in the environs of basrah there was an island of excessively pleasant climate, where limpid waters flowed on every side and life-bestowing zephyrs breathed around.
from its excessive exquisiteness they called it the "joy-expanding wilderness," and a tiger bore sway there, such that from dread of him fierce lions could not set foot in that retreat.
he had lived much time in that wild, according to his wish, and had never seen the form of disappointment in the mirror of existence. he had a young one whose countenance made the world seem bright to him, and his intention was that when that young one came to years he would commit that solitude to his charge, and pass the rest of his life at ease in the corner of retirement. the blossom of his wish had not yet expanded on the stem of desire when the autumn of death gave the fruit of the garden of his existence to the mind of destruction.
and when this tiger was seized by the claw of the lion, death, several wild beasts who for a long time entertained a desire for that wilderness made a unanimous movement and set about appropriating it. the young tiger saw that he possessed not the strength to resist. he went voluntarily into exile, and amongst the wild beasts a huge contest arose. a blood-spilling lion overcame all the others and brought the island into his own possession, and the young tiger, having for some time endured distress in the mountains and wastes, conveyed himself to another haunt, and disclosed his affliction to the wild beasts of that district, asking their aid to find a remedy.
they, having received intelligence of the victory of the lion, and his overpowering might, said: "o unfortunate! thy place is now in the possession of a lion such that from terror of him the wild birds will not fly over that wilderness, and from fear of him the elephant will not approach. we have not strength to fight with him and thou too art not able to enter with him the arena of strife. our opinion demands that thou shouldst betake thyself to his court, and with perfect loyalty enter his service."
these words seemed reasonable to the young tiger, and he looked upon his best course to be this—that he should voluntarily enter the service of the lion, and, to the extent of his ability, offer the duties of attendance. through the intervention of one of the nobles he obtained the honour of waiting on the lion, and, having become the object of the imperial regard, was appointed to an office suited to his spirit. having tightly fastened the belt of obedience on the waist of affection the royal favour was constantly augmented and he incessantly displayed increased exertion in the affairs of the state.
upon a certain time an important matter arose which called the lion away to a distant jungle; and at that time the heat of the oven of the sky was unmitigated, and the expanse of waste and mountain like a furnace of glass fiercely inflamed. from the excessive heat of the air, the brains of animals were boiled in their craniums, and the crabs in the water were fried like fish in the frying-pan.
the lion reflected: "at such a time, when the shell at the bottom of the deep, like a fowl on a spit, is roasting, an affair of this importance has occurred. who may there be among my attendants who would not be affected by the labour and who, undeterred by the heat of the atmosphere, would approach this undertaking?"
in the midst of this reflection the tiger came in with the line of attendants and observed that the lion was thoughtful. on the ground of his tact and affection, he advanced near the throne of royalty, and was emboldened to ask the cause of that thoughtfulness, and having learned how the case stood, he took upon himself to accomplish the matter, and having been honoured with permission, he set off with a body of attendants, and, arriving at that place at noon, he betook himself to the accomplishment of that affair, and the instant that the business was settled to his satisfaction he changed his reins to return.
the officers who had been appointed to attend him unanimously represented as follows: "in such heat as this, all this distance has been traversed by the steps of completion, and now that the affair has been settled and the confidence placed in you by his majesty been demonstrated, it will certainly be advisable if you should repose a short time in the shade of a tree and allay the fiery tongue of thirst by drinking cool water."
the tiger smiled and said: "my intimacy and rank with his majesty the king is a banner that i have by toil and effort set up. it would not be well to level it with the ground by indulgence and sloth. without supporting trouble it is impossible to arrive at the carrying off of treasure, and unaccompanied by the thorn we cannot reap the enjoyment of the rose garden."
the informers furnished intelligence of this to the lion, and recited the book of the affair, from preface to conclusion. the lion nodded the head of approval, and said: "the people may be at peace in the just reign of that ruler who does not place his head on the pillow of repose." he then sent for the tiger, and having distinguished him with special honours, committed that jungle to him, and, having bestowed on him the place of his sire, conferred on him, in addition, the dignity of being his heir.
and the use of this fable is, that thou mayest learn that to no one does the sun of his wish rise from the eastern quarter of hope without the diligent use of great exertion.
