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The Monkey and the Crocodile Once upon a time, a clever monkey lived in a tree that bore juicy, red rose
apples. He was very happy.One fine day, a crocodile swam up to that tree and told the monkey that
he had travelled a long distance and was in search of food as he was very
hungry. The kind monkey offered him a few rose apples. The crocodile
enjoyed them very much and asked the monkey whether he could come
again for some more fruit. The generous monkey happily agreed.The crocodile returned the next day. And the next. And the next one after
that. Soon the two became very good friends. They discussed their lives,
their friends and family, like all friends do. The crocodile told the monkey
that he had a wife and that they lived on the other side of the river. So
the kind monkey offered him some extra rose apples to take home to his
wife. The crocodile’s wife loved the rose apples and made her husband
promise to get her some every day.Meanwhile, the friendship between the monkey and the crocodile
deepened as they spent more and more time together. The crocodile’s wife
started getting jealous. She wanted to put an end to this friendship. So
she pretended that she could not believe that her husband could be
friends with a monkey. Her husband tried to convince her that he and the
monkey shared a true friendship. The crocodile’s wife thought to herself
that if the monkey lived on a diet of rose monkeys, his flesh would be very
sweet. So she asked the crocodile to invite the monkey to their house.The crocodile was not happy about this. He tried to make the excuse that
it would be difficult to get the monkey across the river. But his wife was
determined to eat the monkey’s flesh. So she thought of a plan.One day, she pretended to be very ill and told the crocodile that the
doctor said that she would only recover if she ate a monkey’s heart. If her
husband wanted to save her life, he must bring her his friend’s heart.The crocodile was aghast. He was in a dilemma. On the one hand, he
loved his friend. On the other, he could not possibly let his wife die. The
crocodile’s wife threatened him saying that if he did not get her the
monkey’s heart, she would surely die.So the crocodile went to the rose apple tree and invited the monkey to
come home to meet his wife. He told the monkey that he could ride across
the river on the crocodile’s back. The monkey happily agreed. As they
reached the middle of the river, the crocodile began to sink. The
frightened monkey asked him why he was doing that. The crocodile
explained that he would have to kill the monkey to save his wife’s life. The
clever monkey told him that he would gladly give up his heart to save the
life of the crocodile’s wife, but he had left his heart behind in the rose
apple tree. He asked the crocodile to make haste and turn back so that
the monkey could go get his heart from the apple tree.The silly crocodile quickly swam back to the rose apple tree. The monkey
scampered up the tree to safety. He told the crocodile to tell his wicked
wife that she had married the biggest fool in the world.
The Big Lion and the Little Rabbit Once upon a time, there lived a big lion in a jungle. Every day he hunted and killed
many animals to satisfy his hunger. The animals were worriedthat one day none of them
would be left alive. They all decided to go to the lion and find a solution to this problem.When the lion saw all the animals approaching, he was very happy as he
thought that he would not have to take the trouble to hunt. He could just
kill all the animals together once and for all.One of the animals stopped him and pleaded that he listen to what they
had to say first. He went on to explain that as the lion was king of the
jungle, and all the other animals were his subjects, the lion would not be a
king at all if he killed all his subjects. He would have no one left to rule
over. He suggested that if the lion stayed home, one animal would
surrender itself each day as food for the lion. The lion agreed to this offer
on the condition that if they ever failed to send him an animal, he would
go on a killing spree and finish all of them off.From then on, each day an animal was sent to the lion and the lion was
pleased.One day it was the turn of a little rabbit to sacrifice his life to provide food
for the lion. This little one did not want to be the lion’s meal. He thought
of a plan that would save his life as well as the lives of all the other
animals in the jungle.The rabbit slowly made his way to the lion’s den. The lion was pacing up
and down, extremely hungry. He was furious when all he saw was a little
rabbit. He wanted to kill all the animals in a rage. The rabbit timidly
explained that the animals had actually sent him six rabbits, but five of
them were killed and devoured by another lion.The lion roared in anger. He wanted to know who this other lion was who
dared to steal his food. The rabbit stuttered that it was a very big lion. He
had warned the other lion not to eat him as his king would be very angry
and definitely come to fight him. The rabbit went on to say that that the
other lion had called His Majesty an impostor and had challenged him to
prove who was actually the king of the jungle. The lion was furious. He
asked the rabbit to take him to the other lion as he wanted to kill him.The little rabbit led the lion to a well and told him that the other lion was
in there. The lion peered into the well and saw his own reflection. He
thought it was the other lion. He let out a huge roar which echoed back at
him. He immediately jumped into the well to attack what he thought was
the other lion. The lion dashed his head against the rocks and drowned.The jubilant little rabbit returned to other animals to spread the good
news.
