Two frogs fell into a deep pit, and though they tried very hard they could not hop out. Their comrades peered down from the top and croaked in sympathy.
“We feel for you,” they shouted, “ but there’s no way you can get out from there!”
On hearing this, one of the frogs lost heart, and died of fear. The other frog was deaf. He thought his comrades were shouting encouragement. Emboldened by their faith in him, he gathered up all his reserves of energy in one great jump that landed him out of the pit.
Whining & Dining
Mosquito spotted Iguana basking near the pond. She flew up to him and said, “Hey, Iguana, I just saw a farmer digging up potatoes that were as big as me!” Iguana was annoyed at being disturbed and snapped, “What’s a mosquito compared to a potato? I’d rather be deaf than hear such nonsense!” And he stuck twigs in his ears and stomped off. When Python saw Iguana pass by, he said a friendly ‘Hello’. Iguana seemed not to hear. “Iguana is angry,” thought Python. “I better hide,” and quickly slithered into Rabbit’s hole.
Rabbit was so startled she jumped out of her burrow and hared away. Crow saw her and cawed loudly in alarm. Monkey heard Crow and leaped from branch to branch, shrieking disaster. Crack! A branch broke under Monkey’s weight. It fell into Owl’s nest, crushing one of her babies. When Owl returned, she was overcome by sorrow and stopped hooting. The Sun did not rise the next day as he depended on Owl’s wake-up call.
Lion summoned all the animals. He asked Owl why she hadn’t woken the Sun.
“Monkey killed my owlet,” she said sadly. “I am in no mood to awaken the Sun.”
When Monkey was questioned, the entire chain of events was revealed. It was Iguana who had caused all the trouble! Iguana, of course, didn’t hear a thing because he still had twigs in his ears. Lion pulled them out, chuckling.
“Now, Iguana, what’s all this? Python says you snubbed him this morning.”
“What! I never…I never even heard him!”stuttered Iguana.“It was Mosquito! She narrated a tall tale that spoiled my whole morning!”
When Owl heard they’d found the culprit, she let out a loud hoot. The Sun rose and the animals cheered.
“That’s better!” said Lion. “But where is Mosquito? She must be punished!” All the animals looked around eagerly. But Mosquito was nowhere to be found. She had been eavesdropping all the while and felt so wretched, she dared not show her face. To this day, she suffers a guilty conscience. She buzzes and whines in people’s ears, even as she dines on their blood: “Zeeee, zeeee…Is everyone still angry with me?”
And an irritated slap is all she gets for an answer!
Safety in Numbers
A fly was flying around a web but it seemed reluctant to land, so finally the resident spider poked its head out and invited it in.“No, thank you,” said the fly. “I was looking for other flies but I don’t see any. I only feel safe in a crowd.”
The fly streaked away. Presently, it came across a large number of flies sitting on a large piece of paper.
“Don’t land!” warned a bee flying past. “ It’s flypaper. All those flies are stuck to it!”
“What nonsense,” retorted the fly. “They’re enjoying themselves! See they’re dancing!!”
“They’re not dancing! They’re trying to free themselves!!” yelled the bee, but the fly wasn’t listening.
It settled on the flypaper, and got stuck.
Moral: ‘Safety in Numbers’ may be a good slogan, but it’s not always true.
Wrinkled Winner
A goat, an ass and a camel were walking down a road when they came upon a bundle of hay that had fallen from a cart.“This hay looks delicious,” said the goat, “but it’s not enough for all three of us. Let the oldest among us have it.”
“Then it should go to me,” said the ass. “Do you know, I was in Delhi, when Nadir Shah entered it in triumph in 1739...that makes me at least 250 years old.”
“A child compared to me,” snorted the goat. “I was one of the animals that was driven from Delhi to Daulatabad when that madman, Sultan Muhammad bin Tughlaq shifted his capital....”
They suddenly noticed that the camel was calmly nibbling at the straw.
“What are you doing!” shouted the goat.
“Why, didn’t you say the oldest should have it?” said the camel. “The two of you may be centuries old but look at me...look at my knobby joints and wrinkled skin.....could either of you be older than me?”
And before the other two could think of a reply, the camel picked up the bundle of hay and walked away.
Donkey who didn't help
A dog and a donkey were going to the market with their master. It was a very long walk across a mountainous path. At noon, the master ate the little food he had brought along, unloaded the donkey, and settled down under a tree for a nap. The donkey began to eat the grass growing there, but there was nothing for the dog to eat.“There are some loaves among the load you were carrying,” said the dog to the donkey. “Let’s take one and share it between ourselves.”
“Wait till the master gets up!” said the donkey, tersely. “He’ll feed you then.”
Just then a ravenous wolf came into view.
“Help me, help me, dog!” pleaded the donkey, quavering in fear.
“I’m so hungry I don’t have the strength to do anything,” replied the dog. “Wait till the master gets up. He’ll certainly help you.”
—Jean de La Fontaine
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