1.   SULTAN, THE LOYAL

( Illustration:  Title Picture: An old, toothless dog)

 

Once there lived a shepherd. He had a dog named Sultan. He was very loyal to his master. As Sultan grew in age, he lost all his hair and teeth.

 

One day the shepherd, his master, told his wife:

“Our Sultan is now useless. I’m going to shoot him to death tomorrow.”

 

But his wife replied:

“Please, don’t kill our poor Sultan. He has been loyal to us all these years. Isn’t it our duty to feed him in his old age? How can we be so thankless?”

 

But the shepherd was bent on killing Sultan. He said:

“He is of no worth now. His bark is weak and he cannot bite. Thieves and thugs just laugh at him. I know he has served us long and we’ve fed him well. Now that he is of no use, I’m going to kill him. You can be sure of that”

 

Poor Sultan! He heard the talk between his master and his wife. He was shocked. The next day was going to be his last day! Frightened and confused, he lay there still for a while.

(Illustration: The shepherd and his wife talking to each other, Sultan hearing about his death and getting scared)  

At last, he decided to call on his good old friend, the wolf. 

 

Thus, in the evening, Sultan went to the forest where the wolf lived. He poured out all his woes to his friend. He told the wolf that his master had planned to shoot him the next day.

(Illustration: Sultan meeting the wolf in the wood)

“Take it easy, Sultan,” said the wolf. “I have an idea. You know your master and his wife go into the field early in the morning. They also take their little baby along with them. When they are working in the field, they put down the child in the shade of the trees. You just lie by the baby as if you were keeping an eye on it. I’ll appear from the forest and run off with the baby. Then you run after me with all your might and I’ll drop the baby. You take the baby back and they will be very grateful to you. After that, your master will never think of killing you.”

 

The idea wowed our old Sultan. The next morning Sultan and his friend carried out their plan. As the wolf bolted out with the little baby, the shepherd and his wife wailed aloud. Sultan chased the wolf, overtook him and brought the baby back to his master.

(Illustration: Sultan chasing the wolf who is fleeing with the child)

The shepherd was overcome with joy and thanks. Patting Sultan’s head, he said:

“Our poor old Sultan has got us our baby back from that bad wolf. So I won’t kill him anymore.”

Then he told his wife:

“Go home and cook up a good meal for our Sultan. Give my old cushion for him to sleep on.”

(Illustration: The shepherd patting Sultan and talking to his wife)

Sultan lived in all comfort since that day.

 

But a few days later his friend, the wolf paid him a visit. The wolf said:

“You’re a great guy, Sultan. I don’t want you to tell tales. I want to taste one of your master’s fine fat sheep. Please turn your head the other way.”

“No,” said our loyal Sultan. “I’m true to my master.”

 

The wolf thought that his friend was not serious. So he came one night to get a sheep. But Sultan had told his master about the wolf. When the wolf came, the master thrashed him right and left.

 

The wolf was very cross. He told Sultan:

“You are no friend of mine. You are a rascal. I am going to teach you a lesson.”

 

Now, the wolf had another friend, a boar. He sent the boar to challenge Sultan for a fight. Our poor old Sultan had no friend but a three-legged cat. So he took the cat along with him. The cat kept her tail straight up and limped along.

(Illustration: Sultan and the three-legged cat with tail up, coming to the fighting

spot.)

The wolf and the boar were the first to reach the spot. They saw the cat’s tail standing erect. They thought the cat was carrying a sword for Sultan. When they saw her limping, they thought she was picking up a stone. They got scared. So the boar hid behind a bush and the wolf climbed up a tree.

 

Sultan and his friend soon reached the spot. They looked around and found no one. Then they saw the ears of the boar sticking out of the bush. The cat thought it was a mouse. She soon pounced on it, scratched it and bit it. The boar leaped up, grunted and fled.  As he ran for life, he said:

“I’m not your enemy. Look up in the tree. Your enemy is there.”

 

They looked up and saw the wolf. They called out:

“You, rascal, you should be ashamed of yourself.”

  

They did not let him come down the tree. At last, the wolf made them a promise. He told them that he would always be friends with Sultan. Sultan accepted his promise. Thus he became once again Sultan’s friend.

(Illustration: The wolf and Sultan in a happy mood.)

You know, a true servant never betrays his or her master.

 

 

 

2. THE LOGGER AND THE LITTLE BIRD

(Title picture: The logger and the bird talking)

There was once a logger who felled trees for timber. One day, while he was chopping logs, he suddenly felt tired. He put away his axe and lay down under a tree. Soon he fell asleep.

 

A little bird fluttering about happened to see him sleeping. She took pity on him. She thought:

“The man seems to be very poor. I must help him.”

So the little bird laid a golden egg near the logger. 

(Illustration: The logger asleep, and the bird laying a golden egg)

 

When the logger woke up, he was surprised to see the golden egg. He looked all around. When he saw no one watching him, he pocketed the egg. Then he chopped a few logs and bundled them. After that, he took the bundle of wood to the timber-shop where he usually sold the wood.

“Why have you brought such a small bundle of logs today, my man?” asked the shopkeeper. “You usually bring a large bundle of wood. What happened today?”

(Illustration: The shopkeeper and the logger at the timber-shop)

Then the logger told the shopkeeper about the golden egg.

 

Now, the shopkeeper was very cunning. He told the logger:

“I can give you a whole solid gold coin for that egg. But if you can get me that little bird, I’ll give you ten gold coins.”

Our logger was very stupid. He took the gold coin and said:

“Keep ready those ten gold coins. I’ll get the bird to you.”

 

Next morning the logger went to the same place. He lay down under the same tree and closed his eyes. He lay there as though he were asleep. A short while after the little bird flew down near him. She thought of laying another golden egg for our logger. Just then the logger jumped up and caught the little bird in his fist.

