1.11 Panchtantra - The Lion, Camel, Jackal and Crow

Long time ago, there lived a Lion named Madotkata in a forest. The lion had three friends - jackal, crow and wolf.

The jackal, crow and wolf knew that the lion was powerful and ruled the forest. So their friendship was lion was beneficial to all of them.

They stopped searching for food on their own and feed on the left over the lion gave them. They became powerful as they were king’s friends and always obeyed the lion's orders to keep good terms with him.

One afternoon, a camel who had lost his way came in the forest. While searching his way, the camel came across the three friends who were passing the same way.

The three animals realized that the camel was new in the forest and had lost his way.

The jackal became greedy and said, "we should kill and eat him."

The wolf then replied, "It is a tall animal and cannot be reached easily. We should tell lion about it".

The three of them agreed and went to the lion. The jackal said, "Your majesty! A camel has entered your territory without your knowledge and consent. It is bears good fresh. We should kill it for our meal".

But the lion got angry and said, "The camel has lost its way and come here for refuge. How can you think of killing it? We should provide him shelter and food. Go get him now".

The three animals got disappointed and went to the camel. They told the camel that the lion wants to see him and provide him with shelter and food as the camel had lost his way.

But the camel felt sacred and suspected the lion's intentions. He saw no way to escape. So he decided to meet the lion and left things on destiny to decide his fate.

The lion was happy to see the camel and warmly welcomed him. He assured the camel of safety in the forest. The camel was relieved to hear lion. He started living with them.

One day, while hunting the lion had a fight with a mighty elephant. The lion was badly injured and could not hunt for several days. Due to this, the lion and his friends went hungry for days and were starved.

But the camel gazed happily in the forest. Seeing this, the three friends went to the lion and said, "Your Majesty! It’s been days since you have eaten. Your are injured and becoming weak day by day. But it would be easy to kill and eat camel. Why don’t you do so?”

Hearing this, the lion got annoyed and said, "No we cannot kill the camel. He has trusted me. You are mean to think so. Don’t give me such evil suggestion again".

But the jackal, crow and wolf were greedy. They planned to kill the Camel. They went to the Camel and said, "Our king is injured and weak. He is unable to hunt and has not eaten for days. Therefore we consider it as our duty to sacrifice ourselves to save his life.

The innocent camel didn’t understand their plan and went with them to the lion.

The crow came forward first and asked the lion to eat it. He said, "Your majesty we were unable to find food for you. Kindly take me as your food and make me obliged". The lion refused. He said, "I would rather die than commit such sin."

The jackal followed the crow. He said, "Your Majesty, the crow is too small to satisfy your hunger. It is my duty to serve you. Kindly take me as your food." The humble lion refused to do so.

Then the Wolf came to offer himself to the lion saying, "Your Majesty, the jackal is quite small. Kindly take me as your food." The lion once again said no to the wolf.

Seeing this the camel felt reassured that the lion was kind and wouldn't kill him even if he offers himself.

He told the lion," Your Majesty! A friend in need is a friend indeed. You are in trouble so as a friend I offer you myself for your food."

The lion was convinced. He attacked the camel and killed it. The lion and his friends feed on it for several days.

Moral: Beware of Mean Friends.

1.10 Panchtantra - The Blue Jackal

Once upon a time there lived a jackal in a forest. His name was Chandarava.

One day, Chandarava roamed since morning in search of food but he found no food. He was worn and hungry.

So the hungry jackal trespassed the forest and entered the nearby village. The village was guarded by dogs. The dogs started gathered around the jackal to attack him. Fearing merciless attack, the jackal ran with all his strength. He suddenly jumped the small boundary of a house where a vat of blue dye was kept. The house belonged to the village washer man.

Running in haste and fear, the jackal jumped into the dye vat. He struggled for quite sometime and managed to escape. When the dogs saw the jackal they ran away.

The jackal saw his fur blue. He was very disappointed and returned hungry to his home in forest. It was already night and the jackal spelt hungry that night.

Next morning, when the jackal came out in search of food, he noticed that other animals appeared terrorized and ran away on seeing him.

The jackal understood that the animals were unable to recognize him. So he politely called them and said, 'Dear animals, do not be sacred of me. I was created by Lord Brahma himself. He has bestowed me with powers and intelligence to rule and protect the animals of this jungle as your King'.

The animals appeared assured. They discussed among themselves and said, 'O King! We are obligated to have you as our leader. We will be happy to serve you. You can ask us whatever you need'.

The jackal gave the animals different roles and responsibilities, but kept away other jackals in fear being recognized. The animals served him royally with food, water and took care of him.

