Panchatantra-inspirational moral stories in English.

Panchatantra-inspirational moral stories in English: Panchatantra is known as the 'Nitishastra' which means 'a book of wise conduct in life.' These stories with moral lessons try to teach us how to understand people, how to choose friends, how to face difficult situations, how to solve problems and how to live in peace and harmony.

24 MOST POPULAR ORIGINAL STORIES FROM PANCHATANTRA

The King Amarashakti, who previously ruled Mahilaropya in Southern India, had three sons. They all were very foolish and naughty. The king was looking for a teacher who could teach them. The king entrusted Pandit Vishnu Sharma for this job. Sri Sharma took the responsibility of teaching the king's sons. He imparted teaching to them through stories, specially by composing tales. These tales are Panchatantra, written by Pandit Vishnu Sharma.

Panchatantra meaning in English is ‘Panch’ means five and ‘Tantra’ means principles. The author of the fables segregated into 5 main categories. And these stories cover 5 concepts, parts, tantras or principles:

Book Number One: Mitra-bedha – The Loss Of Friends
Book Number Two: Mitra-labha – The Winning of Friends
Book Number Three: Kakolukiyum – On Crows And Owls
Book Number Four: Labdhapranasam – Loss Of Gains
Book Number Five: Apariksitakarakam – Ill-Considered Action

Panchatantra very short stories in English

This is a new translation in English story for kids from the original Sanskrit of Panchatantra inspirational moral stories of success with pictures specially selected for children, students, adults and the young people of today. They need it even today because they are our future. All of you will be interested to read this very short moral story.

We've assembled an interesting arrangement of 25 stories through which your kid will learn the ways of life and Understand the importance of reading books. Now let’s take a look at some stories from each of these sets:

THE SINGING DONKEY

Once upon a time, there lived a donkey. He belonged to a washerman. During the day, the donkey had to carry heavy load of clothes of the washerman. At night, he was allowed by the washerman to move freely as he liked. But, every morning, the donkey had to return to the washerman in time. Otherwise, he was afraid that the washerman would keep him tied up all night.

One night, the donkey was wandering in the fields. He then met a jackal and became friendly with him. The donkey was fat, he could break the hedges of the fields. The jackal and the donkey used to move here and there during the night, as they liked.

One night, they found a garden full of cucumbers. The donkey broke the hedges of the garden and both of them went inside the cucumber field. The donkey was eating cucumbers but the jackal would eat the poultry birds from the nearby farm. At the end of the night, they would return to their respective places.

The next night also they went there again. The donkey had a heavy dinner of cucumbers while the jackal was having dinner of tasty poultry birds. Thus, night after night, they visited the garden and had heavy dinner.

One night, the donkey was standing in the middle of the cucumber field. He suddenly said to the jackal, “ Nephew, look, look at the full moon and beautiful cloudless night. I feel like singing. Tell me, tell me, what song should I sing?"

"No uncle," replied the jackal, “You have come here to steal and you will be asking for trouble if you sing. We are thieves and thieves should always keep quiet.”

“Dear Nephew”, said the donkey,“ The night is very lovely and I want to sing," “No, no uncle," said the jackal, “The farmers are now sleeping. If you sing they will wake up and then they will come out and beat us. So, eat some tasty cucumbers and give up the idea of singing."

The donkey was not happy at all in this suggestion. He said to the jackal, “Dear nephew, you are a wild animal. You do not know the value of music. That is why you are talking like this."

“That is true, uncle," said the jackal, but you do not know how 'to sing. You know how to bray. What is good of such singing when it will bring only disaster?"

“You are a fool. You think, I cannot sing, now listen to me," saying this the donkey raised his head high and was about to start his "song.” Now the jackal said, “ Uncle, you do whatever you like. I am waiting outside the garden for you.” Thus the jackal hid himself outside the garden.

The donkey began to "sing”. Now the farmers heard the donkey braying loudly. They came to the garden angrily with big strong sticks in their hands. When they saw the donkey, they beat him hard and the donkey fell on the ground. They then picked up a big wooden log and tied it to the donkey's neck with a rope. After this the farmers went away.

The jackal was waiting outside the garden. The donkey now came out of the garden with a heavy wooden log hanging from his neck. The jackal saw him and told, “Uncle, what a song! I requested you not to sing but you did not listen. This beautiful necklace is your reward for singing."

VIDEO CONTENT OF THE SINGING DONKEY

Moral: Listen to good advice.

GLOSSARY

• hedges - a row of bushes, tall plants, etc.
• nephew - the son of a brother or sister. 
• wake up - rouse from sleep. 
• beat - strike repeatedly. 
• disaster - misfortune. 

QUESTION BANK

1. How fool was the donkey? 
2. How clever was the jackal?
3. What is the moral?

THE STORY OF THE BUG AND THE MOSQUITO

In a certain country, lived a king who had a very beautiful bedroom. There lived a mosquito in a corner. She used to drink the blood of the king and thus was spending her life very happily.

One day a bug crept into the bedroom of the king. He went nearer to the king's bed and sat on it. "How fine is the bed. How comfortable,” he said to himself. When the mosquito saw the bug, she cried, “ Who are you? Why have you come here? Get out immediately."

“Madam,” replied the bug, “this is not the way to speak to a guest. A lady householder should not behave like this.” “What do you want?” said the mosquito. The bug told very quietly, “Madam, I have travelled many places. I have, thus, tasted the blood of many people. But so far I have never had the pleasure of tasting the blood of a king. It must be very sweet. Because the king is taking the food of his choice. Now, if you permit me I would love to taste the king's blood.”

"No, you cannot.” cried the mosquito. “Why not?” asked the bug. "Because I suck the blood when he sleeps but you are hasty and bite like a needle.” “However, if you promise me to let the king go to sleep before you start biting him, then I shall let you drink the king's blood," the mosquito told the bug.

“Oh, I do promise," replied the bug. “I swear that I shall wait till the king sleeps. When the king sleeps, you first suck his blood. After you finish, I shall suck it for myself," the bug added.

When they were talking, the king came and lay down on the bed. The bug's mouth began to water and he became impatient. “Ah, a king's blood for dinner," he shouted in excitement. He forgot what the mosquito had said about the right time and what he also promised. The bug took a bite of the king immediately. The king jumped up and was angry. He called his servants and told that something has bitten him. He ordered them to find it out and kill it. The king's servants made a thorough search and found the bug. They killed the bug at once.

Moral: Do not entertain a person whose character is unknown.

GLOSSARY

• bug - a blood-sucking insect. 
• swear - take an oath solemnly.

QUESTION BANK

1. What was the advice of the mosquito to the bug? 
2. Why was the bug killed? 
3. What is the moral?

**Importance of Reading Books

THE MICE THAT ATE IRON

Once upon a time, in a certain town, there lived a merchant's son called Jeevan. As time passed by, his business became bad. He lost all his money and was in debt. Then he decided to leave the town and try his luck somewhere else.

He sold all his property and jewellery he had and paid off his loans. In his house, there was a heavy iron balance which he inherited from his forefathers. He did not want to sell it. He liked to preserve it as a token of memory of his forefathers.

When he decided to leave his town, he went to a merchant. The merchant was his friend. He deposited his iron balance with the merchant. "It will be quite safe with me. You will get it when you come back," the merchant assured Jeevan.

Jeevan left the town, he travelled all over the country. Ultimately, he started his business in another town. He gradually became rich. When he made a lot of money, he came back to his own town.

He first went to visit the merchant with whom, he had deposited the iron balance. The merchant was apparently glad to see Jeevan. he welcomed him. They talked a lot, now Jeevan said to the merchant, “May I have my iron balance back?” The merchant had no intention of returning the balance because he knew that it would fetch a good price.

So, he said, “I am sorry to tell you Jeevan, I kept the balance in my godown but mice have eaten up it.” “ No matter," said Jeevan,“ Please do not feel bad about it. It is not your fault, it is the fault of the mice.” Now Jeevan told the merchant, “I am going to take a bath in the river. I have some belongings with me. Will you please send your son to take care of the things when I shall take a bath?” The merchant agreed and sent his son with Jeevan.

Jeevan went near the river with the merchant's son. He caught hold of him and locked him in a house. He then returned to the merchant's house alone. When the merchant saw him coming back alone, he cried, “ Where is my son?”

"I am very sorry,” said Jeevan, "when he was standing on the bank of the river, a large eagle swept down, picked him up and flew away.”

"You are a liar," said the merchant, "How could an eagle fly off with a child? Return my son immediately or I shall complain against you in the court," so they started quarrelling. People gathered and finally they went to the court for justice. When they met the Judge, the merchant told him, "Sir, this man has stolen my son. Please ask him to give back my boy."

The Judge ordered Jeevan to return the boy. Jeevan said politely to the Judge, "Sir how can I return the boy? An eagle has taken him away." The Judge was very surprised. He told, “How can a bird fly off with a boy? Now Jeevan replied, "If mice can eat up a heavy iron balance, then, surely, an eagle can fly off with a boy." The Judge wanted to know all about it. Jeevan narrated the whole story. The Judge now ordered the merchant to return the iron balance to Jeevan. The Judge also ordered Jeevan to return the merchant's son.

Moral: An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.

GLOSSARY

• debt - that which is due from one person to another; liability.
• forefathers - ancestors. 
• swept - rub over with a broom. 

