The Four Treasure-Seekers

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Four Brahmins lived in a certain town, who shared a good friendship among themselves. However, they were utterly poor. They discussed their condition and concluded, “Let us leave this place, where we are languishing in poverty. Let us go somewhere else and prosper” After meeting their friends and relatives, they started on their travels. After some time, they reached a town, where they decided to stay for some time. There was a Shiva’s (the God of death) temple nearby on the bank of a river. They worshiped in this temple after bathing in the river. It was there, that they met a Yogi, and accompanied him to his hermitage.

The Yogi enquired, “Who are you? And where do you come from? What did you come in this town for?” They explained their condition to the Yogi, “We took this journey to earn money. We are in a state of poverty, that we would have died in our town. Since, you are an accomplished Yogi, we believe you must be gifted with wonderful powers. Please guide us to the path of earning money.” They continued, “We dedicate ourselves to you, and ready to undertake whatever path you guide us to. Please help us.”

On observing their pitiable condition, the Yogi agreed. He took out four cotton wicks, and gave each of them a wick. He said, “With the wick in your hand, take the path that takes you to the Himalayas. Keep walking till one of you accidentally drops his wick. The location where the wick drops accidentally would be the location you would find hidden treasure. Dig it out, and return home with the collected treasure.” The four Brahmins took his blessings, and started their journey towards the Himalayas.

They travelled for days, when one of them dropped his wick accidentally. He dug the place where the cotton wick had fallen, and uncovered a treasure filled with copper. He asked his friends, “Come on! There is too much treasure for even four of us to carry. Let us collect, and go home. We are now rich! You need not go any further!” The other three discussed and said, “You were destined to this copper treasure. We may be destined to richer treasure. You may collect all the copper you can and return home.

We will continue with our journey.” Thus, the Brahmin collected his treasure and started travelling homewards, while the rest of the three Brahmins continued their journey with their wicks in their hands. They travelled for few more days, when one of them dropped his wick accidentally. He dug the place where the cotton wick had fallen, and uncovered a treasure filled with silver.

He asked his friends, “Come on! There is too much treasure for even four of us to carry. Let us collect, and go home. We are now rich! You need not go any further!” The other two discussed and said, “You were destined to this silver treasure. We may be destined to richer treasure. You may collect all the silver you can and return home. We will continue with our journey.”

Thus, the Brahmin collected his treasure and started travelling homewards, while the rest of the two Brahmins continued their journey with their wicks in their hands. After a few more days of travelling, one of them dropped his wick accidentally. He dug the place where the cotton wick had fallen, and uncovered a treasure filled with gold. He asked his friend, “Come on! There is too much treasure for even four of us to carry. Let us collect, and go home. We are now rich! You need not go any further!” The fourth Brahmin replied, “Stupid! You don’t understand what is happening.

First copper, then silver, now it is gold! You all were destined to these treasures. Next time, I am sure I’ll find a richer treasure of diamonds and pearls. You may go home, but I will continue my journey. I am sure I am destined to a richer haul of treasure.” His companion said, “You may continue with your journey, but I will not return homewards. I will stay here and guard this treasure of gold, and we will return home together after you return.” Thus, the fourth Brahmin continued his journey with his wick in his hand.

After travelling alone for a few more days, he felt tired. He was suffering from the tremendous heat and got very thirsty. Soon, he lost his way, and started travelling in circles. Trying to figure out the right direction, he came across a man with a whirling wheel around his head. His body was smeared with blood. The fourth Brahmin was so thirsty, that instead of helping the man, he asked, “Please tell me where I can get some water.

Whoever you are, with a wheel around your head, Please tell me quickly” No sooner had he uttered these words, the wheel shifted from the other man to this fourth Brahmin. It began whirling around the fourth Brahmin’s head; and it pained beyond endurance. He cried, “What is the meaning of this? Why has the wheel attached itself to my head? Please tell me how I can get rid of this.”

The man relieved from the wheel, replied, “When someone carrying a magical cotton wick is to come here, and speak to you. Only then, will you be freed from this wheel, and attach itself to him.” He explained, “I do not remember how long I have been here. It was during the reign of king Rama, that I procured a magical wick from a Yogi to rid myself of poverty. Out of greed, I continued my journey even after I got treasure.

