Rama Venkatraman

Myself - These Panchatantra stories I have written for children. There are more to follow , look out for more blogs from me .I think it is a wonderful way to share it with everyone and remain connected. Please feel free to tell your comments

The photos added here from the family album of myself, Venkat and Ravi, Raghu's travels
PREFACE

Panchatantra stories belong to that period of human history, which we presently group as mythological period. It is difficult to determine a time period for this. But easily their ancestry can be traced to 5000 yrs. It is fascinating to find human history as old as that bears many similarity to the present modern life. The characters, their reaction to human situation, the play of emotions joy, happiness, friendship, misfortune, greed, deceit all seems to get repeated through human history.

Many of the characterization is done with animals as center characters which further enchants an youngster giving a free reign to his imagination and fantasy. Woven in the stories are hard truths and basic morals, an impression of it in early life helps to make each a better individual.

The original stories had been in Sanskrit. About 150 yrs back it was for the first time translated in to English. The flavor of these stories than started spreading through out the globe. As it was getting translated the authors had taken the liberty to alter the settings keeping the essence in tact.The verses presented in these stories are from the book of Arthur W.Ryder who had translated it from Sanskrit.

Here this work tries to do precisely that. In this age of visual media children’s fascination for written word is taking a back seat. However written word has the capacity to take the child to a realm giving him a peaceful enjoyment at the same time enriching for the life ahead. Aiming at this the stories has been written in a colorful and imaginative style taking the child to different regions and different settings. The stories will also help to improve a child’s word skill and describing capacities.

The stories are designed to present day children with more mature vocabulary and increased uptake in more contemporary settings.

Hope the children as well the elders will enjoy these stories and keep in tact the literary and imaginative part of the personality which is fast eroding in the present day technological living process.

RAMA VENKATARAMAN

CONTENTS

1.CROCODILE AND THE MONKEY
2. THE MICE THAT SET THE ELEPHANT FREE
3.THE CROW THAT KILLED A SNAKE
4. THE LOYAL MONGOOSE
5. THE LION MAKERS
PLAY
6. THE MUSICAL DONKEY
7. THE MOUSE MAID MADE MOUSE
PLAY -
8. THE TURTLE THAT FORGOT THE ADVICE
9. THE BLUE JACKAL
10.RABBIT WHO KILLED THE LION
PLAY -
11. THE HERON THAT KILLED CRAB MEAT
12. THE MICE THAT ATE IRON
13. UNITY SAVES
14. HOW LOVE MADE THE WEAVER A GOD
15. UNGRATEFUL MAN
PLAY

PANCHATANTRA TALES RETOLD
1.CROCODILE AND THE MONKEY –
A TALE OF TREACHERY
The verse – Blind folly always has to pay
For giving property away
Because of blandishment and guile
The monkey tricked the crocodile

In the outskirts of the sleepy small village Mithilapur was this pond having emerald green water. The pond for long was undisturbed except for some stray cattle of village coming over to sip few bouts of cool water in the summer months. The pond was surrounded by huge overhanging lush green trees. . A lot many animals had made the trees their home. There were squirrels, huge garden lizards, chameleons, a number of birds like mynas, crows, sparrows, parakeets which used to come in droves as the sunsets settling in the branches of the verdant trees for the night. Their lived among them a black faced friendly monkey called Chotu.

Chotu was ever frolicking in the trees, jumping from branch to branch and moving from tree to tree. He knew like the back of his palm every tree around the pond. He collected the tasty fruits in the trees and made a meal for himself whenever hungry. Now in the grove was a very unusual tree bearing fiery red fruit called `Naga ratna pazam’. The juicy red fruit was as sweet as nectar giving out a heady aroma, Chotu considered himself singularly fortunate to climb the branches of the slender tree and have the fruits to his hearts content.

Now in the same pond lived Sambha the majestic crocodile and his pretty wife Soni.
While Soni kept home right under the sandy `guha’ under the water, Sambha went on its rounds every morning bringing back always something interesting for Soni to have. Sometimes it will be a toad, sometimes a fat fish or a couple of turtles for his dear wife to have. On its rounds Sambha never failed to come to the shore and bask under the sun below the patio of the verdant trees in the bank. It was here he met Chotu the monkey.

Chotu was always in awe of this handsome crocodile. It used to watch from the top of a tree how the crocodile used to swim stealthily and noiselessly under the water, only a shadow of its well carved scales will be seen till it emerges gradually out of the water with out making any ripples and move on the sand with its stout fat legs very quietly and lay their in the mid morning sun exposing its well formed steel black scales. He will lie there like a statue for hours on end. Sitting on the branch of the tree Chotu always used to get doubt if Sambha is alive or dead seeing how still it was. Later did Chotu notice it was just a ploy to catch its prey. Just when a frog around feels fully safe to come near Sambha, you can see him in action. Its tail twitching slightly it used to make swift move and catch the prey in jiffy and ever so swiftly take a turn and dive in to the water and vanish. Thus as still it was, it could be swift too felt Chotu.

One day Chotu was sitting in his favorite tree and having one of the fiery red `Naga rathna pazam’, Shambha was lying below doing its prey catching antics; the fruit slipped from Chotus hand and fell near Sambha. Sambha dived for it mistaking it as a prey and had a bite. The juicy fruit caught its fancy. It rolled it in the mouth, chewed it and found it simply delicious. It looked up with a friendly smile to Chotu and asked for another. Chotu readily obliged and plucked another one yet another one while Sambha kept on having to its hearts content. Thus their friendship got started. Now everyday Sambha and Chotu met at the appointed time and after initial exchange of pleasantries, Chotu plucked the fruits from the trees and sambha ate them with gratitude.

Now we know Sambha had this habit of taking some choice food to its pretty wife Soni.
Sambha now started taking these juicy Nagaratnam Pazam’s to Soni everyday. Soni had never eaten anything like that in her life. She ate it with great relish and started looking forward to Sambhas arrival eagerly every day. However this pretty Soni was not only pretty but also petty. She had a narrow selfish mind. One day in her narrow mind she got a brilliant idea or so she thought.
She told Sambha, `Dear husband Do you love me very much?’
`Of course my dear, I love you very much, much more than anything else in the world and I can do anything for you’ told Sambha chivalrously.

Now Soni coyly came near sambha hugged him fondly and expressed her mind
`Sambha dear you are everyday bringing for me the delicious Naga rathna Pazam.You told me about Chotu your friend who has been eating these fruits for a very long time. I am having an uncontrollable desire to taste the heart of your monkey friend, which must be pure nectar. Wont you grant this small wish of mine, don’t ever disappoint me giving no as an answer’ so telling Soni went in to her enclave and refused to come out
in spite of Sambhas repeated pleading.

Sambha was heart broken. On one side he liked his friend Chotu but his love for his wife was something blind. He felt he couldn’t live with his dear Soni getting angry with him and not talking to him. He spent a restless night and was constantly thinking how he can grant his wife’s wishes. As the day broke and suns rays started penetrating deep into the emerald green water in the pond and slowly making it warm, gradually so a plot started getting hatched into Sambhas head. He got up looked around for his dear Soni for a morning tea and some frolicking, as it was usual before he left for his morning jaunts. But Soni was nowhere to be seen sulking inside her `guha’. Sambha left home with a heavy heart determined to please his dear Soni at any cost.

He surfaced out of the water in his usual place and there was Chotu ever eagerly waiting for him. Chotu immediately noticed the crest fallen face of Sambha.
Chotu greeted him warmly. Good morning Sambha my friend, What makes you not your cheerful self today’
Sambha could not look straight at his friend, he averted his eyes and replied `My dear friend, I have been thinking about the request made by my dear wife. After eating the Nagaratna fruits send by you every day, she has developed a great feeling of affection for you. She wishes you to come home, as she wants to receive you and honor you. But I was thinking how you could come to our house deep and away in the midst of the green water which you are not familiar with.

Hearing this Chotu was indeed very much disturbed. He thought here is my dear friend and his wife calling me so affectionately to their house, I must find away out, I can’t see my friend unhappy as this.
Chotu rose to the situation and told ` Sambha my friend Let it not worry you. I will come to your house front, I have a way out. I will sit in the broad back of yours, which is so much like a boat; you can take me close to your house. Your wife can come up and greet me and thus I can make her also happy ‘, so saying Chotu went to his favorite tree and collected lot of the juicy Nagarathnam fruits and climbed on his friends back and told him `Friend let us not waste any more time. Let us go and meet your dear wife who is my `babhi’ and make her happy’.

Sambha chuckled within himself that his plan worked so well and swiftly. He took Chotu in the back and started swimming in the water. As they moved few meters from the bank and coming to deeper parts of the pond, the crocodile could not hold it any more. He turned back and told Chotu, `My friend I am very fond of you so let me speak the truth now; I am of course taking you at the request of my dear wife Soni. But it is not to honor you as I told you, it is in fact to eat your juicy heart which no doubt will be like a nectar after eating for so long the red juicy fruits of Naga rathna pazam, so feels my dear wife’.

Chotu was shocked for a while hearing this treacherous plan of his so-called dear friend. But Chotu was clever and quick in thinking. Immediately he thought of an escape plan. He knew Sambha is a bit slow witted. He nudged Sambha and told him `my dear friend, I am no doubt shocked hearing this plan of yours. However even I have to confess you some thing. I am blessed with two hearts. One the nectar filled one and another an ordinary one. Presently I have kept the nectar filled one, which you are seeking safely in my abode high in the trees and I am here with you in my ordinary heart. I am afraid your wife will be disappointed to have me with this heart and your intention of pleasing her will be in vain. So I suggest you get back to the banks and allow me to procure the sweet one for you’.

