upon me. I promise you faithfully that if you will release me I will let you go free."
Accordingly, the Deer came up to the house and unbolted the door from the outside, and the Tiger sprang out joyfully. As soon as he got outside he seized upon the Deer and said:
"I am very sorry for you, Sister Deer, but the fact is I am so famished that really I have no alternative but to eat you immediately."
"This is really too bad," replied the Deer; "after promising faithfully that you would not eat me, and after the benefit which I have conferred upon you, you should certainly keep faith with me."
"Faith!" said the Tiger. "What is faith? I don't believe there is any such thing as good faith."
"Is there not?" answered the Deer. "Well now, let us make a bargain. We will ask the first three living things we meet whether or no there is such a thing as good faith. If they say there is not, then you are welcome to kill and eat me; but if they say there is such a thing, then you shall let me go free."
"Very good," said the Tiger, "I agree to that; that is a bargain."
So the two set off together side by side, and after proceeding a short distance down the road they came upon a large Tree growing by the roadside.
"Good-morning, Brother Tree," said the Musk Deer, "we want to refer a question to you for your decision."
The Tree waved its branches in the air and replied in a gentle voice:
