The Crow and the Darter
H. (Henry) Parker translation
Thereupon the Darter having said, “It is good; I will give you food,” and having constructed the nest on the high ground at the side of the tank at which the Darter stays, and told the Crow to be in the nest, the Darter brought small fishes, and gave [them to him] near the nest.
When he was [there] a long time eating the fishes, the Crow, having thought of going to his country in which he stayed [before], said to the Darter, “Friend, I must go to my village,” he said.
The Darter says, “Why are you going?” When he asked, “Can’t you remain and eat the small fishes I give?” to say otherwise, because there was not a fault of the Darter’s the Crow says, “Friend, because there is one fault at your hand I must go,” he said.
[As an excuse] for the Crow to go, because there was no fault he says to the Darter, “Friend, every day at the time when you go to seek fish, drawing up your anus to me you go to the bottom of the water. Because it is so I cannot endure it.”
“If so, go you away,” the Darter said.
North-western Province.
The latter part of the story reminds one of the rude-mannered peacock of the Jātaka story No. 32, and also of one which lost its election as King of the birds owing to its indecent behaviour. Cinq Cents Contes et Apologues (Chavannes) vol. ii, p. 332.