Hearing this Sambha halted in its onward stride and began to think. `No use will be this exercise of mine to take my dear friend to please my wife if he does not possess the nectar filled heart my wife is seeking. Let me take him back to the shore so that he can fetch it ‘ so thinking Sambha turned back towards the shore and Chotu gave a sigh a relief.

As soon as they reached the bank Chotu in a jiffy jumped out of the back of Sambha and in a trice climbed the nearest tree.
Sambha waited patiently for Chotu to return but he could only hear crackling of leaves and Chotu was jumping from branch to branch. Seeing Sambha still waiting Chotu called out `Sambha don’t think I am going to come back to my grave of death. You are a fool to think any one will have two hearts. You have betrayed our friendship. It is only duty of every creature to take care of its life. I am not coming to sacrifice my dear life’. So saying it vanished in to the maze of trees around.Sambha learned his lesson. It is not proper to betray ones own friend after pledging the bond of friendship. It went back hanging his head in shame and never to have anymore of the delicious Naga rathna Pazams.

2.THE MICE THAT SET ELEPHANT FREE
Not to ignore the ones less mightier than you
When life is near an end
The presence of a friend
Brings happiness, allying
The living with the dying

Harshadpur was once a busy town. It was ruled by Raja Rajat sigh. Alas the once reigning town was now in shambles. Constant invasion by the enemy kingdoms had left the palace and the place in ruins. People had departed carrying their belongings to other safer places. The invading army had routed the places and left it to rot and gone for their other escapades.

The place now deserted with broken palaces and deserted fields gradually started to be occupied by a huge colony of rodents- the mice. They felt it’s a nice place to burrow and hide and bring up generations after generations of families. As we know when mice are left unchecked how fast they grow. Thus the fertile mice in thousands had now made it their cozy home in the abandoned Harshadpur.

The mice had enough to eat, hide and frolic around. For long they had not seen any calamity in their happy living.
Calamity struck unforeseen, in the form of a large herd of elephants.

Shakandi the king elephant with his herd of two hundred elephants under him was frantically searching for fresh water as the river they were frequenting had completely dried up this summer due to scorching heat and no rain during the preceding monsoon.

Already he got the news of little newborn calf having died due to thirst. He could see slowly the strong ones in his herd too loosing their strength. Shakandi being the king felt he is failing his duty of taking care of his subjects and was desperate to find a good water hole. It was than he got the news of the abandoned water hole at Harshadpur.The source was authentic as it was told by a peacock friend of his, who generally have a good sense of presence of water. Saryu the peacock had told him clearly how to reach the place. To go west cut across a sparsely wooded enclave than walk along the barren land for five miles than reach the abandoned township of Harsahdpur and little away from the town you can find the water hole told Sarayu.

Shakandhi decided immediately to take his herd there. He called for a meeting of his ministers and asked them to break the News to rest of the subjects of the journey to be undertaken as the day breaks the next day. The elephants generally disciplined and having herd mentality of following the leader soon got ready for the days journey as their master commanded. Walking steadily from early hours of morning in their slow steady gait the elephants reached Harshadpur just when the sun was setting and it was time for the rodents to come out of their holes in search of food. Focused as the elephants advanced swaying and sniffing the air for water, little did they realize they are squashing a huge colony of mice under their foot. As the elephants advanced the mice in hundreds lay mauled and maimed. The rest cringing with fear tried to run back to their burrows. Some of them however squashed in their houses itself by the advancing herd of elephants.

The mice were absolutely shaken. Never had they come across in their happy go life such a trauma. As the elephants left, the place was like a huge battlefield with their near and dear ones dead and mutilated. The rest of the mice gathered together and went to their king Mooshikan residing in his palace in a mound on other side of the hillock.
Mooshikan was resting when he saw a huge battalion of his subjects coming speedily towards his palace with a disturbed expression on their faces. Mooshikan heard the agitated account of his subjects. Mooshikan felt, this requires immediate action. He put on his mantle and collected few of his close aides and left in direction of the elephant herd. Soon he caught up with them. It was not difficult for him to find the elephant king Shakandhi tall and majestic he stood out from rest of the herd.

Mooshikan went to elephant king, climbed a tree near by to catch his attention. As soon as he caught his attention Mooshikan bowed deeply and addressed Shikandhi
`O wise king, your groups strength, wisdom and shrewdness is known in the entire prapanjha. You are the king of such a mighty group. I can understand as a leader your strength and wisdom will be unparallel. Please kindly accept mine and my subject’s humble obedience to you. I have come here to do a small request to you majesty. My kingdom Mooshikapuri lies along way of your travels in the town Harshadpur. We have been living peacefully their for the last two eons of time .It saddens me greatly to inform you my subjects were put to great hardship and many of them dead while your subjects were crossing our kingdom. I presume it must have happened unawares. We are but small and helpless against your might. Nevertheless I request you majesty to take another route while you depart and spare us small creatures from getting killed for no fault of ours’

On hearing this Shikindha looked thoughtfully for a while at the small Mooshikhan.He thought `What this little Mooshikhan has requested me is only just. We should not harm any other creatures with out reason, I should direct my herd along a different path’. So thinking the wise one told Mooshikhan ` Dear friend high or low we are all the sons of one father. I give you my word, I will instruct my subjects to take another path while departing so that no harm comes to your kingdom or subjects anymore’
Mooshikan left happy the matter having settled in such a just way by the wise king Shikandha.

Many summers passed after this event both the elephants and mice were leading their life peacefully. Quite often putting their ears in their burrow under the ground the mice could hear the heavy tread of the elephants moving close by to the water hole to quench their thirst. But the elephants kept their word and never came along Mooshikapuri and never disturbed the tiny rodents. As things were sailing as smoothly as a cloud in the clear sky one day again it was dusk and sun was painting the sky in crimson red, all the birds were returning to their nest to roost and the rodents were out of the burrows for the days business. Suddenly the evening rhythm was disturbed by huge and alarming trumpeting sounds of a male tuskers cry. All the animals twitched their ears towards the sound. So too the Mooshikahn the king of the rodents. He immediately recognized them as the cries of Shikandha the king elephant who was so kind to accede to his request.

Yes Sikandha the tusker and his able ministers in the herd were in great trouble. These strong handsome tuskers always used to lead the pack. This had caught the eye of the wicked poachers. They thought if only we catch few of these tuskers, wrench their tusk and sell it, it could be converted to good profit. So thinking the poachers had laid a clever trap where in the elephants were caught in ropes and loops in the shallow trenches and were trapped there in a terrible manner. Now the elephants knew their captures would come only as the daybreaks. However more they were trying to come out of the loops the tighter the knots were becoming. Capture and death seem to be imminent.

THE CROW THAT KILLED A SNAKE
Mind over might

In the forest adjacent to Mithila town was a sprawling dense foliaged banyan tree. A benevolent tree it was ,that it gave asylum to many creatures under its cool foliage, spread out branches and below its strong trunk. Keku and his wife Kiwi the close knit crow couple had made their cozy nest in one of the branches of the tree. Being in prime of their youth they were very keen to have their little ones, the fledglings as early as possible. Their mating started in late winter. As soon as the spring was in the air, Keku sensed Kiwi was heavy in stomach with the babies seeing her labored flights. Soon Keku and Kiwi busied in making the cozy nest lining with the softest hay and cotton wools they had searched with care from far and wide. As soon the as the nest was ready, one fine day Kiwi sat for hours un moved in the nest Keku was flying restlessly around the nest keen to have the first look at their would be children. Finally Kiwi moved out of the nest and revealed four shining creamy white eggs. Keku’s joy knew no bounds. Crying caw caw he danced around the nest having a peep at the eggs time to time. As dusk fell both Kiwi and Keku settled in their new home weaving dreams in their head about the coming family.

Now in the same tree lived the black venomous snake Chandal. He had made his home right under the Banyan tree in an anthill mound previously the home of black Ganesha ants. Chandal had seen it a good spot to rest himself, he had driven the poor ants away and came to occupy the anthill mount. Chandal’s long pit of the stomach was ever rumbling for food and one can always find him plotting to catch his creatures of prey. Right from the time Kaku and Kiwi were hovering near the banyan tree Chandal was keeping an eye on them and yesterday in particular he was following the going on and quickly sensed Kiwi is going to deliver her eggs. With its keen sense of sound lying hurdled in its hole Chandal could sense the entire going on outside.

The next day Kiwi and Keku reluctantly went in search of food. Kiwi carefully assembled the eggs closely and having a parting look of her dear eggs she left for one of her long flights in search food. Well Chandal was looking for such an opportune time. He slithered out of his ant hill mound stealthily climbed the tree right towards the nest and with out much ado made a meal of the eggs in a jiffy and slithered back again and went to a peaceful rest. When Kiwi and Keku returned they met an empty nest.

They were shocked and greatly upset. Kiwi was inconsolable. They went around in circles endlessly as one possessed also looking for some clue. They could not find any.
After a long while Kiwi settled in her nest while Keku kept a protective wing over Kiwi trying to console her. As the days passed slowly their grief took a back seat as truly said Time is the best healer. And one of the days Keku again found his wife heavy with their children. And once again it was time for Kiwi to deliver. With the same eagerness the nest was made ready with soft coatings and Kiwi delivered the eggs. This time over Kiwi did not leave her nest and Keku was fetching her food. But it was never adequate and Kiwi was loosing her health. As days went by they became a little bolder and one day Kiwi told let me also come to fetch the food. And out both flew. Well the venomous Chandal was looking for such a time. Soon he came out of the anthill slithered to the nest containing the juicy eggs and made a meal of it. When he was just coming out of the nest to get back to his hole, Kiwi came back and the thief was caught almost red handed. She cried loudly flapping her wings wildly tried to attack the cobra with her beak. But she was no match to its mighty hood and in no time the snake withdrew in to the hole calling a halt to the fight.

