30 قصة

30 English stories :

A child was standing on a street-corner. He leaned with one shoulder against a high board-fence and swayed the other to and fro, the while kicking carelessly at the gravel.
Sunshine beat upon the cobbles, and a lazy summer wind raised yellow dust which trailed in clouds down the avenue. Clattering trucks moved with indistinctness through it. The child stood dreamily gazing.

After a time, a little dark-brown dog came trotting with an intent air down the sidewalk. A short rope was dragging from his neck. Occasionally he trod upon the end of it and stumbled.

He stopped opposite the child, and the two regarded each other. The dog hesitated for a moment, but presently he made some little advances with his tail. The child put out his hand and called him. In an apologetic manner the dog came close, and the two had an interchange of friendly pattings and waggles. The dog became more enthusiastic with each moment of the interview, until with his gleeful caperings he threatened to overturn the child. Whereupon the child lifted his hand and struck the dog a blow upon the head.

This thing seemed to overpower and astonish the little dark-brown dog, and wounded him to the heart. He sank down in despair at the child's feet. When the blow was repeated, together with an admonition in childish sentences, he turned over upon his back, and held his paws in a peculiar manner. At the same time with his ears and his eyes he offered a small prayer to the child.

He looked so comical on his back, and holding his paws peculiarly, that the child was greatly amused and gave him little taps repeatedly, to keep him so. But the little dark-brown dog took this chastisement in the most serious way, and no doubt considered that he had committed some grave crime, for he wriggled contritely and showed his repentance in every way that was in his power. He pleaded with the child and petitioned him, and offered more prayers.

At last the child grew weary of this amusement and turned toward home. The dog was praying at the time. He lay on his back and turned his eyes upon the retreating form.

Presently he struggled to his feet and started after the child. The latter wandered in a perfunctory way toward his home, stopping at times to investigate various matters. During one of these pauses he discovered the little dark-brown dog who was following him with the air of a footpad.

The child beat his pursuer with a small stick he had found. The dog lay down and prayed until the child had finished, and resumed his journey. Then he scrambled erect and took up the pursuit again.

On the way to his home the child turned many times and beat the dog, proclaiming with childish gestures that he held him in contempt as an unimportant dog, with no value save for a moment. For being this quality of animal the dog apologized and eloquently expressed regret, but he continued stealthily to follow the child. His manner grew so very guilty that he slunk like an assassin.

When the child reached his door-step, the dog was industriously ambling a few yards in the rear. He became so agitated with shame when he again confronted the child that he forgot the dragging rope. He tripped upon it and fell forward.

The child sat down on the step and the two had another interview. During it the dog greatly exerted himself to please the child. He performed a few gambols with such abandon that the child suddenly saw him to be a valuable thing. He made a swift, avaricious charge and seized the rope.

He dragged his captive into a hall and up many long stairways in a dark tenement. The dog made willing efforts, but he could not hobble very skilfully up the stairs because he was very small and soft, and at last the pace of the engrossed child grew so energetic that the dog became panic-stricken. In his mind he was being dragged toward a grim unknown. His eyes grew wild with the terror of it. He began to wiggle his head frantically and to brace his legs.

The child redoubled his exertions. They had a battle on the stairs. The child was victorious because he was completely absorbed in his purpose, and because the dog was very small. He dragged his acquirement to the door of his home, and finally with triumph across the threshold.

No one was in. The child sat down on the floor and made overtures to the dog. These the dog instantly accepted. He beamed with affection upon his new friend. In a short time they were firm and abiding comrades.

When the child's family appeared, they made a great row. The dog was examined and commented upon and called names. Scorn was leveled at him from all eyes, so that he became much embarrassed and drooped like a scorched plant. But the child went sturdily to the center of the floor, and, at the top of his voice, championed the dog. It happened that he was roaring protestations, with his arms clasped about the dog's neck, when the father of the family came in from work.

The parent demanded to know what the blazes they were making the kid howl for. It was explained in many words that the infernal kid wanted to introduce a disreputable dog into the family.

A family council was held. On this depended the dog's fate, but he in no way heeded, being busily engaged in chewing the end of the child's dress.

The affair was quickly ended. The father of the family, it appears, was in a particularly savage temper that evening, and when he perceived that it would amaze and anger everybody if such a dog were allowed to remain, he decided that it should be so. The child, crying softly, took his friend off to a retired part of the room to hobnob with him, while the father quelled a fierce rebellion of his wife. So it came to pass that the dog was a member of the household.

He and the child were associated together at all times save when the child slept. The child became a guardian and a friend. If the large folk kicked the dog and threw things at him, the child made loud and violent objections. Once when the child had run, protesting loudly, with tears raining down his face and his arms outstretched, to protect his friend, he had been struck in the head with a very large saucepan from the hand of his father, enraged at some seeming lack of courtesy in the dog. Ever after, the family were careful how they threw things at the dog. Moreover, the latter grew very skilful in avoiding missiles and feet. In a small room containing a stove, a table, a bureau and some chairs, he would display strategic ability of a high order, dodging, feinting and scuttling about among the furniture. He could force three or four people armed with brooms, sticks and handfuls of coal, to use all their ingenuity to get in a blow. And even when they did, it was seldom that they could do him a serious injury or leave any imprint.

But when the child was present, these scenes did not occur. It came to be recognized that if the dog was molested, the child would burst into sobs, and as the child, when started, was very riotous and practically unquenchable, the dog had therein a safeguard.

However, the child could not always be near. At night, when he was asleep, his dark-brown friend would raise from some black corner a wild, wailful cry, a song of infinite lowliness and despair, that would go shuddering and sobbing among the buildings of the block and cause people to swear. At these times the singer would often be chased all over the kitchen and hit with a great variety of articles.

Sometimes, too, the child himself used to beat the dog, although it is not known that he ever had what could be truly called a just cause. The dog always accepted these thrashings with an air of admitted guilt. He was too much of a dog to try to look to be a martyr or to plot revenge. He received the blows with deep humility, and furthermore he forgave his friend the moment the child had finished, and was ready to caress the child's hand with his little red tongue.

When misfortune came upon the child, and his troubles overwhelmed him, he would often crawl under the table and lay his small distressed head on the dog's back. The dog was ever sympathetic. It is not to be supposed that at such times he took occasion to refer to the unjust beatings his friend, when provoked, had administered to him.

He did not achieve any notable degree of intimacy with the other members of the family. He had no confidence in them, and the fear that he would express at their casual approach often exasperated them exceedingly. They used to gain a certain satisfaction in underfeeding him, but finally his friend the child grew to watch the matter with some care, and when he forgot it, the dog was often successful in secret for himself.

So the dog prospered. He developed a large bark, which came wondrously from such a small rug of a dog. He ceased to howl persistently at night. Sometimes, indeed, in his sleep, he would utter little yells, as from pain, but that occurred, no doubt, when in his dreams he encountered huge flaming dogs who threatened him direfully.

His devotion to the child grew until it was a sublime thing. He wagged at his approach; he sank down in despair at his departure. He could detect the sound of the child's step among all the noises of the neighborhood. It was like a calling voice to him.

The scene of their companionship was a kingdom governed by this terrible potentate, the child; but neither criticism nor rebellion ever lived for an instant in the heart of the one subject. Down in the mystic, hidden fields of his little dog-soul bloomed flowers of love and fidelity and perfect faith.

The child was in the habit of going on many expeditions to observe strange things in the vicinity. On these occasions his friend usually jogged aimfully along behind. Perhaps, though, he went ahead. This necessitated his turning around every quarter-minute to make sure the child was coming. He was filled with a large idea of the importance of these journeys. He would carry himself with such an air! He was proud to be the retainer of so great a monarch.

One day, however, the father of the family got quite exceptionally drunk. He came home and held carnival with the cooking utensils, the furniture and his wife. He was in the midst of this recreation when the child, followed by the dark-brown dog, entered the room. They were returning from their voyages.

The child's practised eye instantly noted his father's state. He dived under the table, where experience had taught him was a rather safe place. The dog, lacking skill in such matters, was, of course, unaware of the true condition of affairs. He looked with interested eyes at his friend's sudden dive. He interpreted it to mean: Joyous gambol. He started to patter across the floor to join him. He was the picture of a little dark-brown dog en route to a friend.

The head of the family saw him at this moment. He gave a huge howl of joy, and knocked the dog down with a heavy coffee-pot. The dog, yelling in supreme astonishment and fear, writhed to his feet and ran for cover. The man kicked out with a ponderous foot. It caused the dog to swerve as if caught in a tide. A second blow of the coffee-pot laid him upon the floor.

Here the child, uttering loud cries, came valiantly forth like a knight. The father of the family paid no attention to these calls of the child, but advanced with glee upon the dog. Upon being knocked down twice in swift succession, the latter apparently gave up all hope of escape. He rolled over on his back and held his paws in a peculiar manner. At the same time with his eyes and his ears he offered up a small prayer.

But the father was in a mood for having fun, and it occurred to him that it would be a fine thing to throw the dog out of the window. So he reached down and grabbing the animal by a leg, lifted him, squirming, up. He swung him two or three times hilariously about his head, and then flung him with great accuracy through the window.

The soaring dog created a surprise in the block. A woman watering plants in an opposite window gave an involuntary shout and dropped a flower-pot. A man in another window leaned perilously out to watch the flight of the dog. A woman, who had been hanging out clothes in a yard, began to caper wildly. Her mouth was filled with clothes-pins, but her arms gave vent to a sort of exclamation. In appearance she was like a gagged prisoner. Children ran whooping.

The dark-brown body crashed in a heap on the roof of a shed five stories below. From thence it rolled to the pavement of an alleyway.

The child in the room far above burst into a long, dirgelike cry, and toddled hastily out of the room. It took him a long time to reach the alley, because his size compelled him to go downstairs backward, one step at a time, and holding with both hands to the step above.

When they came for him later, they found him seated by the body of his dark-brown friend.
=====

Despite being shattered, the vacant houses of this village had become homes for a large number of mice. The mice found the place very comfortable and grew in numbers after some time.

There was a lake on the outskirts of the village, where a herd of elephants used to visit regularly to drink water and bathe. These elephants used to travel through the abandoned village to reach the lake.

But as the herd of elephants travelled through the abandoned village, everyday many mice got trampled. This posed a problem for the mice. So, the king of mice decided to confront the elephants and request them to act accordingly.