I met a man here under the same circumstances, and that is how I got this wheel on my head from his. You shall be free from hunger, thirst, aging or death. But you will have to endure the pain.” He continued, “It was Kuber (God of wealth) who prepared this device so that no one date approach this place and steal his treasure. Only a man with a magical wick can enter this place.” Thus, the other man who was relieved from the wheel, took his leave.

The fourth Brahmin was left alone. But his companion was worried, as it was taking so long for his fellow Brahmin to return. He decided to follow and reached the place where his friend was suffering in pain, with blood smeared all over his body and wheel whirling around his head. The third Brahmin enquired, “What has happened to you? How can I help you?” With tears in his eyes, the fourth Brahmin replied, “I was destined for this. This is the result of my fate”. And, he told the entire story of the wheel to his friend.

As there was nothing his companion could do, he prepared to leave, “Even being a scholar, you lacked the sense to control your greed. You wanted diamonds and pearls, when you already had gold. There is no point in giving you company, for no human being can do anything to help you. I should depart from this place.” Thus, his friend started his journey to return home, and the fourth Brahmin was left all alone.

The Four Learned Fools

Four naive Brahmins, who were great friends, lived in a certain town. One day, they decided to study hard and acquire knowledge. They would then be able to make money. It was decided that they would require going to a different town to do that.

So, they travelled to a new city, and joined a hermitage to further their study. For twelve years they studied very hard, and mastered many fields of knowledge. One day, they discussed, “Now that we have finally acquired sufficient knowledge in many branches of science, let us ask our Guru’s permission to depart from this hermitage. We are finally prepared to earn money by applying our knowledge.” They asked their Guru’s permission, who blessed them for success. They then started to travel, with all the shastras (holy books of knowledge).

After travelling for a while, they came across an intersection, where the path was divided into two different directions. They started pondering on which path they should take to further their travel. Meanwhile, a merchant’s son had died in a nearby town. As they stood pondering, a huge funeral procession headed their way. The procession included several prominent people, and they were going to the cremation ground.

Consulting the scriptures of the shastras, one of the Brahmins declared, “The right path to follow is the path taken by great men!” Thus, they decided to take the same path as that of the funeral procession.

On reaching the cremation ground, the people in the funeral procession stopped, and initiated the funeral proceedings. Now, [being bewildered] the Brahmins started pondering what course of action they should take next. While pondering such, they saw a donkey nearby. Consulting the scriptures of the shastras, the second Brahmin declared, “A true friend is one who stands by you on all occasions.

Be the occasion joyous or sad!” Thus, they accepted the donkey as their true friend. They put their arms around the donkey’s neck, adored and kissed him, after washing his hoofs with water. At this time, they observed a camel running towards them, from a distance. Quickly consulting their scriptures of the shastras, the third of the Brahmins declared, “Righteousness marches rapidly!”. Thus, they agreed that the camel marching quickly towards them must be righteousness incarnate, and nothing else.

The fourth Brahmin, on consulting his scriptures declared, “A good man should always lead his friend to righteousness!” Thus, they stopped the approaching camel and introduced it with the donkey. Then, they tied the donkey to the camel in order to lead their friend to righteousness. The camel dragged the donkey, while continuing his journey. The donkey’s master was a washerman, who saw the four Brahmins tie his donkey to the camel. He was angered by this, and ran after the Brahmins with a stick.

On being chased, the four learned fools, ran for their lives and reached a river. They observed that a leaf of a holy tree [bunyan] was floating on the water of the river.

One of the Brahmins declared, “Holiness carries one across the river of life!” He jumped at once, on the holy leaf to cross theriver. Unable to swim, he immediately began to drown. When the second Brahmin saw him being dragged by the river, he got into the river at once and caught him by the neck. But the currents of the river were very strong and he was not able to drag his friend to the bank of the river.

He remembered from the scriptures, “When a wise man knows that total destruction is imminent, he would sacrifice half and work with the rest!” He immediately took out his sword, and cut his friend into half. He was then, able to drag him to the bank of the river. But, by that time he had already died. The remaining three Brahmins regretted their friend’s loss, and later the three remaining Brahmins continued their journey. After they wandered for some time, they reached a village.