When Keku returned, Seeing Kiwi sitting crestfallen in the nest at once knew something was of matter. He feared the worst and Kiwi burst out crying confirming the worst. For two days the couple sat in the nest mourning for their unborn children and did not even have a mind to go out searching for food.
But as every body knows crows are clever. They are not the one to be cowed down by adversaries. If so the ubiquitous crows would have never been the most common birds. They have learnt to survive in most difficult of conditions.

Now in the adjacent Mithila town lived the queen Banumathi known for her beauty and charm all around the province. The queen regularly with her retinue of servants used to frequent the exclusive bathing ghat at the back of the palace everyday morning as the suns rays climbs up the horizon. Keku was a regular visitor of the ghat both to quench his thirst and in look out of grains generously sprinkled in the courtyard in the palace grounds to feed the winged creatures like him. Keku than had noticed the queens ornaments lying in a bundle under the shade of the tree guarded by one of the servant maid as the queen takes bath in the bathing ghat.

Keku the clever crow had a scheme well etched in his mind. He knew he was no match to the venomous cobra Chandal. He had thought and thought over the night while Kiwi lie sobbing the whole night for her lost eggs. He had then come up with this scheme. As the servant maid guarding the `potla’ containing the ornaments was looking the other way, Keku flew low pecked and picked out the bright gold necklace jutting out of the `Potla’ and in a jiffy flew up and farther and went rushing to his abode, the banyan tree and dropped the shining necklace into the hole in the ant hill mount, right in to the cobras house.

There the queen was out of the bathing ghat. Soon a great uproar was heard when the precious gold necklace gifted by the king himself for her wedding anniversary was found missing. It was searched high and low, every one around was put to question to no avail. When it reached the kings ears he called the guards and send them out to search with strict instructions not to return back with a futile search. As kings are autocrats and known to melt out strict punishments, the guards started looking out for the thief in great earnestness. They spread around, some going in to the town while some went to the forest hoping thief would be hiding somewhere their having palmed off with the costly necklace. . Brandishing their swords they were clearing every foliage, peeping behind the bushes and trees in look out for the thief. And lo!Nanda lal the `Sevak’ of two score of years found something shining right under the banyan tree. He swung his sword along the anthill mount where it was seen and at the same time calling out to other sevaks searching near by. `Bhayiyo’ (brothers) come at once I think I have located the precious ornament. So saying he slashed the anthill mount with his sword and out came the hissing angry cobra. Seeing the Cobra in full fury the soldiers lashed blows on it and killed it with their swords. The necklace was retrieved and off they went back to give it to the king.
Keku and Kiwi now lived fearlessly bringing up hordes of children in their cozy nest.
Yet another instance of mind over might.

4.THE LOYAL MONGOOSE

Let the well – advised be done
Ill-advised leave unbegun;
Else, remorse will be let loose,
As with lady and mongoose

In the outskirts of the city vijayanagaram lived a Brahman and his wife Lakshmi. Married for four years they had been craving for a child right from their wedding.. In the mean while Lakshmi became fond of a baby mongoose, which used to come to their house searching for food. What started as a friendly gesture of feeding the imp little mongoose with morsels of food, turned out to be a lasting affection and soon the Jivan as the mongoose was named became their pet and a member of the household. The neighbors were quick to comment a mongoose is a very unusual pet. But Lakshmi grew affection to the little one, which filled many a lonely hour of her. She used to put it on her lap and quietly fondle it in her leisure hours and feed it small morsels of food. Soon the mongoose took to her as its mother and nestled with her and drew its comfort.

As the days rolled in to months, and spring gave way to winter and tiny little leaves started sprouting in the trees around, birds started chirping around heralding the new lease of life nature ushers every year, Lakshmi suddenly found her stomach getting heavy. Soon she discovered she is carrying a baby. In course of time she gave birth to a healthy baby boy.

She and her husband named the boy Shravana and started giving all the love and care to the long awaited offspring.
Everyday she bathed the child, anointed it with oil, decorated its eyes with freshly prepared `kajal’, fed the baby with flowing milk from her breast, covered it with soft linen and put it in the cradle for a sound sleep.
Now our little mongoose Jivan was equally fascinated to have the little one at home. By then the baby mongoose had grown old by three summers and considered it to be a loyal and responsible member of the household. It took affection to the little one as its own younger brother and kept a watchful eye on the little one when ever the Brahman and Lakshmi went around for their errands.

The little one too enjoyed the company of the mongoose. Whenever its mother left him in the cradle and went for her jobs, it peeped out of the cradle to see if Jivan is around and got reassured by its presence. When in playful mood it gurgled and laughed and beat its chubby hands and legs as Jivan put its shining nose and tickled it through the cradle bars.

One day, the baby was than eight new moons (eight months) old. Lakshmi as usual bathed and fed the baby in the morning, put it in the cradle and called out to the Brahman, her lord and master ` my lord I am going to the river to fetch some water. You please keep an eye on Shravana, so saying off she went to fetch the water from the river, which was ten minutes walk from the house.

No sooner had she gone, the Brahman remembered some chore to attend and absent mindedly, forgetting his wife’s request went out of the house.

His tummy filled with milk the child was sleeping soundly in the cradle; the mongoose was lying under the cradle keeping an ever-watchful eye for the safety of the baby.

Now Laksmi and the Brahman were staying in a wooded area of the village. The place was always teaming with life. Birds, rodents, squirrels, insects and even serpents were a common sight. At that time the black cobra of the neighborhood was searching for food. With a rumbling stomach it went slithering around stealthily, around the anthills, burrows of small animals and now over the wall of Lakshmis house and in it came to the wooded enclave surrounding the house. With no luck anywhere it advanced forward and could get the faint smell of the flesh in the chambers of the sleeping child and the mongoose. It moved swiftly and stealthily and entered the room of little Shravana. The mongoose spotted it when it had just poised itself to strike the sleeping child. Seeing its archenemy poised to strike the little one the mongoose was at once greatly alarmed and annoyed, it went in a sweep and struck the cobra with its sharp claws. A fierce fight ensued; the mongoose rolled and clawed the venomous cobra while the cobra was trying to strike the mongoose with its poison fangs. It was a pitched battle both fighting staking their life. Finally the mongoose came out victorious clawing and biting the snake with its claws and sharp teeth. It was indeed a bloody battle and the victorious mongoose drenched in blood ran out of the house to greet Lakshmi when it heard her steps approaching.
Laksmi was coming home balancing a pot of water in the head and another in her waist, she was thinking about the chores to be done around the house, when she spotted the bloody sight of Jivan the mongoose. She at once got alarmed and jumped to the conclusion in her absence Jivan has mangled her baby. The words of her neighbors flashed to her mind, the comments of an unusual pet and how they commented when the baby was born, `Lakshmi, it may be wise for you to go and leave this wild beast in the forest lest it harms your dear child’, all that came rushing in to her mind. In a fit of fury and extreme anxiety that her child has been harmed, she cried at the mongoose `you wicked one, you betrayed my trust, you attacked my baby’ so saying she threw the pitcher with water on the head of the mongoose and killed it instantly.
When she entered the house crying in anguish, she saw the sight of a big cobra mutilated and killed right under the cradle of her dear son. She immediately realised her folly, it was her Jivan, which protected her child against the venomous cobra. Oh! Lo! how hasty she was to come to a conclusion and suspect her own trustworthy Jivan as the one to have harmed her son.

Yes one should always look, see, enquire and think about and not jump in to hasty conclusions which like in Lakshmis case can make you repent in leisure.

5.THE LION MAKERS
Scholarship is less than sense;
Therefore seek intelligence:
Senseless scholars in their pride
Made a lion; than they died.

In the banks of the river Ganges there was this idyllic village Rampur. Fertile and lush with greenery, the people of the village had a comfortable living. The rich crops of golden wheat, sweet sugarcanes, and pungent bright yellow mustard fields were always getting ready in time for harvesting and keeping the people well fed. With food no problem and plenty of leisure available, gradually Rampur and the villages around took to learning and scholarship and very soon number of learned scholars emerged from that place.

In Rampur lived these four bosom friends, Harilal, Ram chand, Natwar and Keku Ram. They were together from childhood and the bond of friendship developed over the years had well cemented and one could find them inseparable spending their time in one activity or other. In them except Keku Ram the rest were men of books and words. They were well read scholars, had developed their expertise in various branches of sciences and were ever eager to discuss and try out their expertise. However Keku Ram though in close friendship with them from childhood was least well read. He the son of poor `Charaya’ (cattle grazer) and had never the opportunity to read the many books read by his friends. But being a keen observer, with his innate intelligence and contemplation was blessed with a sound common sense. He always listened to the erudite discussion of his friends with awe.

As the days went by the four friends with their energy and youth were getting restless in the leisurely ways of Rampur. They felt of what use is all this scholarship and knowledge if they are not put to use and win some appreciation and gifts from kings and rich masters. So thinking they decided to go on a long journey to the near by kingdoms.

Deciding on the date and course of the journey, it was Ram chand who commented `Pray of what use will be our simpleton friend Keku Ram in this journey where we will be using our scholarship. Though our friend, he is dumb and has little knowledge of science and Vedas, so let us leave him behind, lest he will embarrass us with his ignorance’. However Harilal opined ` No doubt he is illiterate and lacking the fine illumination which we have gained, but he has been with us for all these years, so let us also take him, he will be of help to us in serving us on mundane matters’. The rest agreeing the matter was settled.

