Panchatantra Stories : 1.2. The Jackal And The Drum

2. The Jackal And The Drum

A hungry jackal set out in search of food and ended up at an abandoned battlefield whence he heard loud and strange sounds. Scared, he thought, “I must disappear from here before the man who is making these sounds gets me.” After a while he told himself, “I must not run away like that. Let me find out what really the sounds are and who is making them because whether it is fear or happiness one must know its cause. Such a person will never regret his actions. So, let me first look for the source of these noises.”

Warily, the jackal marched in the direction of the sounds and found a drum there. It was this drum, which was sending the sounds whenever the branches of the tree above brushed against it. Relieved, the jackal began playing the drum and thought that there could be food inside it. The jackal entered the drum by piercing its side. He was disappointed to find no food in it. Yet he consoled himself saying that he rid himself
of the fear of sound.

“Therefore”, Damanaka told king Pingalaka, “your majesty should not be afraid of sounds. I seek your
permission to go and see what the sounds are.”

“Okay,” said the king. Taking leave of the king, Damanaka proceeded in the direction of the sound.

The king now began worrying himself about Damanaka's intentions. “He may have a grudge against me for
dismissing him once. Such persons seek revenge. I should not have taken him into confidence. Let me keep
an eye on him. Wise men have always maintained that it is difficult to kill even a weak man who does not
easily trust others but easy to kill a strong man who readily trusts others,” the king thought.

As the king kept an eye on him, Damanaka moved slowly towards Sanjeevaka, the bullock, and found that he was after all an animal and thought, “This is a good omen. This will help me to get back into the good books of the king. Kings never follow the advice of their ministers unless they are in peril or grief. Just as a healthy man never thinks of a doctor, a strong and secure king also never remembers the need for a minister.”

Assured that what he saw was only a bullock, Damanaka returned to the king and told him what he saw.
“Is it true?” the king asked.

“The king is God. The man who lies to a king perishes. He alone has the power to grant favors.”

“I believe you. Great men do not harm weaker people. They take on only their equals. That is what is unique
about brave people.”

“What your majesty says is true. Sanjeevaka is great. If your lordship permits me, I will persuade him to be
one of your servants.”

“All right, I am taking you back as a minister,” said the king, pleased.

Damanaka at once hurried back to Sanjeevaka and told him to stop bellowing and come and meet his king.
But the bullock wanted who this Pingalaka was. “What? You do not know our lord? Wait, you will know
shortly the cost of this ignorance. There he is, surrounded by his retinue under the banyan tree.” Sanjeevaka
thought his days were numbered and pleaded with Damanaka, “Sir, you seem to be a man of great wisdom
and wit. You alone can save me. I can come only if you can assure me that no harm will come to me.”
Damanaka told the bullock to wait for the right time to meet the king.

Returning to the king, Damanaka told him “My lord, he is not an ordinary being. He is the vehicle of Lord
Shiva. He told me that Lord Shiva had permitted him to feed on the tender grass in the neighborhood of
Jamuna. But I told him that the forest belonged to our lion king who is the vehicle of goddess Chandika. You
are our guest. You can see our king and seek a separate space for you to graze. He agreed to this plan
provided he has an assurance from your majesty.”

“Yes, certainly. But I will need assurance from him in return. Bring him here,” the king told Damanaka.
Going back to the bullock Damanaka advised him, “You have the assurance of the king. But this new
position should not go to your head. We have to work together. That is how we can prosper. Otherwise, he
who does not respect everyone, however high or low, will forfeit the favour of kings like Dantila.”

“What about Dantila?” asked Sanjeevaka.

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Panchatantra Stories : 1.1. The Monkey And The Wedge

1.1. The Monkey And The Wedge

A merchant once started building a temple in the middle of his garden. Many masons and carpenters were working for the merchant. They took time off every day to go to the town for their lunch. One day, when the workers left for lunch a batch of monkeys landed at the temple site and began playing with whatever caught their fancy. One of the monkeys saw a partly sawed log of wood and a wedge fixed in it so that it does not close up.

Curious to know what it is, the monkey began furiously tugging at the wedge. At last the wedge came off, not before trapping the legs of the monkey into the rift of the log. Very soon, not able to get his legs out of the closed wood, the monkey died.

“Therefore,” Karataka told Damanaka, “it is not wise to poke our nose into affairs that are not our concern. We have a food store. Why should we bother ourselves about this lion?”

Damanaka retorted, “Food is not the centre of our life. The elders have said that wise men seek the help of the king to help friends and harm foes. There are hundred ways of collecting food. What matters is a life full of learning, courage and wealth. If living somehow is the goal, even the crow lives long eating leftovers.”

“True, but we are not ministers any more. The elders have always said that the stupid person who offers uncalled for advice to the king invites not only insult but also deceit,” said Karataka.

“No,” Damanaka said, “anyone who serves the king with devotion is bound to earn his favour in the long run. The one who does not remains where he is. Those who understand why the king is angry or generous will one-day rise in office. It is necessary to be in the good books of the king.'

“Okay, what do you want to do now?” asked Karataka.

“You know the king is scared now. We will ask him what frightens him and using the six ways of diplomacy get close to him.”

“How do you know the king is scared?”

“Changes in posture, signs, pace, actions, conversation, looks and expression indicate the working of the mind. I will approach the fear-struck king today and with my intelligence, I will dispel his fear and once again become his minister,” said Damanaka.

“How can you do it when you do not know principles of service?” asked Karataka.

Damanaka told him all he knew and learnt about what makes a good and loyal servant in the service of the king.

“In that case, I wish you all good luck,” said Karataka.

Taking leave of Karataka, Damanaka then called on the king. Recognizing that he was the son of his old minister, King Pingalaka told his sentry to bring him into his presence. Damanaka came down on his knees to pay respects to the king.

“We haven't seen you for a long time,” the king said.

“I don't know of what use I can be to you, my lord. Yet, according to the learned, there are occasions when every person however high or low will be of use to the king. For generations we have served the king with devotion. Yet I am out of your majesty's favour.”

“All right, competent or incompetent you are the son of our old minister. Go ahead and tell me whatever you have in your mind,” the king ordered Damanaka.

“May I ask you humbly, my lord, what made you come back from the lake without drinking water,” asked Damanaka reluctantly.

“O' Damanaka, haven't you heard the great and frightening sounds in the distance? I want to leave this forest. The strange animal that could make such sounds ought to be as powerful as the sounds he makes.”

“Your majesty, if it is only sound that is your problem; I wish to submit that sounds are misleading. I can tell you the story of the jackal, how it overcame the fear of sound.”

Let us hear it, said the king.

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1. The Loss of Friends

1. The Loss of Friends

Once upon a time, Amarasakti ruled the city-state of Mahilaropyam in the south of India. He had three witless sons who became a matter of endless worry for him. Realizing that his sons had no interest in
learning, the king summoned his ministers and said:

“You know I am not happy with my sons. According to men of learning an unborn son and a stillborn son are

better than a son who is a dimwit. What good is a barren cow? A son who is stupid will bring dishonour to his father. How can I make them fit to be my successors? I turn to you for advice.”