QUESTION BANK

1. How did the merchant intend to cheat Jeevan? 
2. How did Jeevan treat the merchant?
3. What is the moral? 

THE TALKING CAVE

In a thick jungle, there lived a very old lion. One day, as usual, he went out for his prey. He moved here and there in the jungle but could not get any animal for food. He became very much hungry and went to the extreme end of the jungle. Suddenly, he noticed a very big cave. The lion said to himself, “Some animals must be living here and will certainly return in the evening. I shall hide in the cave and wait for him. When he will walk inside the cave, I shall kill him for my lunch.”

So, the lion went inside the cave and hid in a corner. The cave was the shelter of a jackal. The jackal returned shortly after the lion had gone into. He was about to enter the cave, when he noticed some footprints of lion leading into the cave, but not marks of footprints coming out.

The jackal was very clever. "I am sum that one lion has gone inside the cave but I do not see any sign of its coming out. I have to check whether the lion is still inside the cave. Otherwise, if I go inside the cave, he might kill me.”

The jackal had an idea. He stood outside the cave and shouted in a loud voice. "Hello! dear cave, my dear cave. There was silence. The clever jackal again shouted, “Hello, cave, what is wrong with you today? Every day you welcome me when I return home, why are you silent today? If you do not talk to me, I shall go to some other cave."

The lion heard the shouts of the jackal. He thought to himself, “This must be a talking cave. The cave really replies to the jackal when he returns, but today for fear of me, it is keeping quiet. I would answer for the cave, otherwise, the jackal will go away."

So, the lion roared, “Hello, hello, my dear jackal, welcome, welcome, home. Please, come in, you must be tired.”

The jackal now became sure that a lion is really inside the cave. He ran as quickly as possible and thus he saved himself.

Moral: Intelligence saves you.

GLOSSARY

• hide - conceal. 
• lead - precede.

QUESTION BANK

1. What was the artifice made by the lion? 
2. How was the jackal saved?
3. What is the moral? 

JACKAL NEVER KILLED ELEPHANTS

Once upon a time, a lion and a lioness lived in a forest. They had two little newborn cubs. The lion and the lioness were very happy. The lion would go out for hunting and he would bring the prey home for the lioness and the cubs.

One day, the lion moved here and there throughout the forest in search of food but could not get anything. It was evening, the lion was returning home. Suddenly, he saw a baby jackal. He did not kill him because it was a baby. He took him home and presented to the lioness. The lioness said to the lion, "My dear, have you brought some food?" "No dearest, I was unable to bring food for you except the jackal. I thought it is only a baby so I did not kill him," said the lion. The lion also said, “You can eat him and manage for today. Tomorrow, I shall bring some other prey."

“My dear,” said the lioness, “You did not kill this baby jackal, how could I kill him? I am the mother of two babies. I shall not kill him. I shall look after him as my third son."

So, the lioness began to feed the baby jackal. It was a little older than the cubs. The three babies began to grow up together. There was no difference between them and they spent their childhood very happily.

One day, a wild elephant came in the forest. When they saw him, the two lion cubs rushed forward and went to kill the elephant. But their brother, the young jackal, cried and told,“ Stop, do not go to him. He is an elephant. He will kill you.” And so, he ran away. Seeing this, the cubs also went back.

When the two cubs returned home, they told their parents about their elder brother's behaviour and how he had run away. When the jackal heard this, he became excited. He began to shout at the young lions. The lioness took him aside and said to him, "My dear, do not talk like that. After all, they are your younger brothers."

But the young jackal became still more angry and said, “Am I not as brave as they are? I shall show them my strength. I shall certainly kill them.”

When the lioness heard this, she smiled within herself and to save his life, she said to the young jackal, "My son, it is true that you are brave, handsome and good looking. But you are actually the son of a jackal. I took pity on you and brought you up. You know, jackals could not kill elephants. Now, before the cubs recognize you as a jackal, go away from here and return to your class."

The young jackal, after hearing this, became frightened. He quickly ran away from that place.

Moral: Different species, different behaviour

GLOSSARY

• prey - that which is or may be seized to be devoured. 
• shout - a loud cry; a call. 
• frighten - sudden fear. 

QUESTION BANK

1. How motherly did the lioness bring up the baby jackal? 
2. What was the circumstance recognise the baby as jackal?
3. What is the moral? 

THE MONKEY AND THE CROCODILE

On a sea beach, there was a big rose apple tree which gave fruits throughout the year. In the tree, there lived a monkey. The monkey used to eat fruits happily.

One day, a crocodile came near the rose apple tree. He saw the monkey sitting on a branch of the tree. The crocodile looked up and saw the monkey, "I am a crocodile from a far off place. I am hungry. Can you give me some fruits ?”

The monkey was very kind-hearted. He plucked some ripe rose apples and threw those to the crocodile and said, “Try these ones. If you want, I can give you more."

The crocodile ate all the fruits and said, “Delicious, can you give some more?” The monkey gave some more fruits to the crocodile and told him to come again.

The crocodile then went away. The next day, when he came back, the monkey was happy to see him. He gave him some more fruits to eat. The crocodile used to come every day and thus they became friends. They spent time together talking about various things.

One day, the crocodile said that he lived with his wife on a small island on the sea. "You have a wife?” said the monkey. "You take some ripe rose apples for your wife and present her on my behalf," the monkey gave some fruits to the crocodile. The crocodile said that he would love to take those for his wife. The crocodile went home with the monkey's gift. His wife liked the fruits very much. She wanted to have more and her husband said that he would try to get some fruits every day.

Thus, the crocodile used to come every day to the monkey. He ate some fruits and in the evening, he would always carry some ripe fruits for his wife.

One day the wife of the crocodile said to him, “My dear, does the monkey eat ripe rose apple every day?" "Yes dear," replied the crocodile. A nasty thought came to her mind. She told the crocodile, "If the monkey eats only fruits every day, his flesh must be sweet too. Why do not you bring him here so that we can have a very delicious dinner.”

"No, no, I cannot do like that. He is my friend. How can I take him here? He lives on land and may drown if he tries to come here," said the crocodile.

"I shall not listen to anything. I want the monkey for dinner. You make some excuse and bring him here," his wife claimed. “That is impossible, I cannot kill my friend," the crocodile replied.

The crocodile's wife was not happy. With every passing day, she became impatient to eat the monkey. Lastly, she thought of a plan.

One day, she pretended to be very sick. She shed tears as if she was in great pain. The crocodile was sad. He sat by the side of his wife and told, “What can I do for You) “I am very sick," said his wife, “I went to a doctor and he said that I would get well only if I eat a monkey's heart." "But, how can I do that? The monkey is my only friend. I cannot cause harm to him," said the crocodile.

“Then go and live with your friend. You do not love me. Live me alone and let me die.” his wife replied.

The crocodile was very much unhappy. He could not think of doing any harm to his friend. At the same time, he could not let his wife die. He was in a dilemma. The crocodile began to think. He decided to save the life of his wife. So he went to the monkey.

When the monkey saw him, he asked, "Why are you late today?' The crocodile said, "I had a quarrel with my wife. She said that I am not your friend. You have done so much for us but I have not invited you home. Now, she is eager to meet you. She has asked me to take you at our home."

“Oh, how kind she is!” said the monkey. T shall be happy to meet her. But how can I go there? I do not know how to swim.” "Come on, jump on my back. I shall take you there easily," the crocodile suggested. The monkey sat on the back of the crocodile and the crocodile began to swim. When the crocodile reached the midway, he began to sink. The monkey was frightened. The crocodile was going down further.

"What are you doing? Stop it or I will drown," the monkey said. The crocodile replied, “I want to kill you." "But why?'' asked the monkey. “My wife is ill. The doctor has told that she must eat the heart of a monkey, if she wants to get well. You are the only monkey I know. I have to kill you and give her your heart so that she becomes well," the crocodile said.

The monkey knew that the crocodile was a fool. He believed in his wife's false story. He had to think quickly to save his life.

“Why did you not tell me before? It is my pleasure to give my heart to your wife. But, How can I do it now? I have kept my heart safe in the hole of the rose-apple tree. I have not brought it with me," the monkey said.

"Is it so?” the crocodile asked. “Yes my friend," he replied. “Let us go back quickly to the rose apple tree and take my heart," the monkey added.

The crocodile turned back and swam as fast as he could to reach the rose apple tree. When they reached there, the monkey jumped off and quickly climbed up the tree. He reached safely on a high branch and saw the crocodile and said, “Now you can go alone to your wicked wife. My heart is safe with me, you foolish crocodile."

Moral: Make friends within your own class.

GLOSSARY

• pluck - sharp pull. 
• delicious - highly pleasing to the taste. 
• nasty - dirty. 
• drown - drench; suffocate in water.
• excuse - pardon.
• pretend - make a pretext.
• sick - ill.
• dilemma - a situation in which one must choose between two things, two courses of action, etc. 
• eager - earnest; keenly desirous. 
• sink - fall below the surface or horizon; fall down.

QUESTION BANK

1. How was friendship built between the monkey and the crocodile? 
2. What was the motive of the crocodile's wife? 
3. What did the crocodile's wife pretend and why?
4. What is the moral?  

THE MONKEY AND THE LOG

A group of monkeys lived at the corner of a forest bordering a village. They lived together on the branches of the trees, ate fruits and spent their life happily. The monkeys were very good and did not harm the villagers. The nearby villagers were also not worried because of the good behaviour of the monkeys.

One day, the villagers decided to construct a temple under the trees on the outskirts of the village. So they brought various types of materials and tools for the construction of the temple.

