Panchatantra Tales The Panchatantra are a collection of the earliest folktales in the world. A long time ago (maybe more than 2000 years back), a king appointed a wise man <strong>to</strong> instruct his three sons. The wise man quickly realised that his pupils were not exactly bright (which is why he was a wise man!). So he began <strong>to</strong> teach them through these simple s<strong>to</strong>ries with talking animals, birds and plants. Each s<strong>to</strong>ry had a message intended <strong>to</strong> help the princes learn survival strategies for when they became rulers themselves. Here’s one of the more popular tales from the Panchatantra. The Monkey and the Crocodile A monkey lived in a jamun tree on the banks of a wide river. The jamuns on the tree were particularly sweet and juicy. One day a crocodile swam out of the river and lay sunning himself under the tree. The monkey, being a friendly soul, threw down a few fruit <strong>to</strong> the crocodile and called out, “Try these, they’re really good!” The crocodile ate a few and said, “These are the best jamuns I’ve tasted in my life!” The crocodile became a regular visi<strong>to</strong>r <strong>to</strong> the monkey’s home and the two of them became good friends. One day, the crocodile carried a few fruit home <strong>to</strong> his wife. “Where did you get these,” the wife asked in the surprise, “they are the best jamuns I’ve eaten in my life, so sweet and delicious!” “Oh,” the crocodile replied casually, “from a tree on the river bank.” “Are you trying <strong>to</strong> tell me you can now climb trees” his wife demanded “No, I’ve made friends with a monkey who lives in the tree. He throws down the fruit and we both have a chat.” “Oho!”exclaimed the wife, “so that’s why you’ve been coming home late every day!” Then in a sly sort of way, she said, “The monkey that eats this fruit must taste quite delicious himself. In fact, his heart must be like nectar. Bring me the heart of this creature, I want <strong>to</strong> eat it.” The crocodile was aghast! “How could you think I’d let you eat my friend!” “Oh friendshend,” scoffed his ruthless wife, “just get me the heart of that jamun-eating monkey or I’ll never speak <strong>to</strong> you again!’ And with that the crocodile wife shuffl ed off. She sulked and sulked and threw awful tantrums till at last the poor crocodile agreed <strong>to</strong> bring back the monkey’s heart for lunch the next day. His wife was naturally delighted. With a heavy heart, the crocodile set out the next day <strong>to</strong> deceive his good friend, the monkey. When he got <strong>to</strong> the tree he called out, “My wife has been nagging me <strong>to</strong> invite you home for a meal. She says I can’t keep eating your jamuns and not return your hospitality. Why don’t you come over <strong>to</strong> my place for lunch <strong>to</strong>day She’s cooking up something special.” The monkey said, “How will I reach your home I can’t swim.” “Don’t worry, jump down on my back and I’ll take you across <strong>to</strong> our island,” said the crocodile, miserable at this deception. The monkey jumped down with armfuls of sweet jamuns for his hosts and off they went across the river. But halfway across the crocodile couldn’t bear the guilt any more. “Look, I have <strong>to</strong> tell you something. My wife has actually sent me <strong>to</strong> get you because she wants <strong>to</strong> eat your heart....I’m really sorry, I had no choice in the matter.” The monkey replied quite calmly, “Oh is that what she wants Why didn’t you tell me earlier I would have been quite happy <strong>to</strong> bring it along with me and give it <strong>to</strong> her myself!” “Why, isn’t it with you right now,” asked the confused crocodile” Naturally not! I didn’t think I would need it <strong>to</strong>day so I left it in a hollow in my tree. Take me back and I’ll fetch it for you.” The crocodile turned back and headed for the river bank. Once there, the monkey clambered up in<strong>to</strong> the tree in a fl ash and didn’t come down again. The message Presence of mind can save your life!
Picture Puzzle Use the picture clues <strong>to</strong> fill in the names of well-known symbols of India. Ex. Lotus is the national flower. H L S T M P
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