A shalmali tree stood on the banks of a canal flowing down to the Narmada river. In its hollows, weaver birds had nested, protected from the cold and rains. One day, a storm broke out. A troop of monkeys came to the tree looking for shelter from the downpour. The birds looked at the monkeys […]
One day, a fox was roaming in search of food. After a while, he saw a peacock perched high on a tree. “How can I have this peacock for lunch? I cannot climb up the tree,” he thought. The fox was cunning. He said to the peacock, “Don’t you know there was a meeting of
Silver Plume was given royal treatment by the birds. They even made a throne of lotus leaves for him. One day, a crane called Long-Bill came from a far-off land. The King welcomed him and asked him what the news was in other countries. “Lots of news, my Lord!” exclaimed Long-Bill, “I was on Jambudweep,
When they had learnt the wisdom of selecting the right friends, moving away from bad friends and how to recognise deceitful friends, the Princes asked Vishnu Sharma to teach them about war. The revered old teacher said he would tell them about war through the story of the Swans and the Peacocks. The Swans and
“I wonder who has been telling the King bad things about me and caused him to be angry,” Hefty talking to himself, quite unaware that he was speaking to the wily jackal who had caused the dispute. Then he said bravely, “If I must die, then I’ll go down fighting,” said Hefty. “Yes, that’s how
“The truth? What about?” asked Hefty, thoroughly puzzled. “The King was so fond of you,” said Damanaka, “But his heart has changed.” “What do you mean, changed?” asked Hefty. “The king is against you, Hefty,” continued Damanaka, “He wants to kill you and eat you up. I should not tell you this, but, after all,
“We should know who the friends are. Can they stand behind the enemy?” advised Damanaka. “If Hefty were to come to you with his head lowered as if to gore you, then you would know he is your enemy, wouldn’t you?” said Damanaka. When the king agreed, Damanaka went to Hefty, looking worried. “What is
A couple of tittibha birds arrived on the shore of an ocean. The wife was not happy to build her nest there. “At high tide the sea will sweep away our eggs,” she told her husband. The husband, however, insisted that it would be safe. So, they built their nest and the wife laid her
Damanaka went and bowed low to the Lion King. He spoke very sweetly to him and said he had come to give him some news but he was afraid to speak. “It is something that will cause you much pain, but you must know about it,” said Damanaka, posing as a humble servant. The king
“I’ve heard the story. But what’s your plan?” enquired Mrs Crow. “The king’s son comes every day to bathe at the ghat. He keeps his clothes and ornaments on the bank while he bathes. You must pick the golden anklet up and fly back with it,” advised Mr Crow. “What use is the Prince’s anklet
The remark of the old hare was enough to drive the lion into such a fury that he would have killed the hare right away. But he had to find the other lion first! “Harm me! What nonsense!” roared the lion, “You just take me to him and I’ll show him what I can do
The old hare played around in the forest and reached the lion very late. The hungry lion was in a very bad temper at having been kept waiting for so long. And all that he would get after such a long wait was one small hare! He roared, “Why are you so late?” “Your Majesty,
Once, there was a washerman, who had a dog and a donkey. The washerman loved them both. But every evening, he would play with his dog. Seeing this, the donkey wondered why he was not his master’s favourite even though he carried huge loads on his back. One day, the donkey observed the dog. When
Mrs Crow was very unhappy because all her babies were killed and eaten by the snake. One day, Mr Crow told her that he would find a way to destroy their enemy. “But how?” asked Mrs Crow. “Like the little hare destroyed a mighty lion!” replied Mr Crow. In a forest on Mandara mountain lived
Damanaka’s stories showed how people often paid for their own folly. He told Karataka that now they were starving because they had brought the bull to the lion king. So, they planned to break the friendship between the lion and the bull. “We have to do some trickery like the crow who killed the serpent,”