He turned to the lion and said, "Please accept my offer instead."
The Lion, The Camel, The Jackal And The Crow - Panchatantra Story PictureThe jackal stood humbly before the lion, "Master, please eat me to save yourself from hunger. If you accept my sacrifice, I will be honoured with a place in heaven".
On hearing this, the lion shook his head in refusal. This way, the other animals started offering themselves, but the lion kept refusing to accept their offer.
The camel who was observing all this thought, "All of them speak beautifully about offering themselves, but the master refuses to kill any of them. I shall seek to impress the master in a similar fashion."
Thinking such, the camel said to the other animals, "You have offered yourself, but the master cannot eat you because all of you are carnivores and belong to the same category as the lion himself. Stand by, for I shall offer myself".
With this, the camel came forward and bowed before the lion.
The Lion, The Camel, The Jackal And The Crow - Panchatantra Story PictureHe said, "Master, you need not kill any of these animals. Please eat me instead. I offer myself in return to your debts. I shall find my way to the heaven, if you may please accept my offer".
No sooner had he made the offer, the other animals cheered. Having already been influenced by the jackal, the lion jumped on him. He was killed, and eaten by all the animals together.
The wise indeed say:
Always be on guard when you are in the company of wicked people. Do not be taken in by their sweet words.
