The king asked how it was, upon which he thus went on - In a certain part of a forest there lived a lion, by name Madotkata. He had three servants, a crow, a tiger and a jackal. Once, as they were roaming about, they saw a camel that had strayed from the herd and asked him where he had come from. He told his account. Then he was taken to the lion and presented. The lion gave him his word of safety, named him Chitrakarna and asked him to stay with him. Now on one occasion, owing to the lion's indisposition and there being a heavy rain, they, not getting anything to eat, were in distress. Then they fell thinking - Let us manage things in such a way that our master will kill Chitrakarna. What have we to do with this thorn-eater? The tiger said - Our master has favoured him by giving his word of surety. How can this be possible then? The crow observed - Now that our master is grown lean (for want of food) he will commit even sin. For, A woman oppressed with hunger will abandon even her son; a female serpent distressed with hunger will eat even her egg; what sinful act is a hungry man not capable of? Men when reduced to poverty, become cruel.