(Illustration: The bird in the fist of the logger)

He said:

“Now I can sell you for ten gold coins! Last time the shopkeeper gave me one gold coin for your egg.”

“Are you an idiot?” the little bird cried out. “Didn’t you know one golden egg is worth more than ten gold coins? The shopkeeper has made you an ass of yourself.”

 It was then that our poor logger realized his mistake. He soon released the bird.  He said:

“Sorry, little bird, I was very greedy and thought of selling you to the shopkeeper.”

The little bird added:

“I belong to a flock of birds that brings good luck to humans. But once we tell them that secret, we die. Now my end is near.”

When the logger heard this, he wept. He asked the little bird:

“Can I help you in some way?”

The little bird replied:

“You cannot stop my death. But when I die, take a feather of mine. Plant it in your yard. In time it will grow into a tree and the tree will bear golden fruit.”

(Illustration: The logger with a feather of the bird in his hand)

 

The logger did as he was told. In a few months, the feather grew into a tree and, in a year, the tree bore golden fruit. Even in her death, the little bird was kind to the logger.

(Illustration: The tree with golden fruit)

 

You know, greed never brings any good, but kindness always rewards.

 

 

 

3.   THE SPARROW’S REVENGE

(Illustration: The dog walking and the sparrow flying ahead of him)

 

There was once a man who owned a dog. The dog was faithful but the man was wicked. He would starve his dog all day and night. In the end, the dog could not take it any longer. So he left his master.

 

Low in spirits, the dog walked along. On his way he met a sparrow. The sparrow asked him:

“You look so sad, my brother; what is the matter?”

Then the dog replied:

“I’m very hungry. I haven’t eaten for long.”

“Follow me, my friend. I’ll get you enough to eat,” said the sparrow.

 

On they went into a town. When they were passing by a butcher’s shop, the sparrow stopped. She said:

“Wait here, my friend. I’ll get you a cut of meat.”

 

The sparrow flew into the shop. Perching on a shelf, she looked about her. No one had seen her. She poked and pecked at a slice of meat and it fell down. The dog took it in a flash and went into a corner. Soon he gobbled up the meat.

(Illustration: The sparrow in the shop and the dog waiting outside it)

 

The sparrow told the dog:

“Let’s go to another shop. I’ll get you another piece.”

At the next shop, the dog had another slice of meat. The sparrow asked him:

“Have you had enough, my good friend? Are you satisfied?”

“I’ve had enough meat,” said our dog. “Now, I would like to have some bread.”

“Follow me,” said the sparrow and off they went to a baker’s shop.

 

There was a roll of bread in the window of the shop. The sparrow poked and pecked at the loaf. When it fell down, the dog snapped it up.

(Illustration: the sparrow in the shop-window of the baker and the dog waiting outside)

 

“I’ve had enough food now,” the dog said. “Let’s go on to the high road.”

So they went out on the high road. A little while later, the dog felt sleepy. He said:

“I feel tired. Let me take a nap.”

“Please do so, my friend. I’ll perch on a bush.”

The dog stretched out on the road and, soon, fell asleep.

(Illustration: The dog sleeping on the road and the sparrow on a bush)

 

Soon a carter came with a cart drawn by a horse. The cart carried a cask of wine. The sparrow saw the cart. She thought the carter might drive over the dog. So she called out to him:

“Carter, carter, please stop the cart. Or you’ll feel sorry.”

“Indeed?” asked the carter. “You will make me feel sorry?”

The wicked carter drove on. The cart went over the poor dog. Its wheels crushed him to death.

“There!” cried the sparrow. “You’ve killed my friend. Now, mark my words, you villain! I’ll make you pay for this.”

(Illustration: The dog crushed under the cart) 

“Indeed? Go ahead and make me pay. What can you do, you creep?” laughed the carter.

 

The sparrow slipped under the cart. She pecked at the stopper of the cask. Drop by drop all the wine ran out. When the carter looked around, he saw the cart dripping and the cask empty.

“What a miserable creature I am!” cried the carter.

“Just you wait! There’s more to come,” said the sparrow.

She flew down on the head of the horse. She pecked him until he reared and kicked. The carter threw his axe at the sparrow. But it missed her. As she flew away, the axe fell on the horse’s head. The horse fell dead.

“What a miserable creature I am!” cried the carter.

“Just you wait! There’s more to come,” said the sparrow. “Now I’ll punish you in your own home.”

(Illustration: The carter throwing the axe at the sparrow and missing her)

The carter went home in anger. He told his wife:

“What a miserable creature I am! My wine is all gone and my horse is dead.”

Then his wife told him:

“A wicked bird has flown into our house. She brought so many other birds with her. I think they have eaten up all our rice.”

 

The carter ran upstairs. He saw the sparrow there with so many other birds. They had already eaten up all his rice.

“What a miserable creature I am!” cried the carter.

“Just you wait! There’s more to come. This will cost you your life.”

“Indeed?” laughed the carter aloud. He was still not sorry for what he had done.

 

The sparrow flew from place to place. Blind with anger, the carter threw his axe at her. But it missed the sparrow. But, in the end, the carter caught the sparrow in his hand. He said to his wife:

“Take the axe, wife. Strike her with it and kill it.”

The wife took the axe. And she struck. Alas! She missed her target. The axe hit the carter on his head. He fell down dead.

(Illustration: The wife hitting the carter on the head and the sparrow flying away)

And, the sparrow flew home, satisfied. At last, she had had her revenge.

You know, a true friend goes to any length to help his or her friend.

 

 

 

 

4. THE LION’S WEDDING

(Title Picture: A ferocious looking lion)

 

There was a forest called Sahyavan. In that forest of Sahyavan,  there was a young lion. He looked very mean and ferocious. All other animals in Sahyavan were scared of him. They called the lion the terrorist of the forest. Whenever the lion went about the forest, they took every care not to be in his sight.