The monkeys watched these and were worried. But an old monkey told, "Do not worry. The villagers are constructing temple. They will not cause harm to us. It may be good for us even. We might get sweets and fruits which are offered to God.”

The old monkey further warned the other monkeys saying, "We must be careful. We should not disturb the villagers. We also do not know the function of the materials they are using."

All the monkeys listened to their old friend. They were away from the construction site. They were playing and eating fruits of the trees. They understood that playing with the tools used by men could be dangerous.

But one little monkey was very curious. He could not keep himself away from those strange things being used by men for construction. Even being reminded by others to stay away from the tools, he used to play with those in the evening. One day when the men left the place after their work, the little monkey went there again. Very curiously, he found a huge wooden log. The log was half sawn. The carpenters could not complete their job and left it half done. A piece of triangular wood called 'wedge' was pushed inside the sawn portion of the wood. It was given by the carpenters to keep the sawn portion coming together.

The foolish little monkey jumped and climbed on the log. Very carefully, he watched the 'wedge'. He became more curious. He tried to pull the wedge out. But it did not move a little, it was firmly stuck.

The monkey tried again. Suddenly, the piece of wood, the 'wedge' came out and with a huge sound, the sawn piece of logs came together. The monkey was trapped between the sawn logs and instantly died.

Moral: Listen to the advice of the superiors.

GLOSSARY

• outskirts - the borders. 
• tools - an instrument used by workmen. 
• curious - an object of curiosity; a rare thing. 
• wedge - a piece of wood. 
• stuck - a long thin piece of wood, cut off a tree.

QUESTION BANK

1. What was the wedge? 
2. Why and how was the monkey trapped to death?
3. What is the moral?  

THE BRAHMIN’S DAYDREAM

In a certain village, there lived a Brahmin. He was very poor and lived by begging on the alms given by the villagers.

Every morning, he used to go door to door and the villagers gave him rice, vegetables, etc. He would eat a small portion of rice by cooking and storing the balance in an earthen pot. He kept the pot hanging by ropes on a 'peg' at the foot of his bed. He kept a small amount of rice every day on the pot and used to stare at the same while he was going to sleep.

After some time, the pot became completely full of rice. One day, lying on the bed, he saw the pot full of rice. He began to think, “This pot is now full of rice. If famine comes, I shall be able to sell the rice and get a good amount of money. With this money, I shall buy a pair of goats. Goats bear kids every six months. So, in due course, I shall have a large flock of goats."

“When there will be enough goats, I shall sell them and buy cows. I shall then sell the milk of the cows and make a lot of money. I shall then sell the cows and buy mares and they will give me horses. I shall make huge money and become very wealthy. With this money, there will be a four-storied building. Then one King will come and offer me his beautiful daughter for marriage. I shall marry her and she will be having a son. My son will grow. He will be very naughty and disturb me while I shall take rest on the bed. I shall call my wife to take care of my son, But she will be very busy with house work and will ignore my call. I shall get angry and give her a kick like this.”

With this daydreaming, he gave such a kick to his earthen pot of rice that it smashed. All the rice came flowing down to the dirty floor. The Brahmin now realized that vanity, foolishness and greed had cost him the rice he had collected.

Moral: Do not build castles in the air.

GLOSSARY

• earthen - made of a baked clay. 
• peg - a pin or bolt of wood, metal, etc/a pin driven into a surface. 
• stare - gaze earnestly, look fixedly. 
• famine - extreme scarcity of food or a specified thing. 
• flock - a herd of sheep. 
• wealthy - rich. 
• smash - break to pieces. 
• vanity - empty pride. 
• greed - covetousness. 

QUESTION BANK

1. What did the Brahmin dream? 
2. What did he realise at last?
3. What is the moral? 

THE LION AND THE HARE

There lived a big and strong lion in a vast jungle. Every day, he used to kill a number of animals. One or two could make his food but he used to kill every animal that came on his way.

All animals of the forest were afraid at this. They knew, one day all of them would die. So, they gathered together to think as to how this can be stopped. “ What should we do?" asked the bear, “ He kills more than he needs, told the hare. "If he keeps it up, we will be finished,” told the dear.

So, all the animals decided to meet the lion and the next day they went to the lion's den. "Why have you come here?” roared the lion. "Your majesty," the trembling monkey said, “You are our king. If you kill animals like this, all of us shall die. Whom would you rule? And you will also die without food."

“We have a humble suggestion, sir," pleaded the animals." We beg you to stop this killing. We will send you one animal every day for your food. You need not go out for hunting anymore," they told.

“All right," said the lion, "I agree to your suggestion, but if you fail, I shall kill all of you," he added. The animals promised to send one animal every day.

From that day, one animal was sent to the lion every day for his meal. One day, it was the turn of a hare. The hare was small but very clever. He did not like the idea to die in the cruel hands of the lion. And so, he was looking for a plan to save his life.. He thought and thought. He found an old deep well which could be dangerous for any animal. He slept for the whole day near the well and in the evening, went to the lion's den.

The lion, by this time, was very hungry. Seeing such a small hare for food, he became furious. "You, little hare, who has sent you? How dare they send such a small animal for my meal?” roared the lion, “You are too small for my meal.” “Please hear me. Do not blame me. They sent four hares for your meal,” told the hare very politely. “Where are the other three ? ” the lion asked. “On the way, one big and strong lion attacked us and killed the other three, I somehow ran away luckily,” the hare replied. “Another lion? Big and stronger than me? Where is he? Take me there," ordered the lion angrily The hare took the lion to the well and pointed to it from a distance. "See, the other big and strong lion lives in a cave inside the ground, he is strong and may attack you." the hare suggested.

The hare went near the well and requested the lion to look at the well. The lion looked at the well and saw his image on the water. He roared and heard the echo of his own voice and thought it an answering roar.

He jumped into the well to kill his enemy. His head was crushed against rocks and he was drowned. This was the end of the wicked lion

The little hare returned home happily and told other animals how he got rid of the dreadful lion. They all praised him and lived happily ever after.

Moral:- Intelligence is power.

GLOSSARY

• den - the wild beast's lair (e.g., a cave)
• majesty - dignity; a title of a king.
• humble - modest
• plead - argue in support of a case against another.
• well - a pit in the earth whence a supply of water is obtained
• dare - venture
• roar - the cry of a beast; loud sound.
• dreadful - terrible.

QUESTION BANK

1. Why and what did the animals humbly put before the lion?
2. What was the artifice of the hare?
3. What was the fate of the lion?
4. What is the moral?

THE LION MAKERS

In a certain town, there lived four friends. They were intimate friends. Three of them were very learned but did not have common sense. The fourth One day, the four one was not at all wise but had very good common sense.

One day the four friends met together for discussion, One of the learned persons told, “We must travel far and wide, see the world and the people of different countries." "We should travel to meet kings and nobles and impress upon them and earn money." said the two other learned men. All agreed to the proposal.

Then, all learned men said, "We all three are scholars. We will do well during our tour. But, what the ignorant man will do, who has only common sense and no wisdom?” “My friend, you are no scholar, so better you go home," the second learned man replied. But the third learned man said, "We should not behave like this towards friends, we have grown up together. It is true that he is not a learned man but he has been our friend since childhood. We should take him with us."

Finally, they agreed and started their journey together. After some time, they came to a dense forest. They found bones of a dead lion lying there. Then, one of the friends said, “This is a good chance for us to prove our knowledge. These are the bones of a dead lion. Let us bring it back to life," suggested one man. One of them collected the bones and made a skeleton. The second one put flesh, blood and skin into it. Now, the third man said, “I can put life into it." And he was just going to do so.

Suddenly, the fourth man, the ignorant fellow shouted, "Stop friend, for God's sake, do not do that. It is a lion, do not bring back his life, he will kill all of us."

The third man shouted, "You are a fool. I cannot waste my learning. I shall put life into it, and I shall do it.” “Then please wait a while, said the ignorant man, “I am going to climb up a tree.”

The ignorant man climbed up a tall tree, then the third man brought the lion back to life. The lion got up, looked at the three learned men. He roared and jumped upon the three learned men and killed them. The fourth man with the commonsense got down from the tree and went home sadly.

Moral:- Commonsense is superior to scholarship.

GLOSSARY

• intimate - close in friendship; familiar.
• ignorant - illiterate.
• dense - thick.

QUESTION BANK

1. Is really the ignorant and so?
2. What was the fate of the three learned ones and why?
3. What is the moral?

THE BLUE JACKAL

Once upon a time, there lived a jackal. One day, he was hungry and could not get any food. He walked to the end of the jungle, he was tired and definitely very hungry. He finally reached near a town.

"I think I shall get some food in the town," the jackal thought. “But I may be attacked by men or dogs in the town,” he said to himself. So he waited till the evening, when, he thought, he would be safe.

The jackal went to the town and started walking on the streets in search of food. Suddenly, he heard some dogs barking. In fear, he started running. The dogs saw the jackal and chased him. The jackal started running faster and faster. The dogs were also running fast to catch the jackal and came very close to him.

Finding no alternative, the jackal entered into a house, it was a washer man's house. He ran inside the house and jumped into a big tub. The tub was full of blue dye. The jackal hid himself there. Soon the dogs arrived but could not find him. Not finding the jackal, the dogs left the place.