The Stork and the Crab
Once upon a time, there was a stork who caught the fish in a particular
tank. The stork always had a full meal. As the years went by, the stork
grew older and weaker. His ability to catch fish diminished. At times he
would even starve. He knew he had to do something to survive.One day he stood by the side of the tank with a very forlorn look on his
face. The frogs, fish and crabs wondered why he was not trying to catch
any food. A big crab asked him what the matter was. The stork answered
that he was sad because all the fish in the tank were going to die and he
would have to starve. He said that he had heard that people were going
to fill the tank with mud and grow crops over it. The fish were very
worried and asked the stork to help them.The stork offered to take all of them to a bigger tank some distance away.
But he said that he needed to rest between trips because of his age. He
would only be able to carry a few fish at a time.The stork took a beakful of fish on his first trip. He flew to a big rock and
had a good meal. He rested awhile, and when he was hungry again, he
took a second trip. In this manner, he took a trip each time that he was
hungry.The big crab in the tank also wanted to save himself and he requested the
stork to take him too. The stork thought it was a good idea to try a new
dish. He agreed to take the crab on his next trip.After the stork flew up with him, the crab looked down to see what his
new surrounding would be like. All he could see was dry land. He
questioned the stork about this. The stork laughed wickedly and pointed
to the rock below where the crab saw a heap of fish bones. The crab
realized that he was to be the stork’s next meal. So the crab dug his
claws into the stork’s neck and would not let go till the stork fell to the
ground. The crab then cut off the stork’s head and returned home to show
it to all the other fish and share the story of his adventure.
The Musical Donkey
Once upon a time, there was an old thin donkey that worked for a
washerman by day. At night he was free to wander as he liked.One night, he made friends with a jackal and they both went out in search
of food. They found a garden filled with cucumbers and helped themselves
to a delicious meal. After that they returned every night to the garden to
eat cucumbers. And so the donkey started looking healthy and fat.The donkey was so happy that he felt like singing. The jackal warned him
not to. He told the donkey that they were thieves so it was not a good
idea to make noise and attract the farmer’s attention. If they were
caught, they would be beaten.But the donkey insisted on singing. The jackal told him that his voice was
not sweet. The donkey was upset and thought that the jackal was jealous
of him. The jackal warned that donkey again that if he did sing, the
farmers would come and reward him in a way that he would not like.But the donkey started singing, and the jackal decided to wait outside the
garden. When the farmers heard the donkey braying, they rushed out to
beat him. The donkey fell down and the farmers tied a heavy stone around
his neck.Somehow the donkey dragged himself out to the waiting jackal. The jackal
congratulated him on his reward. The donkey realized his mistake and
apologized to the jackal for not listening to good advice.
The Girl Who Married a Snake
Once upon a time, there lived a Brahmin and his wife who had no children.
They prayed to God every day in the hope that they would be blessed
with a child.One fine day, the Brahmin’s wife did give birth to a baby, but it was a
snake! All the villagers, their friends and relatives advised them to get rid
of the baby snake. But the Brahmin’s wife did not care that her baby was
a snake. She loved it all the same and refused to get rid of it.She reared the baby snake with tender loving care and gave him the best
of things. After many years had passed, the Brahmin’s wife decided that it
was time to get her baby married. But which girl would marry a snake?One day, when the Brahmin returned home, he found his wife sobbing. She
refused to tell him the reason, but just continued weeping. Finally she told
him that she was crying because she realized that he did not love his son
because he was not even thinking of his son’s marriage.The Brahmin was shocked. He asked her which person in his right mind
would agree to marry his daughter to a snake. But seeing his wife crying
ceaselessly, he was forced to go out in search of a bride for his son.He traveled far and wide, but with no success. Finally, he arrived in a big
city where his best friend lived. The Brahmin decided to pay him a visit.