On an `Ekadasi day of Krishna paksha (11th day of the waning moon), it was a bright and sunny day, the four friends embarked on the much awaited journey. Taking leave of their parents, relatives and other friends, carrying their `potla’ with their personal belongings with much enthusiasm the four friends crossed the river Ganges in a boat and started moving towards the thick forest which lay between their village and the well known city Magadha. As dusk fell they reached the denser part of the forest. With the sun out of the horizon and waning moon for company they decided to travel no more and thought they will settle for the night. Just as they had rested their luggage down and looking for a place to lie, Harilal who had gone in search of some water came rushing back with excitement.

Friends, ` Here comes our first opportunity to test our profound scholarship. Near the waterfront I can see carcass of a dead animal. It seems like the king of the forest, the Lion. Let us try our science of resurrection on that. I know the method to assemble the disintegrated skeleton’. On hearing him Ram Chand and Natwar got excited. `Indeed its an opportunity, I am well versed in the art of fixing the flesh and skin of any animal. I will do that job told Ram chand. Natwar told `My friends I, as you all know is aware of the science of putting life in any dead creature, so let three of us bring the king of the forest back to life and test our knowledge.

So saying the three went in excitement towards the waterfront. Keku Ram was quietly watching his learned friends. He felt alarmed. `Will that be a wise move? If the king of the forest is brought back to life wont the wild beast kill the very persons who would have brought it back to life. Is it possible to change the inherent nature of a wild beast’ so thinking the sensible but less scholarly Keku Ram went behind his friends to dissuade them doing the last act.

However the three friends vanity knew no bound. They paid little heed to Keku Ram’s warning. They thought what he knows the ways of learning and mastery of sciences.

They were intent on their scholarly act.

Harilal assembled the skeleton, Ram chand put the flesh and skin to order and Natwar was on his act of giving life to the ferocious Lion.

Seeing this Keku Ram scrambled the nearest tree and got him safely lodged there.

As designed the lion sprang to life. Energetic and roaring it looked around to find three human being surrounding him and looking at him standing rooted to the ground. Well Lion was in his elements, his ferocious best. It attacked the defenseless humans, killed them with blow of his paws and made his first meal after resurrection.

Keku Ram looked helplessly for little he could do to save a senseless act which was though full of scholarship.

So mere scholarship with out sense will serve little purpose in life.

THE LION MAKERS - PLAY
Charecters : Harilal
Ram chand
Natwar
Keku Ram
Lion

Narrator : Scholarship is less than sense, there fore seek intelligence. Senseless scholars in their pride, made a lion then they died.

In the banks of the river Ganges was situated the beautiful village on the fertile land. The village was prosperous. In this village learning took place and very soon a number of scholars emerged.

Harilal, Ramchand, Natwar and Keku Ram were four friends. They were great friends and inseparable. They were all great scholars and had expertise in various branches of science. Only Keku was not a scholar. The three scholar friends wanted to try out their expertise. Keku was not well read but he was intelligent and keen observer. The four friends set off on a journey to test their knowledge.




Scene – I
Ram Chand : Pray of what use will be our simpleton friend Keku Ram in this journey where we will be using our scholarship.
Though he is our friend he is dumb and has little knowledge of science and Vedas .So let us leave him behind, lest he will embarrass us with his ignorance.

Harilal : No doubt he is illiterate and lacking the fine illumination which we have gained but he has been with us all these years. So let us take him . He will be help to us in serving us in mundane matters.

Narrator : So they set off on their journey on a bright sunny day . They crossed the river Ganga and moved towards the thick forest. As dusk fell they decided no to move further. Just as they had rested their luggage. Harilal who had gone in search of water came rushing back with excitement.
Scene II
(Forest scene. The friends resting with their luggage. Harilal enters panting.)

Harilal: Friends here comes our first opportunity to test our profound scholarship. Near the water front I saw the skeleton of a dead animal. I think its the of the king of forest, the lion. Lets try our science of resurrection on that. I know the method to assemble the disintegrated skeleton.

Ramchand: Indeed we must try our knowledge. I am well versed in the art of fixing the flesh and skin of the animal. I’ll do that job.

Natwar : My friends as you know I’m aware of the science of putting life in any dead creature .So let the three of us bring the king of the forest back to life and test our knowledge.

Scene III

Narrator : The three went in excitement towards the waterfront. Keku Ram was quietly watching his learned friends.
(All of them looked at the skeleton.)

Keku : Will that be a wise move my friends? If the king of the forest is brought back to life won’t the beast kill the very person who brings it back to life. Please friend pay heed to my advice.

Harilal: You know nothing about science that is why you are saying so. O! Lord May the skeletons assemble and take its shape(Soon it took the shape)

Ram chand : O God of wisdom put some flesh and skin on this skelton (The skelton was covered with skin)

Natwar : (goes near the Lion) Put his hand over the lion.

Keku : Wait do not in haste bring it to life. It is ferocious.

Natwar : If you are so scared than go away.

Keku : Yes Let me climb this tree.

Natwar : O Lord of Lord the life giver. Let there be life in this king of the forest.

Lion : ( Roaring leaps) Oh! Thank you. You scholars
You’ve brought me back to lie. But I’m terribly hungry (Roar)
(Natwar, Harilal and ramchand try to run)

Lion pounces at them and devours them, lion leaves)

(Keku climb down and reaches the spot where only torn clothes lie)

Keku : I’m not a scholar but these intelligent friends of mine lacked common sense. They were too conceited and would not listen to advice. Oh! I could not be of any help to them (Keku in tears)

THE LION MAKERS - PLAY
Charecters : Harilal
Ram chand
Natwar
Keku Ram
Lion

Narrator : Scholarship is less than sense, there fore seek intelligence. Senseless scholars in their pride, made a lion then they died.

In the banks of the river Ganges was situated the beautiful village on the fertile land. The village was prosperous. In this village learning took place and very soon a number of scholars emerged.

Harilal, Ramchand, Natwar and Keku Ram were four friends. They were great friends and inseparable. They were all great scholars and had expertise in various branches of science. Only Keku was not a scholar. The three scholar friends wanted to try out their expertise. Keku was not well read but he was intelligent and keen observer. The four friends set off on a journey to test their knowledge.




Scene – I
Ram Chand : Pray of what use will be our simpleton friend Keku Ram in this journey where we will be using our scholarship.
Though he is our friend he is dumb and has little knowledge of science and Vedas .So let us leave him behind, lest he will embarrass us with his ignorance.

Harilal : No doubt he is illiterate and lacking the fine illumination which we have gained but he has been with us all these years. So let us take him . He will be help to us in serving us in mundane matters.

Narrator : So they set off on their journey on a bright sunny day . They crossed the river Ganga and moved towards the thick forest. As dusk fell they decided no to move further. Just as they had rested their luggage. Harilal who had gone in search of water came rushing back with excitement.
Scene II
(Forest scene. The friends resting with their luggage. Harilal enters panting.)

Harilal: Friends here comes our first opportunity to test our profound scholarship. Near the water front I saw the skeleton of a dead animal. I think its the of the king of forest, the lion. Lets try our science of resurrection on that. I know the method to assemble the disintegrated skeleton.

Ramchand: Indeed we must try our knowledge. I am well versed in the art of fixing the flesh and skin of the animal. I’ll do that job.

Natwar : My friends as you know I’m aware of the science of putting life in any dead creature .So let the three of us bring the king of the forest back to life and test our knowledge.

Scene III

Narrator : The three went in excitement towards the waterfront. Keku Ram was quietly watching his learned friends.
(All of them looked at the skeleton.)

Keku : Will that be a wise move my friends? If the king of the forest is brought back to life won’t the beast kill the very person who brings it back to life. Please friend pay heed to my advice.

Harilal: You know nothing about science that is why you are saying so. O! Lord May the skeletons assemble and take its shape(Soon it took the shape)

Ram chand : O God of wisdom put some flesh and skin on this skelton (The skelton was covered with skin)

Natwar : (goes near the Lion) Put his hand over the lion.

Keku : Wait do not in haste bring it to life. It is ferocious.

Natwar : If you are so scared than go away.

Keku : Yes Let me climb this tree.

Natwar : O Lord of Lord the life giver. Let there be life in this king of the forest.

Lion : ( Roaring leaps) Oh! Thank you. You scholars
You’ve brought me back to lie. But I’m terribly hungry (Roar)
(Natwar, Harilal and ramchand try to run)

Lion pounces at them and devours them, lion leaves)

(Keku climb down and reaches the spot where only torn clothes lie)

Keku : I’m not a scholar but these intelligent friends of mine lacked common sense. They were too conceited and would not listen to advice. Oh! I could not be of any help to them (Keku in tears)

6.THE MUSICAL DONKEY
No sleepy head should pilfer fur,
No invalid, rich provender,
No sneezer should become a thief-
Unless they wish to come grief.

Jaggu the donkey was a handsome one as handsome as they come. Its gray shining coat and jutting out prominent ears and its scrawny tail sensuously moving to the rhythm of its body as it scurried the heavy washing load of Nathu Ram the washer man every day to and fro from his home to the washing ghat made quite a picture.

Jaggu was an obedient donkey too, he rarely protested to the heavy loads he had to carry for Nathu Ram. He was a good spirited donkey, young and energetic. Nathu Ram too gave him liberty and never tied him down in the nights thus Jaggu could exercise his free spirit by roaming around at his will. The days were going smoothly indeed till he met Panja the Jackal one day in the fields at night.

