Timeless Tales of Wisdom: Moral Stories from the Panchatantra

1. The Crow and the Snake

Long ago, in a dense forest, there lived a pair of crows. They had built their nest on a tall tree and were living happily. However, trouble came in the form of a large snake who made its home in a hollow at the base of the tree. Every time the crows laid eggs, the snake would climb up the tree and eat them. This saddened the crows, and they desperately thought of a plan to outwit the snake.

One day, the clever female crow flew to a nearby royal palace. She saw the princess bathing and noticed that she had left her necklace on the ground. The crow swiftly picked up the necklace and flew back to the tree. The guards, noticing the theft, chased after the crow. As the crow flew towards its tree, it dropped the necklace near the snake’s hole. When the guards arrived, they dug up the hollow to retrieve the necklace and found the snake. In fear, they killed the snake and took the necklace back to the palace.

From that day on, the crows lived peacefully, free from the threat of the snake.

Moral: Intelligence and strategy can often overcome brute strength.

2. The Loyal Mongoose

Once, there was a farmer who lived with his wife and little son in a small village. They also had a pet mongoose. One day, the farmer’s wife went out to fetch water, leaving her baby under the care of the mongoose. While she was away, a deadly snake slithered into the house and approached the baby. Seeing this, the mongoose sprang into action and fought the snake bravely, killing it.

When the farmer’s wife returned, she saw the mongoose with blood on its mouth and body. Thinking that it had killed her baby, she screamed in horror and, in her grief, threw a heavy pot at the mongoose, killing it on the spot. Rushing inside, she found her baby safe and sound, with the dead snake nearby. Realizing her terrible mistake, she wept for her loyal mongoose.

Moral: Think before you act; hasty decisions can lead to irreversible consequences.

3. The Lion and the Clever Hare

In a dense jungle, a fierce lion terrorized the animals, killing indiscriminately. To avoid further loss, the animals made a pact with the lion: each day, one animal would willingly come to be eaten, and the lion would not kill anyone else. The lion agreed.

One day, it was the turn of a clever hare. Instead of going directly to the lion, the hare took its time. When it finally reached, the lion angrily demanded to know why it was late. The hare replied that it had been delayed by another lion claiming to be the true king of the jungle.

Furious, the lion demanded to be shown this rival. The hare led the lion to a deep well and pointed inside. Seeing its own reflection in the water, the lion roared and jumped in to attack, drowning in the well. The clever hare saved itself and the other animals from the lion’s tyranny.

Moral: Intelligence is more powerful than physical strength.

4. The Tortoise and the Geese

Once upon a time, a tortoise lived near a pond with two friendly geese. When the pond began to dry up, the geese decided to fly to a new place, but they didn’t want to leave the tortoise behind. They devised a plan: the geese would carry a stick in their beaks, and the tortoise would bite onto the stick. They warned the tortoise to keep quiet, or else it would fall.

As they flew, the tortoise saw people below mocking it. Unable to hold back, the tortoise opened its mouth to retort and fell to the ground, dying instantly.

Moral: Silence is often better than unnecessary talk.

5. The Merchant and His Iron

A merchant once entrusted a large piece of iron to a friend for safekeeping while he went on a journey. When the merchant returned, the friend told him that mice had eaten the iron. Pretending to believe him, the merchant asked the friend’s son to accompany him to the river. Once there, the merchant hid the boy in a cave. When the friend came looking for his son, the merchant told him that a hawk had carried the boy away. Furious, the friend accused the merchant of lying. The merchant calmly responded, “If mice can eat iron, then surely hawks can carry away children.” Realizing his deceit had been uncovered, the friend returned the iron, and the merchant gave back the boy.

Moral: Deceit will be exposed sooner or later.

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