Soon after that, the jackal came out of the tub with a relief. He suddenly found that his whole body had become blue. He was shocked and ran back to the jungle. Everybody, who saw the blue coloured jackal, ran away in fear. "What a strange animal?" the animals said one to another. They could not recognize him as a jackal.

When the jackal saw the other animals in such a state, he thought of a cunning plan. He called back the animals and said, "Why are you running away? Do not be afraid. God has made me by his own hands. God has sent me here as your king to protect you," he said.

He, thus, became king of the jungle and all the animals also thought like that. Thus the jackal gave duties to the lions, tigers and other animals separately. The lions and tigers used to go out for hunting. They brought the prey to the jackal. He would then distribute the same to other animals. The jackal also used to solve the problems of the other animals.

He used to sit on the top of a big rock and gave advices to other animals. "I am very lucky," he thought, “How fool the other animals are”. He became lazy and lived like a king

On one full moon night, the jackal heard from distance the howl of pack of jackals. He was very happy, his eyes were filled with tears of joy. He could not control himself He forgot that he was a self-styled king. He stood up and began to howl.

When the lion and other animals heard him howling, they realized that he was not a king sent by God. He was a jackal, a liar, cunning and cheat who made them fool.

Immediately, the animals chased him and drove him out of the forest.

Moral:- One's own nature remains unchanged.

GLOSSARY

• hungry - feeling hunger.
• howl - cry as a wolf, utter a sound of distress.
• cunning - artful; crafty.
• drove - go in a carriage.

QUESTION BANK

1. How was the jackal king of the animals?
2. How was it revealed that the jackal was not really king?
3. What is the moral?

THE BRAHMIN AND THE GOAT

In a small town, there lived a Brahmin, a simple worshipper. One day, he went to a village to perform Puja. He received a goat as a present. He was returning home happily, carrying the goat on his shoulder when I shall take this goat to my house, my children and wife will be very happy to see it," Brahmin thought.

Three crooks noticed it. “That's a nice fat goat," they said. “It would be a good meal for us, if we could get the goat”, they thought. So, they decided to cheat the Brahmin. They came out with a tricky plan.

One crook came near the Brahmin and said politely, “Oh Brahmin, what are you doing? You are a holy man. Why are you carrying a dog on your shoulders?” The Brahmin got excited and cried, “Are you blind? Is this a dog? This is a goat I have received as a gift. I am taking it to my home."

"Do not be angry, sir, I am telling you what I see." the crook said, "I shall not tell you anything. Please pardon me and go home with the dog." The crook thus disappeared.

The Brahmin started walking for his home angrily. When the Brahmin had gone a little further, the second crook came near to him. "Respected sir," in a pretended sad voice, he said, “You are carrying a dead calf on your shoulders. You should not carry the dead calf.

The Brahmin replied in anger, "Are you blind? You are calling the living goat a dead calf?” The crook said. “ Please do not get angry, if you want to carry a dead calf, what can I do. Please excuse me,” he thus went away.

The Brahmin was confused a little and worried too. He was looking at the goat. He confirmed himself as right.

After some time, the third crook appeared in front of the Brahmin. “ Oh, Brahmin, what are you doing? This does not befit a man like you. You are carrying a donkey on your shoulders. Drop it quickly before anyone sees you."

The Brahmin was puzzled. This is the third man he met and each one of them had seen the goat as something different, a dog, a dead calf and a donkey.

“This is not a goat. It is a monster. It is changing its shapes,” thought the Brahmin and became very frightened. He threw away the goat quickly and ran home as fast as possible.
The three crooks picked up the goat hurriedly and went away.

Moral: Do not believe a crook.

GLOSSARY

• worshipper - religious service.
• crook - a cheat; a shepherd's staff.
• tricky - given to tricks, practising deception. pretend - make a pretext; claim.
• calf - the young of the cow.
• befit - be suitable for.
• donkey - an ass.
• monster - a strange animal out of the usual course of nature.

QUESTION BANK

1. How was the Brahmin confused with his gift?
2. What did he do at last?
3. What is the moral?

THE STORY OF THREE FISHES

Once upon a time there lived three fishes in a pond. They were very close friends but their nature and character were different.

The first one was very wise. He always used to think a lot before doing anything. He did not like to get into trouble. The second fish was very clever and intelligent. He could take quick decisions and solve problems. Thus, he could get out of trouble very easily. The third one believed in fate. He thought that whatever would happen, would happen and no one could stop it.

One evening, the wise fish was playing in the water. He suddenly heard two fishermen talking to each other, "Look at this pond. What a fine big fish is playing. This lake must be full of fishes.” The other fisherman said, “we will come tomorrow and catch all the fishes.” The fishermen then went away, talking and laughing

Hearing this, the fish went quickly to his friends. He told his friends what he had heard. He was very afraid and anxious.

“What should we do?”, they told each other. “We must leave this pond and go to the other pond through the canal,” the wise fish told.

The second fish told, “We should not leave the pond immediately. If the fishermen
come, we shall find some plan to save ourselves," he added.

The third fish, who believed in fate, told, “I am in this pond since my birth. I cannot leave this pond. I shall stay here.”

The wise fish did not take any risk. He immediately left the pond and came to a safer place. The next morning, the fishermen came to the pond with their nets. They spread their nets in the pond. Many fishes got trapped in the nets. Those two fishes were also trapped.

The second fish, the clever one, suddenly thought of a plan. He pretended to be dead and lay still in the net. The fishermen thought him a dead fish and threw away with other dead fishes. He then, somehow, managed to crawl and went to another pond. "I am safe at last," he murmured.

The third fish, who believed in fate, was trapped in the net and was jumping up and down. The fishermen immediately caught and killed him.

Moral: Nothing to do when it is too late.

GLOSSARY

• wise - prudent; containing wisdom.
• fate - destiny
• anxious - distressed in mind.
• crawl - move by dragging the body along the ground. murmur - a low or grumbling sound.

QUESTION BANK

1. What were the characters of the three fishes?
2. How was the two fishes escaped?
3. What is the moral?

THE STORK AND THE CRAB

Long long ago, there lived a stork near a tank. The tank was full of fishes and other water creatures. The stork had plenty to eat and so he was happy.

As time passed, the stork became old and weak. He was unable to catch fishes for his food. Sometimes, he had to go without food. He thought that he would die if this continues.

He came up with a plan to save him from starvation. He came by the side of the tank, looking sad. He did not catch the fishes even though they were within his reach.

The fishes, crabs, frogs and other animals saw that the stork was very sad. They wondered! What wrong has happened to him?

A big crab came near the stork and told, “What happened to you? Why are you so sad? Are you not taking food?"

"No, my son," replied the stork. "I have spent my life by the side of this tank and I was happy. But time is changing, all the fishes and other animals will die."

“But, why uncle?” asked the crab. The stork replied, “I have heard that there will be no rain for twelve years and this pond will become dry. All the fishes and other animals will, naturally, die. I came to know about this from an astrologer.

All the creatures of the pond heard this and came nearer to the stork. They were very afraid. They all requested the stork to give them some ideas so that they can survive. The stork pretended to be serious and said, “I am the only bird here. But I shall try my best to save you all. There is a big and deep pond a little away from this. That tank will not dry even if there is no rain for twelve years. If you want, I can take you all, one by one there.”

“You are our only friend and can save us," said the fishes and other creatures. They all requested the stork to carry them to the bigger tank.

"Alright, I shall try my best," the stork said. He then took one fish in his beak and flew away. He did not take the fish to another tank, as he assured. He took the fish near a big rock and smashed and ate it.

By this way, he was taking a few fishes every day and had his meal. The days were passing happily for the stork.

One day, the big crab came near the stork and said, “Uncle, this is not fair. You are favouring only the fishes. Every day you take them to another pond. When will you take me there?”

The stork was tired of eating fishes. He felt to change his taste. So, he told, “My son, today I shall carry you to the bigger tank."

The crab was happy. The stork picked up the crab and flew. The crab could not find any big tank as told by the stork. The stork came down nearer to the ground. The crab now became suspicious.

"Uncle, where is the big tank?” he asked the stork. The stork replied, “See the big rock below. I am taking you there. I also brought all the fishes there."

The crab now could see the big rock. There was heap of bones and skeletons of fishes on the rock. The crab became frightened. He was sure that the stork would kill him.

The crab now put his sharp claws round the neck of the stork. The stork struggled to escape, but the crab pressed his claws hard and the stork fell on the ground. The crab cut the head of the stork with his sharp claws and came back to the lake. The animals in the lake were surprised to see him with the head of the stork. “Why have you come back? What happened to the stork?”, they asked. He then told how the stork was cheating them and was killing fishes every day for his food. Thus, the life of the cheat stork came to an end.

Moral: A wrongdoer cannot survive long

GLOSSARY

• stork - a large white and black wading bird with a great red bill & red legs.
• crab - a ten footed, short-bodied, short-tailed crustacean.
• creature - an animated bing.
• starvation - the act of starving.
• frighten - terrify.
• escape - free from.

QUESTION BANK

1. What was the plan of the stork?
2. How was the stork's plan end?
3. What is the moral?

THE KING FROG AND THE SNAKE

In a well, there lived a king frog along with his subjects, relatives and friends. One day, he was insulted by some of his subjects. He was shocked and was thinking of taking revenge. He came out of the well and was sitting alone. He then noticed a snake entering a hole. He thought, "If I take this snake into the well, I can destroy my enemies.”