Panja the jackal always started his activity after the nightfall. Coming down from the hills above he went in search of juicy tit bits while the gentry of village were in sound sleep. He looked for hens and fowls. On days when he could not get any he strayed in to the cultivated fields and try to make a meal of the standing crops. On one such day he had located a particularly fertile field of cucumbers. The fruit was ripe ready to be plucked. It was a large field of a rich farmer and there was enough to feed an army. Panja felt his good days have come. He can have his meal for many nights from this rich field and the farmer may not even notice few of his cucumbers missing everyday. So thinking he started enjoying the fresh meal of the juicy cucumbers.

At the same time Jaggu was on his rounds. A bit tipsy as he always was on his night rounds, perhaps the musk air and bright moonlight was a heady combination for the spirited donkey Jaggu was. He then spotted the equally spirited Panja prowling in the cucumber fields. Soon Jaggu and Panja became good friends. Both the high-spirited night prowlers had many things in common. Soon their night rendezvous became a daily affair. Each started looking for each other’s company to explore and break into to new fields and eat stealthily the tasty crops nurtured by Mother Nature. Before the Suns rays broke to reveal the day both the night prowlers used to scramble home leaving no clue as to the identity of the crop thieves.
The farmers were vexed and angry. Many times they had planned to catch the thieves by keeping awake in the nights and catching the culprits red handed, but invariably the balmy nights lulled their senses and after a hard days work they wounded up in deep slumber and could not execute their plan of catching the thieves. Thus our Jaggu and Panja were going Scot-free and having their fun and sumptuous meals in the nights.

One such nights when the moon was in its full power shining brightly from a cloudless sky, the wind was blowing caressingly carrying with it the musky smell of night flowers in its bloom, the crops laden with juicy fruits were shining brightly in the moon

In that moonlit night, both Jaggu and Panja had particularly heavy meals. Their stomach filled with the Pungent juice of the ripe fruits and head heavy with intoxication of the night Jaggu told Panja `My friend is it not a beautiful night, a one suited for a song. You have never heard me singing of course. You my poor friend of the jungles what you know of the fine taste of music, let me entertain you with a song’

So saying he cleared his throat. Panja got alarmed. He well knew the heavy unaggreable notes a donkey is capable of producing. It will surely wake up the neighborhood and far thought Panja.

`Jaggu my friend this is not the time to have singing concerts, let us retire for the night, since we have already our eaten to our hearts content’ told Panja and tried to dissuade Jaggu.

However the intoxicated Jaggu could hear none of It. Panja your ear for music is nil. Staying in the harsh jungles and hearing roars and croaks, you have not developed any of your fine sensibilities. This moon lit night is designed to deliver good music. Now you listen to me and see how to bring out fine notes from ones vocal chords.

Seeing his friend adamant on displaying his non extinct musical talents Panja told, `my friend, if you insist on entertaining yourself and others with your fine music, please allow me to leave the farm before you start your concert. I warn you your music will awaken the angry farmers who are itching to get their hand on us. So saying Panja hurriedly left the fields while Jaggu was clearing his throat for his recital.

Jaggu of course was beyond any sense of reason. He forgot he was a mere donkey pilfering in to the field and eating the standing crops of the farmers. He threw caution to winds in his present mood and lifting his head started loudly braying.

Hearing his croaky harsh brays the sleeping farmers soon got up and carrying heavy sticks angrily ran towards the farm and beat the donkey to pulp and threw him out of the fields.

Poor donkey bruised and hurt soon realised his folly and went limping back to its house.

Before acting one should be aware of ones position. If one gets swayed by the senses one can end up like the handsome donkey beaten and down, uncalled for.

7.THE MOUSE –MAID MADE MOUSE
Though mountain sun, and cloud and wind
Were suitors at her feet,
Were suitors at her feet,
The mouse – maid turned a mouse again-
Nature is hard to beat

Below the verdant slopes of the Himalayan mountain was a hermitage. In it lived rishi Sandop and his wife. Rishi Sandop was a learned scholar. With his many years of `tapsya’ he had acquired numerous powers, which could be wielded in this world and in other worlds. However he was a peace loving and benevolent sage rarely given to temper and lived a peaceful life with his wife Malini. The couple though blessed and happy had one grief close to their bosom, they did not have any child to fondle, love and bring up with care.

One day rishi sandop was out to take his morning bath in the rippling mountain stream near by, a tributary of river Ganges. He dipped himself in the cool refreshing water and taking a handful of water and was about to offer his prayers to rising Sun God; all of a sudden a small mouse fell in to his hand. The mouse, which was caught as a prey by a hawk had slipped from its beak and fell in to the hands of the rishi, a small female mouse it was, and it squeaked and cried for its dear life. The calm and compassionate eyes of the rishi fell on the struggling mouse, he was moved with pity. He laid it gently on a plantain leaf and caressed it gently and just on a whim moved by the state of the little mouse he converted it into a small female child with the vast powers of his `tapasya’. He than took it home to his wife Malini, laid the child on her hands and told her `Dear, I found her on the bathing ghat, The child will be a boon to our childless state, hence consider her from now as your own child and bring her with care and love.

The pious wife of the rishi, Malini was highly pleased with this gift. She took the child in with great adoration and brought her up with lot of care and love. They named her Pushpika. The child nurtured so grew up in to a lovely girl with curly hair, almond eyes, springy gait. She used to frolick around all over the hermitage while her mother looked at her indulgently. She was given the best of food and taught by the learned parents all that has to be taught to a young growing girl child.

As she reached the age of fourteen and was in the threshold of her youth, looking attractive and bewitching, her mother Malini started getting anxious about her future. She approached the rishi Sandop, her lord and master who was always immersed in prayers and meditation and spoke thus `My lord, have you seen of late our dear Pushpika, hasn’t she come to age? I think it is the right time to give her hand to a suitable groom, so that she can start leading a life fit for her age and youth’.

Rishi contemplated on his wife’s statement, his eyes fell on his dear daughter who though hearing the discussion of her parents was demurely plucking flowers for pooja in a basket and trying to hide cheeks which had turned crimson with shyness and excitement as she knew her parents were talking about her marriage.

The state of affairs was not hidden now from Rishi Sandop. He told his wife and `ardaghini’ ` Yes my dear you are correct. it is time indeed we look for a suitable groom for our daughter’

So saying rishi Sandop with his mystic powers of addressing heaven and earth called the Lord of the sky the Sun God and and told `Lord of the three worlds the bright and brilliant Sun, my daughter Pushpika has come to age, I am looking for a suitable groom for her, will you like to take her in your hand’, he than turned to his daughter ` My dear will you like to accept this most brilliant excellent groom, the Lord of the three worlds as your husband’.

Pushpika on hearing this was all of a sudden awakened of her latent instincts, she with her original instincts of a mouse sect, shunned the very brilliance of Sun and told `Father, I would like to marry some one who can subdue the brilliance of the Sun, please excuse me on this’

Rishi Sandop turned to the lord Sun and asked him `Can you name any one who is superior to you and bring down your brilliance’
`Yes, of course, the all pervading clouds can any time will bring down my brilliance, in that way I think the clouds are superior to me’

On hearing this risihi summoned the ever-powerful passing clouds, which change the face of the earth with their movements
`Oh! The ever moving clouds, sometimes dense and laden, some times light and fluffy taking all the hues of the rainbow, are you willing to accept my pretty daughter as your wife’

`But father these clouds are dark and frigid, I don’t fancy them as my husband, please get me some one who can conquer these clouds’ cried Pushpika

The rishi than asked the clouds `Pray, can you tell me any one superior to you’
`Yes learned sage, the swift winds are superior to us, they drive us hither and thither as per their will and move us from place to place, we are just puppets in the hands of Lord Vayu’

The rishi than called the fast moving winds and told
`Oh! Mighty winds your gait is faster than the fastest moving things in the earth, you can reach the heaven and earth and any corner of the globe in speeds as fast as the mind, would you like to accept this pretty maiden and my daughter as your wife’

On hearing this Pushpika told `Father, no doubt the wind is swift but it is also shifty and never steady, I would like to marry some one who can stop the winds in his track and superior to him’

The rishi than asked the winds `Can you tell me the swift winds, is their any one more superior to you?

`Yes the learned one, the mighty and formidable mountains are superior to us, they stop us on the track and do not allow us go beyond their domain’

Then the Maharishi called the mountains and told ` The mighty mountains so tall you are that you touch the skies and so strong you are nor the Sun, nor the wind or the clouds can move you from your appointed place, Will you marry this pretty maiden for whom I am searching a suitable groom’

On hearing him Pushpika came closer to her father and opined in his ears ` Father, though he is mighty, he is rough and stiff, I will like to marry some one who can conquer his stiffness’

The rishi than turned to the mountains and asked `pray can you think of any one who is really stronger than you?’

The mountains pondered on this and told` Yes, the learned Maharishi, the mice though small is mightier than us, as it digs and dwells with in us, making tunnels and passages in our interiors’

On hearing this rishi summoned the nubile and quick-witted King Mooshika `Oh! Mooshika though small in size, I find you are blessed with ingenuity, movement and quick wit to survive. You conquer the mighty mountains, caves and dwellings of people both rich and poor. You can survive in wealth and penury, you can stay in mighty mountains and lowly gutters, thus you are the true conqueror of different worlds. Will you give your prince to marry my dear daughter Pushpika for whom I am searching for a suitable bride’

On seeing the mouse the pretty maiden clapped her hands with glee, blushed crimson pink and ran to her father `Father dear, I will be most happy to marry this handsome and intelligent prince Mooshika, however please convert me into a mouse so that I will be a fitting match to him’

The rishi remembered his deed fourteen years back when he had converted the mouse to a maiden, Indeed `Nature is hard to beat’, so thinking the rishi with his holy powers converted the pretty maiden back to mouse and gave her to the most suitable groom prince Mooshika’

The bride and the groom married ran away happily from the hermitage to lead their life with their own kind.
The mouse – maid turned a mouse again-
Nature is hard to beat

THE MOUSE MAID MADE MOUSE

Characters – Mouse
Rishi Sandop
Wife of Rishi - Malini
Sun
Cloud
Wind
Mountain
Prince Mooshika

Narrator: On the foothills of the Himalayan Mountain lived Rishi Sandop with his wife. Rishi Sandop was a great scholar and with years of penance and had acquired mystical powers. The couple though happy and blessed had one sorrow in life. They were not blessed with a child. The Rishi every morning went to the River Ganga to offer prayer.

