I would do my best , of course , ' replied the jackal ; ` but you must kill me a cow , and when we have eaten the flesh I will take the skin and make your shoes out of it . ' So the panther prowled about until he saw a fine cow grazing apart from the rest of the herd . He killed it instantly , and then gave a cry to the jackal and hedgehog to come to the place where he was . They soon skinned the dead beasts , and spread its skin out to dry , after which they had a grand feast before they curled themselves up for the night , and slept soundly . Next morning the jackal got up early and set to work upon the shoes , while the panther sat by and looked on with delight . At last they were finished , and the jackal arose and stretched himself . ` Now go and lay them in the sun out there , ' said he ; ` in a couple of hours they will be ready to put on ; but do not attempt to wear them before , or you will feel them most uncomfortable . But I see the sun is high in the heavens , and we must be continuing our journey . ' The panther , who always believed what everybody told him , did exactly as he was bid , and in two hours ' time began to fasten on the shoes . They certainly set off his paws wonderfully , and he stretched out his forepaws and looked at them with pride . But when he tried to walk -- ah ! that was another story ! They were so stiff and hard that he nearly shrieked every step he took , and at last he sank down where he was , and actually began to cry . After some time some little partridges who were hopping about heard the poor panther 's groans , and went up to see what was the matter . He had never tried to make his dinner off them , and they had always been quite friendly . ` You seem in pain , ' said one of them , fluttering close to him , ` can we help you ? ' ` Oh , it is the jackal ! He made me these shoes ; they are so hard and tight that they hurt my feet , and I can not manage to kick them off . ' ` Lie still , and we will soften them , ' answered the kind little partridge . And calling to his brothers , they all flew to the nearest spring , and carried water in their beaks , which they poured over the shoes .
This they did till the hard leather grew soft , and the panther was able XXXXX slip his feet out of them .
So as at in of off out over to with