One of the ministers suggested the name of Vishnu Sharman, a great scholar enjoying the respect of hundreds of his disciples. “He is the most competent person to tutor your children. Entrust them to his care and very soon you will see the change.”

The king summoned Vishnu Sharman and pleaded with him “Oh, venerable scholar, take pity on me and please train my sons into great scholars and I will make you the lord of hundred villages.” Vishnu Sharman said “Oh, king, listen to my pledge. Hundred villages do not tempt me to vend learning.

Count six months from today. If I do not make your children great scholars, you can ask me to change my name.”

The king immediately called his sons and handed them to the care of the learned man. Sharman took them to his monastery where he started teaching them the five strategies (Panchatantra). Keeping his word, he finished the task the king entrusted him in six months. Since then, Panchatantra became popular all over the world as children's guide in solving problems of life.

Now begins the Loss of Friends (first of the five strategies) series. These are stories that figure in a dialogue between two jackals named Karataka and Damanaka. Long, long ago, a merchant named Vardhaman lived in a town in the south of India. As he was resting on his bed one day it struck him that money was the axis of the world and that the more he had of it the more he would be powerful. Even enemies seek the friendship of a rich man, he told himself. The old become young if they have riches and the young become old if they do not have wealth. Business is one of the six ways that help man amass wealth. This was his logic.

Mobilizing all his wares, Vardhaman set out on an auspicious day for Madhura in search of markets for his goods. He began his travel in a gaily-decorated cart drawn by two bullocks. On the way, tired of the long haul, one of the bullocks named Sanjeevaka collapsed in the middle of a jungle near river Jamuna. But the merchant continued his journey asking some of his servants to take care of the animal. But the servants abandoned the bullock soon after their master had left. Joining him later, they told him that the bullock was dead.

In fact, Sanjeevaka was not dead. Feeding on the abundant fresh and tender grass in the forest, he regained strength and began to merrily explore the jungle, dancing and singing in joy. In the same forest lived Pingalaka, the lion. Sanjeevaka, content with his new life in the jungle would waltz and sing uproariously with joy. One day, Pingalaka and other animals were drinking water in the Jamuna when the lion heard the frightening bellow of the bullock. In panic, the lion withdrew into the forest and sat deeply lost in thought and surrounded by other animals.

Sensing the predicament of their king, two jackals, Karataka and Damanaka, sons of two dismissed ministers,  were clueless as to what had happened to their king.

“What could have happened to the lord of the forest,” asked Damanaka.

“Why should we poke our nose into affairs that are not our concern? Haven't you heard the story of the monkey which pulled out the wedge from the log,” asked Damanaka.

“Sounds interesting. Why don't you tell me what happened to the monkey,” pleaded Damanaka.

“Now, listen,” said Damanaka and began narrating the story of the monkey.

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Panchatantra Tales

The Great Panchatantra Tales

A king, worried that his three sons are without the wisdom to live in a world of wile and guile, asks a learned
man called Vishnu Sharman to teach them the ways of the world.

Since his wards are dimwits, Vishnu Sharman decides to pass on wisdom to them in the form of stories. In these stories, he makes animals speak like human beings. Panchatantra is a collection of attractively told stories about the five ways that help the human being succeed in life. Pancha means five and tantra means ways or strategies or principles. Addressed to the king's children, the stories are primarily about statecraft and are popular throughout the world. The five strategies are:

1. Discord among friends
2. Gaining friends
3. Of crows and owls
4. Loss of gains
5. Imprudence

The stories have been translated into nearly every language in the world that has a script. The story form appeals to children while the wisdom in them attracts adults. The Panchatantra collection represents the earliest folk tale form in the world of literature. There are several versions of Panchatantra tales in circulation
in the world but the one that is popular in India is the Sanskrit original of Vishnu Sharman.

The stories will appear in five sections, each representing a strategy for getting over problems in life. They are of interest not just for the ruling class but also for every person. They are all about survival in a complicated world and the several ways to get over problems. The stories based as they are on human nature have an eternal relevance.

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The Ant And The Grasshopper

The Ant And The Grasshopper

One cold, frosty day in the middle of winter a colony of ants was busy drying out some, grains of corn, which had grown damp during the wet autumn weather.

A grasshopper half dead with cold and hunger, came up to one of the ants. “Please give me a grail or two from your store of corn to save my life,” he said faintly.

“We worked day and night to get this corn in. Why should I give it to you?” asked the ant crossly.

“Whatever were you doing all last summer when you should have been gathering your food?”

Oh I didn’t have time for things like that, said the grasshopper. “I was far too busy singing to carry corn about.”

The ant laughed I unkindly. “In that case you can sing all winter as far as I am concerned,” he said. And without another word he turned back to his work.

Moral : It teaches us that we must work hard and not rely on the kindness of others for our daily needs.

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A Merchant And His Donkey

A Merchant And His Donkey

One beautiful spring morning, a merchant loaded his donkey with bags of salt to go to the market in order to sell them. The merchant and his donkey were walking along together.

They had not walked far when they reached a river on the road.

Unfortunately, the donkey slipped and fell into the river and noticed that the bags of salt loaded on his back became lighter.

There was nothing the merchant could do, except return home where he loaded his donkey with more bags of salt. As they reached the slippery riverbank, now deliberately, the donkey fell into the river and wasted all the bags of salt on its back again.

The merchant quickly discovered the donkey’s trick. He then returned home again but re-loaded his donkey with bags of sponges.

The foolish, tricky donkey again set on its way. On reaching the river he again fell into the water. But instead of the load becoming lighter, it became heavier.

Moral : The merchant laughed at him and said: “You foolish donkey, your trick had been discovered, you should know that, those who are too clever sometimes over reach themselves.”

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The Clever Boy

The Clever Boy

A man with his donkey carrying two sacks of wheat was on his way to the market. After a little while he was tired and they rested under a tree. When he woke up from his nap he could not see the donkey and started searching for the donkey everywhere.

On the way he met a boy, he asked the boy,

“Have you seen my donkey?”

The boy asked, “Is the donkey’s left eye blind, his right foot lame and is he carrying a load of wheat?”

The man was happy and said, “Yes, exactly! Where have you seen it?”

The boy answered “I haven’t seen it.”

This made the man very angry and he took the boy to the village chief for punishment.

The judge asked, “Dear boy, if you had not seen at the donkey, how could you describe it?”

The boy answered, “I saw the tracks of a donkey and the right and left tracks were different from this I understood that the donkey that passed there was limping. And the grass on the right side of the road was eaten but the grass on the left was not.

From that I understood that his left eye was blind.

There were wheat seeds scattered on the ground and I understood that he must have been carrying a load of wheat. The judge understood the boy’s cleverness and told the man to forgive the boy.

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The Three Wise Men

The Three Wise Men

One day some wise men, who were going about the country trying to find answers to some of the great questions of their time, came to Nasreddin’s district and asked to see the wisest man in the place. Nasreddin was brought forward, and a big crowd gathered to listen. The first wise man began by asking,

“Where is the exact center of the world?”

“It is under my right heel,” answered Nasreddin.

“How can you prove that?” asked the first wise man.

“If you don’t believe me,” answered Nasreddin,

“measure and see.”

The first wise man had nothing to answer to that, so the second wise man asked his question.

