The King and the Foolish Monkey – Once upon a time, in the kingdom of Anandapur, there ruled a wise and just king named Maharaja Vikram. The king was loved and respected by his subjects for his fair rule and kind heart. He was known for his wisdom and his ability to make just decisions.
The King and the Foolish Monkey
In the heart of Anandapur, there lived a mischievous and foolish monkey named Chatur. Chatur loved playing pranks on the townsfolk, often causing trouble and chaos. His antics brought laughter to some, but others found him annoying and disruptive.
One day, a wise sage arrived in the kingdom. Hearing of the sage’s wisdom, Maharaja Vikram decided to seek his guidance. The king presented the sage with a delicate question that had troubled him for quite some time. He asked, “O wise sage, how can I differentiate between a foolish person and a wise one?”
The sage pondered the question for a moment and replied, “Your Majesty, the answer lies in observing the actions and consequences of an individual. A wise person’s actions are thoughtful and lead to positive outcomes, while a foolish person’s actions are impulsive and lead to chaos.”
Curious to see this theory in action, the king summoned Chatur to the royal court. Chatur, unaware of the reason for his summons, jumped with excitement, thinking he was about to entertain the king with his pranks.
As Chatur entered the court, Maharaja Vikram addressed him, “Chatur, I have a task for you. In the royal garden, there is a tree laden with delicious mangoes. I want you to guard the tree and ensure that no one plucks the mangoes without my permission.”
Chatur, thrilled by the idea of being entrusted with such an important duty, immediately agreed. With a mischievous grin, he climbed up the tree and started swinging from branch to branch, calling out to everyone passing by, “These mangoes are mine! No one can touch them!”
Days passed, and the townsfolk grew hungrier by the day. They approached the king, seeking permission to pluck the ripe mangoes from the royal garden. Maharaja Vikram, aware of Chatur’s foolish nature, decided to test the monkey’s resolve.
The king disguised himself as a poor farmer and approached the garden. Chatur, seeing the farmer approaching, shouted from above, “Stop! These mangoes are for the king only. No one else can have them!”
The disguised king pleaded, “Oh wise monkey, I am a poor farmer who has not eaten for days. Please have mercy and allow me to take just one mango to feed my family.”
Chatur, blinded by his own importance, refused to show any compassion. He replied, “I care not for your hunger. These mangoes belong to the king, and I shall not let anyone touch them!”
Seeing Chatur’s foolishness, Maharaja Vikram revealed his true identity. He looked up at Chatur and said, “Chatur, your actions have shown me the answer to my question. Your selfishness and lack of compassion have revealed your foolishness.”
The king then turned to his subjects and declared, “A wise person understands the value of compassion and kindness. They consider the needs of others and act accordingly. Chatur’s actions have taught us the importance of wisdom and empathy.”
Realizing his mistake, Chatur felt a pang of regret. He understood the folly of his selfish ways and pledged to change his behavior. From that day forward, Chatur transformed into a kind and considerate monkey, using his mischievous nature for good and spreading joy rather than chaos.
The moral of this Panchatantra story is that wisdom lies in acts of compassion and empathy. Chatur’s transformation serves as a lesson to children, teaching them the importance of considering others’ needs and the consequences of selfish behavior. It encourages them to cultivate wisdom by showing kindness and thinking beyond their own desires.
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