“Never ever let the lion see you, my children,” the monkeys would warn their young ones.

“Go into some cave, before the lion sees you, my children,” the bears would warn their cubs.

 

In fact, the lion only looked mean and fierce. He was really good at heart. He was no terrorist.

 

One day the lion thought it was time for him to get married. So he found a suitable lioness for him. He consulted a priest and fixed a date for his wedding. He wanted all the animals of Sahyavan to attend his wedding.

“Maybe, then they will understand that I’m after all not that mean,” he thought.

(Illustration: The lion and his bride, the lioness)

 

So our young lion visited all the animals. He invited them to his wedding very politely.

First he met the elephant.

“Brother Elephant, I know you’re a great trumpeter. I want you to blow your trumpet at my wedding,” our young lion requested him.

“Sure, Brother Lion,” the elephant agreed.

(Illustration: The lion inviting the elephant)

 

Next he met the monkey.

“Brother Monkey, I know you’re a great dancer. I want you to cut a few steps at my wedding,” our young lion requested him.

“Sure, Brother Lion,” the monkey agreed.

(Illustration: The lion inviting the monkey)

 

Then he met the bear.

“Brother Bear, I know you’re a great collector of honey. I want you to bring some honey for my wedding,” our young lion requested him.

“Sure, Brother Lion,” the bear agreed.

 

The young lion thus invited all the animals in Sahyavan one by one. He invited the crow and the cat. He also asked the fox and the peacock to the wedding.  Even the camel and the giraffe were invited.

 

On the day of the wedding, however, no single animal turned up.

(Illustration: The lion and his lioness looking at the empty wedding venue.)

 

A few days afterwards, the elephant met the bear. He asked the bear:

“Did you attend our lion’s wedding, Brother Elephant?”

“No, Brother Bear,” answered the elephant. “I’m scared of the lion, though I’m strong.”

“Did you attend the wedding, Brother Bear?” asked the elephant.

“No, Brother Elephant,” answered the bear. “I’m scared of the lion, though he is younger than me.”

“What about you, Brother Monkey?” The elephant asked the monkey

“I didn’t go to the wedding, Brother Elephant,” the monkey answered. “I’m scared of the lion, though I can get up on a tree faster than him.”

The crow also joined in the talk:

“It’s very hard to share our joy with someone we’re scared of.”

(Illustration: The animals gathering and talking to each other)

 

Thus animal after animal gave the same excuse for not attending the lion’s wedding. They never took any pains to know whether the lion was really scary. You know, it is never wise to go by someone’s looks.

(Illustration: The lion looking very sad)

You know, it’s good to remember that appearances are misleading.

 

5.   THE TOURING SINGERS

(Title picture: The ass, the dog, the cat and the rooster singing)

 

Once upon a time there lived a farmer. He had an ass that was getting old. As days passed, he became unfit for work. So the farmer thought of killing him. But the ass smelt a rat and took to his heels. He made for the city.

“I’ll live in the city as a singer,” he thought. “The city dudes would like to hear me bray.”

(Illustration: The ass walking on the road and the city in the distance)

 

On his way, he met a dog. The dog was lying by the wayside and seemed tired.

“Why do you look so tired, my bro?” asked our ass.

“As I’m old and weak, my master wanted to kill me. So I fled from him. I don’t know on what I would live from now on.”

“Listen, my good friend,” said our ass. “I’m off to the city to be a singer there. Come with me to the city. You too can be singer there.”

“Okay, my friend,” said the dog. “I think the city dudes would like to hear me bark.”

Thus the ass and the dog jogged on to the city.

(Illustration: The ass and the dog jogging on with the city looming in the distance)

 

On their way, they met a cat. He seemed sad.

“My dear lass,” spoke our ass, “Why do you look so sad? Why are you ill-at-ease?”

“How can I be happy, my good man?” asked the cat. “I’m old and I can’t catch mice. So my master wants to kill me. Fearing for my life, I fled. I don’t know on what I would live from now on.”

“Listen, my good girl,” said our ass. “We’re off to the city to be singers there. Come with us to the city. You too can be a singer there.”

“Very well, my friend,” said the cat. “I think the city dudes would like to hear me mewl.”

Thus the ass, the dog and the cat jogged on to the city.

(Illustration: The ass, the dog and the cat jogging on with the city looming in the distance)

 

On their way, they came upon a farmhouse. Perched upon its gate, there was a rooster. He was crowing with all his might.

“Why are you so upset, my dear bro?” asked our ass. “What is the matter?”

“You know, my friend. I was happy to see that the day was fine. And that ruffian of a cook wants to kill me. She wants to serve chicken soup for the guests.”

“Don’t you worry, my fine fellow,” spoke our ass. “We’re off to the city to be singers there. Come with us to the city. You too can be a singer there.”

“Alright, my friend,” said the rooster. “I think the city dudes would like to hear me crow.”

Thus the ass, the dog, the cat and the rooster jogged on to the city.

(Illustration: The ass talking to the rooster on the farmhouse-gate and the dog and the cat watching them)

 

Soon it was night. The four singers went to a tree by the wayside. The ass and the dog lay under the tree. The cat went up the tree and sat on a branch. The rooster flew up the tree and perched on its top.

(Illustration: The ass and the dog lying under the tree; the cat on a branch and the rooster on the top.)

When he looked all around, he saw a light at some distance. He called out to his friends:

“I see a light, my friends. There seems to be a house close by.”

“Then let’s take shelter there. I find this tree not so cozy,” so said our ass.

“I would like to have a bone or two. I’m so hungry,” said the dog.

 

So they moved towards the light. It was coming from a house. It was indeed the house of a gang of robbers. The ass walked up to the window. He peered into the room.