“How many stars are there in the sky?” he said.

“As many as there are hairs on my donkey,” answered Nasreddin.

“What proof have you got of that?” asked the second wise man.

“If you don’t believe me,” answered Nasreddin, “count the hairs on my donkey and you will see.”

“That’s foolish talk,” said the other. “How can one count the hairs on a donkey?”

“Well,” answered Nasreddin, “How can one count the stars in the sky? If one is foolish talk, so is the other.” The second wise man was silent. The third wise man was becoming annoyed with Nasreddin and his answers, so he said,

“You seem to know a lot about your donkey, so can you tell me how many hairs there are in its tail?”

“Yes,” answered Nasreddin. “There are exactly as many hairs in its tail as there are in your beard.”

“How can you prove that?” said the other.

“I can prove it very easily,” answered Nasreddin. “You can pull one hair out of my donkey’s tail for every one I pull out of your beard. If the hairs on my donkey’s tail do not come to an end at exactly the same time as the hairs in your beard, I will admit that I was wrong.”

Of course, the third wise man was not willing to do this, so the crowd declared Nasreddin the winner of the day’s arguments.

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The Cage Bird's Escape

The Cage Bird's Escape

Once upon a time, there was a bird in a cage who sang for her merchant owner. He took delight in her song day and night, and was so fond of her that he served her water in a golden dish. Before he left for a business trip, he asked the bird if she had a wish: “I will go through the forest where you were born, past the birds of your old neighborhood. What message should I take for them?”

The bird said, “Tell them I sit full of sorrow in a cage singing my captive song. Day and night, my heart is full of grief. I hope it will not be long before I see my friends again and fly freely through the trees. Bring me a message from the lovely forest, which will set my heart at ease. Oh, I yearn for my Beloved, to fly with him, and spread my wings. Until then there is no joy for me, and I am cut off from all of life’s sweet things.”

The merchant traveled on his donkey through the dense forest. He listened to the melodies of many birds. When the merchant reached the forest where his bird came from, he stopped, pushed his hood back, and said, “O you birds! Greetings to you all from my pretty bird locked in her cage.

She sends tidings of her love to you and wants to tell of her plight. She asks for a reply that will ease her heart. My love for her keeps her captive with bars all around her. She wants to join her Beloved and sing her songs through the air with a free heart, but I would miss her beautiful songs and cannot let her go.”

All the birds listened to the merchant’s words. Suddenly one bird shrieked and fell from a tree brunch to the ground. The merchant froze to the spot where he stood. Nothing could astound him more than this did. One bird had fallen down dead!

The merchant continued on to the city and traded his goods. At last he returned to his home. He did not know what to tell his bird when she asked what message he had brought. He stood before her cage and said, “Oh, nothing to speak of no, no.” The bird cried, “I must know at once.”

I do not know what happened, said the merchant. “I told them your message. Then, one of them fell down dead.” Suddenly the merchant’s bird let out a terrible shriek and fell on her head to the bottom of the cage. The merchant was horrified. He wept in despair, “Oh, what have I done?”

He cried, “What Have I done? Now my life means nothing. My moon has gone and so has my sun. Now my own bird is dead.”

He opened the cage door, reached in, and took her into his hands gently and carefully. “I will have to bury her now,” he said; “poor thing is dead.”

Suddenly, the moment he had lifted the bird out of the cage, she swooped up, flew out of the window and landed on the nearest roof slope. She turned to him and said, gratefully, “Thank you, merchant master, for delivering my message. That bird’s reply instructed me how to win my freedom. All I had to do was to be dead. I gained my freedom when I chose to die.”

“So now I fly to my Beloved who waits for me. Good-bye, good-bye, my master no longer.” “My bird was wise; she taught me secret,” the merchant reflected.

Moral : If you want to be with the ones you love, you must be ready to give up everything, even life itself. And then, by Allah, you will win your heart’s desire.

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The One-Eyed Doe

The One-Eyed Doe

A Doe had the misfortune to lose one of her eyes, and could not see any one approaching her on that side. So to avoid any danger she always used to feed on a high cliff near the sea, with her sound eye looking towards the land. By this means she could see whenever the hunters approached her on land, and often escaped by this means. But the hunters found out that she was blind of one eye, and hiring a boat rowed under the cliff where she used to feed and shot her from the sea. “Ah,” cried she with her dying voice.

Moral : “You cannot escape your fate.”

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Akbar Birbal Stories : The Mango Tree

The Mango Tree

One day, two men appeared in the court of Akbar. They were neighbors. They had a dispute over a mango tree. The mango tree had just borne fruits. Both Raghav and Keshav were laying their claim over the tree.

King Akbar asked the servant who was hired as a guard for the tree.

He said, “Sir, they both are my masters. They together appointed me and I got half amount of the salary from each of them.”

Akbar asked Birbal to do justice. Birbal requested them to come again next day. After they had gone, Birbal said something to the guard of the tree. He nodded and agreed to the plan.

During the night, the guard went to Keshav and said, “Sir, I have seen some thieves around the tree. They are planning to steal all the mangoes.”

“What did you say? Thieves!” said Keshav, “Sorry, I won’t go. They are thieves. They might be armed. I don’t want to risk my life for a few fruits.”

Now, the guard went to Raghav and repeated his statement.

Raghav stood up with a start and said, “They want to steal my fruits. How could they even think of it? I will teach them such a lesson that they will remember it throughout their lives.” Saying this, Raghav grabbed a stick and went outside. Birbal’s spies were watching the whole scene. They told the entire story to Birbal.

Next day, when Raghav and Keshav went to the court, Birbal said, “We have decided that the tree would be cut and the place vacated would be cleaned.”

To this, Keshav said, “Sir, you are the master. How can we deny your orders? You can do as you wish.”

But Raghav interrupted and said, “Please sir, don’t do that. The tree is the result of my endeavours. This is the first time it has borne fruits. I request you to please drop the idea of cutting it and give it to Keshav.”

Birbal said, “Raghav, we know that you are the real owner of the tree. You were the one who rushed to face the thieves last night, whereas, Keshav showed no interest regarding the matter. So I have decided to give the ownership of the tree to you.”

Raghav felt very happy and Keshav, the liar, hide his face and quietly slipped away.

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Akbar Birbal Stories : The Stolen Swan

The Stolen Swan

One day, a rich merchant appeared in the court of Akbar. After some formal greetings, he told him the reason for his arrival.

He said, “Your Majesty, a couple of months back, I bought a swan. It was very beautiful. It had golden feathers. I used to keep it in a large cage that I got exclusively built for it. One fateful morning, when I looked at the cage, I found it empty.”

“What do you think might have happened to your swan?” asked Akbar.

“Sir, I think one of my servants has stolen it,” replied the merchant.

Akbar asked his spies to investigate the matter well. They interrogated the servants, kept an eye on them, spied on them, but all in vain. Finally, they acknowledged their defeat and said bluntly that they had failed to find the thief. Birbal offered his help. He accompanied the merchant to his home. There he called all the servants and asked them to stand in a row.

Then he demanded the cage of the swan. He carefully examined the cage and pretended to whisper some words to it. The merchant got surprised.


“What are you doing, Sir”? asked the merchant.

