Panchatantra by Vishnu Sharma

Author:Vishnu Sharma
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9789386495433
Publisher: Random House Publishers India Pvt. Ltd.
Published: 2017-02-18T05:00:00+00:00

‘And so,’ concluded Chitranga the deer, ‘we must make friends with everyone, big or small, strong or weak.’

‘Well, if that is so, then let it be as you desire,’ said Mantharaka. ‘From now on, your home is here with us. Stay here in peace and safety, and throw away all your worries.’

From that moment on, the crow, the mouse, the turtle and the deer became firm friends. They would gather together on the same spot by the lake every afternoon and spend their time in friendly and cheerful conversation.

One afternoon, Chitranga did not arrive for their daily gathering. Laghupatanaka, Hiranyaka and Mantharaka waited a while, and then, when the deer still did not appear, they grew concerned. ‘What could have happened to him? Could he have been eaten by a lion? Or caught in a forest fire? Or, lured by fresh, green grass, fallen into a hunter’s trap?’ they worried.

It is true that if someone we love is late or missing, we always worry that the worst may have happened to them. It is natural to worry about loved ones even if they are late coming into the house from the garden, so what could be said about the state of mind of the three friends as they waited for the deer to return from the forest?

Mantharaka said to the crow, ‘Friend Laghupatanaka, neither Hiranyaka nor I will be any good in searching for Chitranga. We are too small and too slow. But you can fly far and swiftly over the trees. So please go and search for our friend. Let us hope that you find him alive and well.’

Laghupatanaka did as the turtle suggested and flew off in search of their friend. He had flown only a short distance when, by the side of a small pond, he saw Chitranga. The deer had been caught in a hunter’s net, and lay helpless and hopelessly entangled.

‘Friend! How did you get caught in this way?’ called Laghupatanaka, deeply concerned.

Seeing his friend the crow, Chitranga’s eyes filled with tears. ‘Friend,’ he said, I am certain that my final hour has come. I am glad that you are here with me at this moment. It is truly said that in such situations, a friend by one’s side is the greatest blessing. If I die, then I will die happy, knowing you were with me. If, in our time together, I have ever on purpose or inadvertently hurt or offended you, then please forgive me.’

‘Chitranga, do not give in to despair,’ replied Laghupatanaka. ‘Now that we have found you, we will find a way to rescue you. I will return at once with Hiranyaka, and he will cut through the meshes that bind you in no time. In times of trouble, strong men do not panic in this way.’

Reassuring Chitranga and giving him courage, Laghupatanaka flew back to Mantharaka and Hiranyaka. After explaining the situation to them, he took Hiranyaka upon his back and flew back to Chitranga. The deer greeted the mouse with relief.

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