They were both thrilled to see each other after such a long time. His friend
asked him what brought him so far from home. The Brahmin replied that he
was searching for a bride for his son. His friend told him to look no further
and immediately promised his daughter’s hand in marriage. The Brahmin
told him to first take a look at his son. His friend refused saying that as he
knew the family, it was not necessary. So he sent his beautiful daughter
with the Brahmin.The Brahmin’s wife was thrilled and immediately started making
preparations for the wedding. Everyone advised the girl not to marry the
snake, but she insisted that she must keep her father’s word.And so the girl and the snake were married. After marriage, the girl was
the epitome of a devoted wife. She looked after the snake well. The snake
slept in his box at night.Then, one night, when the girl was going to sleep, she found a handsome
young man in the room. She was scared and was about to run for help.
The young man stopped her saying that he was her husband. Of course,
she did not believe him. So he proved it by getting back into the snake
skin. She was so happy that she fell at his feet. After that, every night
the young man would shed the snakeskin and spend time with his bride. At
daybreak, he would slip back into the snakeskin.One night, the Brahmin heard noises in his daughter-in-law’s room. So he
kept a watch and saw the snake turning into a handsome young man. He
rushed into the room and threw the snakeskin in to the fire. His son
thanked him profusely saying that he was freed from a curse that forced
him to stay in the snakeskin until someone destroyed it without his
asking.And so the handsome young man and his beautiful bride lived happily ever
after.
Unity is Strength
Once upon a time, there was a flock of doves that flew in search of food
led by their king. One day, they had flown a long distance and were very
tired. The dove king encouraged them to fly a little further. The smallest
dove picked up speed and found some rice scattered beneath a banyan
tree. So all the doves landed and began to eat.Suddenly a net fell over them and they were all trapped. They saw a
hunter approaching carrying a huge club. The doves desperately fluttered
their wings trying to get out, but to no avail.The king had an idea. He advised all the doves to fly up together carrying
the net with them. He said that there was strength in unity.Each dove picked up a portion of the net and together they flew off
carrying the net with them. The hunter looked up in astonishment. He tried
to follow them, but they were flying high over hills and valleys. They flew
to a hill near a city of temples where there lived a mouse who could help
them. He was a faithful friend of the dove king.When the mouse heard the loud noise of their approach, he went into
hiding. The dove king gently called out to him and then the mouse was
happy to see him. The dove king explained that they had been caught in a
trap and needed the mouse’s help to gnaw at the net with his teeth and
set them free.The mouse agreed saying that he would set the king free first. The king
insisted that he first free his subjects and the king last. The mouse
understood the king’s feelings and compled with his wishes. He began to
cut the net and one by one all the doves were freed including the dove
king.They all thanked the mouse and flew away together, united in their
strength.
Mice That Ate Iron
Once upon a time, there was a rich merchant called Naduk. But times were
bad and his business was suffering. He decided to leave the city and find
his fortune in a new place. He sold off all his possessions and paid off his
debts. All that he had left was a heavy iron beam. Naduk went to say
goodbye to his friend Lakshman, and requested him to keep the beam for
him till he returned. Lakshman promised to look after it for him.For many years, Naduk traveled far and wide, building his fortune. Luck
was with him, for he became rich once again. He returned home and
bought a new house and started his business again. He went to visit his
friend Lakshman who greeted him warmly. After a while, Naduk asked him
to return his beam. Lakshman knew that the beam would fetch him good
money so he was loath to return it. So he told Naduk that he had kept his
beam in the store-room and the mice ate it.Naduk did not seem to mind. He asked Lakshman to send his son home
with him so that he could hand over a gift that he had bought for him. So
Lakshman sent his son Ramu with Naduk.Naduk locked up Ramu in a cellar in his house. By nightfall, Lakshamn was
worried and came to ask about the whereabouts of his son. Naduk replied
that on the way to his house, a hawk swooped down and carried the boy
off. Lakshman accused Naduk of lying. He insisted that a hawk could not
carry off a fifteen-year-old boy.A big fight ensued and the matter was taken to court. When the
magistrate heard Lakshman’s side of the story, he ordered Naduk to return
the boy to his father. But Naduk insisted that a hawk carried off the boy.
The magistrate asked him how it was possible. He replied,that if a huge
iron beam can be eaten by mice, then a boy could definitely be carried off
by a hawk.Naduk related the whole story. Everyone in the courtroom burst out
laughing. The magistrate then ordered Lakshman to return the iron beam
to Naduk and that Naduk return Lakshman’s son to him.