Scene – I
Rishi Sandop standing in the midst of Ganges River offering morning prayers to Lord Surya.

Rishi Sandop : Om----- O---m ----- Suryay Namah! Om Suryay Namah
A small mouse falls in his hands slipped from a hawks beak)
: (aghast)
(In deep concentration) – {looking at the mouse} Oh! You timid creature, how wicked is the hawk to make you his prey. {Fondles the mouse} Do not be scared little one you’re safe.

Mouse :ooh------------------ (a mild squeak)

Rishi Sandop: This mouse will change our lonely life. If I use my powers I can change it into a beautiful baby girl. Oh! How happy my wife Malini will be.
(Changes the mouse into a child)

Scene - II
(A small hut where the Rishi lived)

Rishi Sandop (with the baby): Dear I found her on the bathing ghat.

Wife Malini : - Oh what a beautiful girl (holds her to her cheek). How happy I am today.
My long awaited wish has been fulfilled today. I’ll name her Pushpika.

Narrator : Years rolled by Pushpika grew up playing and learning from her learned father. She was the apple of her parent’s eye. They lovingly watched her play. Time passed and the girl began to grow. Her mother was worried and asked Rishi to find a suitable groom for her.

Wife Malini :- My lord have you seen our Pushpika has come to age? I think it is the right time to find her a suitable groom, so that she can lead a life fit for her age and youth.

Rishi :`yes’ you’re quite right (watching the girl plucking flowers). It is time indeed we look for a suitable groom for our daughter.

Scene III
Narrator: So saying Rishi Sandop with his mystic powers of addressing the heaven and earth called the lord of the scythe Sun God

Rishi Sandop (Looking to the Sun God and says): `Lord of the three worlds the bright and brilliant Sun, my daughter has come of age and I am looking for a groom for her, will you like to take her in your hand?’

(The Rishi than looks at his daughter)

My dear will you accept this most brilliant excellent groom, the lord of three worlds as your husband?

Pushpika (sullen) : Father I would like to marry someone who can subdue the brilliance of the sun, father please excuse me on this.’

Rishi (to the Sun God): Can you name any one who is superior to you and bring down your brilliance?

Sun God : Oh! Yes of course, the all-pervading cloud can at any time will bring down my brilliance, in that way I think the clouds are more superior.

(Sun God leaves the stage)
Narrator: On hearing this rishi summoned the all-pervading clouds (cloud enters)

Rishi to cloud : Oh! The ever moving clouds sometimes dense and laden, sometimes light and fluffy taking all the hues of the rainbow. Are you ready to accept my daughter as your wife?

Pushpika: Father, these clouds are without any definite form. I cannot fancy (Sun God leaves the stage)

Pushpika: Father, ----these clouds are without any definite form. I cannot fancy them as my husband. Please get me some one who can conquer the clouds.

Rishi (than turns to clouds): Can you tell me any one superior to you.’

Cloud : Yes-learned sage the wind is superior to us. They drive us hither and thither as per there will and move us from one place to another.

Narrator : (Rishi hails the wind)
Wind enters.

Rishi: Oh! Mighty wind, your gait is faster than the fastest moving things in the earth and you can move in any corner of the globe in speed as fast as the mind. Would you like to accept this pretty maiden and my daughter as your wife.

Pushpika : (on hearing) father, no doubt the wind is swift but it is constantly moving and not steady. I would like to marry some one who can stop the wind in his track
and be superior to the wind.

Rishi : O Mighty wind, can you tell me,is there any one more superior to you?

Wind: `Yes learned one, the huge and formidable mountains are superior to us. They Stop us on the track and do not allow us to go beyond their domain.

(Wind leaves the stage)
Narrotor : (Rishi hails the mountain) Enter the mountain.
Rishi : Oh! Mighty mountain so tall you are. You touch the sky. Neither the Sun or the wind or the cloud deters you from your place. Will you marry my daughter for whom I am searching a suitable groom.

(Pushpika comes closer to her father)
Pushpika: Father though he is mighty, he is rough and stiff, and I will like to marry One who can conquer his stiffness?

(Rishi turns to the mountain)

Rishi: Pray can you think of anyone who is stronger than you?

Mountain : Yes Maharishi, the mice though tiny, is mightier than us as it digs and dwells within us .He makes tunnels and passages in our interiors.

(Mountain leaves)
Rishi : O King Mosshika ------ (the mouse enters)
Though small in size, I find you are blessed with ingenuity and quick wit. You conquer mountains and dwellings of people both rich and poor. You can survive in wealth and penury; you dwell in mighty mountains and tiny gutters. Thus you are the true conqueror of different worlds. Will you give your prince to marry my dear daughter pushpika
(enter prince mouse)

Pushpika: (claps in glee at the sight of the mouse). Oh! father dear,I will be most happy to marry this handsome and intelligent prince Mooshika. Please convert me into a mouse so that I will be fit to marry him.

Narrator : Rishi remembered his deed fourteen years ago when he converted the mouse into a girl.

Rishi: Indeed nature is hard to beat (converts the girl into a mouse) and gives her hand in marriage to the prince.

8.THE TURTLE THAT FORGOT THE ADVICE
To take advice from kindly friends
Be ever satisfied:
The stupid turtle lost his grip
Upon the stick, and died.

The Uttrapur thaluka was in the grip of draught. It had been two summers since rain God had turned its face from this once fertile and water rich land of lakes and ponds. There were no flowing rivers in the raised plateau situated in the higher reaches of Randampur province. The inhabitants were dependent on the cool and perennial waters of the lakes big and small that dotted the landscape. There were lot of winged creatures and water animals, which had made Uttrapur and the lakes there as their home.

However the days of plenty seems to have been over. For some reason nature was playing truant and two years of draught had robbed all the luster of the land and the life their in. The once perennial lakes were going dry baring the muddy bottom. The numerous birds teeming the lakeshores were taking wings in search of greener pastures. The trees around had taken a look of mourning dried and dying they seemed crying for water. The land had started cracking like an old lady with wrinkles proclaiming the youthful days are over for the present. The trapped water creatures were having a tough time. They had no choice but to dig underground on the remaining water holes and the ones not so fortunate to perish with quiet dignity.

In a particularly large lake called Salika by the locals lived the turtle Virchika. Virchika had never known anything but the lake Salika right from its birth fifty long years back. It had a history of long living ancestors and it hoped to live for many more summers enjoying the cool waters of Salika. But as fate could have, even the never drying lake Salika had begun to dry. There were small puddles of water here and there. It was hard to believe it was the same old lake once brimming to the banks with water making beautiful patterns in the reflections of the sky and setting Sun. Such beautiful place had now turned in to a graveyard with carcass and skeletons of animals and fishes perished with lack of food.

The shores of Salika were also the abode of two cranes Gunika and Panika. The dwindling fish in the lake was causing them alarm. They did not want to turn out to be one of the skeletons and decided to take matters in their hand. Gunika told Panika `My friend let us go far away from here where rain God would have been benevolent”. If we continue to stay here we may sure go upwards pre maturely.

With years of staying together the turtle Virchika and the cranes Gunika and Panika had developed a close bondage with one another though not of the same color and creed. Today as the two cranes were discussing the situation Virchika was also close by. On hearing his two close friends planning to leave the woe bitten premises, Virchika got alarmed. With out the warmth of the close friends for counseling at the hour of peril `Won’t he feel the situation further unbearable’?


He called to his friends and told `My dear friends, it is not with out reason wise ones have told good friends should be in bond through thick and thin, now that hard days have befallen us, I request you take me also along with you on your journey afar in search of better land.’

Gunika and Panika though good and faithful friends of Virchika and did not have a heart to part the well-trusted and familiar company of the old friend, were however at loss as how this request of the good friend can be accepted.

Nature gives different gifts to different creatures. While they were blessed with long slender body and strong wings to take them along, their friend turtle was blessed with a hard shell, quiet and calm body that can withstand hardships and stay alive for long years.

Gunika replied ` My good friend we would loathe to leave you in this lake which invites death and go our way for better days but how is it possible for us to take you to the shores beyond, were you are blessed with stubby legs and hard shell which are not suitable for flight’

Virchika was wise and clever in his thoughts with experience of advancing years. It replied, `I have thought of a way out, no doubt I am not blessed with flight but a good intellect can help to tide over ones inherent weaknesses.’

I have a plan, I will hold myself in a stick while you both can catch the ends of the stick with your strong legs and take me along the open sky and cross the mountains and land to reach the place you are bound to’

Gunika and Panika thought for a while on this suggestion of their dear friend, which was initially sounding like a fantasy. Nevertheless the wisdom of staying alive many summers in hardships had taught them lessons of life and they knew anything new always sounds initially like fantasy till the same is accepted.

So thinking Gunika told Panika, `My friend this I suppose is the only way to cart our dear friend to shores afar and save his dear life from sure death due to draught.’

