01) Read any Five “Panchatantra” Stories of your
choice and write the summary of each story.
Ans:
a. The Lion and the
Rabbit (The Tale of the Cunning Hare):
"The Lion and the
Rabbit" is a classic fable that imparts a moral lesson about wit and
intelligence triumphing over brute strength. Here is a summary of the story:
Once upon a time, in a
dense forest, lived a mighty and ferocious lion. The lion was the king of the
jungle and ruled over all the animals with an iron paw. The other animals, out
of fear, obeyed the lion's commands and offered him their respect. One day, a
clever and quick-witted rabbit lived in the same forest. The rabbit was
well-aware of the lion's power and cunning, so he kept his distance and stayed
out of trouble. However, the rabbit was not only clever but also kind-hearted.
One hot summer day, a
severe drought struck the forest. The water sources dried up, and the animals
were desperate to find water to quench their thirst. The lion, being the king,
ordered the animals to find water immediately. The animals scattered in search
of water, but the rabbit was small and unable to dig for water like the larger
animals. The rabbit, determined to help the other animals, hatched a plan. He
approached the lion and said, "Your Majesty, I know where there is a deep
and abundant well of water. Follow me, and I will lead you to it."
The lion, thirsty and
eager to find water, agreed to follow the rabbit. The rabbit led the lion to
the edge of a deep well and pointed towards it, saying, "The water is down
there, Your Majesty. Please drink your fill." The lion, unaware of the
rabbit's cunning, peered into the well and saw his own reflection. Believing it
to be water, he leaped into the well to quench his thirst. Of course, the lion
could not swim, and he soon realized that he had been deceived by the clever
rabbit.
The rabbit, standing
safely at a distance, called out, "Your Majesty, you must have been
mistaken. That was your own reflection. You cannot drink from a well."
The lion, struggling to
stay afloat in the well, begged the rabbit for help. The rabbit, taking pity on
the lion, tied a long vine to a tree and threw the other end into the well. The
lion grabbed onto the vine, and with the rabbit's assistance, he was pulled out
of the well to safety. From that day on, the lion learned a valuable lesson
about humility and the importance of not underestimating others based on their
size. He realized that intelligence and wit could be more powerful than brute
strength.
The fable of "The
Lion and the Rabbit" teaches us that one should never underestimate the
intelligence and resourcefulness of others, regardless of their size or
appearance. It also emphasizes the importance of kindness and cooperation in
times of need.
b. The Brahmin and
the Mongoose (The Tale of Trust and Betrayal):
"The Brahmin and
the Mongoose" is a classic Indian folktale that explores themes of trust,
betrayal, and the consequences of hasty actions. Here is a summary of the
story:
Once upon a time, in a
small village, there lived a kind-hearted Brahmin (a priest or scholar) and his
faithful wife. Despite their desire for children, they were childless for many
years. One day, a miracle happened, and the Brahmin's wife gave birth to a
beautiful baby boy. Overjoyed by the arrival of their son, the Brahmin and his
wife decided to go on a pilgrimage, leaving the baby in the care of a mongoose
they had raised as a pet. The Brahmin entrusted the mongoose with the
responsibility of protecting their child and left with his wife.
One day, while the
Brahmin and his wife were away, the Brahmin's wife asked a neighbor to look
after their child and the mongoose. The neighbor agreed, but she harbored
jealousy and doubted the mongoose's loyalty. One evening, as the neighbor was
preparing a meal, she saw the mongoose covered in blood. She immediately
assumed the worst, believing that the mongoose had harmed the baby. Filled with
anger and fear, she killed the mongoose without hesitation.
Afterward, the neighbor
went inside to check on the baby and was horrified to find blood smeared all
over the baby's crib. Convinced that the mongoose had attacked the child, she
rushed to the village, spreading the news of the tragedy. The villagers,
outraged and seeking justice, gathered at the Brahmin's house. When the Brahmin
and his wife returned from their pilgrimage, they were devastated to learn of
their son's death. The villagers condemned the mongoose for its apparent
betrayal.
However, upon closer
inspection, they discovered the truth. A snake had entered the house through a
hole in the wall and had bitten the baby, causing his death. The mongoose, in a
desperate attempt to protect the child, had killed the snake and was covered in
the snake's blood. Realizing the mongoose's loyalty and sacrifice, the Brahmin
and the villagers felt immense guilt and sorrow for their hasty actions. They
mourned the mongoose's death and recognized that it had only acted out of love
and protection for the baby.
"The Brahmin and
the Mongoose" teaches us a valuable lesson about the consequences of
jumping to conclusions and making hasty judgments. It reminds us that
appearances can be deceiving, and it is essential to gather all the facts
before passing judgment. The story also highlights the theme of trust and the
tragic consequences of betraying it.
c. The Monkey and
the Crocodile (The Tale of Friendship and Deception):
"The Monkey and the
Crocodile" is a popular folktale from India that explores the themes of
friendship, deception, and wit. Here is a summary of the story:
Once upon a time, in a
lush forest near a river, there lived a clever and friendly monkey. He spent
his days swinging from tree to tree, eating delicious fruits, and enjoying the
peaceful life in the forest. One day, he noticed a crocodile and struck up a
conversation with him. The monkey and the crocodile soon became close friends,
sharing stories and laughter by the riverbank. The crocodile often brought
fruits from the river to share with the monkey, and their friendship grew
stronger with each passing day.
