`` Some are as lean as boat-poles . Others again are fat as young ja -- dogs . Never would I causelessly revile men . They are of all fashions , but the long years have shown me that , one with another , they are very good . Men , women , and children -- I have no fault to find with them . And remember , child , he who rebukes the World is rebuked by the World . '' `` Flattery is worse than an empty tin can in the belly . But that which we have just heard is wisdom , '' said the Adjutant , bringing down one foot . `` Consider , though , their ingratitude to this excellent one , '' began the Jackal tenderly . `` Nay , nay , not ingratitude ! '' the Mugger said . `` They do not think for others ; that is all . But I have noticed , lying at my station below the ford , that the stairs of the new bridge are cruelly hard to climb , both for old people and young children . The old , indeed , are not so worthy of consideration , but I am grieved -- I am truly grieved -- on account of the fat children . Still , I think , in a little while , when the newness of the bridge has worn away , we shall see my people 's bare brown legs bravely splashing through the ford as before . Then the old Mugger will be honoured again . '' `` But surely I saw Marigold wreaths floating off the edge of the Ghaut only this noon , '' said the Adjutant . Marigold wreaths are a sign of reverence all India over . `` An error -- an error . It was the wife of the sweetmeat-seller .
She loses her eyesight year by year , and can not tell a log from me -- the XXXXX of the Ghaut .
Adjutant India Jackal Marigold Mugger World boat-poles newness sweetmeat-seller years