“Can you see anything?” asked the rooster.

“There’s a table with all sorts of food. There’re men sitting around,” spoke the ass.

“Can we somehow get into the room?” asked the cat.

The four of them thought very hard. At last, they came up with a plan.

 

The ass put his front feet on the window. The dog clambered on to his back; the cat climbed on to the dog’s back; the rooster sat on the dog’s head. Then they all started singing. The ass brayed, the dog barked, the cat mewled and the rooster crowed. Singing aloud, the four broke through the window and fell headlong into the room.

(Illustration: The ass, the dog, the cat and the rooster on top of each other at the window)

As the glass shattered, the robbers were all startled. They were so scared that they fled from the place. Our singers sat at the table. As they were hungry, they ate everything on the table. Once they ate, they put out the lights. Then they got ready to sleep. The ass lay on the yard and the dog behind a door. The cat curled up near the fireplace and the rooster rested on a beam.

 

One of the robbers was very bold. So he came back to the house. He found a candle and went to the fireplace to light it. He found some burning coals there. But, in fact, those were the eyes of the cat. The robber tried to light the candle. Then the cat scratched his face. Off he ran to the door. There the dog bit him in his leg. Then he ran across the yard. There the ass gave him a kick. At that time the rooster crowed aloud. The robber was so scared that he ran for his life.

 

When he met his friends, he told them:

“The house is a haunted one. There are not one but four ghosts in the house. We had better flee from here.”

 

After that the robbers never came back to the house. Our four singers found the house very cozy. They were so happy with the house that they made it their home. To this day, the ass, the dog, the cat and the rooster live in there.

(Illustration: The four singers comfortably settled in the house)

You know, if friends stay together, they can overcome any problem.

 

 

6. THE SAITNT AND THE LION

(Title picture: The saint taking the thorn from the lion’s paw)

Fifteen hundred years ago, there was a saint. He was called Saint Jerome. He used to live in a monastery with his monks.

 

Once he was sitting and chatting with his monks at the gate of the monastery. Suddenly he saw a huge lion walking towards them. The monks were horrified to see such a huge lion. They ran helter-skelter in fright. Somehow they got indoors and closed the door.

(Illustration: The monks running indoors in fright)

But Saint Jerome stayed right where he was. He could see that the lion was limping as he walked. Saint Jerome realized that the lion was in real trouble. Being a saint, he wanted to help the lion in his need.

 

The lion reached near the saint. He was evidently in pain. The saint asked:

“O, royal beast, what is ailing you?”

The lion held up one of his paws. Saint Jerome could see a big thorn in his paw. Without any trace of fear, he took the paw and removed the thorn. After that he dressed the wound. Until the wound was healed, the saint kept the lion in the monastery.

 

Now, the lion was very thankful and became a friend of the saint. He would not leave the kind saint and stayed on with him.

(Illustration: The lion roaming with the saint in the monastery)

 

But the monastery had a rule. Man or beast, one must do some work. Eventually, Saint Jerome found the lion some useful work. He told the lion to watch over the ass in the monastery. The ass had the task of getting firewood from the nearby forest. And, the lion became his bodyguard. The ass was also happy because he now had a mighty guard.

(Illustration: The lion watching over the ass carrying wood)

 

One day while the ass was grazing, the lion dozed off. At that time, a few traders happened to pass by. When they saw the ass, they stole him and carried away.

 

After a short while, the lion woke up from his sleep. He looked for the ass here and there. But he could not find the ass anywhere.  As evening fell, he returned to the monastery. His head was bent and his tail was between his legs. He was so much ashamed.

 

When the lion returned without the ass, Saint Jerome thought he had eaten the poor beast. He chided the lion:

“From now on you do the work the ass was doing. Bring home everyday wood from the forest.”

 

The lion readily obeyed the saint’s order. Every day he would carry home wood on his back. As soon as the task was done, he would go looking for the ass.

(Illustration: The lion carrying wood from the forest)

 

One day when he was searching like this, he saw a group of traders. They had a few camels and an ass was leading them. The lion immediately saw that it was his long lost friend. The lion scared the camels and the merchants, and drove them to the monastery. There our saint met them.

 (Illustration: The merchants and camels being led by the lion to the saint)

 

The merchants were really scared. They fell at the feet of the saint, confessed their crime and begged the saint’s forgiveness. You know, our Jerome was a very kind saint. So he readily forgave them.

(Illustration: The merchants begging pardon of the saint)

The ass was returned and the lion was praised. He lived with Saint Jerome happily ever after.

 

You know, a good deed always wins you a true friend.

 

 

 

7.   THE DOG AND THE WOLF

(Title picture: The dog and the wolf sitting side by side)

 

There used to be a wolf living near a village. The dogs in the village were very alert. So it was hard for him to get anything to eat. By and by, he turned lean and weak. Soon he became just a bag of skin and bones. It was no surprise that he always looked sad and mad.   

(Illustration: The wolf looking very lean and sad, wandering along a village road)

 

One fine night our poor wolf came across a dog. It was a housedog. He had strayed a little too far from his house. The wolf saw that the dog was plump and solid. He wanted to eat the dog then and there. But the dog looked very sturdy and fit. And, as you know, our wolf was reedy and seedy. He knew that the dog would rip him up. So he decided to be humble and polite. He praised the dog to the skies:

“What a fine body you’ve, my dear doggie. I wish I could be as plump and sturdy as you’re.”

“As a matter of fact,” said our house dog, “you could also be as plump and sturdy as I’m.”

(Illustration: The wolf and the dog talking to each other)

“How could that be?” asked our wolf.

“Come with me to my house. If you live in the forest, it’ll be hard for you get a bite of food. You’ll never have a full meal. Follow my advice, and you’ll always be well-fed. Never will you be without food,” the housedog counseled him.