“Sh sh... sh..., the cage is telling me about the thief,” said Birbal.

“Well, what is it saying?” questioned the merchant.

“It is saying that the thief has killed the swan and hidden its golden feathers in his turban,” replied Birbal.

Now, the servant who had stolen the swan got very nervous. He thought that he is carrying the feathers of the swan in his turban.

Instinctively, he started examining his turban. No one but Birbal noticed him. He asked all the servants to depart except that particular servant. After all the servants has gone, he cross-examined that servant. He denied having committed the theft. Birbal scolded him and threatened him that would be whipped. At last, he acknowledged his theft. Birbal ordered to whip him.

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Akbar Birbal Stories : Birbal Betrays Himself

Birbal Betrays Himself

Birbal was missing. He and the emperor had a quarrel and Birbal had stormed out of the palace vowing never to return. Now Akbar missed him and wanted him back but no one knew where he was.

Then the emperor had a brainwave. He offered a reward of 1000 gold coins to any man who could come to the palace observing the following condition. The man had to walk in the sun without an umbrella but he had to be in the shade at the same time.

"Impossible," said the people.

Then a villager came carrying a string cot over his head and claimed the prize.

"I've walked in the sun but at the same time I was in the shade of the strings of the cot," he said. It was a brilliant solution. On interrogation the villager confessed that the idea had been suggested to him by a man living with him.

"It could only be Birbal!" said the emperor, delighted. Sure enough it was Birbal and he and the emperor had a joyous reunion.

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Akbar Birbal Stories : Who Are Donkeys

Who Are Donkeys

One day, when Akbar and Birbal were in discussions, Birbal happened to pass a harmless comment about Akbar's sense of humor.  But Emperor Akbar was in a foul mood and took great offense to this remark. He asked Birbal, his court-jester, friend and confidant, to not only leave the palace but also to leave the walls of the city of Agra.  Birbal was terribly hurt at being banished.

A couple of days later, Akbar began to miss his best friend.  He regretted his earlier decision of banishing him from the courts. He just could not do without Birbal and so sent out a search party to look for him. But Birbal had left town without letting anybody know of his destination.  The soldiers searched high and low but were unable to find him anywhere.

Then one day a wise saint came to visit the palace accompanied by two of his disciples.  The disciples claimed that their teacher was the wisest man to walk the earth.  Since Akbar was missing Birbal terribly he thought it would be a good idea to have a wise man that could keep him company. But he decided that he would first test the holy man's wisdom.

The saint had bright sparkling eyes, a thick beard and long hair. The next day, when they came to visit the court Akbar informed the holy man that since he was the wisest man on earth, he would like to test him. All his ministers would put forward a question and if his answers were satisfactory he would be made a minister. But if he could not, then he would be beheaded. The saint answered that he had never claimed to be the wisest man on earth, even though other people seemed to think so. Nor was he eager to display his cleverness but as he enjoyed answering questions, he was ready for the test.

One of the ministers, Raja Todarmal, began the round of questioning. He asked "Who is a man's best friend on earth?"  To which the wise saint replied, "His own good sense". Next Faizi asked which was the most superior thing on earth? "Knowledge", answered the saint. "Which is the deepest trench in the world?", asked Abdul Fazal. And the saint's answer was "a woman's heart". "What is that which cannot be regained after it is lost?" questioned another courtier and the reply he received was 'life'. "What is undying in music" asked the court musician Tansen. The wise saint replied that it was the "notes". And then he asked "which is the sweetest and most melodious voice at night -time? And the answer he received was "the voice that prays to God."

Maharaj Mansingh of Jaipur, who was a guest at the palace asked, "what travels more speedily than the wind?" the saint replied that it was "man's thought". He then asked, "which was the sweetest thing on earth?" and the saint said that it was "a baby's smile".

Emperor Akbar and all his courtiers were very impressed with his answers, but wanted to test the saint himself. Firstly he asked what were the necessary requirements to rule over a kingdom, for which he was answered 'cleverness'. Then he asked what was the gravest enemy of a king. The saint replied that it was 'selfishness'.  The emperor was pleased and offered the saint a seat of honor and asked him whether he could perform any miracles. The saint said that he could manifest any person the king wished to meet. Akbar was thrilled and immediately asked to meet his minister and best friend Birbal.

The saint simply pulled off his artificial beard and hair much to the surprise of the other courtiers. Akbar was stunned and could not believe his eyes. He stepped down to embrace the saint because he was none other than Birbal.

Akbar had tears in his eyes as he told Birbal that he had suspected it to be him and had therefore asked him whether he could perform miracles. He showered Birbal with many valuable gifts to show him how happy he was at his return.

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Akbar Birbal Stories : Blend of Light and Shadow

Blend of Light and Shadow:

One day, Akbar was sitting along in his royal chamber. He was in a bad temper. That very moment Birbal arrived there. Being a humorous person, he cracked some joke which Akbar did not like.

He bluntly said to his brightest gem, “Birbal! Don’t you have any other work besides cracking these stupid jokes?”

Birbal was extremely surprised at such an odd behavior of the king. He still tried to talk to him.

But, Akbar said, “You just go away from here, Birbal. I don’t want to see your face ever in this court.”

Birbal was deeply hurt. He was too self-esteemed to remain in that kingdom after such an insult. He left the kingdom and took refuge in a remote village named Gokulpura. Nobody knew him in that village.

After a few days, Akbar realized his mistake. He started missing Birbal. He ordered his spies to search for him but all in vain. Finally, he made an announcement that he wanted the royal water pool to get married. For this purpose, the chiefs of all the villages were required to assemble in the court along with the “eligible bachelor ponds” of their villages. But the condition was that the chiefs should fetch a blend of light and shadow with themselves.

The chiefs were utterly astonished at such a condition. Bound by the royal orders, they all assembled in the court but without fulfilling the required conditions.

The king fined all of them. Suddenly, his eyes fell upon the chief of Gokulpura. He was carrying a worn-out cot on his head.  “Hey, what’s this?” asked Akbar with a smile.

“Your Majesty, this is a blend of light and shadow,” the chief chuckled, “See, this cot is torn from many places. The holes in it are filtering the sunrays which is giving a partially dark effect.”

The king laughed and said, “That’s a good one. Now,  tell me where is your pond, the bridegroom-to be.”

“Your Majesty, he has arrived in your kingdom. He is waiting for his bride to come and welcome him,” said the chief of Gokulpura. Now, Akbar understood the whole matter.

He was wondering how could the innocent chief of a village think so cleverly.

He asked him, “Just tell me one thing, who gave you these ideas?”

“Your Majesty,” replied the chief, “There is a person called Ramdas He has just shifted in our village. He suggested me all this.”

Akbar understood that Ramdas was Birbal himself in disguise. He requested the chief to take him to ‘Ramdas’. The chief did so.  As soon as Akbar meet Birbal, he embraced him and apologized for his mistake. Birbal too was waiting to return back to the service of his dear king. Within no time, he cast off his disguise.

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Akbar Birbal Stories : The Golden Sword

The Golden Sword

King Akbar was a very kind-hearted man. Every morning, he took Birbal, his favourite courtier, in the villages and cities where he heard the grievances of the people. One day, in the market they found an old woman carrying a sword in her hands. Akbar stopped beside her and asked “What are you doing with this sword?”

