So saying, she helped her brothers to ascend into the loft. By this time the tiger returned, and perceived the presence of human beings by the peculiar smell. He asked his wife whether any one had come to their house. She said, “No.” But when the brothers, who with their trophies of the way the ass, the ant, and so on were sitting upon the loft, saw the tiger dallying with their sister, they were greatly frightened; so much so that the youngest, through fear, began to quake, and they all fell on the floor.
“What is all this?” said the terrified tiger to his wife.
“Nothing,” said she, “but your brothers-in-law. They came here a watch[1] ago, and as soon as you have finished your meals they want to see you.”
“How can my brothers-in-law be such cowards,” thought the tiger to himself.
He then asked them to speak to him, whereon the youngest brother put the ant which he had in his hand into the ear of the ass, and as soon as the latter was bitten, it began to bawl out most horribly.
“How is it that your brothers have such a hoarse voice?” said the tiger to his wife.
He next asked them to show him their legs. Taking courage at the stupidity of the tiger on
- ↑ A “watch” is a yâma, or three hours.