The wolf was very pleased. He said:

“Tell me my fine fellow, what should I do?”

“Hardly a thing, my friend. Just chase away strangers, bark at vagrants and wag your tail at the people of our house.”

“Is that all … chase, bark and wag?”

“That’s all. You’ll get in return tidbits of meat, cake and pasta. Besides, you’ll get kind words and warm caresses.”

There before our wolf’s eyes rose a vision of meat, cake and pasta. He felt so happy that tears came to his eyes.

“How lucky I’m that I met this dog,” he thought.

(Illustration: The wolf imagining dishes of meat, cake and pasta)

 

It was then that our wolf noticed something. The hair on the dog’s neck was worn out. Also, the skin there had scabs. The wolf was alarmed. He asked:

“What is this that I see on your neck, my dear doggie?”

“What are you talking about?” asked the housedog.

“These marks on your neck?”

“Oh, it’s nothing serious, my friend.”

“Tell me, please my friend.”

“My collar must have made those marks. You see, the people of my house put a collar on my neck. They also tie a chain to that collar. They call it a leash. The collar sometimes rubs against my neck and makes these marks.”

(Illustration: The dog with his worn out neck and scabs)

 

Now, our poor wolf was horrified:

“What do you say, my dear doggie! You wear a leash? So aren’t you free to go anywhere you like?”

“Only sometimes. But, it makes no difference,” said the surprised dog.

“It makes a sea of difference to me, my friend,” cried the wolf. “I don’t care a hoot about your meat, cake and pasta. You can keep your meat, cake and pasta to yourself. For all I care, they can go to devil.” 

 

Off ran the wolf from the dog and disappeared into the dark. As you can see, the wolf loved liberty, despite being hungry.

(Illustration: The wolf running away from the dog)

Liberty is more precious than anything in the world.

 

 

8. THE CAT AND THE MOUSE

(Title picture: The cat and the mouse playing together)

 

There was once a cat and there was also a mouse. They were playing in the house. While they were playing, the cat bit off the tail of the mouse.

“Pussy cat, pussy cat, return me my tail,” the mouse demanded.

“I can return your tail,” said the cat. “But first you go to the cow. Get me some milk from her.”

 

So the mouse rushed to the cow.

“Please, my dear cow, give me some milk” she pleaded. “Then I can give the cat the milk and the cat can return me my tail.”

“I can give you milk,” said the cow. “But first you go to my farmer. Get me some hay from him.”

(Illustration: The mouse & the cow)

 

So the mouse rushed to the farmer.

“Please, my dear farmer, give me some hay,” she pleaded. “Then I can give your cow the hay and she can give me milk. I can give the cat the milk and the cat can return my tail.”

“I can give you hay,” said the farmer. “But first you go to the butcher. Get me some meat from him.”

(Illustration: The farmer & the mouse)

 

So the mouse rushed to the butcher.

“Please, my dear butcher, give me some meat,” she pleaded. “Then I can give the farmer the meat and the farmer can give me hay. I can give the cow the hay and she can give me milk. I can give the cat the milk and the cat can return me my tail.”

“I can give you meat,” said the butcher. “But first you go to the baker. Get me some bread from him.”

(Illustration: The mouse & the butcher)

 

So the mouse rushed to the baker.

“Please, my dear baker, give me some bread,” she pleaded. “Then I can give the butcher the bread and the butcher can give me some meat. I can give the farmer the meat and the farmer can give me hay. I can give the cow the hay and the cow can give me milk. I can give the cat the milk and the cat can return me my tail.”

“Certainly my mouse,” said the baker. “But don’t you eat my meal. If you did, I’d cut your head off.”

(Illustration: The baker & the mouse)

So the baker gave the mouse some bread. The mouse gave the butcher the bread. The butcher gave the mouse some meat. The mouse gave the farmer the meat. The farmer gave the mouse some hay. The mouse gave the cow the hay. The cow gave the mouse some milk. The mouse gave the cat the milk and the cat gave the mouse her tail back.

(Illustration: The mouse looking at his tail in joy)

 

You know, dear friends, perseverance pays.

 

 

 

 

9. THE DOG, THE FOX AND THE ROOSTER

 (Title picture: The dog in the hollow of the tree, the rooster on a branch and the fox moving to the hollow)

 

There was a dog in a farmhouse. There was also a rooster in the same farmhouse. The two were bosom buddies. That is, they were very thick pals … as thick as thieves, as the saying goes. But they found life at the farm very boring. So they set out to see the wide world outside.

(Illustration: the rooster and the dog leaving the farm)

 

One warm morning our friends left the farm. The two comrades trotted along the road. The road led them to the woods. High in spirits, they went into the woods. They were thrilled that some or the other adventure might happen. But their trip was without any event.

 

After a while, night fell and they wanted to rest. The rooster saw a tree with a huge hollow in its trunk.

“This is a fine resting place,” he thought. “My friend can crawl into the hollow and I can fly up on a branch of the tree.” So the rooster flew up on a branch and the dog crawled into the hollow. Both the friends had a sound sleep all through the night.

(Illustration: The dog sleeping in the hollow and the rooster resting on a branch)

 

When it was dawn, the rooster left his sleep. He forgot that he was in the woods. He thought that he was still in the farmhouse. He stood upon his toes, fluttered his wings and gave a hearty crow. You know, that was his habit at the farmhouse. With the first rays of the sun he used to wake up his farmer with his spirited crow.

(Illustration: The cock crowing from the tree)

 

At a little distance in the woods, there was a fox. When he heard the rooster crow, he thought:

“Here comes my breakfast. The rooster seems to be brawny and beefy. A strapping cock would do well for a delicious breakfast.”

(Illustration: The fox listening to the crowing of the cock)

 

Leaping with joy, the wolf came to the tree.

