The Parrot and the King | Lucy and the Sneaky Bed Bug

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

Once upon a time, deep within a lush jungle, lived a powerful tribal king. He loved hunting, and one sunny day, he decided to go find some colorful birds for his children to play with. As he snuck through the trees, his net snagged not one, but two beautiful parrots with bright feathers! 

The king was thrilled. “Just think of how much fun my kids will have training these parrots to speak!” he thought. He carefully placed them in a cage and began his journey back home. 

But one of the clever parrots wasn’t having any of it. While the king wasn’t looking, the parrot gave the net a mighty tug! With a flurry of feathers and a loud squawk, the parrot broke free and soared high into the sky. The king chased after it for a bit, but the parrot was much too fast. Disappointed but not defeated, he continued his journey home with the remaining parrot.

Meanwhile, the escaped parrot flew far and wide until it landed in a clearing. There, under the shade of a banyan tree, sat a wise old sage who lived a peaceful life. The sage looked at the parrot with a gentle smile. “Welcome, little traveler,” he said. “You seem lost and tired.” 

The parrot chirped and tilted its head. The kindhearted sage took the parrot in and cared for it. He taught the parrot beautiful chants and holy hymns, filling its days with wisdom and peace.

Back in the village, the king placed the remaining parrot in a golden cage. He spent all his free time teaching the parrot to speak just like him. He would say simple words like “hello” and “goodbye,” and the parrot would try its best to mimic the sounds. Slowly but surely, the parrot learned to talk, but it only knew the words the king taught it.  

On the other side of the jungle, news reached a neighboring kingdom about a hidden valley full of delicious fruits. The curious king of that land decided to explore for himself. He mounted his trusty horse and rode deep into the jungle, following an old map.

The caged parrot noticed him from a distance as he got closer to the tribal king’s village. “Intruder! Intruder!” it squawked loudly. “Catch him! Lock him up! As he heard the parrot’s terrified cries, the tribal king noticed the oncoming king outside the window. He thought, “This must be a thief!”.

Meanwhile, the wise king continued his journey and eventually stumbled upon the sage’s humble cottage. The sage’s parrot, perched on a swing outside, saw the king riding his horse. “Welcome, noble king!” it chirped. Kindly come in so you can relax. Would you like a cool drink and some sweet treats?”

The wise king was surprised. Not only could this parrot talk, but it spoke politely and welcomed him warmly! Please come in and have a seat. What can I do for you? “Master! We have a distinguished guest! Please offer him a seat and some food!”

The sage emerged from his meditation chamber and greeted the king with a bow. He listened patiently as the king explained his journey and his search for the hidden valley. The sage, knowing the jungle well, revealed that the map was outdated and the valley was long gone. But instead of disappointment, the sage offered the king fresh fruit and shared stories of the jungle.

The king, touched by the hospitality and wisdom of the sage and his parrot, realized the value of kindness and good company. He spent the afternoon learning about the jungle and its creatures before returning home, grateful for the unexpected encounter.

This experience taught the king a valuable lesson. He realized that the way we are raised shapes who we become. Just like the parrots, our behavior and words reflect the environment we live in. The tribal king’s parrot, exposed to harsh commands, spoke rudely. While the sage’s parrot, surrounded by peace and wisdom, greeted others with kindness and respect. The story reminds us that everyone, even parrots, can learn and grow. It’s up to us to create an environment that fosters good habits and kind words. 

The moral of the Panchatantra stories is that a person’s character is judged by the company they keep.

2. Lucy and the Sneaky Bed Bug

Once upon a time, in a grand castle, lived a tiny white louse named Lucy. Her home was a secret world hidden within the soft folds of the king’s magnificent bedspread. Every night, when the castle hushed and the king slept soundly, Lucy would peek out. She’d tiptoe across the silky sheets, barely leaving a trace, and take a teeny, tiny sip of the king’s blood. It was enough to keep her happy and healthy until the next night. 

One chilly evening, while polishing her tiny claws, Lucy spotted a strange sight. A plump, reddish bug with a mischievous grin was inching towards the bed! It was Mucy, a notorious bed bug with a reputation for being a troublemaker. “Hey!” Lucy squeaked, her voice barely a whisper. “This is my place! You can’t just come in here.”

Mucy chuckled, his beady eyes twinkling. “My dear, such a harsh welcome for a weary traveler! I’ve come a long way, and all I desire is a warm corner for the night. Surely, a kind soul like yourself wouldn’t turn away a guest?”

Lucy, with her simple heart, couldn’t help but melt under Mucy’s flattery. “Well, I suppose… just for one night. But remember, the king is very sensitive and mustn’t be woken. No biting!”

Mucy rubbed his tummy, feigning innocence. “Of course not, my dear friend! You may be sure that I wouldn’t consider it.”

As the moon climbed high, casting silvery shadows across the room, the king snuggled deeper into his bed. Now was the time! Lucy peeked out, but instead of venturing towards the king, she cautiously approached Mucy. “There’s some leftover food from the king’s dinner tucked in the sheets. Would you like some instead?”

Mucy’s smile faltered for a moment. He’d much preferred a juicy feast of royal blood, but he quickly plastered his fake grin back on. “Why, thank you, kind Lucy! That sounds delightful.”

Lucy, relieved, guided Mucy to the hidden morsels. While Mucy chomped on the leftover crumbs, grumbling under his breath, Lucy scurried out to collect her tiny meal.

Unfortunately, that night, the king woke up with an annoying itch. He swatted at the spot and grumbled about pesky insects. Now, Mucy, with his greedy belly full of bread crumbs, had forgotten all about his promise. He took his chance and sank his teeth into the king’s skin!

The king shrieked, “Guards! Someone rid me of these horrible bugs!”

Chaos erupted! Servants rushed in with flickering torches, searching for the culprit. Mucy, quick as a flash, scurried deep into the cracks of the bed frame, where no one could reach him.

Poor Lucy, startled by the commotion, was still scurrying back from her meal. One of the frantic servants spotted her on the sheet and, assuming her to be the villain, squashed her with a heavy hand.

Just like that, Lucy, the kind louse who trusted easily, paid the ultimate price. Meanwhile, the sneaky Mucy escaped with a full stomach and a smug grin, leaving a trail of itchy misery behind.

The king, although grumpy and scratched, eventually recovered. But the story of Lucy’s unfortunate encounter became a cautionary tale whispered throughout the castle. It reminded everyone, from the smallest bug to the tallest guard, that trust must be earned, not given away freely. Just because someone seems friendly doesn’t mean they have your best interests at heart. And, of course, it’s always better to be kind and helpful, just like Lucy, even if it means sacrificing a bit of your own comfort. 

The story’s moral is: Don’t be too trusting of strangers. Just because someone seems nice doesn’t mean they are. Be careful who you befriend and learn about them before you open up to them.