Next day, as the herd of elephants approached, the king of mice met the elephants cordially and said, "O Sirs, we live in the ruins of this abandoned village and as you travel through this village, everyday many mice get trampled. Therefore, I request you to change your route to the lake. If you do so, I shall remember to return the favour in your time of need."

At this the king of elephants laughed, "O king of Mice, there will be no such favour that we, the giant elephants, will require from you, small mice. However, I will honour your request and we will change the route to the lake from today. You will not have to worry about any danger caused by us anymore."

The king of mice thanked the king of the elephants for his consideration, and the herd of elephants never entered the village anymore.

After some time, the herd of elephants fell into traps set by elephant-hunters. Many of the elephants, including their king, got entangled in the nets. They struggled hard but could not set themselves free from the strong nets.

Suddenly, the king of the elephants remembered the promise of the king of mice. He summoned another elephant who had not got trapped to remind the king of mice of his promise and plea for help on his behalf.

As soon as the elephant informed the king of mice of the situation, the king of mice summoned all mice at once. He said, "Now is the time for us to return the favour of the elephants. We should go immediately"

And so, the elephant brought the mice to the place where the other elephants had been trapped. All the mice started nibbling on the strong nets and cut them loose.

The elephants broke loose from the nets and were grateful to be free again. The king of elephants thanked the king of mice for his timely help, and became great friends thereafter.

The wise indeed say:
Never underestimate anybody by their appearances.
=====

Even though both were wounded, and blood was oozing out from their heads and bodies, they did not stop fighting and rammed at each other.

At the same time, a hungry jackal was passing by. When he saw all the blood, he started licking the blood from the ground without caring for the fighting rams.

Watching all this, the sage thought to himself, "This jackal is a fool as it has become greedy by the smell of blood. If he comes between the fighting rams, it will get rammed and get hurt himself".

No sooner had the sage thought of it, the jackal craving for more blood came nearer to the fighting rams, and got caught in the middle of their fight. Both the rams rammed into him by mistake. He got hit on his head, and fell down. He died instantly from the injury.

The wise indeed say:
Do not close your eyes to the impending danger due to greed.
=====

One day, during the winter, as they were enjoying the comforts of their nest, it started raining outside.

Sometime later, a monkey came to take shelter under the very same tree. The monkey was all drenched in the rain, and his teeth were chattering in the cold.

When the female sparrow saw this, she felt pity on him and said from her nest, "O Monkey, You have hands and feet similar to humans. You can use them for many reasons. Why don't you make yourself a protected home?"

The monkey was already suffering from the rain and the cold, and was in no mood for an advice. He replied, "You wicked sparrow! Why can't you keep your mouth shut?"

But the female sparrow continued her advice. She explained how she was able to enjoy the comforts of her home, and how she did not suffer from either heat, or cold, or rain. This made the monkey very angry.

The monkey thought, "What a wicked female bird! She talks as if she has mastered all sciences and philosophies, and simply won't stop chirping. She is making me so angry, that I might as well kill her. I am already suffering from this rain and cold, I do not wish to hear any advice."

The female sparrow, however, continued chattering and did not cease to advice.

At one moment, the monkey became so angry, that he climbed up the tree and tore up her nest to pieces.

The wise indeed say:
Give your advice only to those who deserve it, else you will come to grief.
====

They debated, "Garuda, who is the king of all birds, is always busy in serving his master. He has neither the time, nor the interest to bother about us! There is no point in having a king who does not protect and remains at the position of the king only as a namesake."

And so the birds discussed, "Let us choose a king amongst us!"

On this, they started looking at each other; suddenly the features of owl attracted everybody. He was powerful, had impressive features, and most importantly he could see at night, when they were most unsafe. They agreed that the owl would be an apt king for themselves.

They shouted, "The owl should be our king! Let us prepare for the coronation at once!"

As decided, the birds collected 108 holy roots, water from the holy rivers, and prepared a lavish and highly decorated throne. They even spread the ground in front of the throne with tiger skin. The Brahmins, they had invited, started chanting from holy books, while the birds beat drums, and beautiful maidens blew conches and sand songs of joy. With a map of all the continents and oceans drawn, the owl was prepared to be crowned.

At the moment the owl was being accompanied to the throne to be crowned, a crow arrived. He asked curiously, "Please let me know the reason of this great gathering, and lavish celebration!"

The crow was indeed known for his smartness, and the birds decided to explain and take his opinion.

The birds explained, "O Crow, Garuda has no time to bother about us. So, we have decided to denounce him as our king and have elected the owl to be our new king. Since, you have just joined, please provide us with your opinion also."

The crow smiled and replied, "In my opinion, I should advise against crowning the owl as our king!"

He continued to explain, "The owl is blind by the day. And look at him. Why have an ugly king, when the birds are known for their beauty. We have the peacocks, swans, nightingales, pigeons and so many more who look so beautiful. And look at him, he looks so cruel with his crooked nose and squint eyes. How would he look if he was angry? I certainly advise against crowning him."

The other birds started considering his points, and the crow continues with his arguments, "And what do we gain from electing him as our king? We already have Garuda as our king. The mere mention of his name would keep our enemies away! It is not necessary at all, for us to elect a new king and denounce Garuda!"

On hearing his logic, the birds started pondering, "His arguments are right. The entire reason of our meeting serves no purpose. Let us think awhile and meet some other time."

One by one, the birds started flying away. Even the Brahmins and beautiful maidens started to leave. The crow was still sitting on the branch of a tree. Unable to understand the commotion, the owl and his wife were still waiting to be crowned king and queen.

The owl asked his wife, "What is happening? Why is the crowning ceremoney yet to begin? Why have all the birds left?"

His wife replied, "As I understand, the crow put an obstacle in the crowning ceremony. He persuaded all the other birds to fly away. Only he, with ulterior motives, stayed behind. We should return home, too."

On hearing this, the owl got very disappointed. He shouted to the crow, "You are a wicked bird. I did not harm you in any way, and yet you put obstacle to my crowning ceremony. From today, I end all friendly relationship with you. From now onwards, our kind and your kind will be nothing but enemies."

The owl left with his wife, to return to his home. The crow was left alone.

With everybody else gone, he decided to leave too. While flying off, he thought, "Why did I speak my mind? My advice to the birds was not required. It is because of my advice, that crows will always have the mighty owls as their enemies."

The wise indeed say:
Keep your counsel to yourself and thus stay away from trouble.
======

He thought, "If I can deprive him of all the earnings, I can have all the money for myself and live happily"

After some time, he met Dharmabuddhi, "My friend, we need to earn money to provide for ourselves when we grow old. Let us travel to some other kingdom to earn money. Besides, unless we travel to far-off kingdoms, we will not have any stories to tell our grand children!"

Dharmabuddhi agreed to his plan, and took the blessings of his parents and teachers to travel to a distant kingdom.

On an auspicious day, they began their journey.

The two of them made a lot of money due to Dharmabuddhi's skills and knowledge. After some time, pleased with their earnings, they planned to return home.

On their way to their home, as they approached their village, Papabuddhi said to Dharmabuddhi, "Friend, It will be improper for us to carry so much money home as all our friends and relatives will start requesting us money. Besides, there is danger of theft."

He said, "Let us bury the money in the jungle, where nobody will find it, after taking only a nominal amount for our needs. Whenever we need some money, we can come back together and dig it out".

Without doubting his intentions, Dharmabuddhi agreed. They buried most of the money beneath a tree and returned home with only a handful of money.

Few days later, Papabuddhi, wrong-minded as he was, went to the jungle alone in the dead of the night. He uncovered all the money they had buried together, took out all the money, and closed the pit as it was before. He returned back home with all the money, and hid it.

After a few days, pretending that nothing has happened, he went to meet Dharmabuddhi, "Friend, I have a large family and the money I had come with - have been spent already. Let us go together to the place we have buried our money to fetch some more."

Dharmabuddhi agreed and together they went to the place they had buried their money, and dug up the pit. But they found the money was not there.

Papabuddhi started beating his head, and blamed Dharmabuddhi, "It is you no doubt. Nobody else knew where we have buried the money. You have stolen all the money for yourself. If you do not give me my half of the money, I shall go and complain to the village elders for justice."

Taken aback, Dharmabuddhi protested, "I have committed no such theft. Don't put the blame on me, as I am a virtuous man".

And so, they started quarrelling, and visited the village elders for justice. The elders asked them to pledge before the Fire-God to find the truth.

Papabuddhi suggested, "Before pledging before the Fire-God, we can request the spirit of the tree to stand witness. It was in front of a big tree that we had buried all the money; and it may be able to reveal to us who the thief is".

The judges agreed, "We shall go the jungle together, and request the spirit of the tree to reveal the truth to us. If that fails, we will take pledge before the Fire-God."

Papabuddhi immediately went home to his father, "I have stolen a huge amount of money from Dharmabuddhi, and we have taken the matter to the village elders. Your co-operation will save me and put the blame on Dharmabuddhi. Otherwise, I shall not only lose the money but face the risk of losing my life for stealing".

His father said, "My son, tell me how I can help you so you don't have to part from the money".

Papabuddhi explained, "There is a huge hollow inside the big tree where we had buried the money. You have to get inside the hollow before morning. When all of us go to the jungle as request the spirit of the tree to reveal the truth, you have to shout from inside that Dharmabuddhi is the real thief. I can handle the rest."

As agreed, his father went to the jungle and hid himself in the hollow of the tree early next morning.

After some time, accompanied by the elders of the village, both Dharmabuddhi and Papabuddhi led themselves to the huge tree where they had buried their money.

Papabuddhi asked in a loud voice, "O spirit of the tree. Please tell us who the thief is, as we have a confrontation and the village elders have come to seek the truth."

Immediately, Papabuddhi's father replied from inside the hollow of the tree, "Listen all who seek the truth. Dharmabuddhi is the thief, who has stolen all the money."

The village elders were wonderstruck. They could not deny that the spirit of the tree had indeed revealed the truth. They immediately started discussing amongst themselves how they should punish for Dharmabuddhi's guilt.

Meanwhile, when Dharmabuddhi heard the spirit of tree speak such, he became sure that there must be something wrong. The spirit of the tree, if it was so, is telling untruth. That is not possible. Having seen the hollow of the tree, he put a heap of dried leaves and grass in front of the hollow of the tree and set fire to it.

