The Jackal was wise and mindful of his own interest. He lived in the company of four friends, namely a tiger, a wolf, a mouse and a mongoose. They saw in the woods a strong deer, the leader of a herd, whom however they could not seize for his fleetness and strength. Thereupon they held a consultation.
अथ कश्चित् कृतप्रज्ञः शृगाल: स्वार्थपण्डितः॥ सखिभिय॑वसत् सार्धं व्याघ्राखुवृकबभ्रुभिः। तेऽपश्यन् विपिने तस्मिन् बलिनं मृगयूथपम्॥ अशक्ता ग्रहणे तस्य ततो मन्त्रममन्त्रयन्।