204 A GRAMMAR OF THE
strive, as much as possible, to destroy the devouring Lion and
rescue myself from danger. Having contrived a plan, he walk-
ed very slowly towards the Lion and delayed going to him for
a long time. Then the Lion asked him the cause of his delay:
upon which he replied, Swāmy, while you are thus protecting us
a wicked Lion stronger than yourself came and did much injury,
which is the cause of my delay. When the Lion heard it he
said, point him out to me; upon which the hare took the Lion
and pointed him to a deep well: when the Lion looked down
he saw in the well a figure like himself; then he roared loudly,
and having heard the echo of the roar issuing from the well, he
stretched out his paw towards the shadow in the well; when
that did the same he said that henceforth nothing can be done
without killing you, and jumping into the well was drowned.
MORAL.
Wisdom is better than strength.
3rd. Hyperbole. This figure is in common use; as,
ൟ മാവിലുള്ള മാങ്ങാ ഒരു പൊതിക്കാത്ത തെങ്ങായെ
ക്കാൾ വലിപ്പമുള്ളതും പഞ്ചസാരയെക്കാൾ മധുരമുള്ള
തും ആകുന്നു.
The mangoes on this tree are larger than a cocoa-nut, before the
husk is removed, and sweeter than sugar.
അവന്റെ കണ്ണ ചെമ്പരത്തി പൂവിനെക്കാൾ ചുവന്നി
രിക്കുന്നു.
His eyes are redder than a shoe-flower.
4th. Irony. This figure is well known by the natives; as,
നീ അവന്റെ വിരുന്നിന പൊകുമൊ? അതിന്ന എന്തൊ
രു സംശയം അവൻ എന്നൊട ചെയ്തിട്ടുള്ള അന്യാ
യം വിചാരിച്ചാൽ ഞാൻ പൊകാതെ ഇരിക്കുമൊ?
Will you go to his feast? What doubt is there about it. When you
reflect upon the injury he hath done me; do you think I shall
fail to go?
നീ ൟ മച്ചിപശുവിനെ ഇരുപത രൂപാ കൊടുത്ത വാങ്ങി
ച്ചത കൊണ്ട നിന്നെപ്പൊലെ ബുദ്ധിമാൻ ആരുമില്ല.
Because you paid 20 Rupees for this barren cow, there is no one so
wise as you.
