3.11 Panchtantra - The Golden Droppings

Once there lived a bird named Sindhuka.

Sindhuka lived in a tree on the mountain top. She was special bird, as her droppings which fell on the earth turned into gold.

One day a hunter came hunting around the tree. It was late noon and he was unable to catch any bird. The hunter was tired and sat under the tree on which Sindhuka nested.

While the hunter was resting, he saw some bird dropping turned into gold. He was astonished. He thought, 'it seems there is a special bird on this tree whose dropping have turned into gold. I must catch this bird'.

The hunter set the trap and waited nearby.

Sindhuka, who had been playing around, did not noticed the trap. She was caught and caged by the hunter. She rued for being casual.

The happy hunter on this way to home though, 'This bird can make me a rich man soon, but people will get suspicious and inform the king. I may be punished'.

So the hunter decided to take the bird to the king and be contented with whatever reward the king offered him in return.

The hunter went to the palace. He told the king about the stance bird and gifted it to him. The king was elated to receive such a gifted. He rewarded the hunter and asked his men to treat the bird royally. The bird was put in a big cage and given ample food and water.

One day, a minister from the king's council said, 'O respectful King! It is unusual that a bird's dropping turn into gold. It is likely that the hunter has lied to you in want of reward. I suggest that you release the bird and banish the hunter for deceiving you'.

The minister was known to be wise and learned. The king trusted him. It occurred to king, 'if is true that the bird's dropping turn into gold, why did the hunter parted with it? He should have kept it for his fortune!'

The king happen believe that the hunter had cheated him for the reward. He was very angry and asked his men to arrest the hunter and banish him. The bird was set free.

The king and his men watched the bird fly. The bird sat on a tree and when her droppings fell on ground, they turned into gold.

The king and his men were stuck in surprise. They regretted for releasing the bird.

The king asked his men to immediately chase and cage the bird. But now Sindhuka was free and cautious. She flew high and far to escape the clutches of greedy men.

Moral: Think and rethink before you act.