When the fire started flaring up, Papabuddhi's father could not bear the heat and the smoke inside the hollow any longer. He came out, with burns in his body, crying for pity.

The village elders were surprised to find him coming outside from the hollow of the tree, "What were you doing here? And what has happened to you?"

He at once confessed his part, and explained the village elders what his son had done.

Thus, the village elders came to know of the truth, and decided to punish Papabuddhi for his guilt for theft, to blame it on Dharmabuddhi and misleading the village elders.

They decided to hang Papabuddhi on the very same tree, and praised Dharmabuddhi for his wit.

The wise indeed say:
Avoid the company of the wicked or you will pay a heavy price for it.
======

One morning, the Brahmin said to his wife, "Tomorrow is an auspicious day, there is a special festival. It will be a favourable time for alms. I shall visit the city, and I am sure to collect a lot of alms tomorrow to last us long."

He continued, "At the same time, you must also invite a Brahmin, and provide him food and clothes. It is an auspicious day, and it will be a good deed."

When the wife heard this, she said, "How come you say this? I cannot invite any Brahmin as we are already very poor. We have neither good food, nor good clothes. I cannot afford to invite any Brahmin!"

But the Brahmin explained, "Dear wife, even when we have a mouthful to eat, we must share half of it with someone in need."

After much convincing, the Brahmani agreed, "I have some sesame seeds. I will clean and remove their husks, and cook a tasty dish for a Brahmin."

The next morning, the Brahmin left for the city as planned. After he was gone, his wife cleaned the sesame seeds in warm water, and carefully removed their husks. She then put the sesame seeds outside in the sun to dry. Meanwhile, she started doing her household chores.

During this time, a dog came and dirtied the sesame seeds. The Brahmani saw it, and immediately shooed the dog away.

She thought, "Fate has undone my efforts. But these sesame seeds are all that I have. So, I will play a trick with the neighbour. I will offer to exchange these cleaned, un-husked sesame seeds with some husked sesame seeds. They will not suspect, and fall for the offer."

She went to her neighbour and proposed an exchange. The lady of the house was overwhelmed. It takes a lot if time to clean and remove the husks of the sesame seed. She found the offer very attractive, and offered some more sesame seeds in return.

As they were in the middle of the exchange, the neighbour's son came out. He said, "Mother! Who would exchange cleaned sesame seeds with unclean ones? There must be some reason that she offers such lucrative offer. Please do not accept the exchange."

When the lady heard her son's advice, she turned the offer down politely.

When Shandili realized that she had failed to play the trick on her neighbour, she returned home.

The wise indeed say:
When someone offers you something that is too good to be true, don't be carried away by it - Think and analyse.
=====

One day, he saw that his young son and bought a costly book. But the book contained only one verse, "You get what is destined for you!"

When the merchant realized that his son was a fool to buy a book with so much cost, but only one verse, he grew very angry. He said, "How can you do well in business, when you can buy a book which contains only one verse! Get out of my house, and never show me your face again!"

The young man was utterly dejected for being driven out by his father; he started travelling with only his book along with him. He learnt the verse well, and kept repeating it, all the way.

On his way, he arrived in a village. The villagers asked him his name and he replied from the book, "You get what is destined for you"

Thus, the young man became known as 'You-get-what-is-destined-for-you'.

One day, the princess of the country visited a festival and saw a handsome prince, who was also attending the festival. She fell in love immediately and asked her attendant to find a way to send a message to the handsome prince.

She wrote a note, and gave it to her attendant. The attendant gave the note to the young merchant's son by mistake. He read that she wrote, "I have fallen in love with you, the very moment I have set my eyes on you. Please meet me in the castle. You will find a hope hanging from one of the windows, which will lead you to my room."

He thought, "I will honour the wishes of the princess to meet me in person."

When he climbed up the rope, and entered the princess's room, it was very dark. The princess thought he was the prince at the festival, and received him warmly. She served him food and drink, and entertained him in every manner.

She said, "I have deeply fallen in love with you. I shall have no other man as my husband, except for you. Please tell me what you have in your mind."

The merchant's son replied, "You get what is destined for you"

She was surprised to hear the prince speak so, and immediately enlightened her room. She got furious when she realized he was not the handsome prince, she thought him to be, and ordered him out of her room.

The young man was sad on treated in such manner without being at fault, and walked to a nearby temple. He decided to spend the night there, and fell asleep.

The temple remained un-inhabitated and the night watchman carried out tasks of ill repute during the night. He wanted the young man to leave and said, "This temple is old and broken. You may sleep in my home."

Thus, the young man went to his house. But he made a mistake and got into the wrong room, where the watchman's daughter was waiting for her lover to arrive during his father's absence.

In the darkness of the night, the watchman's daughter mistook him for his lover and exchanged garlands in front of the picture of God. Thus, according to traditions they got married.

The young man said, "You get what is destined for you". When she heard this, she realized she had done a mistake, and thought, "Such mistake is bound to happen, when you rush into doing something without thinking sufficiently about it!" She cursed him and threw him out of the house.

Saddened by being treated in such manner without being at fault, he was walking slowly, when he saw a marriage procession approaching.

They had magnificent clothes, and wore precious jewels. He followed the groom's procession, which was going to the bride's home, where a lavish ceremony was arranged.

All of a sudden, a mad elephant rushed towards the procession, and everybody ran helter-skelter. The bride stood there in the middle of the turmoil, too afraid to run.

When he saw this, the young man got hold of a huge nail, and jabbed it into the elephant. The elephant got frightened and ran away.

After a while, when the bride's friends and relatives returned, she said, "At the moment when my life was in danger, there was none to help me except for this courageous stranger. I will marry none other than him. This is my firm resolution."

The groom's friends and relatives were offended by these words, and there was a heated argument.

When the words reached around, the king had to come himself to pacify everybody and stop the argument. Everyone including the princess and the watchman's daughter came to the place.

The king asked the young man, "You were present in the ceremony. You saved the would-be bride and everybody from the elephant, it is said. I ask you to explain the whole thing to me!"

All the young man said was, "You get what is destined for you". The princess and the watchman's daughter were embarrassed to hear the words.

When the king heard this and saw the princess and the watchman's daughter blushing, he demanded to know the truth.

The night watchman's daughter confessed of marrying him by mistake, and said, "It was my destiny, and I do not repent it!"

The princess explained to the king that she had spent time with him by mistake, and said, "It was my destiny, and I do not regret it!"

On hearing them, the bride confronted the king and said, "O King, what destiny has given to me, none can take away from me!"

After hearing everybody and consulting his ministers, the king arranged for a ceremony. He gifted the young merchant's son with a thousand villages, apart from ornaments and golds. He married the young man with his young princess, and made him his heir to the throne.

The bride-in-waiting, and the watchman's daughter were also married to him, by their respective parents, in the same ceremony.

When he built his own castle, he arranged for his parents and relatives to be brought to his place, and they all lived happily ever after.

The wise indeed say:
Do your best but leave it to destiny.
=====

One afternoon, some fishermen were passing by the pond. They investigated the pond, and agreed that the pond was full of fishes. Since, they were already returning after catching fishes, and already had a big haul, they decided to come back the next morning.

They discussed, "This pond is full of fishes, and there are many big ones too. We have never caught fishes in this pond. Let us come back tomorrow morning."

The three fishes were swimming on the surface when they heard the fishermen discuss their plans.

The first fish panicked. He immediately assembled all other fishes and told them what they had heard. He said, "Tomorrow morning, the fishermen will arrive to catch us. I do not want to die like this. So, I will leave with my family at the earliest. I advise all of you to follow me. It will not be wise for anybody to stay here any longer!"

The second fish agreed, "I shall follow you, my friend, for what you say is correct. It will be unwise to remain here anymore!"

But the third fish disagreed. He laughed at the two fishes, and said to the fishes assembled, "See how cowardly these two act! This pond belonged to our forefathers, and it is our home now. For so long, no harm has ever come to the fishes of this pond."

He continued, "Just because some fishermen were discussing their plans, is no reason for us to panic and leave our home. Those who agree with me, I advise them to stay where we belong and not go to some unknown place."

He further said, "O Friends, the scriptures state that when the time for one's death arrives, one is not spared. If death has to come, let us rather die bravely in our home!"

Thus, the fishes of the ponds got divided into two groups. The group that wanted to stay laughed at the other group. However, within the very evening, the families of the first two fishes started their journey to a different pond through a small outlet. They were followed by many who believed them.

The next morning the fishermen arrived as they had planned, and trapped all the fishes that remained in the pond by casting net all over the pond.

Not a single fish was spared, and the fishermen were overjoyed with the big haul of fishes that they had caught.

The wise indeed say:
When you see a danger coming, act immediately.
====

When the time to lay eggs came, she asked her husband to look for a safe place to lay her eggs, "My dear, please look for some good and safe place for me to lay eggs as it is almost time for me to lay the them."

But the male Tittibha bird said, "Dearest, where in the world could be a better place than this seashore? Please lay your eggs here."

She disagreed, "The waves of sea on full moon nights are so high that they can drag even an elephant into it. No, please find a place away from here."

The male Tittibha bird laughed and insisted, "The Sea would not even dare to do any harm to my children! Do not fear unnecessarily and lay eggs here without any worries."

All the time, the Sea had been hearing this, and thought, "From a small bird as he, such impudence is not expected. I'll certainly take away his eggs to see what he does after that and teach him a lesson."

Within a few days, the female Tittibha bird laid her eggs in the seashore. Shortly afterward, when the birds went away in search of food, the Sea started making waves. The waves became higher and higher, till it swallowed the eggs into it.

The birds returned later to find the nest empty. The female Tittibha bird started weeping bitterly, "See for yourself that the waves of the sea has swallowed our eggs. You are a fool not to listen to me when I asked you to find a safe place to lay eggs."

The male Tittibha bird continued its stupidity, "Dear, don't you worry. I will prove to you how brilliant I am. I will dry the sea, and force it to return our eggs."

The female Tittibha bird wondered, "How can you dry this enormous sea?"

The male Tittibha bird explained, "Even small beings can overcome the strongest opponents if they are zealous. And so, I plan to dry up the whole sea by sucking its water with my beak."

