Narayana split, combined, and reordered his source stories more extensively than most other revisers of the Panchatantra, so while cells in other columns generally have a one-to-one relationship, this does not hold true for the Hitopadesha. However, in this case the differences are comparatively trivial. The Hitopadesha itself exists in several versions, without an extant original.
The friend thought about the problem and suggested that the hermit should destroy the pile of food since that’s what’s helping the mouse reach the food. When questioned about his state, the hermit told him the story of the thieving mouse and his failure to get rid of it.
One day, the hermit’s friend noticed him looking sad and frustrated. The disciples and the hermit were baffled by how the mouse was managing to steal food. But the mouse formed a pile out of all the stolen food and used the pile to climb up and steal food from the hanging pot. The hermit decided to put the leftovers in an earthen pot and hang it off of the roof in the hopes that the mouse won’t be able to reach it. There was a mouse near the temple which would eat all the leftovers before the hermit could even distribute it to the people. Though the disciples were thankful for the hermit, they faced a common problem- a troublesome mouse. He would then cook his food and distribute the leftovers to the disciples who helped him take care of the temple. Every day, he would go into the city seeking alms. In the city of Mahilaropya, there was a saint who lived a very simple life.