So, he went near to the hole and called, “Hello! Dear Shake, how are you?" Hearing this, the snake was worried. “This is not a snake's voice. I have no friends or relatives. So, I should not respond and keep quiet inside the hole," he thought to himself.

The king frog again said, "Hello! Dear snake, please come out of the hole." The snake now thought, “I must find out who it can be.”

He replied, "Who are you? Why have you come here?”

The frog told, “I am the king frog. I live in a well nearby.” The snake now told, “Why are you calling me?" The frog replied, “I have come here for your friendship.” Hearing this the snake said, “How could I believe that you have come here for the shake of friendship. Frogs and snakes are enemies of each other by nature and character. It is like an association of firewood with fire."

The frog said, "That is true, you and I are adverse by nature. But because of ill-treatment by others I have come to you." The snake asked, "How were you insulted and who insulted you?”

The frog told, "I am the king of the frogs. My subjects have insulted me. I want to take revenge." "How could I help you in doing so," the snake told. The frog suggested, “You come to the well with me. Plenty of frogs are staying there. You will be able to kill the frogs and have your food easily.” The snake now told, “I have no feet, so I can not enter there. There is no suitable place from where I could kill your subjects.” The frog replied, “Come with me. I will arrange your entry through an easy way. Near the water, there is a very nice secret place. Staying there, you will be able to kill the frogs at ease."

Hearing this, the snake thought, “I am getting old. Very occasionally I can catch my prey. Now this frog has come to show me an easy method for my food. I can eat the frogs.” Thinking this, the snake told, "O.K., if that is so, then take me to your place."

The Frog now told, “I will take you there very easily and show your place. But you must not eat my friends. You will eat only those whom I point out."

"Now you have become my friend. So you need not fear. I shall eat the frogs as per your direction, the snake said. Then the snake came out of his hole and went towards the well along the frog. Reaching the well, the frog went to his house by way of a water wheel along with the snake. He took the snake to the secret place inside the well. Then the frog pointed out his enemies. The snake began to eat the frogs one by one.

In the course of time, the snake ate all the frogs pointed out by the king frog. The snake now told the frog, "Sir, I have eaten all your enemies. Now give me something to eat, for which I was brought here."

The king frog replied, "You have done your duty as a friend. Now you should leave this place and go to your hole.” The snake became surprised and said, "This is not fair. How can I go there? My hole might have been occupied by someone else. So, I must stay here and you must give me your own frogs for my meal. Otherwise I will eat them all."

The distressed king frog thought, “Alas! What have I done by bringing the snake here? If I do not agree with his proposal, he will eat us all at a time. So I must give one of my friends to him every day for his meal.”

He thus decided to give the snake one frog every day for his meal. The snake would eat them, but he would eat other frogs also which the king frog was not knowing. One day, the snake ate the son of the king frog. Seeing this, the king frog was very much shocked and afraid also. His wife told, “You are responsible for this. You brought this snake here. Now there is no one of our class who will save us from danger. So think of some ways for our own escape."

After few days, the snake told the king frog, "I am hungry. There is no frog for my meal. Give me something to eat." The king frog replied, "My friend, do not worry at all while I am here. If you allow, I shall bring frogs from other wells." The snake told, "You are my friend, if you do this I shall be very happy."

The king frog and his wife came out of the well. The snake remained inside eagerly awaiting the frog. When the king frog did not return for a long time, the snake requested a lizard, who also lived in the same place, “Madam, help me a little. You know that the king frog has gone to another well. Please go there and tell him to return quickly. If the other frogs are not interested to come, please tell him to come alone. I shall not harm him, I promise."

The lizard went to another well and located the king frog and told, “Sir, your friend, the snake is waiting for you inside the well. He has requested you to go there quickly. Moreover, he has promised that he will not harm you.

The king frog and his wife did not return because they were afraid that the snake might kill them even.

Moral: Make friendship within your own class.

GLOSSARY

• revenge - retaliate.
• shake - cause to tremble.
• adverse -contrary, unfavourable.
• o.k - all correct; all right; I agree.
• escape - free from: pass by
• lizzard - a kind of reptile having a long body and tail and four legs.

QUESTION BANK

1. Why did the king frog seek the snake's help?
2. What was the consequence at last?
3. What is the moral?

THE GIRL WHO MARRIED A SNAKE 

In a village there lived a Brahmin and his wife. They were very sad because they had no children. They always prayed to God so that they might be blessed with a child.

At last, the Brahmin's wife had a baby but the child was a snake and not a human baby. The Brahmin and his wife was shocked. Their relatives advised them to leave the snake. The Brahmin's wife did not agree to that. The snake was her son and she loved him.

She looked after the snake very carefully and brought up with love and affection. The snake grew up gradually. His parents also loved him very much.

One day, there was a wedding ceremony in the neighbourhood of the Brahmin's house. Then, the Brahmin's wife thought to get her son married. But no one was ready to marry a snake. The Brahmin's wife was always in search of a girl for her son.

Being frustrated, the Brahmin's wife was weeping. When the Brahmin saw his wife with tears, he asked, "What happened to you? Why are you crying?” She did not reply. "Tell me, what can I do for you,” the Brahmin repeated.

Now, the Brahmin's wife told her husband, "You do not like my son because he is a snake. You do not take any interest with him. What can I do for your son?" the Brahmin asked, "Have you seen that our son has grown up? You do not think of his marriage," the wife reacted. The Brahmin now told, "Who will marry our son? He is a snake. No girl will marry him."

The Brahmin's wife did not respond. She went on crying. The Brahmin then decided that he would search for a girl for his son. So he travelled many places to find a girl. But not a single girl was ready to marry a snake. Lastly, he came to a village where one of his friends lived. The Brahmin had not met his friend for a long time. He decided to go to his friend. His friend was very happy to see the Brahmin. They talked for a long time. The Brahmin took his lunch there also, now the Brahmin was ready to leave.

His friend then asked, "why are you travelling?” The Brahmin replied, “I am looking for a bride for my son." "Why did not you tell me?" his friend asked. “I have a beautiful daughter. She is quite grown up also. I shall give my daughter to you as a bride for your son." The Brahmin was glad and afraid too. He told his friend, "It would be better if you see my son before you offer your daughter."

"There is no reason to see your son. I know you and your wife. You are very good and definitely your son will also be like you," his friend replied.

The Brahmin came back to his home with happy mood. He told everything to his wife. His wife was very happy. "At last we have got a girl who has agreed to marry our son," she said.

So they started preparation for the wedding. The Brahmin's wife told the neighbour about her son's marriage. Her neighbours were very much surprised. They could not understand how a girl could marry a snake. So they went to the girl and told her not to marry the snake. The girl did not listen to their advice.

She told them, "My father has promised the Brahmin that I would marry his son. I cannot go against what my father has promised. Even if the Brahmin's son is a snake, I shall marry him only."

After few days, the marriage between the snake and the girl took place. She began to live with her husband, the snake. She loved her husband very much and did everything for him. The snake used to sleep in a wooden box.

One night, when the girl was going to bed, she saw a handsome and beautiful young man in her room. She was afraid to see an unknown man in her room. She was trying to run away. The young man said, "Do not run away. I am your husband." The girl did not believe it. Now, to prove that he is her husband, the young man entered into the snake's skin. After that he came out of the skin as a young man. When the girl saw this, she was very happy.

At night, after everyone had gone to bed, the young man would come out of the snake's skin and stay with the girl. But in the early morning, he would again go back into the snake's skin.

One night, the Brahmin heard someone talking in the room of her daughter-in-law. He kept watch for some days. Then he saw that the snake turning into a young man. The Brahmin immediately entered the room and took out the snake's skin and threw it.

The young man told the Brahmin, "Thank you very much, dear father. Because of the curse, I had to remain as a snake. Now you have saved me and I am free from the curse."

After that, the Brahmin and his wife was living happily with their handsome son and beautiful daughter-in-law.

Moral: God helps one who believes oneself.

GLOSSARY

weeping - shed tears.
bride - a woman newly married or engaged to be married.

QUESTION BANK

1. Why did none agree to marry the Brahmin's son?
2. Who was the snake and why?
3. What is the moral? 

THE DONKEY AND THE JACKAL

In a certain forest there lived a lion. A jackal was his permanent follower and attendant.

One day, during a fight with an elephant, the lion received such heavy blows on his body, that he became unable to move even a step. Because of this condition of the lion, he could not go out for hunting. His attendant jackal also could not get any food. He became weak with hunger. Then he told the lion, “Master, I am dying with hunger. I cannot take even one step. Then how can I serve you?"

The lion said: “Go, and search for someone whom I can kill even in my present condition.” Hearing this, the jackal began to search. In due course he came to a nearby village. There he saw a donkey grazing by the side of a tank. Approaching him, he said “Uncle, I have not seen you since long. Why have you become so weak?”

"O nephew," replied the donkey, “what can I say. The washerman is merciless and tortures me with excessive loads. He does not give me food. I eat only plants mixed with dust. Then how can I be strong?"

The jackal said: “Is that so, uncle? There is a beautiful place by the side of a river full of grass. Come there and stay with me."

“Well nephew," replied the donkey, but we are domestic animals and prey of those who move in the forests. So what good is that beautiful place for me?"

"Do not speak so," said the jackal, “that place is under my protection. No one can come there. Further, due to the same problem of oppression by the washerman, three asses are already there. They have regained their health, and they have told me: 'If you are a true uncle to us, then go to the village and fetch a friend for us.' For this also I will take you there."