The wife argued, "How can you suck the sea dry, when rivers like the Ganges and Indus, and hundreds of other rivers flow into it. There is no good in this babbling". While the husband argued, "I'll work day and night to suck all the water from the sea with my beak, which is as solid as iron. Man can succeed only after putting efforts".

The female Tittibha bird understood that she will not be able to convince him, "Dear, there is no point in arguing. If you want to conquer the sea, please call for your friends to help you". The husband agreed, "All right, I will do this with the help of my friends".

Now, all the friends of the male Tittibha bird were called and when they all gathered together, the male Tittibha bird explained his problem with the sea, and how it had insulted him, and how he plans to dry the sea to seek revenge.

All the birds, the swan, crane, peacock and other unanimously agreed that the task was impossible, "There is no good in this babbling. It is impossible for us to suck the sea to dry it up completely. Instead, let us visit our king, Garuda (Lord Vishnu's vehicle, and the king of birds according to Hindu mythology). When he comes to know that we have been harassed by the sea, he will get angry and seek revenge. Even if we merely pay him a visit to seek his advice, we shall feel relieved."

As decided, they all went to their king, Garuda, and explained the reason of them being so sad, "O King, the sea has robbed the eggs of the good Tittibha birds even after the fact that you are our protector. If this is allowed to continue, our entire race shall perish."

Garuda realized that the birds were in grave circumstances, and agreed to go and dry the entire sea. Just as he was leaving, a messenger arrived from Lord Vishnu who needed his assistance at once, for some divine task.

Garuda explained to the messenger that he was unable to serve his master at this time, "I am such a common servant to the Lord for him to need me. The sea, which is the resting place of the Lord, has swallowed the eggs of the Tittibha birds. I refuse to serve him if he will not force the sea to return the eggs at once. This is my firm resolution. Please let him know of it."

When Lord Vishnu came to know of Garuda's resolution from his messenger, he thought, "I can understand his behaviour and need to pacify him. He is the king and protector of all the birds. I must meet Garuda at once."

As Lord Vishnu visited Garuda, he bowed in respect and explained, "O Master, the sea, which is your resting place has insulted me by swallowing the eggs of my humble servant, the good Tittibha birds. It is out of the respect that I have for you that I have not taken any step for revenge."

Lord Vishnu considered his plea, "Come with me Garuda. You are right. The sea should not have done such a thing on purpose. Let us go and return the eggs to the Tittibha birds. After that we will leave, as I need your assistance."

They all went to the seashore where Lord Vishnu reprimanded the sea. Taking a thunderbolt in his hand, he warned, "O Sea, you have been wicked. Return the eggs of the Tittibha birds at once or dare to face my anger."

When the sea heard the warning from the Lord Vishnu himself, it was terrified. It apologised at once, and returned the eggs to the Tittibha birds.

The wise indeed say:
Do not underestimate the power of the timid.
====

During this time, some of the monkey found some colourful Gunja fruits, which appeared to them as embers of fire. Hoping to make some fire for themselves, they began to blow at them.

A bird on a nearby tree was watching the monkeys from above. Considering the vain attempts the monkeys were busy with, it thought of advising them against it, "What big fools you are. You are blowing at some Gunja fruits and not embers of fire. You will never be able to make any fire out of them."

"What you are doing is a waste of time. These fruits will not help you to protect yourself against the cold. Go and find some shelter instead. You may find a cave or a burrow where you will be protected from the rains and the cold winds."

The monkeys did not like his advice. One of the old monkeys said, "Go fool yourself. Why are you interfering in our task?"

But the bird disagreed. Not heeding what the old monkey had said, it flew down from the tree and persisted that the monkeys stop what they were doing. The monkey ignored his chatter but the bird refused to stop.

In an effort to convince the monkeys, the bird came close to explain that their efforts were useless.

Already frustrated by their vain efforts, the monkeys became furious. One of the monkeys caught hold of the bird and smashed him against a stone in anger, killing him.

The wise indeed say:
Never give advice unless you are asked for it.
=====

She fed on the king's blood without anybody noticing, and was happy to spend her days.

One day, a bug managed to enter the beautifully decorated bedroom of the king.

When the flea saw him, she warned, "O Bug, what are you doing in the king's bedroom. Leave at once before you get caught!"

The bug replied, "Madam, even if I were a good-for-nothing bug, that is no way to treat a guest. One should welcome a guest with humble words, sweet behaviour and offer refreshments"

The bug continued, "I have fed myself with all types of blood, but never have I had the pleasure of the blood of a king. It must be very sweet, for the king eats the choicest of food. I would love to taste the king's blood, if you permit."

The flea was taken aback, "O Bug, you have a nasty bite, like a sharp needle. Besides, I feed on the king's blood only when he is deep into his sleep. I can permit you to feed on the king's blood only if you promise to wait till he is asleep."

The bug agreed, "I promise to wait till the king is asleep, and only after you have fed yourself, will I feed myself on his blood."

Soon after they decided on such terms, the king came to his bedroom and lay down to sleep.

The bug could not control himself, and decided to take a tiny bite of the king, without waiting. As the king was yet to fall asleep, he jumped at the sharp bite of the bug.

The king shouted at his servants, "Hey, there is something in my bed that has bitten me. Look for it, as I have already been bitten."

On hearing this, the bug quickly hid himself in a corner of the bed, before the servants could start searching for him.

However, the servants scrutinized the entire bed, sheet by sheet, and found the flea between the folds. They killed her at once, and the king went to sleep without anymore worries.

The wise indeed say:
The false promises of friends as well as strangers have no value. You end up paying for it.
======

The crows had a problem because the black cobra would climb up the tree and eat the newborns, whenever the female crow hatched her eggs. They could do nothing to save them.

The crows went to a jackal, who lived in a nearby banyan tree, to seek his advice. They narrated everything to him and requested his advice for them to get rid of their problem.

They said, "O Friend, It has become dangerous to live here. Please tell us how we can protect our children from being eaten up by the wicked black cobra."

The jackal replied, "Please don't give up. Even powerful enemies can be overcome with the use of wit."

On hearing this, the crows requested, "O Friend, please tell us how we can overcome and destroy this wicked cobra."

The jackal told them a plan, "Fly into the capital of the kingdom, not far from here. Visit the house of someone who is wealthy and careless at the same time. Notice if something of value is lying around. If you find so, pick it up when the servants are watching you."

He continued, "You will need to fly slowly so that the servants can follow you. Return back to your tree and drop it in the hollow of the tree where the cobra lives. When the servants reach, they will kill the cobra when they see it."

The crows decided to follow the jackal's advice and flew off immediately according to his plan.

As they flew above the capital, the female crow noticed wealthy women swimming in a lake. They had left gold and pearl necklaces on the banks of the lake, which were guarded by royal servants.

At once the female crow swooped down, and picked up a big necklace in her beak, and started flying slowly.

When the royal servants noticed her, they picked up sticks and stones, and started throwing at her, and ran to chase her.

As planned, she dropped the necklace in front of the hollow of the tree, where the black cobra was asleep. She sat on one of the branches for the royal servants to notice.

When the royal servants arrived, the black cobra came out of the hollow of the tree to see what all the noise was about. The black cobra confronted the king's servants with swelling hood, but the servants attacked the cobra with sticks and stones to recover the necklace.

They killed the wicked cobra, and returned with the necklace. And the crows, having gotten rid of the cobra, lived happily.

The wise indeed say:
Even a very powerful enemy can be destroyed through deceit.
=====

The heron had grown so old, that he could not catch fishes from the lake anymore.

He became lean and weak with every passing day due to lack of food. Unable to bear the hunger anymore, he hit upon a plan.

As planned, he sat at the edge of the lake for everybody to see, and began crying.

On seeing this, a crab took pity on him and went near, "Uncle, What is the matter? Why are you crying instead to catching fishes?"

Continuing to pretend, the heron replied, "My child, I would not touch any fish anymore. I have decided to renounce all worldly matters, and vowed to undertake a fast unto death".

The crab asked, "If you have indeed renounced worldly matters, why is it that you cry?"

The heron explained, "My child, I have been in this lake from my birth. I have grown here. And it now that I have grown so old that I hear that this lake will dry up as there will be no rains for the next twelve years".

The crab was surprised to hear this, "Uncle, please tell me if it is true. Please tell me where you have heard such thing."

The heron replied, "I have heard the news from a wise astrologer that there will be no rains for the next twelve years. You see, there is already not much water in the lake. And very soon, due to lack of rains, the lake will dry up completely very soon."

The crab was taken aback by the news of what is to befall on them, and went to tell this to the other water creatures. On hearing this piece of news, everybody started to panic.

They believed the heron, as he was not trying to catch any fish at all. So, they met the heron to seek advice, "Please guide us to save us from this disaster"

The heron said, "There is indeed a lake not far from here. It is full of water, and beautifully covered with lotus flowers. There is so much water in the lake, that it would not dry even if it did not rain for twenty four years. I can take you there, if you can ride on my back."

He had already gained their confidence. So, they gathered around him and requested to carry them one at a time to the other lake and save them.

The wicked heron had succeeded in his plan. Every day, he would carry on of them on his back pretending to take them to the other lake.

After flying a little away from the lake, he would smash them against a rock and eat them up. He would then return after some time to the lake and relate false messages how they are happy in the other lake.

This happened for many days, when the crab said to the heron, "Uncle, you take others to the lake but it is me who is your first friend. Please take me to the other lake to save my life."

The heron was happy to hear this. He thought to himself, "Having a fish everyday has become monotonous. It is good that I will get to eat a crab today, for a change."

Having thus decided, the heron started carrying the crab to the same rock. The crab looked down from above and saw the heap of bones and skeletons. At once, the crab understood what the heron was up to.

He remained calm, and said to the heron, "Uncle, the lake seems far and I am quite heavy. You must be getting tired, let us stop for some rest".

The heron was confident that there was no way the crab can escape from him in the sky. The heron replied, "There is no lake for real. This trip is for my own meal. As I do every day, I will smash you against a rock and make a meal out of you."

When the heron confessed the truth, the crab got hold of the heron's neck with its strong claws, and strangled him to death.

The crab laughed at himself that he had saved himself and the other water creatures from the trick played by the heron. He dragged the heron back to the lake.

The other water creatures in the lake were surprised to see him back. They became curious, and asked all sort of questions.

