrow Escapes and Justice

The Ape and the Leopard, erstwhile companions, were wont to partake of victuals in amicable concord.

It so transpired, however, that on a certain day, the Ape, having ensnared a quantity of piscine fare, did consume the entirety thereof, without extending a portion unto his compatriot.

The Leopard, observing the skeletal remains of the fish, did inquire with some asperity: “Pray, where is my allotted share?”

The Ape, in a tone of contrition, responded: “Forgive my transgression; I have, in truth, devoured the entirety of the fish myself.”

The Leopard, incensed by this flagrant breach of amity, did retort with menace: “Then, by Jove, I shall consume thee instead!” And with that, he seized the Ape within his formidable paws.

The Ape, with cunning alacrity, did remind him: “Pray, do not neglect to offer a benediction ere thou dost partake of thy meal.” Whereupon the Leopard, in pious observance, did fold his paws to render thanks unto the Almighty. The Ape, seizing this propitious moment, did make his escape into the arboreal canopy.

And thus it is that Apes have, since that momentous occasion, maintained their habitation within the boughs of trees.

'At long last!' exclaimed the Jackal, having seized hold of the Rooster. 'I am in a state of grievous hunger!'

Yet, ere he could sever the Rooster's head with his bite, the Rooster squawked, 'Thou must needs offer a prayer beforehand, Jackal! Pray before thou consumest me!'

'Such is the custom amongst the pale-faced gentlemen.'

'Pray, enlighten me,' quoth the Jackal. 'In what manner do these pale-faced gentlemen conduct their prayers?'

'They clasp their hands together in supplication,' the Rooster elucidated.

Whereupon the Jackal, imitating the gesture, folded his paws, thus relinquishing his hold upon the Rooster.

'And moreover, they close their eyes in reverence,' the Rooster further instructed.

The Jackal, complying by shutting his eyes, afforded the Rooster an opportunity to ascend to the safety of a treetop.

'Verily,' the Jackal murmured unto himself, 'this is the just recompense for one who essays to pray after the fashion of a pale-faced gentleman.'

A huntsman, whilst traversing the wilds, did espy a Leopard ensnared within a trap.

'Pray, assist me!' the Leopard exclaimed with considerable urgency.

The huntsman, moved by a sense of compassion, liberated the Leopard from its predicament.

Whereupon the Leopard, with a menacing snarl, declared, 'I am afflicted by the pangs of starvation! Relinquish unto me thy canine companion.'

The huntsman, overcome with terror, acceded to the Leopard's demand and surrendered his dog.

The Leopard devoured the dog with alacrity, yet proclaimed, 'I remain yet unappeased in mine hunger!'

The huntsman, in a further attempt to satiate the beast, profferred his cartridge-case.

The Leopard consumed the cartridge-case, and thereafter uttered, 'Mine appetite persists unabated!'

'Now, I shall make a repast of thee,' the Leopard announced, with a sinister countenance.

'Succour!' the huntsman cried, his voice laden with desperation.

A Rabbit, hearing the commotion, hastened to the scene. 'What matter occasions this dispute?' he enquired with circumspection.

'I chanced upon this Leopard confined within a trap...' the huntsman began to recount.

'Spare me the recital,' the Rabbit interjected with astute alacrity. 'Pray, demonstrate unto me the circumstances!'

The Leopard, acquiescing to the Rabbit's request, re-entered the trap.

Then the Rabbit, with judicious counsel, advised the huntsman, 'On this occasion, make haste to dispatch the beast with thy firearm.'

A Lioness did purloin the chicks belonging to an Ostrich, laying claim to them with the assertion, “These are assuredly my offspring.”

Whereupon, the Ostrich convened an assembly of the animal kingdom, declaring, “A Lioness hath absconded with my brood! I do hereby demand the dispensation of justice!”

The assembled animals, being possessed of a profound trepidation for the Lioness, maintained a discreet silence.

Solely the Mongoose did venture to speak, asserting, “Fur cannot, by any natural law, beget feathers! The chicks are, without peradventure, the rightful property of the Ostrich. Such is the essence of justice!”

The Lioness, inflamed with choler, emitted a thunderous roar, causing the Mongoose to vanish forthwith into an anthill.

The Lioness, in a display of vexation, did claw at the earth; thereafter, she lay in wait for the Mongoose to emerge.

She remained oblivious to the fact that the Mongoose had, with cunning, excavated a subterranean passage to the far side of the hill.

The Lioness persisted in her vigil until, bereft of sustenance, she succumbed to starvation and death.

In the interim, the Ostrich, with a heart filled with unalloyed joy, did reclaim her chicks and convey them homeward.

The entirety of the menagerie did subject the Gorilla to ridicule, exclaiming, 'Thou art possessed of an exceeding want of comeliness!' with cachinnations of derision, they did pronounce, 'Broken-Face! Broken-Face!'

This impertinence did incite in the Gorilla a state of ire, wherefore he did approach the Monkey, entreating, 'Pray, inform me, good fellow: is my countenance truly as fractured as they allege?'

The Monkey, being possessed of a timorous disposition, did hesitate to proffer a response, declaring, 'Permit me to procure some victuals of the arboreal kind,' he stated, 'subsequently, discourse may be engaged in.' With alacrity, the Monkey did ascend a tamarind, and from its loftiest extremity, he did vociferate to the Gorilla below, 'Direct thy gaze hitherward!'

The Gorilla did elevate his ocular organs in the prescribed direction.

The Monkey, emboldened by his elevated position, did emit a peal of laughter, proclaiming, 'Verily, Broken-Face, the allegation is consonant with verity, 'tis so, 'tis so.'

Thereupon, the Monkey did abscond with celerity amidst the arboreal canopy, thus abandoning

Gorilla to his solitary state.