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THE PHILOSOPHY OF SUCCESS jungle, the mouse dwelling in a hole at its root, and the wild tomcat up in the branches, where it lived on bird's eggs and inexperienced fledglings. The cat enjoyed eating mice also; but the mouse of the tale had managed to keep out of reach of its paw.
Now one day a trapper placed a cunning net beneath the tree, and the cat that night became entangled in the meshes. The mouse, delighted, came out of its hole and took conspicuous pleasure in walking around the trap, nibbling at the bait, and generally making the most of the misfortune. When lo! it became aware that two other enemies had arrived. Overhead, in the dark foliage of the tree, perched an owl with sparkling eyes, who was just about to pounce, while on the ground a stalking mongoose was approaching. The mouse, in a sudden quandary, decided quickly on a surprising stratagem. It drew in close to the cat and declared that if it were permitted to slip into the net and take shelter in the cat's bosom it would repay its host by gnawing through the meshes. The other agreed. And the little animal, having delayed only long enough to receive the promise, gladly darted in.
But if the cat expected a prompt release it was disappointed; for the mouse nestled comfortably in against its body, hiding as deeply as possible in the fur in order to disappear from the sight of the two watchful enemies without, and then, safely sheltered, decided to have a quiet nap. The cat protested. The mouse declared there was no hurry. It knew that it could slip from the trap in an instant, and that its disgruntled host would simply have to be patient, with the hope of getting free. So it frankly told its natural enemy that it thought it would wait until the trapper appeared; the cat, then threatened in its turn, would not be able to take advantage of its freedom by catching and devouring its deliverer. There was nothing the larger animal could do. Its little guest took a nap between its very paws. The mouse peacefully waited for the coming of the hunter,
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| SR No. | 007309 |
| Book Title | Philosophies of India |
| Original Sutra Author | N/A |
| Author | Heinrich Zimmer, Joseph Campbell |
| Publisher | Routledge and Kegan Paul Ltd |
| Publication Year | 1953 |
| Total Pages | 709 |
| Language | English |
| Classification | Book_English |
| File Size | 34 MB |