The crab laughed and replied, "We were being made fools! The heron was an imposter and what he told about the lake drying up was all false. He was taking one of us every day for his meal in a rock not far from here."

He proudly said, "I understood what he was up to, and have killed the trickster. There is no need to worry, for we are safe in this lake. It is not going to dry up at all."

The wise indeed say:
When things go wrong, use your wit to overcome the situation.
====

One day, all the animals went together to the lion to surrender. They said, "O Master, you kill many of us every day without necessity. One animal a day is enough to satisfy your hunger. Please come to an understanding. Starting from today, we promise to offer one amongst us to you every day. In this way, you will not have to hunt and many of our lives will be spared."

Hearing this, the lion agreed, "It is true, but I warn you, if I do not receive an animal every day, I shall proceed to kill every one of you."

In accordance to the understanding, the animals drew lots, and the unlucky animal that got chosen was sent to the lion. The others roamed about the jungle without any fear of being attacked by the lion.

One day, a hare was chosen. Unwilling to become the lion's food, he started for the lion's den. He walked as slowly as possible.

On the way, the hare came across a well. It peeked down from the edge and when it saw it's own reflection, he hit upon a plan.

He thought, "I have a plan that will not fail. I will deceive the lion and lead him to his death".

On this, the hare walked towards the lion's den, even slower than before.

Finally, when the hare reached the lion's den, the lion was hungry and furious. He had been waiting for his food for the entire day.

He licked his lips in hunger, and thought of killing as many animals the next morning as he could. While he was thinking so, the hare approached the lion and humbly bowed.

The furious lion began to shout, "You are a miserable animal. You are not only late, but also very small. I will first kill you and satisfy my hunger, and then kill all the rest of the animals for doing this to me".

The hare replied humbly, "O Master, It is neither my fault nor the fault of any other animal. Please allow me to explain before you kill me".

The lion roared, "Be quick. Give me an explanation fast for I am very hungry".

The hare started, "Today it was my turn to be offered to you. But because I am small and would not be able to satisfy your hunger, four more hares were sent along with me".

On the way, we met a lion who came out of his den and roared, and got ready to eat us. We pleaded to him that we were going to fulfil our master's hunger as promised every day.

He roared, "I am the master of this jungle. From today, you will offer yourselves to me and none other. The other lion is an imposter. If not, let him accept my challenge to a trial of strength. Whoever proves to be stronger, will rule the jungle. I will allow one of you hares to carry this message to him, and hold the rest of you as hostages."

The hare humbly continued, "This is the reason only I, among the five of us, am here. I have arrived late for the same reason. Please take action that you think will be best".

On hearing this, the lion grew even more furious. He roared, "Take me to this pretender at once. I will destroy him. Only after that will my anger be quenched."

The hare quickly replied, "O master, I must warn you that this lion stays inside a very strong den. It is difficult to attack someone who takes shelter in a stronghold. Furthermore, I have seen him myself, he seemed very strong".

The lion roared, "That is not your concern. Take me to him at once".

The hare then led the lion to the well he had come across on his way.

On reaching, the hare pointed towards the well and said to the lion, "O master, we have no doubt on your powers. The lion has hidden himself inside that stronghold".

The witless lion stood at the edge of the well, and saw his own reflection in the water below. He thought it to be the lion who had challenged him.

He roared at his reflection with all might and fury. The roar sounded back, re-echoed from the well.

On hearing this, the lion got furious and leapt inside the well to attack his own reflection. He got drowned.

The hare was very happy that his plan had worked successfully. He danced his way back to the other animals and told them what had happened.

The other animals gave the hare a hero's welcome and praised his cleverness. From then onwards, the animals roamed about the jungle happily.

The wise indeed say:
Deceive the wicked and destroy them without mercy.
=====

The female sparrow had laid her eggs in the nest and they were expecting their newborns soon.

On a particular day, unable to bear the heat of the summer sun, an elephant went berserk.

He crashed into all trees in his way. On his way, he broke the branches of the tree that supported the nest of the sparrow couple.

As the branches fell, so did the nest and all the newly laid eggs smashed against the ground.

Although the sparrows managed to escape by flying away, they were heart-broken to see that they had lost the eggs. The female sparrow began to cry and wail loudly.

A woodpecker, who was at a little distance, was touched by cries.

He went to her and said, "Dear good sparrow! There is nothing you can do by crying. What is destined to happen, will happen for sure."

The female sparrow replied, "That is indeed true. But all my children were killed by this wicked elephant, this is also true. We had done no harm to him."

"If you consider yourself to be a friend", continued the female sparrow, "Please suggest me a way to destroy this elephant and avenge the death of my children".

"So I will", replied the woodpecker, "I have a fly as a friend. Let us go and ask for her help to destroy this cruel elephant".

Thus, the woodpecker and the female sparrow went to meet the fly. The woodpecker explained, "My friend, please meet this sparrow. She is a dear friend of mine. Her eggs were destroyed by a wicked elephant; please help us find a way to destroy this cruel elephant."

"I will certainly help you", the fly said after hearing the events, "How can I be your friend, and yet not help you when you need me. I have a frog as a good friend, let us seek his help to destroy this wicked elephant."

Thus, the female sparrow, woodpecker and the fly went to the frog, and explained him of all the events for which they had come to him for help.

The old frog said after hearing everything, "The elephant is big, but he is alone. What can this elephant do, if we work together to destroy him? I have a plan!"

He explained, "Fly! When the sun is scorching, your task would be to buzz in his ears. When he closes his eyes in sheer ecstasy, the woodpecker's task would be to peck his eyes and make him blind. In this scorching summer, he will certainly search for water, but being blinded already he will not be able to do so. I will then sit on the edge of the nearby pit and croak at the top of my voice."

He continued, "When the thirsty elephant hears me, he will think there is a pond or lake nearby and follow my voice. And when he does so, he will fall into the pit and perish. This way, we can avenge the death of the sparrow's children!"

The others agreed to the plan, and organized to do their part of the tasks as laid by the old frog.

They executed their tasks successfully, and the elephant fell into a muddy pit to eventually die.

The wise indeed say:
Even the low and humble achieve results when they work together.
=====

The king was aware of his abilities, and therefore made him the administrator of the kingdom.

With his efficient and intelligent ways, he kept common man very happy, and at the same time he impressed the king on the other side. Such a person, who can keep everybody happy, is rarely found.

Later, there came a time that the merchant's daughter was getting married. He arranged for a lavish reception.

The merchant not only invited the king and the queen, who obliged by attending, but he also invited the entire royal household and all respected people of the kingdom.

During the reception, he ensured to provide his guests with the best of treatments. He gave out gifts to guests to show them respect for attending to his invitation.

A servant of the royal household, who used to sweep the palace, was not invited but attended the reception.

He took a seat which was reserved for royal nobles, not meant for common invitees.

This made the merchant very angry. He caught him by the neck and ordered his servants to have him thrown out.

The royal servant felt very insulted, and could not sleep all night. He thought, "If I can have the king to disfavour this merchant, I will have my revenge. But what can I, a common fellow, do to harm a powerful person as him". Thinking such, he suddenly had a plan.

Several days later, the servant was sweeping the floor near the king's bed early in the morning. He observed that that the king was still in bed, half awake. The servant started mumbling, "Good heavens! The merchant has become so carefree now that he dared to embrace the queen!"

When the king heard this lying in his bed, he jumped up and asked the servant, "Is it true? Have you seen the merchant embrace my queen yourself?"

The servant at once fell at the king's feet, "O Master, I was gambling all night. I feel drowsy for I didn't sleep last night. I don't know what I have been mumbling, but I said anything improper, please forgive me."

The king spoke no more, but the servant knew he had sowed the seed of distrust. The king thought, "It can be true! The servant moves about the palace freely, and so does the merchant. It is possible that the servant has seen something."

The king was troubled with jealousy. From that day onwards, he withdrew his favours from the merchant and even forbade him to enter the palace.

One day, when the merchant was entering the gateway to the palace, he was stopped by the guards. The merchant was surprised due to this sudden change in the king's attitude.

The servant was nearby, and mocking shouted at the guards, "Ho Guards! That merchant is favoured by the king. He is a powerful person. He can have people arrested or released or even thrown out, just like he had me thrown out of his daughter's reception. Beware, for you may suffer the same fate."

On hearing this, the merchant understood that the servant has caused all this trouble somehow. He felt dejected, and returned home upset over the incident.

He gave everything a second thought, and then he invited the royal servant to his house. He treated the servant with utmost respect, and flattered him with gifts and garments. He said kindly, "O friend, that day I did not have you thrown out due to anger, but it was improper of you to occupy the seat reserved for the royal nobles. They felt insulted, and out of compulsion I had to throw you out. Please forgive me."

The servant was already flattered with all the gifts, and he was full of joy, "Sir, I forgive you. You have not only expressed your regrets, but also honoured me with utmost respect".

He ensured the merchant, "I will prove you how clever I am. I will have the king favourable towards you, like he was before". The servant went back home.

Early next morning, when he started sweeping the floors of the palace, he waited till when the king was lying half-awake.

When the opportunity came, he started sweeping around his bed and started mumbling, "Our king is crazy, he eats cucumber in the lavatory!"

On hearing this, the king was taken aback. He got up angrily and shouted at the servant, "What nonsense do you talk about? Had you not been by royal servant, I would have punished you dearly. Have you ever seen me doing such thing yourself?"

Once again the servant fell on his knees and prayed, "O Master, please forgive me if I said something improper. I was gambling all last night and didn't sleep. I feel drowsy and I don't know what I have been mumbling."

The king thought to himself, "I have never eaten a cucumber in the lavatory. What he mumbled about me is ridiculously false. Surely then, what he mumbled about my trusted merchant the other morning must have been ridiculously false too. It was improper of me to mistreat the merchant."

He wondered, "After all he has been so efficient in the whole administrative system, that without him it has become slack."

Thus, having considered carefully, the king invited the merchant to the palace and flattered him with gifts, jewels and garments. He re-appointed the merchant to his previously held position, and favoured his services as before.

The wise indeed say:
One should treat one and all, even the lowest, with respect.
====

In the hollow at the foot of the tree lived a poisonous black snake. He used to climb up and eat the crane's youngs after they were hatched.

