The
story of mice
Traditionally, communities living
around farms in small villages are not exposed to modern educational systems.
While they may not be able to explain or understand the world in modern terms,
they have a deep understanding of the universe and the interdependence of all
human beings. The following story conveys an important message that humans, animals
and plants are created to have a harmonious life with mutual dependence. If one
lives this way, there can be prosperity and happiness for all; but on the other
hand, if interdependency is replaced by competition, it can lead to
instability, constant confrontations and unhappiness. This message has a lot
more significance when we see the direction the modern world is going in ---
selfish with the desire to help only those that benefit us.
Once upon a time, there was a young
couple who lived in a forest. They were farmers; they worked hard to get their
land ready for the crop they wanted to sow for their own consumption. But, just
as they were about to saw the seeds, they realized that they did not have any.
The farmer’s wife suggested that they go to the gods to seek help.
The man went to the land of gods and
requested some seeds. The gods said they did not need any food grown on their
land and did not stock seeds. Disappointed by the answer, the man returned to
Earth and wandered around in search of seeds.
The man met an old lizard and
explained his situation. The lizard, who lives on rocks and in deserts,
suggested that he should try his luck with a crab, who lives near water bodies.
The distressed man asked the crab for seeds. The crab suggested he go to the
boar who digs for food. The boar, in turn, directed him to the tiger, the head
of the forest. The tiger promptly said,”I hunt other animals and don’t eat any
plants.” He suggested the man should ask the squirrel who lives on nuts and
fruits.
The man approached a squirrel and for
the first time, he found direct help. The squirrel showed the man a variety of
seeds that he had hoarded. Unfortunately, all those seeds were from huge trees
and none of them were suitable to grow grains and vegetables.
With a heavy heart, the man walked
away in despair. On his way, a mouse encountered him and enquired why he was so
sad. Upon hearing the man’s story, the mouse gleefully led him to his abode and
shared his large collection of vegetable and grain seeds. The man was
overwhelmed with joy and was grateful to the mouse for sharing the bounty. The
man took some seeds, profusely thanked the mouse and promised the mouse that
after his crop was harvested, he would definitely give the mouse some seeds as
a return for the flavour.
The man took the seeds and planted them. Time passed and he had one
bumper crop after another and enjoyed his success. He completely forgot about
the mouse or the return favour he had promised. When his house was full of
grains, the mouse came by to collect a few. The couple shouted at the mouse and
chased him away, accusing him of stealing their hard-earned wealth. The mouse
thought that it was unfair of the couple to forget their promise and deny him
even a small share of seeds in return. Therefore the clever mouse showed up
every year and took his share of seeds.
This is the story the villagers tell
their children when mice take their grains away. This teaches the children not
to get angry at the mice, kill them or drive them away.
All the wealth we possess has been
provided by nature and it is for us to share; we should not deny the due share
for each creature. People should develop an altruistic attitude and live
harmoniously with nature rather than fight, control and exploit parts of
nature.
