109. THE TORTOISE AND THE GEESE
Once upon a time, two geese by the names of Sankata and Vikata and a tortoise by the name of Kambugriva lived near a river. They were good friends. Once, due to drought in the region, all the rivers, lakes and ponds went dry. There was not a drop of water to drink for the birds and animals. They began to die of thirst.
The three friends talked among themselves to find a solution to this problem and go out in search of water. But despite their best efforts they could not find water anywhere around.
108. THE TIGER, THE BRAHMAN, AND THE JACKAL
Once upon a time, a tiger was caught in a trap. He tried in vain to get out through the bars, and rolled and bit with rage and grief when he failed.
By chance a poor Brahman came by. “Let me out of this cage, oh pious one!” cried the tiger.
“No, my friend,” replied the Brahman mildly, “you would probably eat me if I did.”
“Not at all!” swore the tiger with many oaths; “on the contrary, I should be for ever grateful, and serve you as a slave!”
107. THE THREE FISHES
In a certain pond, there lived three fishes. One day some fishermen were passing by They saw this pond and said to each other, “We have never investigated this particular pond. It’s full of fishes! But since we already have a good catch today, and it’s evening, so let’s go home and come back here tomorrow.”
So the fishermen left. When the first fish heard this, he was dumbfounded as if struck by a thunderbolt, and he called all the fishes together and said to them, “Did you hear what the fishermen said just now? Let’s leave immediately for some other pond. I think the fishermen will return tomorrow morning and then they will start killing all of us. So it’s not wise to stay here a moment longer.”
When the secound fish heard this, he said, “You’re right! Let’s us go somewhere else!”
But the third fish laughed loudly and said, “Oh, I don’t agree with you! Would it be right to give up this pond, that belonged to our forefathers, just because of the talk of fishermen! And in any case, if it’s time for us to die, death will certainly not spare us, wherever we are. So, I won’t come with you. Do as you think best.”
106. THE SWAN AND THE OWL
Long time ago there lived a swan who used to spend time in various playful activities on a lake. Once an owl visited him in the forest and requested him to be friends after praising the swan a lot. The swan agreed to be friends with him and they used to spend time near the lake for many days.
But the owl soon got bored of the place and told the swan, “I am going back to my home in the Lotus wood, and if you ever want to visit me you can visit me there.” The swan, after many days once decided to pay a visit to the owl in the Lotus wood. On reaching Lotus wood, it could not find the owl, who was hiding in the dark hole. The owl asked the swan to take rest till daylight was over and told him that he could come out only at night. The swan decided to take rest.
It so happened that a group of merchants were passing by the wood the next day early morning. The merchants chanted some hymns, and to that the owl replied with a hoot. Thinking that this was a bad omen, the merchants decided to shoot the owl down. The owl sensing danger had fled and took refuge in a nearby hole near the shore of the lake. But the swan did not move. The arrow from the merchants came and hit the swan and it was killed.
❖ Friendship has to be between equals.
❖ Make friends among people who are like you.