One crane, who had lost her children to the cunning black snake, started weeping on the banks of the lake.

A crab, who was nearby, heard the crane weeping, and asked, "Why do you cry, aunty?"

The crane replied, "I am the unlucky mother, all of whose children have been eaten by the wicked black snake, who lives in the hollow of the tree. What else can I do but weep? I would have killed the snake if I could!"

The crab thought for a while, "I have to devise a plan to have the black snake killed, and have the cranes destroyed at the same time. The cranes are our natural enemy. I will tell him half truth and half lies, to my advantage."

Thinking so, the crab said to the crane, "Aunty! I will tell you a plan to get rid of the black snake. All you have to do is scatter some fish and flesh from a nearby burrow, where a mongoose lives, to the snake's hollow. When the mongoose will come following the food and reach the snake's home, he will certainly kill him!"

The crane agreed to do as the crab planned. As anticipated, the mongoose saw the black snake while following the trail of food. They had a fight, and the mongoose killed the snake.

After this, the mongoose realized that there were many cranes on the top of the trees. In due course of time, the mongoose climbed up the trees and started killing the cranes, till all the cranes were destroyed.

The wise indeed say:
The solution of the problem should not be worse than the problem itself. That is, while trying to solve the problem, you should not complicate the problem further.
====

He was widely known and respected. People would visit him, and offer him with gifts, food, money and garments to seek his blessings. The gifts that he did not need for himself, he would sell off, and got rich on the proceeds.

And by nature, he trusted nobody.

He never trusted anybody. So, he kept all his money in a bag which he carried under his arm all the time. He would not part with the bag for a single moment.

One day, a swindler came across the sage, and he became sure that the bag this holy man was so possessive of, must surely contain a lot of treasure.

He planned on stealing the bag from the sage, but could not think of a way to do so. He thought, "I cannot make a hole in the temple wall, or jump over the high gates. But I can charm him with sweet words to accept me as his disciple."

He wondered, "If I can stay with him as a disciple, I can win his confidence. When I get an opportunity, I will rob him, and leave this place."

Having planned so, the swindler approached the holy man with reverence, "Om Namah Shivaya! (I bow before Lord Shiva, the God of Destruction)"

With these words, he fell on the sage's feet and said, "O Guruji, Please guide me to the right path of life. I am fed-up with life, and want to seek peace."

The sage kindly replied, "My son, I will surely guide you. You are blessed because you have come to me to seek peace at this young age".

This was the opportunity the swindler was seeking, and he at once touched the feet of the sage for blessings, "O Guruji, please accept me as your disciple. I will do whatever you ask me to do."

The sage accepted the swindler as his disciple, but only on a condition. He said, "A holy man as me is recommended to spend the night alone without company. This helps me to meditate also. So, you will not be allowed to enter the temple at night. You will sleep in a hut at the gate of the temple."

The swindler agreed, "I shall willingly serve your wishes in every way that you ask me to."

In the evening, the sage initiated the rituals and formally took the swindler as his disciple.

The swindler in return proved himself an obedient disciple. He messaged his hands and feet, wash his feet and helped him with all the rituals along with cleaning the temple. Although the sage was happy with his disciple, the swindler could not gain enough confidence for the sage to part with his bag when he was around.

As days passed by, the swindler started getting frustrated, "He does not trust me enough to leave the bag with me. I can gain access to the bag if I kill him with a knife or feed him with poison."

When he was thinking all this, the swindler saw a young boy visit the sage. He was the son of one of the sage's followers. He invited the sage, "O Guruji, I have come here personally to invite you to our house for the ceremony of sacred thread. Please accept the invitation to sanctify the ceremony with your kind presence."

The sage accepted the invitation, and after some time started off for the town with the swindler. On the way, they came across a river, where the sage thought of relieving himself. He folded the bagful of money in his robe. He asked his disciple to look after it, "My child, Look after the robe until I return".

This was the opportunity that the swindler was seeking all the while. As soon as the sage went behind the bushes, the swindler ran away with the bagful of money.

When the sage returned, he did not find the disciple around but found his robe lying on the ground. Shocked and anxious, he peered inside only to find his bag of money was gone.

At once he knew what had happened, and began to shout, "Oh. Where are you, you rascal. You have robbed me."

The sage then started trailing the swindler's footsteps, but he reached town. He knew he will not be able to catch hold of him. He stayed the night in town to return empty-handed to his temple next morning.


The wise indeed say:
Do not be taken in by the sweet words of a swindler.
====

A holy sage used to live and look after the temple. He would visit the city everyday for alms, and return in the evening for meal. He collected more than he required for himself, and would keep the excess in a bowl, and distribute it among poor workers, who cleaned and decorated the temple in return.

A mouse, who lived in a hole in the hermitage would creep in everyday and steal some of the food from the bowl. When the hermit realized that a mouse has been stealing the food. He tried all ways to stop it. He hung the bowl as high as he could, and even tried to beat the mouse with a stick, but the mouse would find some way to reach the bowl and steal some food.

One day, a medicant came to visit the temple, and the sage. But the hermit was absent-minded and looked for an opportunity to hit the mouse with his stick, lest it come again. This made the medicant angry, "I will not visit your hermitage again, for you are giving only vague and abstract replies to by queries. You seem to be pre-occupied with something more important than talking to me!"

The hermit humbly explained his troubles, and how the mouse keeps stealing from him, somehow or the other, "This mouse would even put a cat or a monkey to shame, when it comes to jumping and reaching my bowl! I have tried everything. I keep hitting my bowl with my stick, even while talking to you, to save the food I keep for my workers being stolen from the mouse."

The medicant understood the hermit's troubles, and advised, "A mouse that jumps more than it should be, a mouse that is faster than the others, must have some reason for it. I am sure it must have accumulated a lot of food in his hole. This is the reason that the mouse feels exalted, and has the energy to jump so high. The mouse knows he has nothing to lose, and thus nothing to fear."

And thus, the holy man and the medicant concluded that if they can track the mouse to its hole, they will be able to reach a store of food. They decided to follow the tracks of the mouse the very next morning.

They followed the mouse's tracks and arrived at the entrance of the hole. At once, they started digging with a pickaxe and uncovered a huge collection of food stored by the mouse, which it guarded. They collected the food and stored it safely in the temple.

On the other hand, the mouse was very depressed on realizing the entire store of food that it had accumulated for so long had been lost. It felt deeply dejected, and lost all its confidence.

The mouse had no food, and decided to jump for the bowl at nightfall. But when it tried to reach the bowl, it realized that it had neither the strength, nor the confidence to reach the bowl.

During this time, the sage charged it with a stick. It was so depressed, that it was not able to react quickly, and was hit.

It was not a deadly blow, but it was hurt. Somehow, it managed to escape and left the temple at once. It decided not to return to the temple again.

The wise indeed say:
Strike at the source of the enemy's power to destroy him.
=====
One day, a jackal called Gomaya was very hungry, and was wandering about in search of food.

After some time, he wandered out of the jungle he lived in, and reached a deserted battlefield.

In this deserted battlefield, a battle was fought recently. The fighting armies had left behind a drum, which was lying near a tree.

As strong winds blew, the branches of the tree got rubbed against the drum. This made a strange noise.

When the jackal heard this sound, he got very frightened and thought of running away, "If I cannot flee from here before I am seen by the person making all this noise, I will be in trouble".

As he was about to run away, he had a second thought. "It is unwise to run away from something without knowing. Instead, I must be careful in finding out the source of this noise".

He took the courage to creep forward cautiously. When he saw the drum, he realized that it was only the wind that was causing all the noise.

He continued his search for food, and near the drum he found sufficient food and water.

The wise indeed say:
Only the brave succeed in life.
=====
This monkey was a fool, but was treated royally and moved freely in the king's palace. He was also allowed to enter the king's personal rooms that were forbidden even for the confidential servants.

One afternoon, the king was asleep, while the monkey kept a watch.

All of a sudden, a fly came in the room and sat on the king's chest.

The monkey swayed her away, but the fly would only go away for some time and return on the king's chest again.

The monkey got very angry and excited. The foolish monkey started chasing the fly with a sword.

As the fly sat on the king's chest again, the monkey hit the fly with all his might. The fly flew away unharmed, but the king was severely wounded in the chest, and died as a result.

The wise indeed say:
Beware of a foolish friend. He can cause you more harm than your enemy.
=====

One day a caravan was passing by, and one of the camels in the caravan was an expectant female. As she was not able to walk, and was in labour pains, the caravan set her free and left her behind.

Within moments, she fell prey to the lion, and while the three of them were eating. They cut the womb of the camel, from which a baby camel came out.

Since, it was just a baby, and they already had a good meal out of the camel, the lion decided to spare the baby camel's life. He brought the baby camel home.

The lion said to the little camel, "From now onwards you will live with us, and will have nothing to fear from, even me. I will let everybody know that you are under my protection, and you can wander about fearlessly and feed on the green grass of the jungle."

From then onwards, they lived happily. The four of them would tell each other stories, and the camel was always found along with the lion.

One day, the lion returned home badly injured after a fight with a wild elephant. He was unable to even walk, let alone go out and hunt.

Unable to bear the hunger, he asked the camel, jackal and the wolf to go in search of some small animal that he will be able to kill, even in his condition. Thus, the hunger for all three of them would be satisfied. But the three of them returned empty-handed in the evening, even after their efforts to search for an animal.

The jackal began wondering in hunger, "The young camel does not belong amongst us, and he will be able to provide food for many days. But, I have to be cunning to convince the lion to kill him, as he has promised not to harm him."

He said to the camel, "Our master will soon die of hunger, and so will we. I and the wolf will die of starvation, and some other animal will prey on you after they know that there is nobody to protect you anymore. I suggest you must offer yourself to the lion, and save us from dying. For your sacrifice, you will be reborn in a body twice the size of what you have in this life!"

The young camel agreed immediately, "Had it not been for the lion, I would have been dead long ago. I shall be rewarded hundred-times for my sacrifice, and find a place in heaven. I agree to offer my body."

In the evening, the jackal said to the lion, that the camel will be blessed with twice the size of the body in his next birth, if he killed him and worshipped God before eating him. He explained that the camel was willing to offer his body for this sacrifice.

The lion was convinced by the cunning jackal and he agreed. As soon the jackal was able to convince him, he jumped on the young camel and tore him apart. The young camel died instantly.