The jackal continued ruling the animals for quite sometime. One evening, the jackal heard a hound of jackals. He was carried away by sense of belonging and began howling.

When the council of animals around the jackal saw him standing and howling, they realized that the animal they have been serving as their King was nothing but a jackal in guise.

The animals felt deceived and became very angry. He decided to out rule the jackal and punish him for deceiving them for so long.

Soon they surrounded the jackal and mercilessly tore him to pieces. The jackal died.

Moral: Be truthful. People who lie and deceive others see a bad ending.

1.8 Panchtantra - The Cunning Hare and The Lion

Once upon a time, there lived a lion in a forest. He was the King of forest. The lion was arrogant, unkind and killed the animals mercilessly.

One afternoon, all animals of the forest gathered. They went to the lion and said, "O Mighty King! We bow before you. We come here to request you to stop unwanted killing. Should you agree with us and we will offer you one animal everyday for your food".

The lion agreed with the animal's suggestion.

Thus from that day onwards, one animal went to the lion everyday. One day, it was turn of old hare.

The hare was sad. He came out his burrow and took the way to the lion's den. The hare walked slowly and thought of a way to kill the lion. He reached the den late.

The old hare was witty. He said, "My Lord. On my way, I was stopped by another lion who wanted to kill me for his food. I told him that you have been waiting for me. I escaped from his attack only when I assured him that I would return to him after seeing you".

The lion grew furious hearing this. He roared and asked the hare to him to the other lion.

The old hare led the lion to a well and said, "My Lord! The other lion lives in this well. Kindly see yourself".

The lion saw his reflection and thought it was another lion dwelling the well. He leapt to attack it. The well was deep and soon the lion drowned. The hare was happy that the lion died and returned home. Thus the witty hare saved his own life and of other animals who lived in that forest.

Moral: Brain is mightier than brawn.

1.7 Panchtantra - The Crane and The Crab

Once there lived an old crane by the side of a lake in a forest.

The crane was old and weak. Hence, it was unable to prey fish for its food.

One day the crane was severely starved, having no eaten for few days together. So it cried pitiably due to hunger.

A crab who lived nearby, saw the crane crying and asked, "Friend, you are an apt predator. Why are you not hunting for food?"

The old crane replied sadly, "I am now old and feel guilty for killing fishes. So I have taken a vow to starve to death and not to harm fishes any more".

The crab was surprised to hear the crane and asked her why she was so thoughtful in this age.

The crane continued, "I have heard that the astrologers have predicted that the rain Gods is anger and there will be no rains for twelve years. It would create havoc and creatures will die. I am worried that I'll be left alone".

The crab was worried when he heard the crane. He went back to the lake and told all other fishes and animals about the ill fate set to fall on the. The fishes were alarmed to know this and went to the old crane. The fishes said, "O old crane, show us a way to escape from this ill fate".

The cunning crane smiled at the pleading innocent fishes. She said, "I will surely help you all.

There is a large lake nearby. It has water throughout the year and never dries up. I can take you one by one to that lake".

The fishes and other animals who came to crane were happy to hear the crane's suggestion. They all trusted her and decided to go with her to the other lake.

So the crane started carrying one fish everyday to take them to the other lake. But she would fly to a lonely place and peck the fish for its food.

One day the crab came to the crane and said, "You have been taking the fishes to other lake everyday. This time take me. I want to reach there soon as possible since this lake has started drying up".

The crane was happy to hear the crab. She thought she would enjoy new food today.

The crab mounted the crane's back and they few to reach the large lake. The crane flew close to the place where she ate all the fish. Seeing the scattered fish bones, the crab grew suspicious and alarmed. He asked the crane, "We have come a long distance. Where is the lake?"

The crane revealed her lies and said, "There is no large lake around. Fish is my food and so are you now. I killed them and now I will kill you for my food".

The crab was very angry to hear this. He said, "We were wrong to trust you. I will punish you for this...”, sating this the crab caught the crane's neck with his claws and killed her.

The crab took the crane's neck to the lake and showed it all his friends. He told them how the crane breached their trust and killed their fellow fishes. There was ample rain after few days and the lake was full of water. The creatures lived happily after.

Moral: Do not trust anyone blindly.

1.6 Panchtantra - The Cobra and The Crows

Long ago a crow married a female crow. They built their nest on a tree in the forest.

After few days, the she crow laid eggs. The eggs hatched and they had three offspring. They made a happy family.

The tree on which they lived had a hollow, where a large cobra lived.

