The Cunning Lion and the Clever Fox | The Squirrel and the Crow

The below Panchatantra Stories teach us how good we should be.

Once upon a time, in the heart of a sun-dappled jungle, lived a lion named Simha. Simha, once known for his mighty roars and powerful leaps, was no longer the young king of the savanna. Age had crept up on him, turning his once fiery mane a touch of gray and his steps a little slower. For two whole days, Simha had stalked through the tall grasses, his stomach rumbling with hunger. He tried to pounce on a gazelle here and chase a zebra there, but his old muscles just wouldn’t obey. Disheartened, Simha slumped beneath a baobab tree, a heavy sigh escaping his lips. “What am I to do? I’m too weak to hunt anymore.

As the sun began its descent, casting long shadows across the land, Simha spotted a cool, dark cave nestled amongst the rocks. Surely, some unsuspecting creature must be calling this place home! With a newfound determination, Simha crept towards the cave, his golden eyes scanning the entrance. Sneaking inside, he found a small, cozy space perfect for an ambush. “This is it!” he thought, a sly grin spreading across his face. “Whoever uses this cave will be tonight’s dinner!”

Just as Simha settled in, a flash of red fur caught his eye. It was Fiona, the clever fox, who owned this little haven. Fiona, known for her sharp wit and even sharper nose, sniffed the air, sensing something amiss. “Hmm, that’s strange,” she thought, picking up a faint scent of a lion. “These definitely aren’t badger tracks leading into my cave!”

Fiona was no stranger to danger. With a mischievous glint in her eyes, she devised a plan. She stood at a safe distance from the cave entrance, her voice clear and bright, “Hello, dear cave! It’s Fiona, back from my berry hunt! Why so quiet in there? Can I come in and rest my paws?”

Simha, hidden within the darkness, was taken aback. He’d never heard of a talking cave before! Worried that Fiona might leave if the cave didn’t respond, he let out a mighty roar, trying to sound as cave-like as possible. “Of course, dear Fiona! Come in, come in! It’s just been a bit… dusty in here, that’s all.”

Fiona, ears perked up, recognized that booming voice all too well. It wasn’t the cave that spoke, it was Simha, the old lion! Realizing the danger, Fiona turned on her heels and scurried away, a laugh bubbling in her chest. “A cave could roar? Only a stupid lion would think so!” she called back, leaving Simha alone in his dusty den.

Simha, feeling foolish and defeated, slunk out of the cave. Fiona’s words echoed in his ears. He realized his trickery wouldn’t solve his problem. He needed a new way to survive. With a heavy heart, Simha returned to the baobab tree. But this time, something different happened.

As he sat beneath the broad leaves, a group of young zebras trotted past. They weren’t the fastest or the strongest, but they were plentiful. An idea sparked in Simha’s mind.  He wouldn’t chase them, he would use his experience!

The next day, Simha gathered all the animals of the savanna. He explained his weakness and his hunger. He admitted, “I can’t hunt the way I used to, but I can still help you all.” He proposed a plan.  He would use his knowledge of the land and his mighty roar to scare away any approaching danger, protecting the weaker animals in exchange for a share of their leftovers. 

The animals were surprised at first, but they saw the wisdom in Simha’s words. They agreed, and soon, Simha became their guardian. He didn’t hunt anymore, but he still played a vital role in the savanna’s ecosystem. He taught the younger lions his hunting techniques, and in return, they shared their meals with him.

Simha learned a valuable lesson that day.  Strength comes in many forms, and even when you can’t do what you used to, you can still find a way to contribute.  By being honest and using his wisdom, Simha not only survived but thrived, surrounded by a grateful community.  And so, the once mighty hunter became a wise protector, proving that even the oldest lion has a roar left in him.

The moral of the story is that there’s more than one way to be strong. Even when we get older and can’t do the same things we used to, we can still be valuable. Simha learned that using his wisdom and experience helped him find a new way to survive and even protect others. It’s important to be honest and use our strengths, whatever they may be, to contribute to our community.

The moral of the Panchatantra stories is: “Being dishonest can cause trouble, and it’s better to be truthful, and having a sharp mind is the most effective way to protect yourself in all aspects of life”.

The Squirrel and the Crow

Once upon a time, A gorgeous bird by the name of Elara lived high on a mountain peak. Her nest, built on a giant, flat rock, overlooked a vast valley filled with meadows and forests. Down in the valley, nestled amongst the branches of a sprawling oak tree, lived a curious crow named Pip.

One sunny afternoon, Elara stretched her powerful wings and launched herself into the sky. With a keen eye, she spotted a plump squirrel scurrying through the meadow below. Diving with incredible speed, Elara snatched the squirrel in her talons and soared back up to her mountain home.

From his branch, Pip watched the whole scene unfold with wide eyes. “Wow!” he cawed, his black feathers ruffled with excitement. “That was amazing! I wish I could swoop down and snatch food like that.”

Driven by a desire to be as impressive as Elara, Pip took flight. He flapped his wings as hard as he could, determined to mimic the eagle. He swooped down, aiming for a plump squirrel below. But Pip was no eagle. He was smaller, weaker, and lacked Elara’s years of experience.

With a panicked squawk, Pip misjudged his dive. Instead of landing on soft grass, he slammed beak-first into a large rock hidden amongst the undergrowth. The impact left him dizzy and dazed. His head throbbed, and his wings felt weak. He couldn’t fly.

Luckily, a wise old owl named Hoot witnessed the whole scene. With a gentle hoot, Hoot swooped down and landed beside the stunned crow. “Pip, are you alright?” Hoot asked with concern. 

Pip winced, his voice weak. “My head hurts, Hoot. I tried to fly like Elara, but I crashed.”

Hoot tutted his head. “Elara is a magnificent eagle, Pip. She has spent years learning how to hunt and fly at such high speeds. You are a crow, my friend, and that’s perfectly alright!”

Hoot explained that every creature has its own strengths. Eagles soar high in the sky, crows are clever and can find food in hidden places, while rabbits are swift runners. It’s important to be good at what you are good at, and not to try to be someone you’re not.

With Hoot’s help, Pip slowly recovered. He learned to appreciate his own crow-like abilities. He discovered he could find delicious beetles hidden under rocks and shiny trinkets dropped by hikers. He even learned to mimic different sounds, making his friends laugh with his silly voices.

Pip never forgot his lesson. He understood that while copying others can be tempting, it’s important to focus on your own strengths and talents. After all, a crow who embraces his crow-ness can be just as amazing, and perhaps even more clever, than an eagle who soars high above!

The moral of the story is: Be yourself! It’s great to admire others and be inspired by them, but it’s important to remember that everyone has different strengths and weaknesses. Just like Pip the Crow, you have your own unique talents that make you special. Focus on what you’re good at, and don’t try to be someone you’re not. You’ll be much happier and more successful if you embrace your own wonderful crow-ness (or whatever makes you, you)!