The lion remembered that he must worship before eating for the young camel's next life and asked the jackal and wolf to guard over the carcass, while he returned. He then went for a bath and worshiped the gods.

When the lion was gone, the jackal thought, "How can I fool the lion and have the entire camel for myself?"

He thought of a plan, and called out to the wolf, "Hey wolf! I know you are unable to tolerate the hunger anymore. Eat a mouthful of the camel's flesh and I will convince the lion by making up a story."

The wolf started eating some, believing the jackal's words. Just then the jackal alerted, "Here comes the lion, stop eating now!"

When the lion returned, the wolf had stopped eating. But the lion noticed that his food had been contaminated. He roared in anger, "How is it that my food is contaminated despite it being guarded by the two of you?"

The jackal smiled at the wolf, "I advised you not to eat, but you would not listen. You could not tolerate your hunger and wait for the king's return! You should be ashamed of yourself!"

The lion noticed the blood on the wolf's paw, and attacked it. The wolf, realizing that he would die if he did not flee, ran for his life to never return again.

At the very moment a very big caravan approached. The camels in the caravan had large bells around their necks, and the jingling sound could be heard from a distance. The lion was surprised by the unusual and terrifying noise and wanted to know what made the noise.

At once, the jackal used it as an opportunity. He said, "O Master, it is the same caravan returning. Only this time, it is led by Yama (God of death). He must be very angry on you for killing the camel before the hour appointed for his death. Look, he even brings the camels forefathers and relatives to avenge his death. I suggest you should run away from here."

The lion believed him and was frightened. When he saw the caravan approaching, with so many camels, he ran for his life.

When the jackal had finally gotten rid of the lion, he ate the camel's flesh all by himself. It lasted many days.

The wise indeed say:
Spurn the company of the wicked; else you will come to grief.
====

As they did regularly, they were wandering about the jungle one day, when the lion saw a camel at a distance. This camel had separated from its caravan and was feeding itself on the green grass of the jungle.

The lion took a fancy on this animal that he had not seen before, "Let us go and ask this extraordinary animal, where he comes from."

The crow, who flies to far-off places was aware and replied, "Master, it is called a camel and this animal lives in villages. The flesh of this animal tastes good, let us kill it and eat it."

But the lion disagreed, "He does not belong to the jungle, so he is our guest. I will not kill it. Please go and assure him that no harm will be done, and bring him to me".

As per the lion's instruction, they went to the camel and assured him that they were to bring it to the lion. They won its confidence, and they brought the camel to the lion.

The camel stood before the lion and bowed. He also narrated how he had gotten separated from his caravan and how he had reached the jungle.

On hearing this, the lion said, "Oh Camel, if you return to the village you will be made a beast to carry burden again. Stay in the jungle under my kingdom instead. You can feast on the abundant green grass of the jungle without any fear."

The camel accepted the offer, and they began to live together in peace.

Later one day, the lion got severely wounded in a fight with a mad elephant. Such were his injuries that he could not take a few steps, let alone go out of his for hunting.

Due to lack of food, the lion became weaker. The animals who served him were also starving since they were dependent on the lion for their food.

When the lion could not bear anymore, he called them and said, "Go and find any animal that I can prey upon even in my weak condition. This way I can provide food for you, and also for myself."

All the animals wandered about the jungle without any success to find such an animal. On their way back, the jackal had a plan.

He said to the crow, "There is no point wandering about the jungle when the food is right in front of us. The camel can provide us with the food for all of us for a long time."

The crow replied, "Indeed, what you say is correct. But the master has assured the camel of his safety under his rule. He will refuse to kill him."

The jackal said, "Leave that to me. I will influence the master in a manner that he will agree to feast on the camel. You wait till I return after a discussion with the lion".

The jackal met the lion and said, "Master, we have been looking all around the jungle but could not find an animal for you. All of us have not had food for so long that we can hardly walk properly. Under this circumstance, if you agree to kill the camel, his flesh can provide food for all of us".

The lion disagreed, "Shame on you! How can I kill the camel when he has my assurance that his life will be safe under my kingdom. It is a sin to think likewise."

But the jackal continued, "Master, it would indeed be a sin to kill him after you have given him the assurance of his safety. But if he offers himself as your food by himself, it would then not be a sin to kill him and accept his offer."

The jackal continued, "What good are we, if we cannot be of our master's service in his time of need. Please kill one of us for yourself, and the others to save the rest of us from dying of hunger."

The lion failed to justify the jackal and said, "Please do what you think would be in the best for all of us."

After this, the jackal returned to the other animals and declared, "Our master is sick and weak. If something happened to him, there would not be anyone to protect us. We have failed to get any animal after wandering throughout the jungle. The only way now to repay our debts to our master would be to offer ourselves to him. This way the rest of us would be saved from dying of hunger too."

As planned, all of them stood before the lion and bowed. They informed the lion that they did not succeed to find any animal for their food.

The crow said, "Master, we could not find an appropriate animal for your food. So, I offer myself. Please eat me to save yourself from hunger."

The jackal interrupted, "You are too small to provide flesh for the master. Even if he agrees your offer, it will not be enough for his survival. Indeed, you have proven your devotion and by offering yourself, you have already freed yourself from the debts of the master."

He turned to the lion and said, "Please accept my offer instead."

The jackal stood humbly before the lion, "Master, please eat me to save yourself from hunger. If you accept my sacrifice, I will be honoured with a place in heaven".

On hearing this, the lion shook his head in refusal. This way, the other animals started offering themselves, but the lion kept refusing to accept their offer.

The camel who was observing all this thought, "All of them speak beautifully about offering themselves, but the master refuses to kill any of them. I shall seek to impress the master in a similar fashion."

Thinking such, the camel said to the other animals, "You have offered yourself, but the master cannot eat you because all of you are carnivores and belong to the same category as the lion himself. Stand by, for I shall offer myself".

With this, the camel came forward and bowed before the lion.

He said, "Master, you need not kill any of these animals. Please eat me instead. I offer myself in return to your debts. I shall find my way to the heaven, if you may please accept my offer".

No sooner had he made the offer, the other animals cheered. Having already been influenced by the jackal, the lion jumped on him. He was killed, and eaten by all the animals together.

The wise indeed say:
Always be on guard when you are in the company of wicked people. Do not be taken in by their sweet words.
===
There was once a merchant who employed many carpenters and masons to build a temple in his garden. Regularly, they would start work in the morning; and take a break for the mid-day meals, and return to resume work till evening.

One day, a group of monkey arrived at the site of the building and watched the workers leaving for their mid-day meals.

One of the carpenters was sawing a huge log of wood. Since, it was only half-done; he placed a wedge in between to prevent the log from closing up. He then went off along with the other workers for his meal.

When all the workers were gone, the monkeys came down from the trees and started jumping around the site, and playing with the instruments.

There was one monkey, who got curious about the wedge placed between the log. He sat down on the log, and having placed himself in between the half-split log, caught hold of the wedge and started pulling at it.

All of a sudden, the wedge came out. As a result, the half-split log closed in and the monkey got caught in the gap of the log.

As was his destiny, he died instantly.
The wise indeed say:
One, who interferes in other's work, surely comes to grief.
====

He thought of travelling to a different part of the country to seek success.

He had inherited a very costly iron balance from his ancestors. When leaving, he mortgaged the iron balance to a nearby merchant in exchange of money for his travels.

He travelled all over the country, and had a successful travel. The merchant's son then decided to return to his home town.

After his return, he went to the nearby merchant's place and asked for his iron balance, "O Friend! Please return the iron balance that I had kept with you."

The other merchant did not want to return it, he said, "I do not have it anymore. We have a problem with rats. The rats are eating up everything. They have eaten up your iron balance, too!"

At once, the merchant's son knew the truth. He replied, "If the rats have eaten it up, there is nothing that you can do. Anyway, nothing can last forever!"

He continued, I am eager to go for a bath in the river, please ask your boy to help me carry my belongings, and to look after them while I take my bath"

The other merchant agreed, and called his son, "Son, this is your uncle. Please accompany him to the river and keep watch so that none of his belongings get stolen."

So, the merchant's son and the boy went to river. After he had taken a bath, the merchant's son took the boy to a nearby cave. He kept the boy inside the cave and blocked the entrance of the cave with a big rock. He then returned to the other merchant's place.

When the other merchant saw his friend returning alone, he asked, "Where is my boy? Why have you returned alone?"

The merchant's son replied, "I feel sorry for you. When I was taking my bath, your boy was standing on the bank. Just then, a flamingo flying above swept down and carried your boy off in its claws. I could do nothing!"

On hearing this, the other merchant got angry. He said, "You are a liar! A flamingo can never carry a boy as big as him, in its claws. I shall complain about you to the village elders."

At once, the other merchant dragged the merchant's son to a nearby village elder and started complaining

The other merchant said, "He is a disgraceful man, who has kidnapped by son."

The village elder instructed, "How can you do this? Return his son to him immediately!"

But the merchant's son was unmoved. He said, "There is nothing that I can do. A flamingo swept down and carried him off in its claws from the riverbank!"

Hearing this, the village elder got angry. He shouted, "How can a flamingo carry a child? You are lying!"

The merchant's son replied, "Sir! In a city where rats eat iron, why cannot a flamingo carry a child?"

The village elder was amazed to hear this, "Where does a rat eat iron? What is the meaning of what you say? Please explain yourself clearly!"

The merchant's son narrated the entire sequence of events to them and explained how he had hidden the merchant's boy in a cave to get his iron balance back.

When the village elder, and everybody else who had crowded there heard the story, they started laughing. The other merchant was embarrassed.

The village elder instructed the other merchant to return the iron balance to the merchant's son immediately, and recover his son from the cave.

The wise indeed say:
'Tit for tat' is the best policy in life.
====

One day he was very hungry, and could not find any food. So, he wandered into a nearby village in search of food.

The dogs in the village saw the jackal, and a group of dogs surrounded him, barking and attacking with their sharp teeth.

The jackal started running to save itself, but the dogs chased.

In an attempt to flee from the dogs, he ran into a house, which belonged to a washerman.

There was a big vat of blue dye inside.

As he jumped without knowing, his entire body was dyed in blue colour. He no longer looked like a jackal.

