2

Job

" EATING UP THE PROTECTOR."*

In the country of Uttara there lived a Brahminnamed Kusalanatha, who had a wife and six sons.All lived in a state of prosperity for some time, butthe entrance of Saturn into the Brâhmin's horo-scope turned everything upside down. The onceprosperous Brahmin became poor, and was reducedto go to the neighbouring woods to gather bamboorice with which to feed his hungry family. †

One day while plucking the bamboo ears, he sawa bush close by in flames, in the midst of which wasa serpent struggling for its life. The Brahmin atonce ran to its rescue, and stretching towards it along green stick the reptile crept on to it and escapedfrom the flames, and then spread its hood and witha hissing sound approached to sting its rescuer.The Brahmin began to weep and bewail his folly in

Corresponding to the English proverb:" Quarrellingwith one's bread and butter."

+ Full grown and ripe bamboo bears a kind of corn whichwhen collected and shelled resembles wheat. Hunters cooka most excellent food of bamboo grain and honey.- T.