Sanskrit:
विषकुम्भं पयोमुखम्
Hindi:
ऐसे मित्र का विश्वास न करे जो मुंह का मीठा और दिल का बुरा हो।
There is, in the Malava country, a lake, Padmagarbha by name. There are certain crane who was old and decrepit stood showing himself to be sad at heart.
He was observed by a crab and asked—Why do you stand thus without looking for food?
The crane said—Friend, listen. The fish are the means of my sustenance. And they are certain to be killed by fishermen coming here. Such a talk I heard near the city. So for want of means of subsistence my death is imminent. Aware of this I am not thinking of eating even. Now all the fishes thought to themselves:—This time at least he appears to be our benefactor. So let us just consult him as to what is best to be done. An alliance should be formed even with an enemy disposed to do a service, and not with a friend doing injury: for a deed of benevolence and injury should known to be the signs of these.
The fishes asked—O crane, what is the means of our safety now?
The crane replied—There is a remedy for your protection, viz., going to another pond. I shall carry you one by one there.
The fishes said—Let it be so done.
Then the crane carried the fishes one by one and devoured them.
After that the crab said—O crane, take me there also.
Thereupon, the crane too, longing for the flesh of the crab which he had never tasted before, carried him there and placed him on the ground.
The crab also, seen the place strewn with the bones of the fishes, said to himself—Alas! I am undone, an unlucky creature. Well, I will act now as the time requires. One should dread a danger so long as it has not come: but seeing that the danger has arrived, one should strike a blow like a hero. Moreover, when a wise man being attacked sees no benefit to himself he dies fighting with his foe. When without fighting destruction is certain, but in fighting there is some chance of living—that the wise declare to be the time for fighting.
Thus reflecting the crab cut off the neck of the crane, who thereupon died.
Upon this king Chitravarna said again:—Just hear me, minister. I have thought thus of the matter. That Meghavarna, if left king here, will send us all the best things that are to be found in Karpuradvipa, so that I might live in great luxury on mount Vindhya.
Duradarsi, having smiled said—My lord, He who rejoices over things which have not come to pass suffers contempt like the Brahmana who broke the pots.
The king asked how it was: the minister said this story.