Wretch, since death hangs over your head, you have dared, O vile creature, to offer me advice!’ ‘Nay’, retorted Hanuman, ‘it will be contrariwise; I clearly perceive that you are labouring under some mental delusion.’

On hearing the monkey’s retort, Ravana was beside himself with rage. ‘Quick, some of you,’ he cried, ‘and put an end to this fool’s life.’ As soon as the demons heard it, they ran to slay him, but that very moment came Vibhishana (Ravana’s youngest brother) with his ministers.

Bowing his head before Ravana, he made humble entreaty: ‘Slay not an envoy, sire; it is against all diplomatic usage; punish him in some other way.’ All said, ‘This is sound counsel, brother.’

When he heard it, the Ten-headed said with a laugh, ‘All right, let the monkey go, but then mutilate him first.

A monkey is deeply attached to his tail; I tell you this secret, Swathe his tail with rags soaked in oil and then set fire to it.

When the tailless monkey goes back home, the wretch will bring back his master with him, and then I shall see what power he has, whom he has so extravagantly exalted.’

Upon hearing these threats, the monkey smiled to himself and thought, ‘Sarasvati, I believe, has helped me (by putting this idea into the demon’s mind).’ At Ravana’s command the stupid demons set about doing as they were bid.