However, the crocodile's
wife became envious of their friendship and grew greedy. She desired to taste
the monkey's heart, believing it would be the most delicious treat. She
concocted a plan to deceive her husband and satisfy her desire.
One day, the crocodile's
wife pretended to be sick and told her husband that the only cure for her
illness was to eat the heart of a monkey. The crocodile, torn between his love
for his wife and his friendship with the monkey, decided to share the truth with
his friend. The crocodile invited the monkey for a ride on his back, claiming
that he had discovered a beautiful island with abundant fruits across the
river. The monkey, trusting his friend, happily agreed to the journey. As they
reached the middle of the river, the crocodile revealed his wife's wicked plan.
The monkey, quick-witted
and realizing the danger he was in, decided to outsmart the crocodile. He told
the crocodile that he had left his heart back on the riverbank but would gladly
retrieve it if they turned back. The crocodile, believing the monkey's words,
turned around and swam back to the riverbank. As soon as they reached the
shore, the monkey leaped off the crocodile's back and climbed up a tree. He
taunted the crocodile, saying that he would never return to be his friend again
because he had betrayed their trust.
The crocodile, deeply
regretful of his actions, apologized to the monkey and begged for forgiveness.
But the monkey, having learned the importance of trust and loyalty, refused to
be friends with the crocodile any longer. The story of "The Monkey and the
Crocodile" teaches us valuable lessons about friendship, trust, and the
consequences of deception. It reminds us that true friendship is built on trust
and loyalty and that deception can lead to the loss of a cherished
relationship. The cleverness of the monkey in outwitting the crocodile serves
as a timeless example of wit triumphing over deceit.
d. The Blue Jackal
(The Tale of Adaptation):
"The Blue
Jackal" is a popular Indian folktale that tells the story of a jackal who,
through a fortunate turn of events, acquires a unique ability and rises to
power. Here is a summary of the story:
Once upon a time, in a
peaceful forest, there lived a cunning and hungry jackal. This jackal was known
for his cunning nature and his constant search for food. One day, while
wandering near a village, the jackal fell into a vat of blue dye that had been left
unattended by a group of cloth dyers. Emerging from the vat, the jackal was
completely covered in blue dye, and he looked unlike any other animal in the
forest. Realizing that he now had a unique appearance, the clever jackal
decided to use it to his advantage. He made his way back to the forest and
approached the other animals.
The animals, seeing the
blue jackal, were startled and mystified. They believed that this blue creature
must be a divine being or a king among animals. The jackal, seizing the
opportunity, decided to maintain the illusion. He began to act regally, speaking
in a dignified manner and claiming that he was appointed as the king of the
forest by the gods themselves.
The animals, impressed
by the blue jackal's charisma and believing in his royal status, paid him
respect and offered him food. The jackal, now well-fed and content, reveled in
his newfound power and status. As time passed, the king of a nearby kingdom
visited the forest along with his hunting dogs. The dogs, upon spotting the
blue jackal, recognized him as a mere jackal and not a king. They barked and
chased the jackal, exposing his true identity.
The blue jackal, now
cornered and fearing for his life, escaped back into the forest. The animals,
upon realizing that they had been deceived, were furious and chased the jackal
away. The jackal, once again covered in dirt and muck, returned to his humble
life. The moral of the story is that one's true character cannot be hidden for
long. Deception may work for a while, but eventually, the truth will be
revealed. "The Blue Jackal" serves as a cautionary tale about the
consequences of pretending to be someone or something that one is not.
e. The Four Friends
and the Hunter (The Tale of Cooperation):
"The Four Friends and the Hunter" is a classic
Indian folktale that teaches the importance of cooperation and unity in
overcoming challenges. Here is a summary of the story:
In a lush forest, there lived four friends who were
different species but had a strong bond of friendship. They were a mouse, a
turtle, a deer, and a crow. Despite their differences, they valued each other's
companionship and helped one another whenever needed. One day, a hunter entered
the forest with the intention of capturing these four animals. He set up traps
and snares in various parts of the forest, hoping to catch them. When the
friends discovered the hunter's presence and his traps, they were deeply concerned
for their safety.
The mouse, being the smallest and the quickest, suggested a
plan to outsmart the hunter. The friends decided to work together to foil the
hunter's traps and escape his clutches. First, the deer used his sharp hooves
to cut the ropes of the snares. Then, the turtle, with his sturdy shell,
knocked over the traps. The crow, with his sharp beak and keen eyes, scouted
from the treetops, keeping an eye on the hunter's movements and warning the
others when he approached.
The mouse, being the nimblest of them all, went up to the
hunter's bag and gnawed a hole through it. As a result, the hunter's belongings
fell out and made a loud noise, scaring him away. The four friends had
successfully driven the hunter out of the forest and saved themselves. They
celebrated their victory and thanked each other for their contributions to the
plan. The mouse, turtle, deer, and crow realized that it was their unity and
cooperation that had saved them from the hunter's traps. Their friendship had
proven to be their greatest strength.
"The Four Friends and the Hunter" teaches us the
valuable lesson that unity and cooperation can overcome even the most
challenging situations. It emphasizes that differences in abilities and
backgrounds should not hinder collaboration and that working together can lead
to success and safety. These Panchatantra stories are not only entertaining but
also offer valuable life lessons and moral teachings. They have been passed
down through generations as a means of imparting wisdom and ethical guidance.
