the poor son of the soothsayer, who was now almost dying of thirst, let down his vessel for a third time. the rat caught hold of it, and without discussing he lifted up the poor animal at once. but it would not go away without showing its gratitude: "oh, life of my life! my benefactor! i am the king of rats. whenever you are in any calamity just think of me. i will come to you, and assist you. my keen ears overheard all that the tiger-king told you about the goldsmith, who is in the fourth storey. it is nothing but a sad truth that goldsmiths ought never to be trusted. therefore, never assist him as you have done to us all. and if you do, you will suffer for it. i am hungry; let me go for the present." thus taking leave of his benefactor, the rat, too, ran away.