“Respected sir,” he spoke politely to the rooster. “A very warm welcome to our forest! I am so happy to have you as our guest. I think we’re going to be the thickest of buddies. Our friendship will be an example for others.”

(Illustration: The fox talking to the rooster)

 

Now, our rooster was no fool. He knew the fox meant no good. He too spoke politely to the fox:

“My dear sir, please go to the foot of the tree. There you can see the entrance to my house. My caretaker is resting there. He will let you in.”

 

The fox did not suspect that it was a trick. Besides, he was very hungry. With the vision of a nice breakfast, he went round the tree. When he found the hollow, he got in.

 

Soon the dog pounced on the wolf. Before the wolf could get off, he rent him apart.

(Illustration: The dog attacking the wolf)

 

If we try to cheat someone, we may get cheated back, you know.

 

 

10. THE MEAN FOX AND THE LEAN DOG

(Title picture: The fox and the dog talking)

 

It was evening. A mean fox from a forest strayed into a nearby village. Looking for prey, he was prowling here and there. For great many a day he had gone without a meal. In fact, he was going blind and mad with hunger. Far and wide he searched. Eventually, he found a dog.

(Illustration: The wolf in search of food)

 

Alas! The dog the wolf found was skinny and lean. He seemed to have no flesh at all. The wolf would have turned up his nose and walked away. But, then, he thought:

“Beggars can’t be choosers. Better to have something than to have nothing.”

(Illustration: The skinny dog)

 

So our mean wolf began to inch towards the lean dog. The dog smelt danger. He started to back away. He tried his best to get away from the wolf’s sharp bite. When he found himself cornered, he spoke:

“My dear sir, just have a look at me. I’m all skin and bones. Can’t you see my ribs jutting out? If you eat me now, you won’t enjoy me. It’ll hardly satisfy you.”

But the wolf was so hungry and was so mean that he went on edging towards the poor bony dog.

(Illustration: The wolf snapping at the dog) 

 

Our poor dog was scared out of his wits. He thought his end was very near. Still he continued to speak:

“My dear sir, let me share a secret with you.”

The wolf halted and asked:

“What’s your secret?”

“In a few days my master’s daughter is going to get married. On the day of the wedding, there will be a lavish feast. I’ll also partake of the feast. Thus in a few days I’ll grow fine and fat. Then is the time for you to feast on me. You’ll definitely enjoy me then. It’s just a matter of a few days.”

(Illustration: The wolf imagining the dog as a plump and juicy animal)

 

The silly wolf was delighted. He thought:

“It’ll surely be nicer to have a plump, juicy dog than this skinny, bony dog. Anyway, it’s just a matter of a few days.”

So he left the dog, telling him that he would return in a few days to feast on him. 

 

A few days later, our mean fox returned. He was all eager to feast on the dog. The dog, fine and fat, was lying in his master’s front yard. The wolf called out the dog:

(Illustration: The wolf calling out the dog lying down)

“Come out, my dear doggie, come out. Let me feast on you, as you promised.”

“I’m so glad you’ve come, my dear sir,” said our dog. “I’ve been waiting for you to come and feast on me. I’ll be out as soon as my caretaker opens the front door.”

 

It was then that the mean wolf saw the ‘caretaker’. He was an ugly-looking giant of a dog! The wolf knew that he would tear him to pieces within no time. Wasting no time, the wolf took to his heels with all his might.

(Illustration: The giant ‘Caretaker’ looking at the wolf and the wolf running away)

 

You know, if you rely on empty promises, you will make an ass of yourself.

 

11. THE APE, THE SNAKE AND THE LION

(Illustration: A mother and her son)

 

Once upon a time there was a woman who lived in a village. Her husband had died and she was left with a boy. She had to toil hard to feed herself and her son. Indeed, most of the time they went without food.

 

When the son grew big, he asked his mother:

“Ma, my dear, we’re almost always without food. How did my father find us food?”

“He was a hunter, my son,” replied his mother. “He would set traps and whatever was caught he would bring home to cook.”

The boy was thrilled. He said:

“It seems to be great fun. I would also lay traps and catch as much game as I can.”

 

So he entered the forest and broke off some stout twigs from the trees. He used the twigs to make some traps. He got some coir to make some ropes. Then he set up as many traps as he could.

(Illustration: The boy making traps)

 

The next day he went to see the traps. To his joy, he found the traps full of game. Not only did he have game for himself, but he also had enough game to sell in the town. He bought rice, corn, wheat and other things from the town. Now, the house was full of food. He was happy and his mother was also happy. As his good luck continued, he and his mother lived in comfort.

 

(Illustration: The ape in the trap)

One morning he found an ape in one of his traps. He wanted to kill the ape. At that time, the ape started speaking:

“Son of man, please don’t kill me. Free me from the trap and save me from the rain. I may be able to save you from the sun later.”

So, the boy set the ape free and let him go his way. The ape went up a tree, seated himself on a branch and spoke again to the boy:

“Son of man, I’ve a piece of advice for you. Trust me my boy, men are all evil; never do them a good deed. If you do, they’ll surely harm you.”

 

(Illustration: The snake in the trap)

The very next day, the boy found a snake in his trap. So he started for the village to warn his folks about the snake. But the snake called out to him:

“Son of man, please don’t call your folks.  Free me from the trap and save me from the rain. I may be able save you from the sun later.”

So the boy set the snake free and let him go his way. As the snake was slithering away, he spoke again to the boy:

“Son of man, I’ve a piece of advice for you. Trust me my boy, men are all evil; never do them a good deed. They’ll surely harm you.”

 

(Illustration: The lion in the trap)

A few days after, the boy found a lion in the same trap. When the lion found him scared, he said:

“Son of man, don’t be scared. Free me from the trap and save me from the rain. I may be able to save you from the sun later.”

