The Kathá Sarit Ságara; or, Ocean of the Streams of Story

There was in a certain place a great and shady banyan-tree, which seemed, with the voices of its birds, to summon travellers to repose. There a king of the crows, named Meghavarṇa, had established his home, and he had an enemy named Avamarda, king of the owls. The king of the owls surprised the king of the crows there at night, and after inflicting a defeat on him and killing many crows, departed. The next morning the king of the crows, after the usual compliments, said to his ministers Uḍḍívin, Áḍívin, Saṇḍívin, Praḍívin,2 and Chirajívin: “That powerful enemy, who has thus defeated us, may get together a hundred thousand soldiers, and make another descent on us. So let some preventive measure be devised for this case.” When Uḍḍívin heard this, he said; “King, with a powerful enemy, one must either retire to another country, or adopt conciliation.” When Áḍívin heard this, he said, “The danger is not immediate; let us consider the intentions of the adversary and our own power, and do the best we can.” Then Saṇḍívin said, “King, death is preferable to submission to the foe, or retiring to another country. We must go and fight with that feeble enemy; a brave and enterprising king, who possesses allies, conquers his foes.” Then Praḍívin said, “He is too powerful to be conquered in battle, but we must make a truce with him, and kill him when we get an opportunity.” Then Chirajívin said, “What truce? Who will be ambassador? There is war between the crows and the owls from time immemorial; who will go to them?

This must be accomplished by policy; policy is said to be the very foundation of empires.” When the king of the crows heard that, he said to Chirajívin,—“You are old; tell me if you know, what was originally the cause of the war between the crows and the owls. You shall state your policy afterwards.” When Chirajívin heard this, he answered, “It is all due to an inconsiderate utterance. Have you never heard the story of the donkey?”