One afternoon when the parent crows went out in search of food, the cobra crept out and swallowed their offspring.

When the crows returned, they found their young one's missing. The mother crow was sad and cried a lot.

After few months, she laid eggs again. The mother bird remembered how her offspring went missing earlier, so she kept close watch on her nest. She observed that a cobra came out from the hollow of the tree. It crept to her nest and swallowed their eggs.

In the evening, when the male crow returned, she told him about the cobra who lived in the hollow of the same tree.

The mother crow was worried and she told the male crow that they should leave the nest. She requested the crow to leave the tree and suggested that they should build their nest elsewhere.

The male crow was clever and wise. He told the mother crow, "We should run away from the problem. What if we find more dangerous enemies elsewhere? Although the cobra is more powerful than us, we can get rid of it by planning carefully".

He then told his wife a plan. He said, "The princess comes to bathe in river every morning.

Tomorrow when she comes, and removed her jewels, pick up her gold chain and drop it in the hollow".

Next morning when the princess arrived and removed her jewels, the she crow flew away with her gold chain. She dropped it the hollow and sat on the tree top to see what happened.

The princess's servants, who came chasing the she crow, saw that she dropped the gold chain in the hollow.

They began searching the hollow and found a cobra resting there. The cobra crept out and fanged its tongue. Sensing danger, the princess's servants killed the snake. They took the gold chain and went back.

The parent crows were happy that the cobra was punished was his wrong doings and was killed.

Moral: Defeat your enemies by thinking and acting wisely.

1.5 Panchtantra - The Fighting Goats and The Jackal

One day a sage was passing through a jungle when he heard some animals brawling. The sage went near and saw that two goats were fighting each other.

Though the goats were wounded terribly and profusely bled, they continued to fight.

After some while, a jackal came here. He was hungry and started licking the smeared blood, giving no heed to the goats.

The sage who had been watching for all this while thought to himself, 'This jackal is foolish. He is acting out in greed and fails to understand that if he comes between these fighting goats, he will be hurt badly.'

The goats continued to fight bitterly. While they fought, the jackal who had been craving for more blood came near them. He suddenly found himself being caught between the angry goats.

Both agitated goats rammed him terribly and pulled him down to death.

Moral: Greed is not good. One should not turn blind eye to danger around.

1.4 Panchtantra - The Foolish Sage

Once there lived a sage in a village. His name was Dev Sharma. He was known widely for his wisdom and people paid him homage seeking his blessings. They offered him food, money, clothes and other things in kind. The sage kept what he needed and sold what was not required. Gradually he grew rich.

The sage never trusted anyone. He kept all the money in small bag, which he always carried under his arm.

One day, a thief saw the sage. He observed how carefully the sage carried the bag and grew suspicious if bag had treasure.So he decided to steal the bag. He planned to approach the sage and plead him to accept him as his disciple and win his trust.

So next day, the thief went to sage with reverence and pleaded, 'I am wrecked and seek peace. Enlighten me. I plead you to take me as your disciple and guide me towards the right path'.

The sage modestly replied, 'I will guide you. But I can take you as my disciple one condition-you have to stay in the hut near the temple at night. You cannot enter the temple at night, as during this time I mediate'.

The thief agreed with the sage and thanked him. The sage conducted rites and formally took him as his disciple.

The discourse began. The thief helped the sage in many ways such as temple cleaning, fetching water, performing rituals, etc; to gain the sage's trust. The sage was happy with the thief, however he left his bag.

Months passed by and the thief who had been looking for a chance got frustrated as the sage never parted from his bag. He thought of seizing it by killing the sage. While he was thinking, a young boy came to the sage and said, 'O holy man, I bow before you. I have come to ask for your holy presence in the sacred thread ceremony to be held in our hone. Kindly accept it'.

The sage humbly accepted the invitation and began his journey to reach the village with the thief.

The weather was dry and humid. After hours of walking, when they came across a river, the sage thought of relieving himself. So he folded the bag in his robe and asked the thief to watch it until he returned.

The thief was happy to see the opportunity come his way so easily. He humbly agreed to watch the bag. After the sage left, the thief took the bag and disappeared.

When the sage returned he found the robe lying around. His disciple had disappeared with the money bag. Seeing this, the sage was shocked and angry. He felt helpless and cheated.

He followed the thief's footprints but lost way in the forest. He returned to the temple next day empty handed and wrecked.

Moral: Never trust anyone blindly.

1.3 Panchtantra - The Rise and Fall of Merchant

There was an old city by the name of Vardhaman. It was the center of trading and traders from far and wide came here to make money.