The villagers welcomed them in a very hospitable fashion, and offered them different houses to stay. The villagers decided that three different families will serve them with their dinner. One Brahmin was served with sweet noodles. He remembered from scriptures, “Long tactics will surely take a man to destruction!” Thus, he did not eat the food, and remained hungry throughout the night. Another Brahmin was served with a bowl of frothy soup, He remembered from scriptures, “Whatever is frothy and distended, does not last long!” Thus, he did not eat the food, and remained hungry throughout the night, too. The third Brahmin was served a tasty food with a hole in the middle.

He remembered, “Defects are an imminent sign of approaching danger!” Thus, he did not eat the food, and he as well remained hungry throughout the night. When the villagers came to know in the morning, that they did not have the dinners served for them, they laughed and ridiculed them.

Angrily, the three remaining learned fools started to depart from the village. As they started their journey, the villagers went a long distance with them – all the time, ridiculing, laughing and mocking them on their way.

Conclusion

Empty knowledge brings ridicule.

The Tale of Two Fishes and a Frog

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Two large fishes, Sahasrabuddhi and Satabuddhi lived in a big pond, and were close friends with a frog called Ekabuddhi. They spent a lot of time together on the bank of the pond. One evening, as they were assembled on the bank of the pond, they saw a few fishermen approaching. They had nets and big baskets with them, which were full of fishes that they had caught. While passing by the pond, they noticed that the pond was full of fishes. One of them said to the others, “Let us come here tomorrow morning.

This pond is not very deep, and is full of fishes. We have never caught fishes in this pond.” They agreed to return the very next morning, and continued their journey homewards. The frog was depressed on hearing the fishermen and said, “O Friends, we should decide what to do, whether to run or hide. These fishermen will return tomorrow morning!”

The fishes however did not care much. The first fish said, “O Friend, It is just mere talks of few passing fishermen. Don’t worry, for they will not come. And, even if they do, I know innumerable tricky water movements. I shall save myself and my family with ease.”

The second fish joined, “I am as talented in tricky water movements as you! I will be able to save myself and my family too. I support your stand, for I will not abandon the home of our ancestors for the sake of some mere talk of few passing fishermen.” But the frog was not convinced, he said, “My friends, my only talent is that I can foresee danger. You may stay, but I will leave with my family to some other pond before morning.”

The very next morning, the fishermen came and cast their nets all over the pond. They had a big haul, and caught many fishes, frogs, tortoises and crabs.

Sahasrabuddhi and Satabuddhi tried hard to escape, but none of their tricks worked. They were caught, and when the fishermen dragged their net on the bank of the pond they were already dead. Being the largest of the fishes the fishermen caught, they proudly displayed Sahasrabuddhi and Satabuddhi, and carried them separately as they started homewards. Meanwhile, the frog, Ekabuddhi, had already found a well for shelter. Being worried and anxious, he came to the surface. But as he saw the fishermen departing with his friends, he became sad.

He told his wife, “They were very talented, but lacked the only talent that was most important. As for me, I may have only one talent, but I swim happily with my family!”

Conclusion

At the first hint of danger, act quickly to save yourself.

The Unforgiving Monkey

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Chandra was a king, whose sons kept a group of monkeys as pets. These monkeys were treated as royal pets, and were provided with the choicest of foods and the best of care. As they did not have much to do, they had become fat.

The chief of these monkeys was very wise. The followed great philosophers and was learned in many sciences. He always tried to teach the other monkeys, but they had become too absorbed in their lavish lives to follow much of his teachings. On the other hand, the princes also had two strong rams (billy goats), which used to draw the carriage used by the young princes. One of the rams was a glutton, and would creep into the kitchen whenever he could and eat whatever he could get there.

This made the cooks very angry, and they would keep a watch. The cooks would throw anything they could lay their hand on, to hit the ram, when he would be near the kitchen. Noticing the cooks trying to hit him with sticks, earthen pots, copper pans and anything they found handy, the chief of the monkeys thought, “This behaviour could lead to accidents, and this entire city may perish. What if they threw something with fire?” The chief of monkeys summoned the other monkey and said, “The behaviour of the cooks towards the ram can lead to some mishap any day, and we may well be on the losing side, if that is to happen. Let us get away from here, before some accident is to happen.”

