Wisdom of the Animal Stories!
Of Friends, Large and Small.
Happy New Year, everyone! Wishing you all the very best in 2025 and many more stories to read, write, and share.
In this post, I return to the 'Panchatantra,' a collection of animal stories that continue to offer valuable lessons, even in modern life. The name 'Panchatantra' means 'five principles' in Sanskrit.
In an earlier post, I explored the origins of these stories.
Now, I retell a few of these timeless tales, offering fresh perspectives from this beloved classic.
Once, a flock of doves, their feathers magnificently white in flight, spotted a lush green forest below. Tired from their journey, they decided to search for food and rest for the day.
As they lowered their flight path to hover over the open spaces between the trees, one of the doves spotted grains scattered on the ground.
He called out to the others excitedly.
Soon, everyone noticed the swathe of grains spread across the land.
The wisest among them, their king, cautioned them, thinking: “Who has ever heard of grains lying so freely in a forest?”
But the doves were hungry and tired.
Before he could stop them, they descended and began pecking at the grains hungrily.
Reluctantly, the king followed and landed nearby.
A minute passed, then two.
Then, without warning, a net descended upon them, trapping them underneath.
Alarmed, the doves flapped their wings, but their struggle only tightened the net around them.
Scared and embarrassed by their haste, they huddled around their king.
The king motioned for calm.
Dusk had fallen.
Meanwhile, the hunter, pleased with his catch, decided to leave the trapped birds overnight and return in the morning to sell them at the market.
The king thought for a moment and addressed the flock.
“I know you are frightened. But if you trust me, we can escape. You must follow my command without question.”
The doves nodded, fearful for their lives.
“Lift the net with your beaks, all together, and fly at the same time. Follow me to a friend who can help us.”
The doves agreed.
At his command, the doves lifted the net and flew in unison, guided by the king, far from the hunter’s trap.
Once they landed, the dove king walked to the edge of the net and called out, “Dear friend, it is I, the Dove King. I need your help urgently.”
Hearing no response, he called louder.
Suddenly, a flurry of shadows darted from tree to tree. A mouse1 emerged.
“How did this happen to you, my wise friend?” the mouse asked, concerned.
The dove king recounted their misfortune.
“Don’t worry,” the mouse said. “My family and I will free you.”
He whistled, and an army of mice appeared.
The doves watched anxiously as the mice gnawed at the net, working diligently through the night.
By dawn, the doves were free.
They expressed their deep gratitude to the mouse and his family.
The mouse beamed in appreciation.
The dove king smiled.
So renewing their friendship and promise to help each other, the two groups parted ways.
Another tale, similar in nature, unfolded in the forest, this time involving elephants.
Each day, a herd of elephants followed the same path to the river in a large forest.
In the waters, they joyfully splashed water into the river, washing the mud off their backs.
In their wake, along trails both muddy and smooth, they trampled plants and animals beneath their huge feet.
Caught in their path were many rats who had made their home near the river.
Some, unlucky enough to be in the way, were trampled underfoot.
After several of their kin were crushed, the rat king decided to resolve the matter himself.
The very next day, he approached the elephant king.
From a safe distance, he called out, “Mighty King, may I speak with you?”
The elephant king trumpeted for silence.
“What is it, little one?” he asked.
The rat king humbly introduced himself and explained the danger his family faced from the herd's daily passage.
He pleaded, “I beg you to choose another path to spare my family.”
At this, the elephants laughed, some jeering, “Who has ever heard of elephants changing their path for rats?”
In response, the rat offered his assistance to the elephant king in return for the favor.
He motioned to his extended family to stand behind him, adding visual weight to his request.
“What help could a puny rat possibly give us? Be gone before we trample you again,” one of the elephants retorted.
But the elephant king, wise and old, quieted his herd.
“Little one,” he said, “you are courageous to come before us. We shall find another path. Your family is safe.”
The rat king bowed deeply.
Years passed.
One day, poachers laid traps along the elephants' new path.
As the herd approached the river, nets fell from the trees, ensnaring them.
The elephants trumpeted in distress.
The elephant king, understanding their plight, called out to a dove passing overhead.
“Fly fast to my friend, the rat king. Tell him we need his help immediately.”
The dove flew swiftly, finding the rat king as instructed.
Hearing the news, the rat king immediately gathered his family.
They raced to the elephants' aid and gnawed at the nets.
Before long, the elephants were free.
Ashamed of their earlier arrogance, the herd apologized to the rats.
Allowing the rats to climb atop their heads, the elephants marched triumphantly to safety together.
Takeaways
Do not underestimate others. Even the smallest ally can make a big difference in difficult situations.
Stay united in adversity. Working together often leads to solutions that seem impossible alone.
Think before you act. Be careful in situations that defy common sense, no matter how tempting the opportunity may seem.
Pride leads to downfall. Humility and kindness can strengthen friendships and alliances.
Build genuine friendships. You never know who might come to your aid in unexpected ways.
Most of all, a friend in need is a friend indeed.
p.s. Read more in the wisdom series here!
In the original Panchatantra stories, the term 'rat' is often used in translation. However, the distinction between 'rat' and 'mouse' is not explicitly made in the Sanskrit text and can refer to either, depending on the context. In this post, I have used 'mouse' for the first story and 'rat' for the second to align with the tone and scale of each tale. Both signify the same essential traits of resourcefulness and intelligence.
Happy New Year, Jayshree! Thanks for the great tales - "we are here for such a times as this" and the "least of these" (people) can be the mightiest. We never know when the smallest act of kindness and help will make the biggest difference!
And this is how the term "networking" was coined. ☺