In a certain town, there lived a Brahmin, by the name of Dev Sharma. One day, his wife give birth to a son. The very same day a female mongoose gave birth to a baby mongoose, but she herself died.

Out of compassion, the Brahmin’s wife took the little mongoose to her house and brought him up as her own son, giving him her own breast milk and bathing him in oil.

However, she was always on her guard, thinking to herself, “This mongoose has inherited the defects of his species and may some day harm my son.”

She was a very fond mother. One day, the woman put her son to bed and then wanted to take her pitcher to fetch water. So she said to her husband,’I’m going to the well to fetch water. Look after the baby and make sure the mongoose doesn’t hurt him.’

But after she had gone the Brahmin also left the house and went to beg for alms. Meanwhile, a black snake emerged from a hole. To defend the child, who was like a brother to him, the mongoose attacked his natural enemy, fought with him, bit him to pieces and killed him.

His mouth and claws were all spattered with the snake’s blood. Then, in this eagerness to show how brave he had been, the mongoose went and stood outside the house, waiting for the Brahmin’s wife. But when she arrived and saw him covered with blood, the woman jumped to the conclusion that he had killed her son.

She brought the heavy pitcher, full of water, down heavily on the mongoose and killed him on the spot. When she went inside, she found her child safe in his cradle, and a black snake, torn to shreds, lying nearby. She was heart-broken. She felt as though she had been guilty of killing her own son and began to beat her breasts in self-reproach.

After some time, the Brahmin returned home. ‘Damn you,’ cried his grief-stricken wife. ‘Greedy fellow, you were so anxious for alms that you didn’t listen to me. Now repent the loss of your second son, eat the fruit of your greed.’

❖ Think hard and do not do anything in haste.

❖ One should avoid taking hasty decisions in sensitive matters.