So the boy set the lion free and let him go his way. Before he walked away, the lion spoke again to the boy:

“Son of man, I’ve a piece of advice for you. Trust me my boy, men are all evil; never do them a good deed. They’ll surely harm you.”

 

Some other day, the boy found a man caught in his trap. As soon as the boy saw the man, he released him. The man said:

“Thank you, my brother, for setting me free and for saving me from the rain. I will surely pay back your kindness.”

 

Days passed. The boy couldn’t catch anything in any of his traps. He and his mother were back to their starving days. So one day the boy went out in search of food. He walked on and on and lost his way. He didn’t know if he was going towards his home or away from it. Suddenly, he heard a voice asking him:

“Son of man, where are you off to?”

When the boy looked up, he saw it was the ape. He said:

“I don’t know. I’m lost in these woods and I’m hungry.”

“Don’t you worry, son of man,” said the ape. “Just give me a sec.”

The ape disappeared and soon came back with a bunch of banana and some water. The boy ate and drank and bade farewell to his friend:

“Bye, good ape. Thank you for the feast.”

 

When he walked on for some time, he met the lion. The lion asked the boy:

“Son of man, where are you off to?”

“I don’t know. I’m lost.”

“Don’t you worry, son of man. You just rest. I’ll be back in a jiffy.”

The lion soon came back with some game and some fire. The boy cooked the game, thanked the lion and went his way.

 

(Illustration: The snake giving the boy a bag)

After a while, he met a snake. It was the snake that he had once saved. The snake asked:

“Son of man, where are you off to?”

“I don’t know. I’m lost.”

“Don’t you worry, son of man,” said the snake. “Take this bag of gold and silver. You will find it useful when you reach the town. The path that you are on will take you there.”

So the boy took the bag, thanked the snake and made for the town. The first man he met in the town was the man he had saved. He invited the boy to his house. The man’s wife made him dinner. After the dinner, when the boy fell asleep, the man went to see the king of the town. He told the king:

“There is a stranger in my home. He has a bag full of gold and silver. He says a snake has given it to hm. But I think he is really the snake who can take the form of a man.”

 

(Illustration: The boy before the king)

So the king asked his soldiers to bring the boy and his bag. When the boy was brought, the king opened his bag and found it full of gold and silver. At about this time, the snake also came to the town and lay at the feet of the man who had said bad things about the boy. As the snake would not leave, the man started trembling with fear. The king had his suspicions.  He asked the boy:

“Why did this man invite you home and then say evil things about you?”

The boy, then, told the whole story. He said what the ape, the snake and the lion had told about men. The king heard him and said:

“It’s true that men are evil; but only some of them. All of them are not so evil as this guy. This guy must be punished for he has done some evil.”

So the king left the boy without any harm and punished the man fittingly.

 

As you know, some men are evil like the man in the trap; but some others are good, like the king of the town.

 

 

12. THE DOG, THE BEAR AND THE CAT

(Title picture: Three separate images of the dog, the cat & the bear)

 

Once upon a time, there lived a farmer. The farmer had a dog. As the dog grew old, he could neither bark nor bite. He could guard neither the yard nor the storehouse. The farmer stopped feeding him. So the dog left the farmer, wandered into a forest and lay in the shade of a tree. He had made up his mind to die.

(Illustration: The dog lying under a tree)

A bear in the woods happened to see the dog.

“You look so sad, my dear dog. Is something the matter?” the bear asked the dog.

“I came here to die, my good friend,” said the dog. “Humans are very unfair. When we’re strong, they feed us well. When we’re weak, they drive us away. It’s so unfair.”

“It’s okay, buddy. Would you like to have something now?”

“Sure, my brother bear. I’m famished.”

“Then follow me. I’ll get you some food.”

The dog and his new friend walked along. 

(Illustration: The dog and the bear walking along)

 

On their way they met a foal, a very young horse.

“O, dear dog,” said the bear. “Are my eyes very nice?”

“Yes, dear bear, your eyes are nice.”

“O, dear dog,” said the bear. “Is my hair all messy?”

“Yes, dear bear, your hair is messy.”

“O, dear dog,” said the bear. “Is my tail standing straight?”

“Yes, dear bear, your tail is straight.”

 

When the dog said so, the bear caught the foal by its tail. The foal fell down. The bear tore it into pieces and told the dog:

“Look, my dear dog! Eat your fill. When you’re hungry again, just come and see me.”

(Illustration: The dead foal, the bear and the dog)

 

In a couple of days the dog finished eating the foal. He again felt the pangs of hunger. So he rushed to the bear and told him that he was hungry again. The bear thought for a while and asked him:

“Do you know where your mistress lives?”

“Sure, I do.”

“Then follow me. I’ll steal your mistress’ baby. You chase me down and take the baby back to her. She will be very happy with you and feed you for the rest of your life.”

 

The two of them carried out the plan. The bear stole the baby; the dog chased him down; and the mistress was happy to get her baby back. She told our dog:

“Never will I discharge you from this home.”

She took him home, gave him milk and fed him bread. The dog was very grateful to his friend, the bear.

(Illustration: The bear carrying the child away and the dog in chase)

 

Now, the farmer also had a cat at his home. She had stopped catching mice. So the farmer drove her away. The dog knew the cat would starve. So he brought her some bread and butter. But the farmer’s wife saw this and scolded the dog right and left.

 

A few days later, our dog saw the cat in the front yard. She was so hungry that the dog thought she would die.

“You look so sad, my dear cat,” said the dog. “Is something the matter?”

“I came here to die, my friend. You know humans are very unfair. When we are young and strong, they look after us well. When we are old and weak, they beat us and kick us. It’s very unfair.”

“It’s okay, my friend,” said our dog. “Would you like to have something now?”