But, the other monkeys were enjoying their lavish treatment, and did not go back to the jungle. They refused to heed the chief’s warnings, and decided to stay. They assumed that the chief was getting old, and having all types of weird thoughts. Thus, the chief of monkeys decided to leave alone. He said, “You are more fools than crazy not to foresee the danger. I shall leave here, as I value life more than the abundant foods served here!” After the chief of monkey had departed to the jungle alone, one day, the ram entered the kitchen and ate some food that was being organized to be served to the king. One of the cooks got very angry, and unable to get anything else handy, threw a half-burnt log from the oven. The log hit the ram. As the ram’s body was covered with wool, it instantly caught fire. In the pain of fire on him, the ram ran to the stable.

The dry grass for the horses caught fire, and in a moment the whole stable was engulfed in fire. There was a pandemonium, and by the time, the fire was extinguished by the palace workers, the horses suffered grave burnings. When the news reached the king, he was very depressed that such a thing had happened to his favourite horses, and summoned veterinary surgeons to prescribe him remedy. After referring many scriptures, the veterinary surgeons advised, “O King, the wounds caused by fire will recover fast, if they are applied with monkey’s fat.” Thus, the king ordered all the pet monkeys be caught, and killed immediately. The fat from their bodies were then used to treat the horse’s wounds. When this news reached the chief of the monkeys, he was very sad. He thought, “The monkeys were foolish not to heed the warnings, but the king is wicked for doing this to his pets. I will make him pay for his actions!”

He had not eaten food, or drunk water for several days as he was heart-broken. Absent-mindedly, he came to a lake full of beautiful lotus.

He was thirsty, and decided to drink some water. As he came near the lake, he noticed that there were many footprints of both men and animals, that led to the lake, but not a single footprint led away from the lake. He became aware, and concluded there must be something wrong in this beautifully decorated lake. He fetched some hollow stems of lotus plant nearby, and using them as a pipe, drank water from a distance. As he was doing so, a monster emerged from the lake. He had a necklace of jewels around his neck. He said, “I am a monster who lives in this lake. Whoever enters this lake to bath or drink water, ends up in my tummy. For so many years, I have not seen anybody as wise as you! You drink water from the lake, but maintain a distance where I cannot touch you.

I am so pleased with you, that I shall grant any wish you may want!” The chief of monkey immediately remembered that he had a revenge to take, and said, “Tell me, how many can you eat? I have a certain king as my enemy. If you give me your necklace, I shall use it to persuade the king and his men to enter the lake.” The monster replied, “If they enter the lake, I can eat thousands of them. Go ahead and bring as many as you can!” The chief of monkey wore the necklace in his neck and jumped from tree to tree to reach the palace as early as possible. He went straight into the king’s court. When the king and everybody else saw the chief of monkeys wearing a beautiful necklace of jewels, they became curious. They asked the chief of monkeys all sort of questions.

The chief of monkey said to the king, “O king, while wandering in the jungle, I have come across a large treasure that Kuber (God of treasures) has hidden. It is secretly hidden inside a lake. Anyone, who takes a bath in the lake on a Sunday, can have as much treasure as he can carry. This necklace is nothing compared to the other treasures there! The diamonds in the lake would even put the sun to shame!” When the king heard this, he said, “Hey Monkey Chief, if this lake really exists, please take lead us to it.

I will come to see it myself, and even bring everybody in the palace along with me.” It was decided, and in the early morning of the very next Sunday, the king and the chief of the monkeys set to travel inside the jungle. They were followed by the princes, queens, ministers, household workers and everybody else in the palace. When they reached the place, everybody was awe-struck to see the lake full of lotus. The chief of monkeys said, “Everybody should enter the lake at the same time, or only the first few will received the blessings. As for you, my king, you should wait. I will show you a special place to enter the lake after they have gone into the lake.” The greedy king, and everybody else followed his instructions and got into the lake. One by one, they started to disappear. The king kept anxiously waiting for them to return with treasures. When his people and relatives did not come out of the lake after a long time, the king asked, “O Monkey Chief, why do they not come out? Why is it that they take so long time?”

