Monthly Archives: October 2013
10. THE ASS HAS NO BRAINS
Once there lived a foolish donkey in a town. The town was situated near a forest. There, in the forest lived king lion and his minister, a cunning fox. Once, king lion was badly wounded in a fierce fighting with an elephant. He became unable to hunt for his prey. So he asked his minister, the cunning fox to bring some good meal for him. As the fox used to share the prey, which king lion hunted for his meals, he at once, set out to search for food.
9. SOMILAKA THE WEAVER AND WEALTH
Long, long ago, there lived a weaver in a town by the name of Somilaka. The cloth he wove was so fine and beautiful that even the king liked it. But somehow, he still remained a poor man, while other weavers were quite rich, even though they wove inferior cloth. This bitter fact made Somilaka sad. He left his native village and went to settle down in some other town to try his luck. In this town also, Somilaka couldn’t earn much money. He became frustrated and decided to commit suicide. He made a rope of grass, prepared a noose and tied the rope’s other end to the high branch of a tree. He put the noose round his neck. As he was about to jump on to the ground, he heard a voice from the heaven calling, “Hold it, don’t commit suicide. It is I, God. I’m pleased with your hard work. Ask any boon of me and I’ll grant it.”
8. SALANAN, THE WEAVER
In a certain town lived a weaver. His name was Salanan, and he spent his time making garments dyed in various patterns, fit for such people as princes. But for all his labours, he could not collect a bit of money beyond food and clothes.
Yet he saw other weavers, who made coarse fabrics, rolling in wealth, and he said to his wife: “Look at these fellows. They make coarse stuff, but they earn heaps of money. This city does not offer me a decent living. I am going to move.”
“Oh, my dear,” said his wife, “it is a mistake to say that money comes to those who travel.”
And whispers: “I am yours. So stay here and mind your business.”
7. OLD DOGS LEARN NEW TRICKS
A farmer intended to shoot a faithful dog, now too old to be of use. But the dog’s friend the wolf had a plan. Accordingly, he seized the master’s child; the dog pursued and with a pretended struggle rescued the child. The grateful farmer now promised to keep the old dog as long as he lived.
❖ Old Dogs Learn New Tricks.