Hearing the jackal the donkey said: "if that is so, then I may go."

The donkey followed the jackal and went towards the lion's den. The lion saw the jackal coming with a donkey. When they came nearer to the lion, he gave a blow to the donkey. The donkey somehow managed to escape and fled away.

The jackal was shocked and told the lion "Oh, what kind of a blow is that, where even a donkey gets away from you by force. Then how will you do battle with the elephant? You must be more forceful."

The lion smiled, "What could I do? I was not quite ready for the attack. Otherwise even an elephant would not have escaped from my attack."

The jackal said: "Even now I can bring him back once more. But you must stand ready for the attack."

“But”, said the lion "he fled after having seen me with his own eyes. How will he come here again?”

"That is none of your business," replied the jackal, “You should only stand ready. That is my job.” So he followed the donkey and found him grazing in the same place.

Seeing the jackal, the donkey said: "That was a fine place you took me, nephew. Tell me, who was that from whose blow, I have escaped.

The jackal laughed and said: “Sir, seeing you an ass came to embrace you. You ran away like a coward."

Then, having listened to the jackal's words with faith, the donkey went with him once more.

Thereafter the lion, who was ready and poised for the attack, duly killed the donkey. Appointing the jackal to stand guard, he then went to the river to have a bath. Meanwhile, the donkey's brain and ears were eaten by the jackal in a fit of greed. When the lion returned after his bath, the donkey lay without ears and brain.

Then the lion told the jackal "Ah, what is this improper deed that you have done, by eating its ears and brain."

“Master," replied the jackal humbly, “do not speak thus. This donkey was without ears and brain from the beginning. It is only thus that he had come here and seen you and he came back once again.”

The lion was convinced by this explanation and dividing the prey with the jackal he ate it.

Moral: A fool cannot survive.

GLOSSARY

• grazing - the act of feeding (cattle) on grass.
• oppression - cruelty, hardship
• embrace - fold in the arms.
• convince - satisfy by proof.
• prey - that which is or may be seized to be devoured.

QUESTION BANK

1. How clever was the jackal?
2. How fool was the donkey?
3. What is the moral?

THE ELEPHANT AND THE RABBIT

There lived in a forest a mighty elephant who was the leader of a herd of elephants.

Once there was a great drought which lasted for many years. Because of it all the lakes, pools and springs became dry. Then all the elephants told the leader, “Lord, our calves are almost dead with thirst. Some have already died. So, we must search for some water for them to drink and regain their health,

After thinking for long, the leader said: "There is a deep pool in the middle of some land in a lonely place. It is always full, let us go there."

Having so decided, they reached the pool. There they went into the water at will, coming out only at sunset.

Around that pool there were countless houses of rabbits located in the soft earth. They were all damaged by the elephants. Many rabbits were hurt. Some suffered broken heads, necks and limbs, some were killed and some were left alive.

When the elephant herd had gone, the rabbits gathered quickly. Their homes had been crushed by the elephants' feet; some had broken limbs, some had bloodstained bodies and some died. They began to think! We are lost. This elephant herd will come here every day, so all will be destroyed.”


“We must think of some solution for this problem." Then one suggested, "We must leave this place. What else can we do?”

But the others said: "Oh, the land of our fathers and grandfathers cannot be left suddenly. Let us do something."

Then said some others "If that be so, then there must be some way, so that they will not come again. And that requires clever management. Our king lives on the moon. Let us send one to the leader of this elephant herd, who will say that the Moon King forbids your coming to this pool, if he is convinced, they may go away.

“In that case," said others, "there is a rabbit who is clever with words and knows diplomacy. Let us send him."

Then all of them decided, "This is indeed appropriate. There is no other solution for us. Let us do that." Then they deputed that rabbit to go to the leader of the elephants.

Thus appointed, the rabbit went to the elephants' path and, climbing to the high place, addressed the elephant king, "why have you come to the lake of the Moon? Entry here is forbidden. Go away."

Hearing this, the elephant said, "Who are you?" He replied: "I, the rabbit live in the lunar world. At present I have been sent as a messenger to you by the Moon God."

Then the elephant said, “O rabbit, then speak out the Moon God's message which must be executed quickly." He replied, "Sir many rabbits were killed by your coming here the other day with your herd. So, if you are interested to live, then you must not come to this lake for whatever reason. This is the message.

The elephant said: "Well, where is the Moon God?" "At present," replied the rabbit, "the god is in the lake, where he has come to console the rabbits."

"Then show me your master," said the elephant, “so that I may salute him before going elsewhere." The rabbit replied: "Come alone with me for this."


Then the rabbit took the elephant to the lakeshore at night, and showing him the moon's reflection in the water, said: "that is our master. He sits in deep meditation in the water. Salute him silently and quickly go on your way. For, if his meditation is disturbed, he will be very angry."

Then the elephant was afraid, and saluting the reflection he went away. From that day the rabbits lived happily in their own homes with their families.

Moral: An intelligent defeat a mighty.

GLOSSARY

• drought - want of rain over a prolonged period.
• hurt - pain.
• limb - an arm; a leg.
• forbid - prohibit.
• diplomacy - political skill.
• lunar - of the moon.
• console - solace; comfort.

QUESTION BANK

1. Why did the herd of elephants go to the lake?
2. How did the rabbit let the elephants go away?
3. What is the moral? 

THE SAGE AND THE MOUSE

Long ago on the banks of a river, there lived a sage. He had spent many years in meditation. He was learned and wise.

One morning, when the sage was in his prayers in the river, an eagle dropped a tiny mouse in his hands.

“Oh what a tiny mouse! If I leave it, the eagle may try again to eat. Let me take it home with me," the sage decided.

The wise sage turned the mouse into a little girl by using his yogic powers and took her home. His wife was delighted to see the baby girl and said, “I will bring her up with love and care like my own daughter."

As years passed, the little baby grew up to be a very beautiful girl. One day the sage's wife said, “Don't you think we should find a suitable husband for our daughter?”

"You are right," said the sage, "we must find somebody who is really worthy of her. I think the sun would be a good choice."

The sage used his powers and called the sun. He told the sun, "You marry my daughter." Then turning to his daughter he asked, “Will you marry the sun? He gives light and warmth to the world.”

"No, no, father," said the girl, "I do not like him because he is hot. I want to marry somebody greater than him.”

The sage looked at the sun and asked, “Oh, sun, who is greater than you."

“The cloud is greater than me. Whenever he comes in front of me I can't be seen,” replied the sun.

The sage then called the cloud and asked the girl," Will you marry him?”

"No father," replied the girl, “He is dark, dull and cold. Please find somebody better.”

The sage asked the cloud, “Oh, cloud who is better than you?”

“The wind is greater than me," replied the cloud, "It can push me around wherever it wants.”

The sage then called the wind. “Dear daughter, will you marry the wind” ask the sage.

“No-No! Father,” said the girl, "The wind is restless. It is always rushing about. Don’t like him." "Who is greater than you?” asked the sage to the wind. “The mountain is greater than me. No matter how hard I push, I cannot move him."

The sage then called the Mountain. “Will you marry the mountain?" he asked his daughter.

"No, No, father," cried the girl, "I don't want to marry him. He is too tall and rough, Please find somebody better."

"Oh, mountain, who is better than you," the sage asked. The mountain told, "I am very strong, tall and great but mouse can drill holes in me. So I think mouse is better than me."

The sage then called a mouse. When the mouse appeared, the girl jumped with joy. He cried with excitement and told the sage, **Father, I like him. I want to marry him."

Moral: Reality does not change with the appearance.

GLOSSARY

• worthy - value.
• rough - not level.

QUESTION BANK

1. Who is better than whom here?
2. How the Mouse became a girl?
3. What is the moral?

THE UNGRATEFUL GOLDSMITH 

Many years ago, a poor Brahmin lived in a small village. He was looking for a job but could find it.

The Brahmin was tired of being poor. He decided to leave home.

He roamed here and there and reached a jungle. He was very hungry and thirsty. "If I could get some water," he thought, as he looked around. Then he saw a well, went near it and looked inside.

The Brahmin was shocked. A tiger, a monkey, a snake and a man were inside the well.

Seeing the Brahmin, the tiger shouted, "O, kind Sir! Please take me out. My wife and children are waiting for me at home. They must be very worried."

The Brahmin asked, "Do you think I am crazy? If I pull you out, you will kill me and eat me up.”

The tiger replied, “Dear Brahmin, don't be afraid. I promise not to harm you. Take pity on me, sir."

The Brahmin was a good and kind-hearted man. The Brahmin stood on the edge of the well and pulled the tiger out.

"You are very heavy," he said as he fell on the ground. The tiger thanked the Brahmin and said "May God bless you!"

Then he pointed towards a mountain and told, “I live in a cave over there. Come to me if you ever need my help.”

Now the monkey called the Brahmin and told, “Good sir! I can't jump out of the well. Please pull me out, too."

So the Brahmin pulled out the monkey. The monkey said, “Thank you very much. Sir, I live on a mango tree near the hill. If you ever need food, just let me know, I'll get you tasty fruit to eat.”

Then the snake also called the Brahmin and told, "Holy Sir, please save my life.”

“Save your life?” asked the Brahmin. “Do you think, I am a fool? If I save you, you'll bite me at once.”

The snake replied, "No. Sir, I'll never bite the man who saves my life. I promise."

The kind Brahmin believed him and pulled him out. The snake thanked him and said, “Sir, just call me if you are ever in trouble. I'll come at once."

