विक्रम चरित (उज्जैन सम्राट् विक्रमादित्य - पराक्रम, न्याय एवं ३२ पुतलियों की कथा सटीक)

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pleasing nature in those of greater experience in the ways of the world. However, as we said, the unsuspecting travel- ler went on till the water came up to his neck; he then set about releasing the alligator from the folds of the cloth he had wrapped round him. No sooner did the alligator find himself at full liberty and in his own element, than the ungrateful creature, turning briskly round to the man, said, “Now I have you, and shall devour you!” “Ah!” ex- claimed the traveller, “is it thus you repay the essential service I have rendered you? Would you, in return for the life I have saved, take that of your benefactor?” “I do not deny what you say,” replied the alligator, “but know you not that I am an enemy to man? You are an egregious fool for believing in my promises, which I was justified in making under the circumstances, but which are no longer binding when the necessity for them has passed away.” “But wherein have I offended you?” doled forth the miserable and now trembling traveller; “is this the reward for the services I have rendered you? Will no consi- deration induce you to act justly by me? Remember the injustice you are about to commit—to return evil for good. Remember your oaths. Spare me, I entreat you, and God will prosper you.” “Your whining discourse can have no weight with me,” rejoined the ruthless alligator; “prepare yourself to die!” The traveller, with the marks of terror in every line of his face, and his hair erect, falteringly be- sought the alligator in the most pathetic terms to allow him to depart in safety, but all to no purpose. He bitterly repented having turned from his path to succour the ungrate- ful reptile. At this moment, one of those creatures dis- tinguished by their peculiar cunning and sagacity, a fox, approached the river to quench his thirst. Hearing the lamentations of the traveller, he inquired the cause of so much grief. The alligator was the first to reply, and gave the fox his version of the case; but not satisfied with this he asked what the traveller had to say, who told his tale, and felt greatly relieved by the appearance of a third party