Frustrated, he came out. When the dogs saw him again, they were unable to recognize him anymore. Fearing that it was an unknown animal, they became terrified and ran off in all directions.

The disappointed jackal went back to the jungle, but the blue dye would not come off.

When the other animals in the jungle saw this blue-coloured jackal, they ran away in terror. They said to themselves, "This is an unknown animal, and we don't know the strength of this new animal. It is better to run away."

When the jackal realized that all the animals were running away. He called back at the frightened animals and said, "Hey animals! Why are you running away? Don't be afraid. Brahma, the Lord of all creations, has me made me himself, with his own hands. Brahma said to me, 'The animals in the jungle do not have a proper king. Go to the jungle and protect the animals.'"

"That is the reason I have come here", he continued, "Come and live in peace in my kingdom and under my protection. I have been crowned the King of all three worlds (Heaven, Earth and Hell)

The other animals were convinced, and they surrounded him as his subjects, and said "O Master, we await your commands. Please let us know whatever you want".

The 'blue' jackal assigned specific responsibilities to every animal. They were mostly on how to serve him. But he did not have anything to do with the other jackals, and did not want to come near them in fear of being recognized. So, the jackals of the jungle were chased away.

And so it went, while the smaller animals would serve him with his other needs, the lions and the tigers would go out to hunt for prey, and place them before the jackal every day.

He would then distribute the food amongst other animals, and himself.

In this manner, he discharged his royal duties, for all the animals under his kingdom.

Quite some time elapsed in this way, and there was peace between animals.

One evening, the 'blue' jackal heard a pack of jackals howling at a distance.

Unable to overcome his natural instinct, he was so spellbound that he was filled with tears of joy. He immediately sat up, and began to howl like every other jackal.

When the lion and the other animals heard this, they realized how he was only a jackal and how they have been fooled all the time.

They held their heads down in shame, but only for a moment - because, they became very angry on the jackal for fooling them.

They angrily said to each other, "This jackal has fooled us. We will not let him live anymore. He should be punished."

When the jackal realized, he tried to flee from them. But the animals got hold of him and he was torn into pieces. He died on the very spot.

The wise indeed say:
One, who treats his own people with scorn, shall surely suffer a bitter end.
====

One day, four Brahmins arrived in this town from a far-off place, to sell some wares. They had a successful business and earned a handful of money.

The thief watched them making money, and thought of stealing the money from them. He approached them as a friend, and soon won their confidence by quoting eloquently from the Holy Scriptures. He requested them to appoint him as their helping hand, to which they agreed.

One day, the Brahmins had sold all their wares. They decided that it would not be proper for them to travel with all the money. So, they purchased jewels with all the money that they had earned. Then, they cut open their thighs and hid the jewels inside. With the help of a special ointment, they healed their cuts.

In this manner, they concealed all their jewels. But, all this happened during the time that the thief was in service. So, he knew where they had hidden all their earnings. The thief wondered, "I have not got a chance to rob them till now. If I can accompany them when they travel homewards, I may be able to get a chance to steal them on the way. I can poison them on the way, and take away the precious jewels."

Later, when they started preparing to leave, the thief started weeping. He said, "Dear friends, the very thought of your departure makes me sad. After so many days that we have been together and shared a bond of love, I will be left all alone after you depart. Please take me along with you."

The Brahmins were moved by his emotions, and decided to take him with them, and the five of them started the journey.

On their way, they were going through the jungle and were crossing an area controlled by a wild tribe. The chief of the tribe had a magical crow as his pet, who could foresee many things.

As they came near their place, the crow screamed, "Quick! They have treasure! Kill them and take their treasure!"

When the tribesmen heard this, they captured the five friends. They searched them and their belongings, even removed their clothes, but found nothing.

The chief said, "You certainly have some treasure with you. The crow has never been wrong before. Hand over your treasure to us, or we will kill you, as the crow suggests. You may have eaten the treasure, and we may have to cut open your stomachs to recover them. Tell us the truth."

The thief, who was also a Brahmin, thought, "If they kill any of them, and search their bodies, they will recover jewels from the body. They will not believe me, and kill me too! They will not find any jewel, is another matter, but I will die anyway."

Thus, the Brahmin-thief made a firm resolution and said to the chief, "O Chief, you believe we have treasure hidden in our bodies. But it will be a mistake to kill all of us to pay for the crow's misunderstanding! I offer you myself. You may kill me, cut open my body to the very bones and see if you find any treasure."

The chief agreed, and thus, the Brahmin-thief sacrificed himself. The tribesmen looked into every bit of his body, but found nothing.


The chief was very confused; he believed that the crow must somehow have misunderstood. He humbly said to the remaining four Brahmins, "O travellers, it was a mistake to kill your friend, for he did not have any hidden treasure. I will not further my mistake by killing any of you. I release you from my captivity, please continue your journey."

In this manner, the four Brahmins, and the jewels were saved and continued their journey.

The wise indeed say:
Better an intelligent enemy than a foolish friend.
====

All three of them would meet on the banks of the lake every day, and exchanged stories, before returning at sunset. They enjoyed each other's company.

One year, there was no rain and lake started to dry. The swans got worried about the declining water level of the lake, and said to the turtle, "You will not be able to survive in this lake. All the water in the lake will soon dry up".

The turtle was aware of the problem, "It is indeed difficult to live here anymore. Dear friends, please look for an alternate lake which is full of water. Then, find a strong stick from somewhere."

The turtle continued, "Once you find another lake, you can carry me to the lake with a stick. I can hold the stick tightly with my mouth, while both of you can hold the stick at either ends and fly".

As planned, the swans flew to distant places and after some time found a lake which had plenty of water in it. They returned to carry the turtle.

They prepared to hold the stick from both the ends, and suggested the turtle, "Dear friend, everything seems fine. But make sure to keep your mouth tightly shut all the time. You must not speak, or you will fall off."

Finally, they started flying. After some time, they had flown some distance when the turtle saw a town below.

The people of the town were staring at the sight of two swans carrying a turtle in the sky. "Look at that! This is a rare sight that two birds are carrying a turtle with the help of a stick", they shouted in admiration.

On hearing all the commotion, the turtle opened her mouth, "What is all the commotion about?", she asked.

Needless to say, she went down the moment she opened her mouth, and the swans could do nothing to stop him from falling down to the earth.

As she fell down, the people of the town captured her to make a feast out of her.

The wise indeed say:
Never fail to listen to the advice of your friends.
=====

Other weavers in the locality were rich, despite the fact that they weaved much inferior clothes.

One day, he said to his wife, "My dear, this place does not deserve me! I weave superior clothes, and yet I earn so little. On the other hand, the other weavers grow richer by the day with their inferior clothes. I shall seek my success somewhere else."

His wife, however, did not want to leave, for there was no assurance of betterment somewhere else. But the weaver had made up his mind, and left the place in search of better prospects.

He went to another city, where he indeed was successful. His clothes became popular for the high quality, and in three years he had saved three hundred coins of gold. Now that he was rich, he decided to return home to his hometown and his wife.

During his journey, in the middle of the jungle, he heard two voices:
Destiny: " Action, you should not have let the weaver earn three hundred coins of gold. He does not require that much for his living! "
Action: " Destiny, I had to reward him according to his efforts, but you may decide how much he should retain! "

He checked into his bag to find that the gold coins were lost. He became very sad. He thought, "I will not be able to face my wife! All my efforts for the last three years have been lost."

So, he discontinued his journey, and returned to the city. He worked very hard, and within a year, earned five hundred gold coins. Now that he was rich again, he decided to return home to his wife.

During his journey, in the middle of the jungle, he heard the two voices again:
Destiny: " Action, you should not have let the weaver earn five hundred coins of gold. He does not require that much for his living! "
Action: " Destiny, I had to reward him according to his efforts, but you may decide how much he should retain! "

When he heard this, remembering the last time, he quickly checked into the bag and found that the gold coins were missing. He became very sad, and wished he died.

He sat down and thought, "There is no point in living. I have lost my money again, and cannot face my wife in this state of poverty! I shall hand myself on a tree!"

He wove a rope from the nearby grass, and tied it in a Banyan tree. He made a noose around his neck.

Just as he was about to hang himself, he heard a voice from heaven, " I am Destiny! I have taken the gold coins from you as you did not need the money for your living. But I am pleased with your industrious deeds. I permit you to ask for a boon that I shall grant. "

Somilaka replied, "Please give a lot of gold coins, that is the only boon that I ask you to grant"

Destiny asked, " You are not destined to earn more than you need for a living. Why do you ask for the money that you cannot enjoy? "

But the weaver was adamant. So, the wish was granted, " I shall grant you your wish, but you must return back to the city and visit any two merchant's house. Study their behaviour and let me know how you would like your money to be "

So, he discontinued his journey once again, and returned to the city. He went into a merchant's house, and was greeted as a guest according to local traditions.

This merchant was very rich, but did not like this unwanted guest. They gave him food in the most insulting manner, and offered a dirty bed for the night.

At night, he heard the two voices again:
Destiny: " Action, you should not have let the merchant provide food to the weaver. He has forced himself as an unwanted guest! "
Action: " Destiny, the weaver needed to be provided for the night, and the merchant did so in his miserly ways, but you may decide the outcome! "

Next morning, he went into another merchant's house, where he was warmly welcomed. He was provided with new clothes and water to bathe. He was then served a lavish dinner, and a comfortable bed to sleep in. During his stay, he realized that the second merchant was not rich.

At night, he heard the two voices again:
Destiny: " Action, you should not have let the merchant provide entertain the weaver so extravagantly. He has forced himself as an unwanted guest! "
Action: " Destiny, the weaver needed to be provided for the night, and the merchant did so in his generous ways, but you may decide the outcome! "

Next morning, the weaver watched the king's servants bring money for the second merchant. Destiny had rewarded him for his good deeds.

The weaver thought, "The second merchant is not rich, but he leads a life which is better than the first merchant, who is very rich"

On his way homewards, the voice from heaven asked, " How do you want your money to be? "

The weaver at once said, "Please give me only the money that I will be able to enjoy to the fullest like the second merchant."

His wish was granted, and Somilaka returned home with some money that made his wife happy. They lived happily, and were content with whatever they earned.

The wise indeed say:
Action and destiny are two sides of a coin. Work with all your might but leave it to destiny. And stay happy and content.