Before leaving, the animals warned the Brahmin. They said, "Don't help the man inside the well. He cannot be trusted. You'll be in trouble if you save him.”

After the three animals left, the man inside the well shouted, “O, Brahmin! You have helped the others. Now take me out."

Filled with pity, the Brahmin pulled him out.

“Thank you so much!" said the man. "I am a poor goldsmith. I live in a town nearby. If there's anything I can do for you, just let me know."

The Brahmin roamed around for many days but found no work. He felt very sad and unhappy. Suddenly he remembered the promise made by the tiger, the monkey, the snake and the goldsmith. He decided to take their help.

First, he went to the monkey and told him, "I am very hungry. I have not eaten for many days. Please can you give me some food?" "Yes, of course", replied the monkey. Then he brought fresh fruits for the Brahmin

"Delicious!" said the Brahmin. He ate up all the fruits.

He then thanked the monkey and left. The Brahmin went to the tiger next. The tiger came out of the cave to meet the Brahmin. He gave him some gold ornaments and said, "I took these ornaments from a prince. You can sell it at a good price."

The Brahmin was very happy with the gift. "Dear tiger, you kept your promise. Thank you so much", he said and went away.

The Brahmin then thought, “I'll sell these gold ornaments and became very rich. But to whom I will sell?”

He remembered the goldsmith's promise. He went to the goldsmith. The goldsmith was happy to see him. "What can I do for you, sir?" he asked.

"Can you sell these ornaments for me? I need money", said the Brahmin.

The goldsmith saw the ornaments and was surprised. "I'll try my best. But first, let me show them to another goldsmith, please wait here. I'll be back soon", he said and went away.

The goldsmith took the ornaments to the king and said, "I had made these ornaments for your son. He was killed and his ornaments were taken away. A Brahmin has brought these to me."

Filled with anger, the king ordered his guards, “Arrest the Brahmin at once. He had killed my son and stole his ornaments. He must be punished." The Brahmin was arrested and sent to jail. He was surprised and shocked.

"Why have you brought me here? I have done no wrong," he asked the guards. The guards told him about his crime.

Suddenly he remembered the snake promise. “O, snake!” he shouted. "Please help me."

The snake now crawled inside the jail and asked, “How can I help you, dear friend?”

The Brahmin told him the entire story, “If you don't save me, I shall die."

The clever snake said, "I have a plan. Tonight I'll bite the queen. She will then faint. No one will be able to save her except you."

“How will I do that?” the Brahmin asked.

“Only when you touch her forehead, she will wake up", the snake replied.

That night, the snake bit the queen and she fell into a deep sleep.

The news of snake bite spread all over the kingdom. Doctors from far and wide came and treated the queen, but they all failed.

Finding no other alternative, the king announced a big reward for anyone who could cure the queen.

The Brahmin told the guards of the jail, "I can cure the queen, please let me go to the palace."

The Brahmin was then taken to the queen. She was in a deep sleep. The poison had turned her blue.

The Brahmin placed his hand on her forehead. At once she woke up. The poison had left her body.

The king was very happy and told the Brahmin to take the award. The Brahmin now requested the king that he had something to say. He then narrated the entire story. Hearing this, the king became angry.

He ordered his guards to arrest the goldsmith and punished him.

He then thanked the Brahmin and gave him his award and the gold ornaments also.

Moral: Don't trust the wicked persons.

GLOSSARY

• roam - rove about; ramble.
• crazy - widely enthusiastic.
• faint - weak; dim.
• forehead - the part of the face above the eyes.

QUESTION BANK

1. How did the Brahmin help the animals?
2. How did the Goldsmith prove himself ungrateful?
3. How was the Brahmin awarded by the king?
4. What is the moral?

THE BRAHMIN THE DEMON AND THE THIEF 

Once there lived a Brahmin in a small village. He used to spent his days in pujas.

One day after performing the puja at a rich man's house, he received two calves as a gift. He took the calves home and kept them in a shed. He took lot of care of the calves.

One day a thief was passing by the Brahmin's house. “Such good calves!” he thought, "I shall steal them tonight."

As night fell, the thief entered the Brahmin's house. He looked around to see that nobody was watching him. When he was sure, he slowly began to enter the shed. Just then there was thunder and lightening and a big demon appeared.

"Who are you?” cried the thief.

"I am a demon, who are you?” asked the demon.

"I am a thief. I have come to steal the calves from this Brahmin's house," the thief replied in fear.

"But I am very hungry. I'm going to eat you up,” the demon told.

"No! No! Please don't eat me," cried the thief, "I have an idea. While I'm stealing the calves, you eat up the Brahmin."

“All right,” said the demon. "Let's go in."

The thief and the demon quietly entered the Brahmin's room.

“What a fat Brahmin!" said the demon, “he looks delicious. I want to eat him right now.”

“No!” said the thief, “You'll have to wait. I'll first take the calves otherwise the Brahmin may wake up.”

"No! No!” shouted the demon angrily. "I'm very hungry. I'll eat the Brahmin first otherwise if the calves start mooing, the Brahmin will wake up."

"No! I'll steal the calves first,” the thief insisted.

“No! No!” I'll eat the Brahmin first," the demon repeated.

By all this shouting, the Brahmin woke up. “Who are you and what are you doing in my house?” he demanded. "Brahmin, this is a demon. He wants to eat you up," said the thief. “The demon said, "Brahmin, he is a thief. He has come to steal the calves."

On hearing this the Brahmin became frightened. He at once sat down to pray. "God,” he murmured with his eyes closed, "please drive this demon away." Instantly the demon vanished.

“God has taken care of the demon. Now I'll take care of you," said the Brahmin. He picked up a stick and beat the thief so badly that he ran away to save his life.

"Thank God, I have managed to save my own life and my calves," said the Brahmin.

Moral: Face bravely every hurdle in life.

GLOSSARY

• calve - bring forth a call.
• moony - dreamy, absent-minded.
• murmur - a low or grumbling sound.

QUESTION BANK

1. How and why did the Brahmin treat the Thief and the Demon?
2. How was the Brahmin saved?
3. What is the moral?

THE CLEVER SNAKE AND THE FOOLISH FROG PRINCE

Once upon a time, there was a snake in a forest. He had become old and weak. Most of the time he had to remain hungry as he could not catch his prey easily anymore
.
One day, the snake was looking for food when he saw a lake full of frogs.

“These frogs look delicious," said the snake. “I wish I could eat them." But as he went near them, they went into the water and disappeared.

"I'll have to think of some way to trick them," the snake thought.

So the snake closed his eyes and became very still. The frogs saw the snake lying and became curious.

"Why is that snake not trying to catch us?” asked one frog.

"Maybe he is dead," said the second one.

"Let's go and find out for ourselves," suggested the frog prince.

"No, my son," said sais the frog queen, "You should not do so, he may eat you up."

The frog prince did not listen to his mother. He went near the snake but the snake did not move. He pushed a stone to the snake.

The snake then opened his eyes. The frog prince got afraid and moved away quickly

"Don't be scared of me, my son,” said the snake. "I will not harm you. Long ago, I bit the son of a sage. The sage got very angry and cursed me. He said that I'll never be able to eat frogs again. Instead I'll have to serve frogs by carrying them on my back.”

"Is it so?" asked the foolish frog prince believing the snake's false story.

"Yes, your highness," said the snake, “I am your servant. Please ride on my back.”

The frog prince climbed on the back of the cunning snake. “Take me to my parents,” he ordered.

“Of course, your majesty,” said the snake, as he went toward the king's palace.

"Get off that snake at once," cried the frog queen, as she was shocked to see that her son riding the snake.

"Don't worry. This snake will not harm us," said the frog’s prince narrating the story.

"In that case even we would like to have a ride," said the king and the queen frog.

The snake's mouth watered as the thought of delicious frogs sitting on his back. But he knew that he had to be patient.

For several days the snake carried the frogs' royal family. One day he stopped suddenly.

“What's wrong?” asked the frog prince, "Why have you stopped?”

“I have not eaten for many days and I'm feeling weak to carry on," said the snake sadly, "If you allow, I would like to eat some frogs."

“But how can I allow you to eat them?”' asked the prince frog looking very upset.

"If you don't allow, me to eat frogs, I'll soon die and there will be nobody to take you around,” said the cunning snake.

"In that case, you can eat some frogs!” said the frog prince.

The snake started eating the frogs one by one. Gradually he became stronger.

After some time the snake could not find a single frog. He went to the king and said “There is not a single frog left in the lake.”

"Is that so?” said the frog king.

“Yes!” said the snake licking his lips, “I've eaten all the frogs one by one. I'm feeling hungry right now, so today it's your turn.” Saying this the snake quickly ate the frog king, the frog queen and the little frog prince

Moral: Never believe promises made by an enemy, try to find the reality.

GLOSSARY

• majesty - a title of a queen.
• royal - relating to or starting from a king or a queen.
• upset - turn upside down.

QUESTION BANK

1. How cunning was the snake ?
2. What made the frogs fall in danger by the snake ?
3. How did danger happen to the frogs?
4. What is the moral?

THE COBRA AND THE CROW

There lived a pair of crows, husband and wife, on top of a big banyan tree. They built their nest on a branch of the tree and was living happily.

But, whenever the female crow hatched her eggs, a black cobra would come out of the tree, climb up and ate them. The cobra used to live in a hole of the same tree.