“Your Majesty,” said the old woman, “This sword was lying with me for many years. Now I want to sell this sword so that I get some money which will help me in my bad days.”

Akbar took the sword from her, took it out of its case and closely inspected it. It was rusted and useless. Akbar returned it back to the old woman and said, “This is of no use to me.” The woman took it out of the case and looked at it with surprised eyes. Akbar was left astonished. He asked “What’s wrong? Why are you so surprised?” Birbal interrupted and said, “Your Majesty, she is astonished because a very common saying is proved wrongly today.”

“Which saying are you talking about?” asked Akbar.

“That iron when comes in contact with Paras Mani gets converted to gold. This iron sword came in your hands, but it is still an iron one,” explained Birbal.

“Yes, Your Majesty, this is the reason why I was so surprised,” said the old woman.

Akbar instantly asked the treasurer to replace the iron sword in the hands of the old woman with a golden sword.

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Akbar Birbal Stories : The Box of Jewels

The Box of Jewels

Long long ago there lived an old main in Delhi. He was very rich and a miser too. He spent only that much as was necessary. He had an old, large box in which he kept his jewels. Once his hut caught fire. The man somehow managed to escape the fire. But as soon as he remembered his jewels, he started crying. Soon a large crowd surrounded him. A goldsmith came forward and said, “Now don’t cry, friend. It was just a thatched hut, it can be easily rebuilt.

Just thank God that He saved you.”

“But He didn’t save my jewels,” the old man sobbed, “Oh God! I’m lost.” “Jewels? Which jewels?” asked the goldsmith curiously.

 

“I had a box full of jewels that I always kept under my bed,” replied the man.

The goldsmith was very greedy. He made a plan to process the jewels.

He said, “What if I get that box for you?”

“Then I’ll do anything for you,” said the man wiping his tears.

“Okay! I’ll get the box of jewels for you. I’ll give you whatever I like and rest I’ll keep with myself,” said the greedy goldsmith.

The man gladly agreed.

The goldsmith risked his life and brought the box of jewels from the mouth of fire. He then said, “Do you remember my condition or not. . . that whatever I like,  will be given to you and rest will remain with me.”

The man gave an affirmative expression. To this, the goldsmith gave a vicious smile. He offered him the empty box and kept the jewels for himself.

The man was shocked. He said, “Dear friend, I understood that you risked your life to get these jewels but you are being unfair to me. You can have half of the jewels, I have no objection, but what you are doing is not fair. After all, it’s my hard-earned money.”

“I don’t want to listen to you,” said the goldsmith, “Whether unfair or fair, I’ll do what we had pre-decided.’ Saying this, the goldsmith bluntly denied to give him any jewels. Finally, fighting and cursing, they went to King Akbar’s court. King Akbar found the matter highly complicated. He sought the help of Birbal.

Birbal asked the goldsmith to repeat the condition.

“Your Majesty, the condition was that whatever I like, I shall give him and the rest I’ll keep with myself,” said the goldsmith.

“Okay, what do you like?” asked Birbal. “I like the jewels, Sir,” replied the goldsmith.

“Then give them to him.”

“But...  Sir...,” the goldsmith asked.

“Why?” asked Birbal. “Didn’t you say that whatever you like, you shall give to him? You said that you like the jewels, now fulfill your promise and give them to him.”

The goldsmith was speechless. He was caught in the web of his own words. But he could hardly do anything. He quietly picked up the empty box and went away.

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Akbar Birbal Stories : Breaking the Bonds

Breaking the Bonds

Prince Salim was around eighteen or nineteen years old when he made friends with Haricharan, the son of a rich merchant. They got so much engrossed in their friendship that they forgot their other responsibilities. They just talked and unnecessarily wasted their time without doing anything worthwhile.

One day the merchant approached Birbal and said, “I am not against their friendship. But I believe that friendship is just an aspect of life. One should not stake his whole life and his work for friendship.

Birbal understood what the merchant intended to say.

But still he asked him, “State clearly, Sir. What do you want to say?”

The merchant said, “Sir, my son and Prince Salim have become very close friends. It may be fine for the Prince as he is not required to learn anything for his living. He is destined to become the ruler of India. But, with my son ignoring lessons of trade at this age, he will definitely suffer and miss the experiences.

“I can understand that,” replied Birbal, “Don’t worry, I’ll surely solve this matter.”

One day, Birbal talked to King Akbar about this.

Akbar said, “Even I am very worried about their friendship. Haricharan is just required to manage his petty business which anyone can do. But Prince Salim has to govern the entire country.”

“Then, what do you want, Your Majesty? Should I try to end their friendship?” asked Birbal.

Akbar patted his back and said, “I know it’s not good to spoil the friendly relation between the two persons, but at present it would be preferable to break their friendship.”

“Don’t worry, Sir,” said Birbal, “From now onwards, they will not see each other’s face.” That every evening, Birbal called both Salim and the merchant’s son and started talking to them.

Suddenly, he said to merchant’s son, “Haricharan! I want to talk to you about something.”

“Please do, Sir,” said Haricharan.

“It’s a very confidential matter,” saying this Birbal dragged him aside. The merchant’s son, highly confused, followed him like a kid. Birbal whispered some meaningless words into his ears. Before Haricharan could understand anything, Birbal went away and cried,

“Don’t tell this to anyone.”

Haricharan looked at him quizzically and went towards Salim.

“What did he say?” asked Salim.

“Nothing, absolutely nothing,” replied Haricharan.

“Don’t lie, my friend,” said Prince Salim. “Just now Birbal told you some confidential thing. Can’t you tell me that. After all, I’m your friend, am I not?” “Dear friend, he said nothing. Please believe me,” said Haricharan.

“How can I believe you if you don’t trust me?” said the Prince. “I don’t expect this from you,” he said and went away fuming with rage.

Haricharan too started burning with anger and walked away. When Akbar got this news, he called Birbal and asked him, “What did you say to Haricharan, Birbal?”

Birbal whispered those meaningless words into the ears of Akbar. The King understood the entire thing and started laughing heartily.

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Akbar Birbal Stories : A Trip to Paradise

A Trip to Paradise

Birbal, being a favourite of King Akbar, had a few enemies who envied him. Once, they made a plan to get rid of Birbal. The royal barber was also one of the conspirators.

One day, acting according to the plan, he said to the king, “Your Majesty, sometimes I feel that you don’t care about your dead ancestors.”

“That’s not correct,” replied Akbar, “I do think about them. But now that they are dead, I can hardly do anything for them.”

“You can do everything you want,” said the barber. “You can send someone to heaven who would bring some information about them.”

“But how is that possible?” questioned the king.

“It’s quite simple, Sir,” said the cunning barber, “You will be required to set up a funeral pyre in the open. Then someone will be gifted to the God of Fire who will take the person to the heaven.”

“That’s a great idea. But who will be the right person?” asked King Akbar.

“Sir, I think Birbal would be the most suitable for this purpose,” said the barber.

“Okay then, I’ll talk to Birbal about this matter,” said the King.