Panika replied `Well my friend there is no harm in trying out the idea of Virchika. With determination and strength of our strong limbs we should be able to carry virchika whom we will ask to hold himself in a stick and we in turn can catch the either ends of the stick and carry him as he suggested. I am agreeable to this plan though it is new and never executed before ‘.

After discussion deciding such they turned to their turtle friend eagerly expecting there reply and told
`Virchika our friend we are agreeable to your suggestion. The day after the full moon, next to pournami day we are planning to leave our abode Salika and fly at stretch for 20 `khoz’ to a small lake their which we hear still holds water, we will decide for the next part of journey on reaching their. However we warn you Virchika for no reason or on any provocation you should open your mouth on the flight or else you will loose the grip on the stick and will fall head long below only to meet your death.’

Virchika on hearing his dear friends agreeing to take him in their flight was absolutely delighted. He who had never seen anything apart from the rippling waters of lake Salika, its slushy sand banks and the creatures dwelling their was beyond himself with excitement on hearing he will travel afar and see the sights which he could never dream of seeing but which his friends had often described.

The fluffy clouds in the sky, the sky itself like a blue amber, the swinging trees down below and the green fields stretching endlessly, all that which his friends so often had told him, yes very soon he will get to see all that. Now he need not repent he is a poor land bound creature locked forever in the land of his birth. He can now see new vistas and reach new lands and waters where he can have a complete new exciting life.

Thus the thoughts started slashing in to the head of the turtle and making it hot in the head. He started waiting eagerly for the moon to get its full luster on the day of the Pournami, so that his day of journey will dawn.

The day did arrive with the never failing rhythm of nature and Gunika and Panika arrived with the sturdy stick for their dear friend Virchika to catch on as promised.

Virchika spruced himself up for the long journey. He tested himself up by trying his grip on the stick, all three friends took leave of their old abode Salika with tearful eyes and with Virchika holding the middle of the stick Gunika and Punika holding either ends of the stick started their journey to shores afar.

Before starting the journey once again Gunika warned his dear friend `My friend, please remember no matter what ever happens on the way you keep your hold steadily on the stick and never do the mistake of opening your mouth.’

Virchika was very eager to start the journey and in all probability he did not pay his full attention to his friends well meant advice.

And off the three friends went out in the sky far and high above the ground. It was a clear sky that day, few clouds were making patterns against the blue clear sky and against this clear back ground the strange sight of the three friends traveling together like that made a picture very distinct and noticeable.

They travelled for half an hour and Virchika was beside himself with excitement at all the sights he was seeing. Like a person traveling for the first time in an aeroplane. He could see the vast expanse of land below him dotted with green fields and houses. They were now atop a particularly populated village. People were working in the fields their and children were out in the open on a clear day like that playing and minding the cattle. They spotted this strange sight of the three friends traveling in the air. In great excitement they started pointing fingers and excitedly shouting, the children started chasing the trio.

Virchika seeing such excitement below lost its cool, forgot the advice of the dear friends and opened its mouth to share with his friends what he saw below.

Alas that momentary loosing of his wits caused the end of Virchika who fell headlong below and met his death.

One should keep the needs of a situation always in mind and act accordingly, loosing ones head at the time of need will give us a fate like Virchika whose folly costed him its life.

9.THE BLUE JACKAL
Whoever leaves his friends
Strange folk to cherish,
Like foolish Fierce- Howl, will
Untimely perish


Close to Himalayas the hills of Sivaliks was the abode of number of wild animals. The tigers, cheetahs, the lions, jackals, huge elephants, wild boars, wild buffaloes, the spotted dears all coexisted and lived in the thick verdant woods the hills were covered with. At those times the foliage was so thick, the trees so tall and entwined with host of plants that it was difficult for even the Sun to penetrate the heart of the forest, so thick and dense it was. The animals no doubt roamed freely but were always at loggerheads with one another trying to establish their supremacy.

The Lion by natural selection considered itself the king of the forest. But the group of strong wild elephants, ferocious tigers, the daring and fast moving cheetahs could not accept the supremacy of the Lion so easily. The animals but were living in apparent calmness, though there was seething unrest, yet the business of living was going unhampered. The beasts of prey were forever hunting trying to get hold of the deer and cattle while the grass eating and peace-loving gentry were ever on the alert, keeping their reflexes well tuned to dodge the animals that hunt. Thus the tug of war went on in the jungle floors and the animals nevertheless coexisted taking care of their needs.

In this group was a particularly cunning jackal called Sevak. The jackals always had there foot both in the human and animal territory. Howling loudly as the night set in, as they were not strong enough to catch their prey in the wild competitive jungles, they descended on the villages below the foothills and tried their luck in getting away with a fowl or hen from the houses of the village folks.

It was an eerie night. The moon had taken leave of the sky and the entire place was clothed in darkness. The pack of jackals thought it was the right day to hunt in the villages below. They had their eyes sharply focused in the deadening darkness and went on a rampage in the village below. The farmers there were clever. Anticipating such expeditions of the jackals they had reared strong muscled loyal dogs. Getting the scent of the jackals the dogs went to defend their master’s property and attacked the jackals back. The cunning one Sevak too was in the group. But while other jackals managed to escape, Sevak scrambling to get away got in to the house of the washer man and dyer of the village. Now in the back yard was kept a large wooden vat filed with Indigo dye. In the rush and anxiety of trying to get away the poor Sevak fell in to the huge Indigo vat and Lo! He came out of the vat a deeply dyed Indigo animal a scarce resemblance of the jackal that went in. Sevak of course did not realize this metamorphism. While the village dogs barked and chased, tugging his tail between the legs he went scrambling back to the forest. Not a successful hunt thought Sevak while his stomach was rumbling with hunger demanding some good food.

A deeply dyed indigo jackal on entering the forest was not recognized by the rest of the animals. He presented a weird and out of the world picture. Nobody had ever seen a deep blue/indigo creature. Generally they were acquainted with shades of brown, yellow even red but never an indigo animal. Sevak was looking like a weird stranger in his own native land. As an unknown thing is always feared and looked with apprehension. The other animals on seeing him, fearing the worst, thinking an unknown fearful creature has entered the forest, scrambled for cover and safety. Some hid behind the bushes, some went hurrying in their burrows, while some hid in the safety of their caves. All of a sudden the bustling forest in the night started getting a deserted look as Sevak proceeded further. Even the mighty Lion stopped roaring, tigers stopped its prowl, and Cheetahs hung in the mid air in between their leaps and monkeys stopped chattering and screeching seeing the sight of this strange creature walking around. Thus the entire forest was under a grip of fear that a strange creature of unknown potential has entered the forest.

Sevak soon became wise of the going ons. He realised for some reason suddenly the animals that paid least respect to him are now behaving as though an intimidating monarch has entered their kingdom. Cunning as he was he decided to take advantage of the situation.

He called out to the animals running away in fear. `Look wild creatures where are you trying to hide yourself. In front of you is your new king appointed by the Lord of Gods, Lord Indra himself to take care of your welfare. Hence all of you come here and accept me as your new king or else you will have to face the wrath of the Gods, as this is the order from the Gods ruling the earth and heaven from the skies. So you show me the place to stay and rule you all. On hearing this the animals hurriedly consulted in whispers one another. `Yes indeed their seem to be truth in his statement. We have never in our life seen an animal of this hue. Hence he might have been sent by Gods, as Gods must be aware of our tussle of leadership. Hence to solve it amicably a benevolent stranger has been sent in our midst to take care of the welfare of the forest and we animals. Hence let us accept this mighty though unknown creature as the God sent king’ Thus saying the lions, tigers, cheetahs, monkeys, rabbits, gazelles, jackals and other species of wild animals humbly bowed before him.

Sevak was given a place of honour. The animals unanimously accepted him as the God send king and humbly and willingly started to serve him. He was given a prime place in the center of the forest. The animals went around hunting for the prey and what ever they could manage to hunt first brought it to the king, allowed him to partake and than they willingly ate the rest with a holy feeling as left out of the offering to the king and a demi God send by Lord Indra himself for the welfare of their forest. Sevak now Lord and master assigned duties to the animals in fitness of his kingship. Lion was made the prime minister, tiger Lord of the bedchamber, elephant the doorkeeper and monkey the bearer of the royal parasol. The animals considered it as their honour and conscientiously discharged their duties.

Time went on pleasantly for Sevak whose Indigo color had done the trick. A strong dye it was it stuck to him fast giving little clue as to his true identity.

As they say too much of pleasure dumbs the senses, Sevak the jackal now the king and demi God was getting his food without any strive or strife and was getting lulled in the leisurely ways.

One day as he was relaxing after a good sumptuous meal and having nothing much to occupy him, he heard close to his abode sound of pack of jackals howling.

Hearing his kith so howling suddenly stirred his heartstrings. His heart yearned to join them whose familiar company he so badly missed in his gilded cage.

He threw caution to winds. Went out lent his voice full throatily and returned the howl.
The animals on hearing it immediately realised the true color of their new king and he is none other than sevak the jackal. They felt ashamed to have so easily fooled with the glib talk of the cunning jackal.

`Look we have been deceived by this jackal, let us kill him’ said the animals.

The poor jackal realised his mistake and tried to run, however the lion caught him and with a blow of one paw killed him’.

It is never wise to leave ones own kith and put on act of a different person or else one will meet the fate like the blue jackal.

10.RABBIT WHO KILLED THE LION

Munna the rabbit had just moved in to this new place of residence. He was staying in the jungles of Sitapur. One day he and his pretty wife paru in search of food strayed from their jungles and just by chance entered in to these jungles of Dastar. Both of them liked the place as there were lot of wild roots and nuts their. Munna and Paru decided to stay along their itself and they dug their burrows, made a cozy home under a tall lumbering tree. Soon Paru was in the family way and Munna was extremely happy that he would get to see his children in a short time.

