Rabbit's cleverness - Panchatantra' stories
There lived a huge lion in a dense forest. He would go out hunting every day and take care of not one, not two but many animals. The animals in the forest began to fear that if the lion continued hunting like this, a day would come when there would be no animals left in the forest.
There was chaos in the entire forest. It was necessary to take some measure to stop the lion. One day all the animals of the forest gathered and started thinking about this question. At last they decided that they should all go to the lion and talk to him about the matter. The next day a group of animals reached the lion. Seeing them coming towards him, the lion got scared and roared and asked, “What is the case?” Why are you all coming here?
The leader of the group of animals said, “Your Majesty, we have come to request you.” You are the king and we are your subjects. When you go out for hunting you kill many animals. You can't eat all this. In this way our numbers are decreasing. If this continues then in a few days no one will be left in the forest except you. How can a king live without his subjects?
If we all die then you too will no longer be the king. We want you to remain our Maharaja forever. We want you to always remain our Maharaj. We request you to stay at home. Every day he will dispatch an animal for you to eat. In this way both the king and the people will be able to live in peace.'' The lion felt that there was truth in what the animals said. He thought for a moment, then said it was not a good thing.
I accept your suggestion. But remember, if any day you do not send me enough food to eat, I will kill as many animals as I want.'' Animals have no other option. So they granted the lion's condition and went to their respective homes.
From that day onwards an animal was sent every day for the lion to eat. For this, one by one each animal was selected from among all the animals living in the forest. After a few days, the turn of the rabbits also came. A small rabbit was chosen for the lion's food. As small as that rabbit was, it was equally clever.
He thought, it is foolish to die needlessly at the hands of a lion. Some way or the other must be found to save one's life, and if possible, such a trick should be found that will free everyone from this trouble forever. At the end, he trick a way.
The rabbit slowly and leisurely walked towards the lion's house. When he reached the lion it was too late.
The lion was feeling bad due to hunger. When he saw only a small rabbit coming towards him, he became furious and roared, “Who has sent you? Firstly, you are like a bitch, secondly you are coming so late. I will cure all the idiots who sent you. If I don't complete each one's work, then my name is also not a lion.
The little rabbit bowed respectfully to the ground and said, “Your Majesty, if you please listen to me, you will not blame me or the other animals. They knew that one small rabbit would not suffice for your food, so they sent six rabbits. But on the way we met different lion. He killed and ate five rabbits.
On hearing this, the lion roared and said, “What did you say?” Second lion? Who is that ? Where did you see him?”
“Maharaj, that is a very big lion”, said the rabbit, “He had come out of a big cave inside the ground. He was going to kill me. But I told him, 'Government, you don't know what injustice you have done. We all were going for our Maharaj’s food, but you have eaten all his food. Our king will not tolerate such things. They will absolutely come here and kill you.’
"On this he asked, 'Who is your king?' I replied, 'Our king is the biggest lion in the jungle.'
“Maharaja,” as soon as I said this, he turned red with anger and said, “Stupid, I am the only king of this forest.” All the animals here are my subjects. I can do be all I want with them. Present before me that fool and thief whom you call your king. I will tell him who is the real king.' Saying this, the lion sent me here to get you."
Hearing the rabbit's words, the lion got very angry and started roaring again and again. The entire forest started shaking due to its terrible roar. “Tell me the whereabouts of that fool immediately,” roared the lion, “I will not rest until I kill him.” “Very good sir,” said the rabbit, “Only death.” There is punishment for that wicked person. If I had been bigger and powerful, I would have torn him to pieces myself.”
“Come on, show me the way,” said the lion, “tell me immediately where to go?”
“Come here, Maharaj, here,” Khaggosh showed the way and took the lion to a well and said, “Maharaj, that evil lion lives in a fort under the ground.” Just be careful. The enemy hidden in the fort is dangerous.'' ''I will deal with him,'' said the lion, ''You tell me where he is?''
“When I saw him earlier, he was standing outside here. Looks like he entered the fort after seeing you coming. Come let me show you.”
The rabbit came near the well and asked the lion to look inside. When the lion looked inside the well, he saw his reflection in the water of the well.
Seeing the shadow the lion roared loudly. Hearing the echo of his own roar coming from inside the well, he thought that the other lion was also roaring. With the intention of killing the enemy immediately, he immediately jumped into the well.
As soon as he jumped, he first hit the wall of the well, then fell into the water with a thud and died by drowning. In this way, after cleverly getting rid of the lion, the little rabbit returned home. He told the forest animals the story of the lion being killed. The news of the enemy being killed spread joy throughout the forest. All the animals in the forest started cheering the rabbit.
Lesson: Intelligence prevails over physical strength. The rabbit was intelligent and could defeat the lion with his intelligence. The jealous lion did not think through his actions and only acted impulsively. His hunger and his ego had made his mind numb.