The clever barber felt extremely happy. He had his way. King Akbar called Birbal and spoke about this. He gladly accepted the proposal and said, “Your Majesty, I admire your concern for your forefathers. But I need a leave for a few days so that I can make some arrangement for my family.” Akbar agreed and permitted him leave.

Birbal constructed a long secret tunnel beginning from the place where pyre was to be set up to his house.

Finally, the fateful day arrived. Birbal lay down at the mouth of the tunnel and said, “I’m ready. Build the pyre.” The pyre was built and after sometime was lighted up. It began to burn. The royal barber and his friends were elated. Their conspiracy had successfully worked. However none of them knew that Birbal had reached his house through the secret tunnel.

After spending some months at his place, Birbal returned back to the court with a long beard and moustache. The king greeted him and asked him about his ancestors.

“Every one is fine, Your Majesty,” Birbal assured him, “There is nothing that they lack, except one thing…”

“What’s that thing?” asked the King.

“A good barber, Sir,” replied the wise Birbal, “Aren’t you seeing my condition? They want you to send your royal barber there.”

The royal barber overheard their conversation. He realized that he was caught in the trap that he himself had woven. He discussed this matter with his fellow conspirators, but no one offered him any help. As a result, he soon left the kingdom and never showed his face again.

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Akbar Birbal Stories : A Pitcher of Wisdom

A Pitcher of Wisdom

Once, an ambassador of a neighbouring country visited the court of Akbar and said, “Sir, we have heard that there are too many wise and witty people in your court. So our King has sent me to fetch a pitcher full of wisdom from here. I expect you to fulfill our king’s wish soon.”

Akbar was puzzled to hear this. He thought what a senseless wish was this. How can one procure a pitcher full of wisdom? Finding no way out, he sent for Birbal, the wisest of his gems.

Birbal having heard the entire thing, slightly chuckled and said, “Do not worry, Your Majesty, I will fulfill their demand, I just need few weeks time.” Akbar granted him this.

Birbal asked a servant to get a pitcher. Then he took the pitcher to a pumpkin creeper and placed it inverted over the pumpkin flower.

Birbal then went to the ambassador and said, “Sir, we just need two weeks time. I assure you, the wisdom will reach the brim of the pitcher within a fortnight.”

After fifteen days,  Birbal stopped his experiment and found that the pumpkin had got completely stuck inside the pitcher.

He took the pitcher to the ambassador and gifting it to him, said, “Sir, here is your pitcher full of wisdom. You please take the fruit of wisdom out of it without causing it any harm and return us our pot.” The ambassador closely inspected the fruit of wisdom and feeling embarrassed left for his country.

King Akbar, seeing the gesture of the ambassador, said to Birbal, “Show me the fruit of wisdom, Birbal. I want to see what is there in the fruit that made the ambassador leave without uttering a single word.”

At this, Birbal handed the pitcher to Akbar. The King found a pumpkin stuck inside it. He could not help laughing and praising his wisest gem heartily.

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Akbar Birbal Stories : Count of all the Crows in the Kingdom

Count of all the Crows in the Kingdom

King Akbar was a kind-hearted man. On one evening, when Akbar and Birbal were on their daily walks in the palace gardens, they noticed the lurching of a host of crows on the garden trees. Suddenly Akbar got a thought:"How many crows are there in my kingdom?"

He asked Birbal, “Birbal, What do you think? How many crows would be there in my Kingdom?”

Birbal had wit enough to realize what to do in such emergency. He thought for a while and said, "There are ninety five thousand four hundred and sixty-three crows in the kingdom".

Amazed at his quick answer, Akbar got curious and tried to outfit him.

"What if there be more crows than you answered?" said King Akbar.

Birbal replied without hesitation,  "Then some crows must have visited from neighboring kingdoms."

"And what if there be less crows?" asked Akbar.

Instantly Birbal said, "Then some crows from our kingdom must have gone on vacation to other parts."

King Akbar, thereby, realized that Birbal's wit was a hard nut to crack. Nevertheless, he realized his administrative folly on statistical data.

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Akbar Birbal Stories : Birbal Caught the Thief

Birbal Caught the Thief

Once a rich merchant’s house was robbed. The merchant suspected that the thief was one of his servants. So he went to Birbal and mentioned the incident. Birbal went to his house and assembled all of his servants and asked that who stole the merchant’s things. Everybody denied.

Birbal thought for a moment, then gave a stick of equal length to all the servants of the merchant and said to them that the stick of the real thief will be longer by two inches tomorrow. All the servants should be present here again tomorrow with heir sticks.

All the servants went to their homes and gathered again at the same place the next day. Birbal asked them to show him their sticks. One of the servants had his stick shorter by two inches. Birbal said, “This is your thief, merchant.”

Later the merchant asked Birbal, “How did you catch him?” Birbal said, “The thief had already cut his stick short by two inches in the night fearing that his stick will be longer by two inches by morning.”

Moral: Truth will always Prevail.

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The Mongoose and The Cobra | The Mongoose and the Brahmin’s Wife

The Mongoose and The Cobra | The Mongoose and the Brahmin’s Wife

Once upon a time, there lived a Brahman by the name of Deva Sharma with his wife. His wife delivered a son and they were happy to have their first child. The Brahmin wanted to have a pet animal to protect the child which would also be a companion to the child. The Brahmin kept his proposal before the Brahmani. She found the proposal acceptable and the Brahmin went to bring a pet.

Deva Sharma went round the village and after much toil, got a mongoose as an escort to his child. Brahmani didn’t like the idea to keep a mongoose for her child. But as the pet was already brought, so she accepted it. Now, both of them started loving the mongoose as their own child. Yet, the Brahmani never left her son alone because she did not trust the mongoose, fearing that it could harm her son.

One day, the farmer and his wife had to go out of the house leaving the child at home. The farmer confirmed that the mongoose would take care of the child while they would be away. So, they left the mongoose and the child at home and went out. Soon after they left, a cobra entered the home. Finding danger to the son of the Brahmin, the mongoose attacked the cobra. They had a bloody combat and the mongoose succeeded in killing the cobra.

After this, mongoose heard the footfalls of Brahmin’s wife and went at the door to greet her. Brahmani was trembled to see the blood stained mouth of the mongoose. She inferred that the mongoose had killed the child. Without a second thought, she threw a heavy box on mongoose and the mongoose died at the spot. Brahmani quickly entered the house to see her child and to her great surprise, she found her child sleeping quietly in the cradle.

As soon as, she saw a snake bitten into pieces lying near the cradle, she realized that the mongoose had saved her child. The Brahmani was struck by grief that she had killed the mongoose that was like a sibling to her son. She cried loud at her hasty action.

Moral: Don’t act in haste. Think and Act.

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The Monkey and The Crocodile Moral Story

The Monkey and The Crocodile Moral Story

Long ago, there lived a monkey named Raktamukha, on a Jamun (Black-berry) tree by the side of a river. The tree was always full of fruits, which were as sweet as nectar. The Monkey used to eat fruits from the tree. Raktamukha was happily passing his days jumping from one tree to another. Once, a crocodile named Karalamukha came out of the waters and took rest under the tree on which the monkey lived.