The crows were helpless and very much unhappy. They were afraid of the snake. They did not want to live so close to the snake. Nearby, there lived a jackal! The Crow told him everything! “Friend," they said “the black cobra creeps out of the hollow of the tree and eats up our children. Tell us what can we do to protect them? It has become dangerous for us to live here."

"Do not give up hope," said the jackal. “It is a fact that an enemy can be destroyed by a trick. I know what you should do," the jackal thought for a while and told the plan to the crows.

"Have you seen the palace there?” said the jackal. “Some princes live there. It is the habit of the princes to take bath in the river. They come every morning with their servants. When they do so, they remove all their jewels and keep those on the bank of the river. The servants look after the jewels," the jackal added. “You go to the bank of the river in the morning. Wait there for the princes to come. When the princes will keep the jewels on the bank of the river, pick up a gold necklace and fly away." the jackal advised.

The crows did exactly what the jackal advised. The female crow swiftly picked up a necklace and flew away. At the same time, the male crow made noise to draw the attention of the servants.

The servants saw the crow taking away the necklace. They all chased the crow to recover the same. But the crow was flying very quickly. Soon she reached the big banyan tree. She then dropped the necklace in the snake's hole.

The servants who were chasing the crow saw all these. They tried to recover the necklace from the hole by using long sticks but could not.

By all these acts of the servants, the snake became angry and came out of the hole.

The servants now beat the snake with sticks and killed. They took the necklace and went away.

The crows were very very happy. They got rid of their wicked neighbour. They thanked their friend, the jackal for advice. They lived peacefully with their new children.

Moral: Trick is your weapon for a cunning enemy.

GLOSSARY

• hatch - produce from eggs by incubation.
• trick - artifice
• bank - the margin of a river.
• cunning - artful.

QUESTION BANK

1. How did the crows get red of their wicked enemy?
2. What was the jackals advice to the crows?
3. What is the moral?

THE TORTOISE AND TWO BIRDS.

There was a big lake at the outskirt of a village. One tortoise lived in that lake. Two swans also lived there. The swans and the tortoise were good friends. They all were very very friends. They would play with each other for hours every day and spent time in peace and happiness.

After few years, that part of the country had no rains. All the rivers and lakes dried up. This lake also began to dry. Birds and other animals went to a place of safety.

The swans were very much worried about this. One day they went to the tortoise and told, “This lake is becoming dry. How shall we survive here without water?"

“My dear friends," replied the tortoise, “It's true that it is impossible to live here. But we have to find out some way out. You look for a lake full of water where we can stay happily."

So, the swans went for searching a lake. They found a lake full of water. There were plenty of fishes in the lake. They came back and told their friends about it.

They all became excited and told each other, "Now we have no problem. We can go to the lake."  “But there is only one problem." said the swans, 'Two of us can fly and reach the lake easily. But you crawl very slowly. The lake is far away from this place. How you will reach there ?” they added.

The tortoise now told, "I am your friend. Don't leave me here, take me with you." "How can we take you there? We can fly but you can not," said the swans.

 It is true that I can not fly but if you help me, I can go there," the tortoise told. “Bring a stick. I shall hold the middle of the stick with my mouth. You will hold the two ends of the sticks with your beaks. Now I can fly with you to our new destination, the tortoise further added.

The swans thought for a while and told, “We will do what you suggest but there is one danger in your plan. If you open your mouth while we will be flying, you may fall off the stick.”

"I am not foolish. I shall not open my mouth while you fly." the tortoise assured. So, according to the plan the swans brought a stick and hold it with their beaks at the two ends. The tortoise holds the middle portion of the stick with his mouth. The swans now began to fly carrying the tortoise. They reminded the tortoise about the danger immediately before they took off.

They flew higher and crossed lands and fields, finally they were flying over a town. The people of the town noticed the strange sight in the sky. They had never seen such funny things.

They all gathered and told, “Look, two swans are carrying a dead tortoise.” They all started laughing and clapping. The tortoise was very angry. “Why the people are laughing at me," he opened his mouth to ask. The moment the tortoise opened his mouth to speak, he fell down to earth. Then, he was crushed to death.

Moral: Follow good advice.

GLOSSARY

• skirt - a border, a margin.
• swan - a long-necked waterfowl.

QUESTION BANK

1. What were the funny things?
2. Why was the tortoise angry?
3. What is the moral?

THE FAITHFUL MONGOOSE

Once, there lived a Brahmin in a small village. He had his wife and a small baby. The baby was very beautiful. Both the Brahmin and his wife loved their baby a lot.

One evening, the Brahmin's wife was returning home from work. She saw a little baby Mongoose lying on the field. "It would surely die”, thought the woman, “If I leave it here”. So, she brought the little Mongoose to her home.

“Where did you get this?” said the Brahmin. "I found it lying alone in the field so I brought it,” replied the woman. “We shall take care of the Mongoose along with our child," the Brahmin said.

The Brahmin and his wife brought up the Mongoose along with their baby with care, love and affection. The baby Mongoose grew up very quickly. In a few months, it grew big but the Brahmin's son was still a baby. The Mongoose played with the child. Their days were full of joy. Their friendship became very cordial. They were like two brothers.

Seeing the Mongoose becoming quite grown up, the Brahmin's wife thought, “After all, it is an animal. It has all the imperfections of animal-kind and may cause harm to my child.” She used to keep watch on it, whenever it played with her son.

One day, the Brahmin was away from his home on his job and the woman had to bring water from the river for cooking. She was thinking what to do. She, then, found the son sleeping in the cradle. She also found the Mongoose sleeping on the floor. Taking the opportunity, the Brahmin's wife took her pitcher and went to the river quickly.

The Mongoose woke up with a 'hiss-hiss' noise and saw a large poisonous snake coming out of a hole and crawling towards the child. There was a big fight between the Mongoose and the snake. Ultimately, the Mongoose was able to kill the snake and thus saved the life of the child. The Mongoose was also wounded.

The Brahmin's wife returned home with her pot of water and found the Mongoose outside. The Mongoose ran to her eagerly with a wish to show her how bravely he had protected his young brother from danger. The Brahmin's wife, on the other hand, was very shocked to see blood on his face and all over the body. “You wicked animal, you have killed my son,” she was screaming, "I will also kill you.” In anger, she threw the heavy pot on the head of the Mongoose and rushed inside with a heavy heart.

To her surprise, she found her baby sleeping peacefully. She cooled down and now she noticed the snake lying dead, torn into pieces. Then she realized what had actually happened. She came out running to the Mongoose, “You have saved my son." But, the Mongoose could not hear anything because it was dead. The Brahmin's wife felt guilty for her hasty action.

Moral: Hasty decision leads to disaster.

GLOSSARY

• mongoose - an ichneumon, common in India and able to kill venomous snakes unharmed.
• cordial - hearty
• cradle - a rocking bed for infants.
• pitcher - a vessel for holding water.
• scream- cry out with a shrill voice.
• hasty - quick

QUESTION BANK

1. How much faithful was the Mongoose?
2. What was his fate and why?
3. What is the moral?

COMMON QUESTIONS and ANSWERS ABOUT PANCHATANTRA

1. What are the 5 Tantras or Principles of Panchatantra?

Ans: 

Five Tantras or Principles of Panchatantra
Book subtitle	Meaning in English
1. Mitra Bhedha	Loss of Friends
2. Mitra Laabha	Gaining Friends
3. Suhrudbheda	Causing discord between Friends
4. Vigraha	Separation
5. Sandhi	Union

2. When was the Panchatantra written?

Ans: Panchatantra is animal base fables and the India-born Anglo-Indian writer Rudyard Kipling’s Jungle Book by thousands of years. The original Panchatantra was written by Vishnu Sharma in the Sanskrit language at about 2nd century BCE, but the current composition was written in 300 CE when Brahminical Hinduism was revived under the patronage of the Gupta kings.

3. What is the moral of Panchatantra?

Ans: Panchatantra is known as the "Nitishastra" which means " a book of wise conduct in life."

4. Who created Panchatantra? 
or
Who wrote Panchatantra and why? 
or
Who wrote Panchatantra stories in English?

Ans: The King Amarashakti had three sons. They all were very foolish and naughty. The king was looking for a teacher who could teach them. The king entrusted Pandit Vishnu Sharma for this job.
He imparted teaching to them through stories, specially by composing tales. These tales are "Panchatantra," written by Pandit Vishnu Sharma.

5. What is Panchatantra in English? 
or 
What is the meaning of Panchatantra stories? 
or
What are the contents of Panchatantra?  

Ans: The word “Panchatantra” is a Sanskrit word. It is a combination of the words Pancha – meaning five and Tantra – meaning weave.

6. Why is Panchatantra important?

Ans: Panchatantra is a story book which teaches children about the value of friendship, how to understand people, how to protect ourselves from our enemies, how to form alliances and face our enemies if it comes to war and how to live in peace and harmony. This is told in simple interesting stories. Importance of reading it will definitely improve our commonsense.

7. What is the theme of Panchatantra?

Ans: Not surprisingly, the running theme of the `Panchatantra' is "Knowledge is the true organ of sight, not the eyes" and is a practical guide to "Nitishastra" or the art of intelligent living. It's mean " a book of wise conduct in life."

8. Is Panchatantra a folktale?

Ans: In my opinion, If "folktale" means "a story originating in popular culture, typically passed on by word of mouth" then it is not a folktale cause Panchatantra is an ancient manuscript in the Sanskrit language.