In the city there lived a merchant named Dantila. He was wealthy and prosperous. Dantila held a grand reception for his wedding. It was attended by the Majesty King, his Queen, the courts men and other rich and influential people.

Gorambha who was a sweeper in the royal household also came to the reception. Dantila saw him occupying a seat reserved for the courts men and got angry. He immediately called his servants and ordered them to throw him out.

The merchant's servants thrashed and insulted Gorambha. They threw him out.

Gorambha was deeply hurt and thought to himself, "I am poor and was born low, so Dantila has insulted me. He is rich and proud of his wealth and favors he receives from the King. I would now do something to stop the King extending favors to him".

So one early morning Gorambha entered the King's chamber when he was still asleep. He started murmuring, "Dantila is very proud and high headed. He can even dare to embrace the Queen".

The King heard Gorambh. He was angry and wanted to know if Dantila embraced the Queen.

Gorambh said, "Your Majesty, I drank and gambled whole night. I do not remember what I said. Pardon me!”

The King was anxious and doubtful. He thought that the sweeper might have seen Dantila embracing the queen, since he had the privilege to enter royal court.

The King recalled that wise men say that men are likely to say in their sleep what they see. He thought carefully and was convinced that Dantila had indeed embraced the Queen secretly.

The King barred Dantila from entering his royal court. The merchant now began grieving as he had not done any harm to the King or to his courts men, nor his relatives.

The King ordered his men to bar Dantila from entering court. So one day when Dantila tried to enter the royal court he was barred by the king's men. When Gorambha saw this, he told them, "You are all fools. If you stop the great merchant Dantila you will meet with the same ill fate as I did at the hands of Dantila".

The merchant heard this and thought he should bring Gorambha in his confidence. So he invited him for tea.

Dantila treated Gorambha very well. He gave him expensive clothes when he saw him leaving after the tea. He told him,” Friend, you were my guest in the reception. I never intended to insult you. You occupied the seat I had reserved for royal courts men. Kindly pardon me for what happened".

Gorambha was pleased to receive the warm treatment from Dantila and hear his words of apology. He promised to win the King's favor for Dantila again.

The next day Gorambha pretended to talk in sleep again. He said he saw the King ride the swings in garden and eat cucumber in the restroom.

The King was puzzled to hear this. He said, "You are talking nonsense! When did you see me munching cucumber in restroom and riding the swings?"

The sweeper smiled and said, "Your Majesty! I do not know what I said. I drank and gambled at last night. Pardon me!"

The king realized that Gorambha was unreliable. He changed his mind about Dantila and asked him to appear before him. He gave Dantila the same powers and authority which he had earlier.

Moral: Treat everyone equally and respectfully.

1.1 Panchtantra - The Monkey and The Wedge

The Monkey and the Wedge

Once upon a time there lived a King. He was rich, kind and prosperous. However, he had no son who could become heir to his throne. 

When the King was blessed with a son after many years, he held a grand feast. The priests who came during the celebration asked the King to build a temple in his state to thank God for blessing him with the son. 

So the King consented and soon the temple construction began.  The masons, sculptors, carpenters, painters began working. They gathered everyday during the noon time to take their meal.

One day while the workmen were taking their meal, a troop of monkeys came. The monkeys were very naughty and started playing with various tools which were used by the workmen. 

One of the carpenter left a wedge in a large log he was working on. One of monkeys from the troop jumped on that log of wood. He saw the wedge inserted in the log and became curious about it. Driven by curosity, he began trying hard to pulled it out. The wedge came out suddenly and the slit log coalesced. The monkey's tail was caught in the log before he could think of running away.

The helpless monkey shrieked and cried loudly in pain as his tail was flattened in the log. Soon his family gathered around to help him.

Hearing the loud cry, even the workmen came around. They tried to rescue the monkey. They worked together -tugged and pulled over, and set monkey free. The monkey ran away leaving his tailed waggled between the logs. The monkey became tailess and eventually died in pain.

Moral: Do not interfere in other people's work.

1.2 Panchtantra - The Jackal And The Drum

Once there lived a jackal named Gomaya.

One day he found no food and was very hungry. He went far in search of food and came to a lonely battlefield. The jackal saw a drum near the tree. He thought it could have something to satisfy his hunger.

As he approached the drum, he was sacred by a strange sound from the drum. He repelled and thought of running away.

But suddenly, he thought of facing the danger, if any. He courageously approached the drum and found that the sound was caused by the wind.

Near the drum there was ample food and the jackal was delighted to see it. He ate the food and went back to the forest.

Moral: Fight your fears and act courageously.