Raktamukha, who was sitting high on a branch, saw the crocodile taking rest under the tree. The monkey became very eager to talk to the crocodile. Since he had no friends, he wanted to make friends with him. Addressing the crocodile, Raktamukha said, “As you’re taking rest under the tree, you’re my guest and it’s my duty to offer you food.” The monkey gave a lot of Jamuns to the crocodile to eat. The crocodile ate them to his fill. He thanked the monkey for his generosity and went home.

Karalamukha started coming ashore everyday and enjoy the fruits offered by the monkey. Soon they became good friends. Both of them started spending time with each other discussing the world. One day, the crocodile asked the monkey for some Jamuns to take for his wife. The Monkey happily gave the fruits to the crocodile. The crocodile took the fruits cheerfully to his wife and also narrated the whole story to her.

After eating the fruits, the crocodile's wife was overjoyed and said to her husband, "Dear, if these fruits are so tasty, then the monkey who eats these fruits must be ten times tastier. Why don't you bring the heart of this monkey for my meals?” The crocodile was stunned to hear such words from his wife. He replied,” Sweetheart, the monkey is my friend. It would not be fair to take his heart”. The crocodile’s wife was shrewd and pleaded with her husband to bring monkey’s heart for her. The crocodile was unwilling to deceive his friend, but then she insisted on not eating anything till he brought her monkey’s heart.

The Crocodile was left with no other option, but to bring monkey’s heart for his wife. He was afraid that how could he ask for such thing from his friend. He devised a plan and rushed to the monkey. Raktamukha was waiting for his dear friend for the daily meeting. Reaching ashore, Karalamukha asked the monkey in a sad tone, "My wife and I invite you to our home for a dinner. My wife is very angry with me for not having invited you earlier". He stated that his wife is anxious to meet such a nice friend.

Poor monkey didn’t know about the plan and believed the story of crocodile. He asked the crocodile,” I accept your invitation, but how will I go with you? I don’t know how to swim?” The crocodile replied,” Don’t worry. Come and sit on my back. I‘ll take you to my house.” The monkey happily sat on the back of the crocodile and they started their journey. The crocodile entered in the deep waters with an intention to kill the monkey. The monkey got scared to see water all around and asked the crocodile to move slowly.

The crocodile thought that now he could reveal his real intentions to the monkey, as it was impossible for him to escape from the middle of the river. The crocodile gullibly said to the monkey, “I am taking you to my home to please my wife. She wants to eat your heart. She says that since you eat tasty fruits day and night, your heart must be ten times tastier than those fruits."

The monkey was taken aback to hear these words. He had never expected this type of a request from a friend. He kept cool and said wittingly, "Oh dear! Why didn’t you tell me earlier? It would be my privilege to offer my heart to your charming wife. I usually keep my heart safely in the burrow of the tree. In order to serve my heart to your wife, I have to go back to get my heart.”

The foolish crocodile swiftly then swam back to the tree where the monkey lived. On reaching the bank the monkey quickly jumped off the crocodile’s back and climbed up his home tree. The crocodile was in a hurry and realized that the monkey was taking too long in getting his heart. Impatiently he asked, “What is the delay? Get you heart. My wife will be very happy.”

By the time, the monkey had realized that this was a rebirth for him. The monkey laughed and answered, "My dear foolish friend. You've deceived me as a friend. Can any one take out his heart and keep that in a burrow. It was all a trick to save my life and teach a lesson to an unfaithful friend like you. Now go away and don’t ever come back." The crocodile was ashamed for his act and went home with his head bent down.

Moral: At times, presence of mind pays well.

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The Musical Donkey Story

The Musical Donkey-panchatantra

Once upon a time, there lived a washer man in a village. He possessed a thin donkey by the name of Udhata. The donkey used to work for the washer man and carry loads of clothes to the river bank by the day. The donkey was not satisfied with the food that was provided by the washer man. In the nights, he usually wandered in the fields nearby and ate the crops stealthily.

One night, he met a jackal and made friends with him. Both of them went out in search of food. They found a field full of cucumbers and had them to their full. They were happy to found a nice place for their food and decided that they would come daily to eat cucumbers. Now daily, they came to the field to have cucumbers. Soon, the donkey started looking healthy and fat.

Once, after a tasty meal of cucumbers, the donkey was extremely happy. He was so happy that he got an intense desire to sing a song. He told the jackal that he was overwhelmed and wanted to express his happiness in a melodious song. The jackal immediately replied, "Don't be a fool. If you sing, the guards sleeping in and around this field will wake up and beat us black and blue with sticks”.

The donkey insisted on singing. The jackal again warned him not to do any foolish act. The donkey said, “You are a dull fellow. Singing makes one happy and healthy. No matter what comes, I'll definitely sing a song." The jackal told him that his voice was not sweet. The donkey thought that jackal was jealous of him. The jackal once again warned him that if he would sing, the guards would come and reward him in the way, might be that he would not like.

But the donkey could not stop himself from singing. Seeing the donkey singing, jackal said to the donkey, "Friend, wait a minute. First, let me jump over to the other side of the fence for my safety." The jackal decided to wait outside the garden. On hearing a donkey braying in the field, the guard woke up from his sleep. He picked up his stick lying by his side and rushed out to beat him. The donkey was braying happily, unknown about the danger.

The angry guard found the donkey and beat him so mercilessly that the donkey was physically incapacitated temporarily. Somehow, the donkey managed to drag himself out of the field to the waiting jackal. The jackal looked at the donkey and said in a sympathetic tone, “I am sorry to see you in this pathetic condition. I had already warned you, but you didn't listen to my advice." The donkey realized his mistake and felt sorry for not listening to the good advice of jackal.

Moral: Think before you act.

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The Brahmin’s Dream

The Brahmin’s Dream

Once upon a time, there lived a poor Brahmin by the name of Swabhavakripna in a village. Swabhavakripna was all alone and had no friends or relatives. He was known for his miserliness and used to beg for his living. Whatever food he got as alms, he kept in an earthen pot and hung it beside his bed. Whenever he felt hungry, he took out some food from the pot and ate it.

One day, the Brahmin got a quantity of rice gruel, so much that even after eating to his full, a pot full was left. Brahmin was very happy to get such quantity of food. As the night progressed, the Brahmin lay on his bed but he could not take his eyes from the pot. Soon, he was fast asleep. He began to dream that the pot is overflowing with rice gruel.

He dreamt that if a famine came to the land, then he could sell it for a hundred silver coins. With these silver coins, he would buy a pair of goats. They would have kids in every six months and soon he would acquire a herd of goats. Then he would trade the goats for buffaloes and cows. Then they would have their young ones. They would grow up and give lots of milk. He would sell the milk in the market and make lots of butter and curd from it. Then he would sell that butter and curd in the market. Like this, he would become richer than ever before.

With this money, he would buy a large house with four buildings in a rectangle. A wealthy Brahmin after seeing his affluence would marry his daughter to him. Soon, the wife would deliver a son and he would name him Soma Sharma. The Brahmin would scold Soma, when he would play around all day making noise. But Soma would not listen and anxiously the Brahmin would pick a stick and run after him.

