358 FOLK-TALES OF INDIA.
about hither and thither in order to devour them. The villagers came out, caught a large number of lizards, and prepared their flesh (for eating) with oily ingredients, with vinegar and without. They gave some to the hermit, who ate it, and thereby acquired a craving for the flavour (of this savoury fare). " This flesh is very sweet. What is it the flesh of, may I ask ? "
When he heard that it was " lizards' flesh," he thought — " A big lizard comes to see me. I'll kill it and eat its flesh." He first pro- cured a cooking-pot, ghee, salt, and the rest, which he placed on one side. Then he took a club, covered himself with his yellow robe, and sat at the door of the hermitage (awaiting the return of the Bodhisat) as if he were perfectly motionless.
The Bodhisat left his own abode, saying : " In the evening I'll pay a visit to the hermit." But just as he drew near him he perceived that something was exciting the mind of the hermit, and thought to himself — " This anchorite is not sitting like he does on other days. To-day he looks at me as if he had some evil intention towards me. I'll tiy him ! " Getting to the windward of the hermit, he got scent of the savour of the lizard-flesh. " This false ' religious ' has eaten lizards' -flesh to-day, and has thereby acquired a liking for the flavour ! To-day he intends, when I come to pay him a visit, to strike me dead with his club, and then to cook and eat my flesh."
With this thought in his mind the lizard did not pay the hermit a visit, but turned back and made ofi".
The ascetic, finding thtit the Bodhisat had not come, thought — ^
- ' This lizard is surely aware that I intend to kill him, and for that
reason he has not come here. But I don't see why he should escape, though he has not come." Drawing out his club, he threw it (after the lizard as he was making off). It just grazed the top of his tail. The Bodishat speedily entered the mound, and out of another hole, lifting up his head, said : " false ascetic, I came to see you, deem- ing you (when I first paid you a visit) to be ' virtuous,' but now I am aware of your deceitfulness. What need is there for a big thief like you to dress up like a religious mendicant ? (with your matted hair and yellow robe.)"
