In a part of a forest was a ram, separated from his flock. In the armor of his great fleece and horns, he roamed the wood, a tough customer.

Now one day a lion in that forest, who had a retinue of all kinds of animals, encountered him. At this unprecedented sight, since the wool so bristled in every direction as to conceal the body, the lion’s heart was troubled and invaded by fear. “Surely, he is more powerful than I am,” thought he. “That is why he wanders here so fearlessly.” And the lion edged away.

But on a later day the lion saw the same ram cropping grass on the forest floor, and he thought: “What! The fellow nibbles grass! His strength must be in relation to his diet.” So he made a quick spring and killed the ram.

“And that is why I say:

The poor are in peculiar need

Of being secret when they feed,

and the rest of it.”

While they were thus conferring, Vishnu’s messenger returned and said: “Garuda, Lord Vishnu sends orders that you repair at once to the celestial city.” On hearing this, Garuda proudly said to him: “Messenger, what will the master do with so poor a servant as I am?

“Garuda,” said the messenger, “it may be that the blessed one has spoken to you harshly. But why should you display pride toward the blessed one?” And Garuda replied: “The ocean, the resting-place of the blessed one, has stolen the eggs of the plover, who is my servant. If I do not chastise him, then I am not the servant of the blessed one. Make this report to the master.”

Now when Vishnu learned from the messenger’s lips that Garuda was feigning anger, he thought: “Ah, he is dreadfully angry. I will therefore go in person, will address him, and bring him back with all honour. For the proverb says:

Shame no servant showing worth,

Loyalty, and noble birth;

Pet him ever like a son,

If you wish your business done.

And again:

Masters, fully satisfied,

Pay by gratifying pride;

Servants, for such honor’s pay,

Gladly throw their lives away.”

Having reached this conclusion, he hastened to Garuda, who, beholding his master a visitor in his own house, modestly gazed on the ground, bowed low, and said: “O blessed one, the ocean, made insolent by his service as your resting-place, has stolen-behold! has stolen the eggs of my servant, and thus brought shame upon me. From reverence for the blessed one, I have delayed. But if nothing is done, I myself will this day reduce him to dry land. For the proverb says:

A loyal servant dies, but shrinks

From doing deeds of such a kind

As bring contempt from common men

And lower him in his master’s mind.”

To this the blessed one replied: “O son of Vinata, your speech is justified. Because

For servants’ crimes the master should

Be made to suffer, say the good,

So long as