Malayan Fables
“He who is not possessed of such a book as will dispel many doubts, point out hidden treasures, and is, as it were, a mirror of all things, is even an ignorant man.”
Malayan Fables
Father “Lime-stick” and the Flower-pecker
Old Father Lime-stick once limed a tree for birds and caught a Flower-pecker. He was just about to kill and eat it when the bird cried out, “O Grandfather, surely you are not going to eat me? Why, flesh, feathers and all, I am no bigger than your thumb!” “What!” said the old man; “do you expect me then to let you go?” “Yes,” said the bird, “only let me go, and I will fetch you such a talisman as never was—a Bezoar-stone as big as a cocoanut and worth at least a thousand.” Said the old man, “Do you really mean it?” “Really, I do,” replied the bird. “Just let me go, and I’ll bring it to you.” Then, on being released, he flew off and perched on a tree, and began to preen his feathers, to get rid of the bird-lime.
Presently the old man said: “Where has that bird got to? Bird, where is the Bezoar-stone you promised to bring me, the one that was worth at least a thousand?” “Out-on-you,” was the reply, “this is really too ridiculous. Just think of me, with my body as big as your thumb, carrying a Bezoar-stone as big as a cocoanut! It really is too absurd. Why, have I even got the strength to lift it?” At this the old man held his peace. “Well,” continued the bird, “you will gain nothing by repenting that you set me free. Only remember in future not to undertake an affair quite out of keeping with your own powers. Neither try to get your arms round a tree too big for your embrace, nor attempt to climb one higher than your strength permits you.”