As Munna and Paru were living happily in their woven world a News in the new jungles made them stir uneasily and cast a stone in their cup of happiness.

It was Toda the Lion, king of that jungle which was robbing them of their peaceful sleep. Toda the Lion was a self-willed a tyrannical king of that jungle. He ruled the kingdom as per his whims with little regard to justice. He killed animals of prey by dozens and had big spread of sumptuous meal every day. His strength never seems to ebb. The animals were living in constant dread as when their destiny will override them and make them the prey to the mighty and merciless lion. They had no peace to live or procreate.
The exasperated animals decided to come together and discuss the matter. A meeting was arranged on the 5th day of the full moon under the peepul tree close to the pond. All animals gathered there, the wise elephant was heading the group. Present were the Cheethas, the tigers, langoors, parakeets, the wizened owl, the one eyed jaguar, the ever plotting jackal, even the king cobra, rabbits, the twin horned bison and the pretty agile dear all collected together at one call for the meet as the matter was concerning everyone and they whished they could be clever enough to find a way out of this treachery from none other than their mighty but cruel king.

The elephant with his big ears was a good listener and judge. Each of the animals was given a chance to have their say.

Monkeys and langoors who had no patience screeched and clapped for every little thing and it fell on the cheetahs to discipline them. It bared its sparkling teeth and gave a long steady growl that made the monkeys keep quite for a while.

The parakeets repeated whatever anybody told and thus made it clearer.

The one eyed jaguar told `Let us all join together and kill the wicked lion and than I will be your king and see that justice is established in the forest’
The tiger who felt he should have been the king much before no doubt did not like this. He gave a mighty roar and expressed his disapproval.

The king cobra hissed and made his presence felt, he told`Anyway I am the king of the serpents and all the creepy things in the forest, I don’t mind extending my domain and taking care of you other animals’. This assumed magnanimity was not appreciated by other four-legged animals, a mere creepy snake with no legs, how could he rule us they thought.

The jackals standing in a pack told `we are such a strong group. Each one is like a well armed solider with our sharp canines we can make a mincemeat of even a moving shadow, so allow us be the guardians of this forest. You can see what peace we will bring in’ said the cunning jackals.

The rest of the animals hid their smile with such a statement. They well knew with the unbecoming howls and cunning ways jackals will end up doing just the opposite.

The twin horned bison shook his horn in great contemplation and told` Are we here to elect a leader or find a way out of the treachery and evil ways of our king Toda. Every body here will know it is we bison and our brothers deer who are the worse affected. So many of our near and dear ones we have lost to satisfy the consuming appetite of our king. Unless a proper solution is brought to this problem, we will be doomed and hence we request the wise council here to come with some viable way out.
The deer on hearing this shook their pretty heads and twitched their slender tails agreeing to bison in unison.
The animals scratched their heads and tried to think how to get better of the lion who with his youth strength and vigour seemed unbeatable.

Finally it was for the wise owl to find a way out. The owl blinked its all knowing eyes which penetrates in to every thing like a sharp beam, it called out for attention and told `My dear fellow animals what we cannot win by might we should try to win by other ways. Since we all stay in perpetual fear of being hunted, I suggest each sect of us come out voluntarily and offer themselves everyday by turn to the lion, we can than request the king not to go about hunting but enjoy his food at his abode, in his den thus we wont have to live in unknown fear and the lion need not take the trouble of hunting’

The other animals on hearing this went into vigorous consultation within themselves. Though their was an counter opinion here and their finally there was a common agreement and the animals agreed with judge elephant giving the final verdict and it was agreed each of the animal will get ready to offer one of its kind to the king Toda so that general peace will prevail in the jungles.

Our Munna and Paru were also in the meet. They heard intently every word uttered however being new and small they did not venture to give any opinion in the group.

None other than the elephant itself took the proposal to the mighty king

`Oh, mighty king he addressed, we know you are the mightiest among us by the virtue of which you are our king and master and it is our duty as obedient subjects to serve you. Hence we all animals have come to the conclusion to help you to have smooth and comfortable life and save you the trouble of doing the troublesome hunting every day, we ourselves will offer you one of each kind everyday at the appointed time and you can sit in comfort and enjoy variety of meals.’

The king Toda heard it and thought `No doubt these minions have finally known my strength they are ready to bend their back at me the mighty one. So let me enjoy myself. It is becoming a hassle everyday to go out and hunt. It will be a pleasure indeed to sit in comfort and partake my meal, so thinking he told
`Such a proposal is agreeable to me, Thus I will also give you all an opportunity to show your obeisance and respect to me. So let it be from tomorrow before the sun mounts the highest part of the sky my meal in form of a healthy animal should be in front of me. If my meal does not reach me in good time you all have to bear my wrath, so saying he disposed the collected animal in front of his cave.

As days went by one by one each animal sent one of its kind as an offering and for a while peace prevailed in the traumatized jungles.

One day the turn of Munna the rabbit came. Checking the list the regulator, the wise owl sends word to Munna through the parakeet

Coming to the door of Munna, parakeet screethched `Here is the message from our patron the owl. Tomorrow it is the turn of Munna the rabbit to offer himself to the king Toda for the common welfare of the jungle, we wish you a long life in heaven’ said the message.

Munna trembled and turned ashen in his burrow on hearing this message. However he came out and accepted the parakeet’s message graciously and told he will do the needful on his part as per the common orders issued by the welfare counselor of the forest the wise owl.

Paru started loudly weeping on hearing this News, which amounted to death sentence. Both of them huddled inside the burrow and spend the night on each other’s bosom. Paru told Munna `I will also die along with you; I cannot imagine a life with out you.’ However Munna told `Paru you should never do that. You are carrying our children and you must see that they come out and lead a good life.’

`But my dear how can I do it with out you to share my pains and joys and with out your loving support. I rather feel it would be better our children don’t see such a gloomy world bereft of their father’ lamented Paru.

`Don’t cry my dear, I remember the saying of the wise owl, if we cant win our enemy by might we should think of other ways, let me think, I am sure some way will flash if we keep hope, God will be kind enough to show us the way if we pray sincerely with belief.’

Thus saying Munna went in to deep thought. He thought and thought various tricks to get out of the clutches of the ferocious Lion.’

And Lo! Suddenly a brilliant idea came to him. As he gave further thought to it his face become brighter with hope and he consoled Paru telling `Everything is going to happen well and dear I have hope we can see through the day’

Paru though she could not understand took hope on Munnas words dried her tears and went to sleep.

The day dawned bright and clear, Munna was calm as though he held a secret up in his sleeve. The sun climbed the horizon slowly and soon it was at the highest point and mid noon had arrived. However Munna was not in great hurry to go to the Lions den and offer himself as the prey.

Paru kept quiet praying constantly to save her husband.

Toda the Lion was getting hungrier and angrier by minute. He saw the sun had climbed up but there was no sign of any animal walking towards his den.

He gave a big roar, which was heard far, and all the animals of the forest trembled in their knees thinking why Toda today is such angry mood.

Munna ever slowly started now from his house and took his own time slowly walking to the Lions den.

The Sun was losing its luster and it was becoming much past post noon. It was than the hungry lion Toda spotted Munna a small chit of a rabbit slowly advancing towards his den.

He roared, his eyes were getting red He asked `What made you so late. I cannot tolerate this kind of indiscipline. I am planning to go back to my old ways and rampage the forest for my choice food’

Munna put a pathetic face `My lord, I was coming at my appointed time but I was way laid by a another lion much mightier than you’

He stopped me on the way and asked me `Where are you going in such a hurry’
I told him sir `Don’t stop me; I am going to keep appointment with my master and king of the forest Toda the mighty lion. I am going to offer myself as his meal as per agreement with the animals of this jungles’

On hearing this the lion whom I met on the way roared and laughed there cannot be any one mightier than me. Can your master stand on a duel with me that will prove who among us is mighty.’

This lion did appear to be strong and mighty scared me stiff. I told him I would pass the message to our master.

However in a fit of changing mood he told `I am going to make a meal of you for myself.’ Hearing that I hid myself and with great caution reached here. `That is the reason my lord for the delay. Please excuse me. You can go ahead and have me as your meal.’ so saying Munna humbly bowed before the lion Toda.

On hearing Munnas words the Lion Toda as beside himself with anger.

`In this forest ruled by me for such long time with an iron hand who else can dare to come and proclaim his supremacy’ roared the angry lion.
`My hunger can wait, immediately show me the other one. I will here and now show who is the superior in between us’ ordered the excited lion.

Munna took him along, after going for a while they reached a deserted well having water gleaming at the bottom.

`Majesty, its here I saw the other lion. It was roaring ferociously from the well. As I looked inside I saw its shining mane and fierce eyes, which scared me stiff. ‘ told Munna trembling and pointing towards the well.

The lion Toda lost his reason in a fit of anger. Little did he think what a lion is doing in an abandoned well?

In a rush he went and peeped in to the well. And he did see a majestic lion with full mane, a reflection of himself.
He roared at it with great anger. The echo of his voice gave a return roar from the deep well.

The charged and angry lion mistook it as another lion calling out to him. He jumped into the well in a frenzy to combat with the other lion. Alas little did he realize it was but his own reflection.

Down he fell headlong and met his end.

Munna went back home to his paru and lived a long life with his children and grand children and many more.

He was honored and respected by the rest of the animals in the jungles for its clever ways of killing the hated lion, though himself so small and vulnerable.

No doubt Munna proved beyond doubt `The brain is superior than the brawn.’