Wednesday, December 17, 2014

31. Hitopadesh - The Heron And The Wicked Crow

There was a giant fig tree near the town of Ujjain. The tree was home to many birds and animals. On the tree there lived a wily crow and an altruistic heron. Over a period of time, the crow and the heron became good friends, despite of differences in their nature.

One summer afternoon, when all birds were resting to hide from bitter summer heat, a traveler came to rest under the shade of the tree. He was a hunter who had been roaming the forest since morning in search of prey.  He was hungry and tried, and soon fell asleep.

As the noon receded, the shadow of the tree moved and sun came on the hunter’s face. The hunter was distracted and vexed. Seeing this, the heron spread its wings to provide shade to the hunter. The wily crow was watching the heron. He could not tolerate the act of goodness by the heron, nor could he see the hunter resting peacefully. So, he decided to trouble the resting hunter.

The crow kept waiting and when the hunter opened his mouth for yawning; the crow immediately flew over and relieved himself in his mouth.

The hunter stood up angrily. He looked around and saw the heron resting above with its wings spread. The hunter thought that the heron was the perpetrator. He took his bow and arrow and immediately shot the bird.


Moral: Always keep company of good and wise. 

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