The chief of the monkeys jumped to the top of a tree and replied, “O wicked king, a monster lives in this very lake that has eaten all your court members, and relatives. I have now killed all your family, as you have killed mine. The scriptures say, it is not a sin to return evil for evil deeds.”

He continued, “I have saved you, for you were once my master! You may return to your palace, empty-handed and alone.” Thus, the king returned to his palace after losing all his relatives and household members, while the chief of monkeys had his revenge.

Conclusion

Greed surely brings disaster and destruction in the end.

The Bird with Two Heads

Once upon a time, there lived a great bird named Bharunda, on the banks of a lake.

It was strange because he had two necks with two heads, but shared the common body. One day, as the bird was wandering, it found a delicious looking red-golden fruit. One of the heads mumbled, “Oh, what a delicious looking fruit. I am lucky to have found it. I am sure the fruit is sent from heavens only for me”. On saying so, it started eating the fruit with utmost pleasure.

While eating, it kept on praising how it was the most delicious fruit he had ever eaten. Hearing and seeing all this, the other head requested, “Oh dear, please also allow me to taste the fruit that you are praising with all your heart”. The first head did not want to share it, so it laughed and said, “We share the same stomach.

Whoever amongst us eats the fruit, it goes to the same stomach. It makes no difference on who eats the fruit. Moreover, since I am the one who found this fruit in the first place, I have the right to eat it myself.” This selfishness of the first head hurt him very much, and he went silent with disappointment on hearing the first head’s reply. Few days later, as they were wandering the second head found some fruits.

The fruits were from a poisonous tree. He declared to the first head, “You are a deceitful person. The other day you had insulted me by not sharing the delicious fruit.

Now I am going to eat this fruit and avenge your insult”. The first head pleaded, “Please don’t eat this fruit, it is a poisonous one. We share the same stomach. If you eat it, we will both suffer” Mocking at the first head, the second head replied, “Shut up! Since I am the one who found this fruit in the first place, I have the right to eat it myself”.

Knowing what would happen, the first head began to cry. The second head ate the poisonous fruit without bothering the first head’s requests. As a consequence of this action, as soon as the poison reached the stomach, the bird severely suffered.

Conclusion

Union is strength.

The Musical Donkey

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There lived a washerman’s donkey, whose name was Uddhata. During the day, the donkey would carry the washerman’s bags, but during the night, he was set free to eat the green grass in a nearby field. However, instead of grazing in the nearby fields, he crept into nearby farms and ate vegetables of his choice. Before day- break it would come back to the washerman’s house. One night, the donkey met a jackal while wandering in a nearby farm. They became good friends, and started meeting every night.

The donkey, being fat, was able to break the fences of the farms. While he ate on the vegetable, the jackal would enter through the broken fence and ate the poultry on the farm. Before day-break, they would return to their respective home to meet again next night. This continued for many days.

One night, the donkey said to the jackal, “Nephew, I feel like singing on nights like tonight, when the moon is full and beautiful. What Raaga (note combination) shall I sing?” The jackal cautioned, “Uncle, we are here to steal. Thieves should keep as quiet as possible. I may add, your voice is not as pleasant as you think, and sounds like conch being blown! Your voice can be heard over a long distance. It will awaken the farmers who are sleeping, and you will have us caught.” The jackal assured, “Please uncle, eat as much as you like, and forget about singing!”

This annoyed the donkey and he said, “Dear nephew, it is because you are a wild animal that you don’t appreciate music. I shall sing a melodious Raaga. Wait till you hear it!” Observing that the donkey was determined to sing; the jackal did not risk staying there anymore. He said, “Uncle, if you must sing, please wait till I go outside the fence and keep a watch on the farmers.”

He ran outside the fence, and hid himself. Then, the donkey started to bray at the top of his voice. When the farmers heard the donkey braying, they could see easily in the fullmoon-lit farm that the donkey was in their farm. The angry farmers chased the donkey with sticks, and beat him so hard that he fell on the ground.

Then, they tied a wooden mortar around his neck and let him go. When the donkey was returning through the broken fence, the jackal laughed, “Musical uncle! That was a greatRaaga! I see the farmers have rewarded you with this necklace!”

Conclusion

There is always a proper place and time for doing anything.

