1.20 Panchtantra - The Cranes, Mongoose And Serpent

In a far forest, there lived a group of cranes. The cranes built their nests near on a tree near bank of a river.

Under the tree, there was a hole where a large snake lived. Very often the snake stole the bird’s eggs and preyed on their young ones.

The cranes were sad and angry over the snake's act. So they went to their king. The king crane said,” There is mongoose who lives with its family near the next tree. Mongoose and snakes are bitter enemies. You all must catch fishes and keep then on path between the snake's hole and mongoose's burrow. This will lead the mongoose to snake's hole. They will fight and snake will be killed."

Next day, the cranes fished all day and laid a trail between burrow and hole. The mongoose sneaked out to eat fish and reached the snake's hole.

When the snake saw the mongoose, it fanged it tongue and hissed loudly. They fought badly and the snake was killed.

Seeing this, the cranes rejoiced.

Soon the cranes saw that the mongoose and its family climbed the tree and attacked their offspring. The craned were sad and realized the mistake in their plan.

Moral: Never trust your enemies.