Buried in his dream, Brahmin picked up the stick lying near his bed. He started hitting in the air with the stick. While doing so, he hit the earthen pot with the stick, the pot broke and all the contents spilled over him. The Brahmin woke up to find that he was dreaming the whole situation. All his dreams got shattered at once.

Moral: One should not build castles in the air.

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The Sparrow and the Elephant

The Sparrow and the Elephant

 

Once upon a time, there lived a sparrow with her husband on a banyan tree. They built a nest and the sparrow laid her eggs in the nest. One afternoon, a wild elephant came under the tree unable to bear the heat of the sun. Suddenly in a fit of rage, the elephant broke a branch of the tree on which the nest was built. Unfortunately, all the eggs of the sparrow got crushed though the parents were saved. The she-sparrow was full of grief and began weeping for her eggs.

A woodpecker, a close friend of the sparrow, heard her crying and moved by her grief asked her, “Why are you crying, my friend?” The she-sparrow said, “The wicked elephant has destroyed my offspring. If you are a true friend of mine suggest a way to kill him”. The woodpecker consoled her and told her that he knew a fly and she would definitely help them, to kill the elephant.

Both of them together went to seek the help of the fly. On meeting the fly, the woodpecker said, “This is my dearest friend. A wild elephant has crushed her eggs. You have to find a way to kill that elephant. We need your help.” The fly replied, “One of my friends is a frog. Let us go to him and take his help too”. The she-sparrow, the woodpecker and the fly went to the frog and narrated the whole incident.

The frog said, “What can an elephant do before a united crowd like us? Do what I tell you. Dear Fly, you go to the elephant when the sun is high in the sky and hum a sweet tune into his ears. When he closes his eyes in delight, the woodpecker will scoop his eyes out. Like this, he will become blind. When he will get thirsty, he will look for water. I will go to a marshy land and begin croaking there. Thinking that there is water, the elephant will come there. He will sink into the marshy area and die.”

The next day in the noon, all the three played out the plan and the elephant was killed, when he drowned into a marshy area after being blinded by the woodpecker, when he closed his eyes in response to the music. Thus, with the smartness of all the three animals, the sparrow took her revenge on the elephant.

Moral: Wit is superior to brute force.

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The Talkative Tortoise Moral Story

The Talkative Tortoise Moral Story

This is one more interesting story from Panchatantra. Once upon a time, there was a tortoise by the name of Kambugriva and two geese by the name of Sankata and Vikata. The tortoise lived in a pond and he made friends with two geese who used to come and visit him at the pond. All of them were happy for the past many years.

Once they faced a drought that lasted for several months. Due to this, all the rivers, lakes and ponds went dry. There was not a drop of water to drink for the birds and the animals. They began to die of thirst and scorching heat. Many of them decided to migrate to some fertile lands.

The three friends also decided to leave the pond and to go to some distant lake, full of water, to settle down there for ever. But it was quite difficult to shift at a distant place. Although, was quite easy for the geese as they could fly but the problem was for tortoise. The poor tortoise could not fly and to cover that distance on foot was really difficult.

All of them had a conversation, as to what could be a possible solution for this problem. The geese suggested a plan, according to which, tortoise would have to hold a piece of stick by his mouth and which would be carried slowly while holding its two ends by them. The only condition was that the tortoise should not speak; otherwise he would fall and die spontaneously. The geese were worried because they knew that tortoise was very talkative and it was difficult for him to keep his mouth shut. The tortoise got the logic and promised not to open his mouth during the entire journey.

Before starting their journey, the geese again cautioned their friend not to open his mouth in any case. With this instruction, the geese held the stick ends in their beaks and the tortoise held the stick in the middle with his teeth. Thus, they started their journey. They flew higher and higher, over hills, valleys, fields and plains. Ultimately, they flew over a town.

The people of the town were surprised to see such a strange scene. They started laughing and clapping, to see the geese carrying tortoise like that. The people’s shouting and laughing annoyed the tortoise. He thought why these people were making such a noise. Unable to control his anxiety, he opened his mouth to speak. But as soon as he opened his mouth, he lost his grip on the stick and fell to his death. So, the poor tortoise got killed because of his stupidity and impatience.

Moral: Always listen to friendly advices.

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The Two Headed Weaver Panchatantra Story

The Two Headed Weaver Panchatantra Story

Once upon a time, there was a weaver by the name Mantharaka. One day when he was weaving the cloth, the wooden frames of his loom broke. He took an axe and went to the forest to bring wood in order to make new frames. He went round the forest but didn’t find the adequate wood for the frames. From the forest, he drifted towards the seashore where he saw a huge tree. He thought that if he could cut wood from the tree, he would have enough wood for all frames and would stay throughout his life.

As the weaver raised his axe to cut the tree, a spirit living on that tree said, “O weaver, this tree is my home and it must be spared in any event, because it prevents my body from the cool breeze which comes from the sea”. Mandharaka said, “Sir, if I don’t cut the tree and take its wood home, then my family will starve and die. So, please go somewhere else as I have to cut this tree.”

The spirit answered, “If you do not cut the tree, I will give you a boon of your choice”. The weaver said,” Sir, in that case, I will go home and ask my wife and friends. When I will return, you must give me what I ask for”.

The spirit agreed to it and the weaver returned home with joy. While coming back to the city, he met his friend, the barber and said,” Friend, a spirit has given me a boon of my choice and gave me time to consult friends and my wife. Tell me what I should demand from him". The barber replied, “My dear friend, demand a kingdom where you could be the king and I would be your Prime Minister. You would be having a palace, where we can enjoy the pleasures of this world. Like this, both of us can enjoy life here and hereafter”.

Mantharaka said, “True. But let me ask my wife too”. The barber said,” A wise man should never ask women for advice. He can give a woman food, clothing, jewelry and above all the duties of marriage, but should never ask for their advice. As women think only of their own benefit and they have low wits.” The weaver replied, “Even though this is true, still I would consult my wife, as she is my better half.”

After this, the weaver quickly went to his home and narrated the whole story of the spirit and his boon to his wife. He also told her that his friend, the barber had advised him to ask for a kingdom. His wife said, “O my lord, what do barber understands? No wise man would consult children or barbers or servants or beggars. A king’s life is full of hardships. He is always worried about friendships, animosities, wars, servants, defense alliances, and duplicity. He never gets a minute’s rest because anyone who rules hardly gets anytime. The same container that is used for comfort can also be used to pour out bad luck. Never envy the life of a king."

The weaver said, "You are right. But you haven’t told me what boon I should choose”. She answered,” Every day you are able to weave a single piece of cloth which is barely enough to meet our daily needs. You should ask for another pair of arms and another head so that you can work on two pieces of cloth at once, one in front of you, and one behind you. The first piece will help us meet our daily needs. The second one will help us meet special needs. Thus, we can sail our life comfortably and happily.”

After listening to his wife, he said,” You are a faithful wife and you have spoken well. I will do what you have suggested.” The weaver happily went to the spirit and said, “Sir, you have kindly given me a choice. I request you to give me two more hands and an extra head.” He had hardly spoken before he was two-headed and four-armed. Rejoiced, he began his homeward journey. People on the way saw him and considered him as a kind of demon. They hammered him with stones and sticks. The poor weaver died at the spot.

Moral: One who has no wits of one’s own will perish.

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