The Lion that Sprang to Life

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There lived four friends in a certain town. Although, all four of them were young Brahmins, one of them was a complete ignorant in matters of learning but had good common-sense. The other three were very learned in matters of the Holy Scriptures, but lacked common-sense.

One day, as the four friends were assembled together, they decided, “The scholarship that we have over the Holy Scriptures is no good, if we cannot use it to impress the king, or otherwise to earn money!” They decided to travel, in order to earn money using their learnings.

But the fourth friend was not learned, so they thought of leaving him behind. They agreed, “What good is common-sense? His talents would not help in earning money, let only three of us travel.” After much pleading by the fourth Brahmin, they decide, “It will not be correct to behave like this to a dear friend, Let us take him along with us! We should also share a part of our earnings with him!” As decided, the four of them started travelling.

As they were travelling through a jungle, they noticed the bones of a dead lion, lying on their way. One of them said, “Let us start using our scholarship! We have a dead lion in front of us. Let us test our scholarship, and try to bring life into it!” While the three Brahmins agreed, the fourth Brahmin did not like the idea. But his preference was ignored by the other three Brahmins, and they started holy rituals.

One of the Brahmins collected the bones of the lion and using his scholarship, created a skeleton of the lion. Another Brahmin used his scholarship to cover the skeleton with flesh and skin. As the lifeless lion stood in front of them, the third Brahmin initiated the rituals to put life into the lion.

The fourth Brahmin was alarmed, “O friends, if the lion comes to life, he will kill all of us! Please stop what you are doing!” The Brahmins ridiculed him, “After reaching so far, are we going to waste our knowledge? You say so, because you are jealous of our scholarship!” The fourth Brahmin knew there was no point in arguing with them. He pleaded, “Please give me a moment.

I wish to climb a tree before you make use of you scholarship.” He started climbing up a big tree, and could see from above the third Brahmin use his scholarship, to put life into the lion. As soon as the lion became lively, he noticed the three Brahmins, who were celebrating their successful implementation of their scholarship.

The lion immediately pounced on them, and killed them. The fourth Brahmin could do nothing but wait till the lion had gone. Then, he climbed down the tree and returned home alone.

Conclusion

Common sense is preferable to knowledge.

The Dog who went Abroad

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Chitranga was a dog, who lived in a certain town which was affected by a famine. People had no food to eat, and they cared not to give any to the dogs or cattle or any animal. Due to lack of food, along with other animals, the dogs were starving.

Some of them even died. Chitranga was not able to bear the hunger and realizing that the place did not offer conditions to live, he decided to leave for a foreign land in search of food and better conditions. After travelling a long distance, he came to a certain town. I saw a door open in one of the houses due to the negligence of a rich lady householder. He went into the house, and found abundant food. He had not eaten for a long time, and ate to his heart’s content.

Then he thought of leaving silently. No sooner had he come out of the house, he was spotted by other dogs of the neighbourhood. The realized he did not belong to their community and chased him. Since, he had his stomach full, he could not run fast, and they bit him all over with their sharp teeth.

He somehow escaped, and thought, “It is better to live in peace in one’s own country, be it affected by famine. I will rather return home.” When he returned to his country, the starving dogs there were curious. His friends and relatives gathered around him to enquire about his findings, “Please tell us about the foreign country you visited.

How is it like? How are the people? Is there plenty of food?” The dog said, “O friends and relatives! What can I say? In the foreign country, the women are careless. They leave doors and windows open. There is lots of food to eat. But, your own kith and kin will not show any sympathy. They will torment you to death.”

Conclusion

The outsiders may tolerate your lapses but not your own kith and kin.

The Jackal’s Strategy

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There was a wide jackal called Mahachaturaka, who lived in a jungle. One day, as he was wandering about in the jungle in search of food, he saw a dead elephant. He knew that the dead elephant will provide him food for many days.

But his happiness soon turned into frustration, as he was not able to tear the elephant’s thick skin. He went round and round, trying his luck from all side, but in vain. As he was still trying to figure out, the jackal saw a lion approaching. He quickly bowed, and said, “O King of jungle, I found this dead elephant and was keeping a watch over it so that you can have it.

Please be kind to eat to your heart’s content.” But the lion refused, “I eat a prey only when I hunt it myself. That is my nature. Thank you for your offer, but you can have the elephant for yourself” The lion departed after being thanked by the jackal. But his problem remained. He wondered how he can tear apart the elephant’s thick skin.