“Sure, my dear dog. I’m famished.”

“Then follow me. I’ll get you some food.”

The dog and the cat walked along. 

(Illustration: The dog and the cat walking along.)

 

As they walked on, they met a foal, a very young horse. Immediately the dog asked the cat:

“O, dear cat, are my eyes very nice?”

“No, dear dog, your eyes aren’t nice.”

“No, no,” said our dog. “You have to say my eyes are nice.”

“Yes, dear dog, your eyes are nice,” said the cat.

“O, dear cat,” said the dog. “Is my hair all messy?”

“No, dear dog, your hair isn’t messy.”

“No, no,” the dog said again. “You have to say my hair is messy.”

“Yes, dear dog, your hair is messy,” said the cat

“O, dear cat,” said the dog. “Is my tail standing straight?”

“No, dear dog, your tail isn’t straight.”

“No, no,” said the dog. “You have to say my tail is straight”

“Yes, dear dog, your tail is straight,” said the cat.

 

Immediately the dog dashed at the foal. But the foal kicked him so hard that he died then and there.

(Illustration: The foal kicking the dog)

The cat had a good look at the dog and said:

“I can see that his eyes are red, his hair messy and his tail standing straight. Bye, my dear friend. I know you meant well, but you were a fool.”

(Illustration: The cat saying goodbye to the dead dog)

 

You know, blind imitation may lead you into danger.

 

1.  THE LITTLE CHICKEN

(Title Pic: The little chicken)

 

There was once a farm. On the farm, there was a little chicken. The little chicken had three friends. One was a dog. He was always lazy. Another was a cat. She was always sleepy. Yet another friend was a duck. She was always noisy. The little chicken, the lazy dog, the sleepy cat and the noisy duck lived in peace on the farm.

 

One fine day, the little chicken found a few paddy seeds on the farm. When she saw the paddy seeds, she had a brilliant idea. She thought she would sow the paddy seeds. She called all her three friends, the lazy dog, the sleepy cat and the noisy duck. The little chicken told her friends:

“I’ve found some paddy seeds. If we sow the paddy seeds, they will grow into paddy plants. When the paddy plants grow, they will give us rice. Now, who would help me sow these paddy seeds?”

(Pic: The chicken talking to the dog, the cat and the duck)

 

The little chicken looked at the sleepy dog first.

“Not me,” said the lazy dog with a bark.

The little chicken looked at the sleepy cat next.

“Not me,” said the sleepy cat with a purr.

The little chicken looked at the noisy duck last.

“Not me,” said the noisy duck with a quack.

Then the little chicken told her friends:

“Okay, my friends. Then I’ll sow the paddy seeds alone.”

And she took the paddy seeds and sowed them all by herself.

 

After some time, the paddy seeds grew. They grew into paddy plants. When the plants were ripe to be reaped, the little chicken called all her three friends, the lazy dog, the sleepy cat and the noisy duck. The little chicken told her friends:

“Our paddy seeds have grown into plants. They are ripe and ready to be reaped. Now, who would help me reap the paddy?”

(Pic: The little chicken standing near the paddy plants)

 

The little chicken looked at the lazy dog first.

“Not me,” said the lazy dog with a bark.

The little chicken looked at the sleepy cat next.

“Not me,” said the sleepy cat with a purr.

The little chicken looked at the noisy duck last.

“Not me,” said the noisy duck with a quack

Then the little chicken told her friends:

“Okay, my friends. Then I’ll reap the paddy plants alone.”

And she reaped the ripe paddy plants all by herself.

 

Once she reaped the paddy plants, the little chicken called all her three friends, the lazy dog, the sleepy cat and the noisy dog. The little chicken told her friends:

“Now, I’ve reaped the paddy plants. The paddy is ready to be taken to the mill so that we can turn it into rice. Now, who would help me take it to the mill?”

 

The little chicken looked at the lazy dog first.

“Not me,” said the dog with a bark.

The little chicken looked at the sleepy cat next.

“Not me,” said the cat with a purr.

The little chicken looked at the noisy duck.

“Not me,” said the noisy duck with a quack.

Then the little chicken told her friends:

“Okay, my friends. Then I’ll take the paddy to the mill alone.”

And she took the paddy to the mill all by herself.

(Pic: The chicken talking to her friends)

 

At the mill, the little chicken got the paddy turned into rice. Then she got the rice turned into flour. All alone, she took the sack of flour back to the farm.

(Pic: The chicken at the mill the sack of paddy)

 

Once she reached the farm, she called all her three friends, the lazy dog, the sleepy cat and the noisy duck.

“Now, I have brought the flour of rice from the mill. I would like to make some dosas from rice. Now, who would help me make some dosas?”

 

The little chicken looked at the lazy dog first.

“Not me,” said the lazy dog with a bark.

The little chicken looked at the sleepy cat next.

“Not me,” said the sleepy cat with a purr.

The little chicken looked at the noisy duck last.

“Not me,” said the noisy duck with a quack.

Then the little chicken told her friends:

“Okay, my friends. Then I’ll make dosas alone.”

And she made dosas all by herself.

(Pic: The chicken making dosas)

 

Once the little chicken made the dosas, she called all her three friends, the lazy dog, the sleepy cat and the noisy duck. She asked her friends:

“Now that I’ve made dosas, who is going to help me eat them?”

 

The little chicken looked at the lazy dog first.

“I’ll,” said the lazy dog with a bark.

The little chicken looked at the sleepy cat next.

“I’ll,” said the sleepy cat with a purr.

The little chicken looked at the noisy duck last.

“I’ll,” said the noisy duck with a quack.

“No, my friends. I’ll eat the dosas alone.”

And the little chicken ate the dosas all by herself.

(Pic: The chicken eating the dosas)

 

You know, friends, you should really earn your bread.