At the very moment he saw a leopard approaching. He thought, “I got rid of the lion by being humble, but I have to be cunning in order to get rid of him!” At once the jackal climbed on top of the elephant and raised his shoulders proudly.

He said to the jackal, “O Uncle! You have come here to the very jaws of death! This elephant was hunted by the lion. He asked me to guard it and call for him if anybody was to approach it.” The leopard noticed the lions tracks nearby, and believed him. He began to tremble in fear. He pleaded, “O Nephew! Please do not tell the lion I was here. I must leave and look for food elsewhere.” With this, the leopard ran away, after assuring the jackal not to tell the lion that he was here.

But his problem remained. He wondered how he can tear apart the elephant’s thick skin. Now, he saw a tiger approaching. He thought, “I fooled the leopard, but the tiger is not a fool. Besides, he has sharp teeth. If I can have him tear the elephant’s skin, I can finally eat.” He shouted to the tiger, “Hey Tiger, It is a long time since I have seen you. You look thin and starved. Be my guest.

You can eat this lion while I keep a watch for the lion. He killed the elephant and asked me to look after it till he returned. Eat, and don’t worry, I’ll keep a watch.” The tiger was convinced by the jackal, and delighted. He at once jumped and tore apart a big chunk of the elephant’s skin. Just as he started eating, the jackal jumped, “Here comes the lion, quick! Hide or run away. Here he comes.” The tiger ran away as fast as possible.

The jackal was finally ready to eat. The tiger had provided him the opening that he needed. Just as he was about to eat, another jackal arrived. He fought with the other jackal bravely, and chased him away. Thus, he was finally able to eat the elephant.

Conclusion

Bow before the mighty, throw something before the low and fight the equally powerful.

The Price of Indiscretion

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Ujjwalaka was a cart-maker, who was very poor due to lack of orders for cart-making. One day, he was fed-up with his poor condition, and thought, “I languish in this poverty, when all other people have some work or the other that pays them. I don’t have a proper home, or proper clothing, or proper food. There is no point in staying here; I shall go somewhere else to seek success.” Thus, the cart-maker took his family and left the town. As he was going through the jungle, he saw a female camel in pain.

He noticed that the female camel was left behind by a caravan due to her labour pains. He gave her water, and grass and she recovered. She also gave birth to a baby camel. Next morning, he took the camel and the baby camel under his patronage, and took them to his home. This became the new home for the camels. The camels were very happy. Over time, the baby camel grew taller, and the cart-maker locingly tied a bell around the young camel’s neck.

He started selling the female camel’s milk, and the earnings were enough for him to support his family. He realized that this business was profitable, and he did not require to seek any job. One day, he said to his wife, “I can support the family by selling the milk of one camel. This profession is too easy, and yet profitable. I shall borrow some money from a wealthy merchant and buy another camel.

During the time that I am gone, please take proper care of the camels.” His wife agreed with him, and he started the journey. After a few days, he returned with a young camel. He was fortunate, and within a few years he owned many camels. He even employed a servant to take proper care of the camels. He would reward the servant one baby camel every year. Thus, the cart-maker became rich, and led a happy life. He took care of the camels, and the younger ones, but his favourite camel was the baby camel who wore a bell around his neck.

The jingling sound she made, made the cart-maker very happy. Every afternoon, the camels would graze in the nearby jungle, and ate tender grass. They would also drink water from a big lake, and bath and play games there. They would return before sunset. The young camel that had a bell around his neck always trailed behind the others.

Due to this, the other camels always advised him to keep up with them, leat he stray away and get lost. Despite numerous advices, scoldings, and warnings, he remained conceited, and wandered about on his own. Being their master’s favourite, he was proud of himself.

One day, as the camels were grazing about, a lion came wandering. He was attracted by the sound of the bell from a distance, and cautiously observed the group of camels.

As he waited for an opportune moment, he noticed the young camels with bell around his neck trailing behind and straying away from the group. The lion followed him, and overtook the camel. Before the camel could raise his voice to alert the others, the lion jumped on him and killed him instantly.

Conclusion

A foolish person who refuses to follow a good advice surely comes to grief.