A Timeless Story by Leo Tolstoy

THE THREE QUESTIONS 

Long ago, there lived a king who was always searching for wisdom.

He believed that if he could find the answers to three important questions, he would never make a mistake and would always know exactly what to do.

His three questions were:

1. What is the right time to begin anything?

2. Who is the most important person?

3. What is the most important thing to do?

The king announced throughout his kingdom that he would reward anyone who could give him satisfactory answers.

Many wise men came to the palace.

One said that the king should prepare a timetable and follow it strictly because every action had its proper time.

Another said that the king needed the advice of wise men and should always listen to them before making important decisions.

A third man said that the most important people were doctors, because they could save lives.

Others argued that soldiers, priests, farmers or merchants were the most important people.

The king listened carefully, but he was not satisfied.

Finally, he heard about a wise hermit who lived alone in a forest. The hermit was known for his wisdom, but he did not meet important people. He spent his days working in his garden and speaking only to ordinary visitors.

The king decided to visit him.

He dressed himself in simple clothes, left his guards behind and went into the forest.

When the king found the hermit, he saw him digging the soil in front of his small hut.

The king greeted him and asked his three questions.

The hermit listened but continued digging.

The king repeated his questions.

Still, the hermit said nothing.

The king noticed that the old man was becoming tired.

“You are tired,” said the king. “Give me the spade. I will work for you.”

The hermit handed him the spade.

The king began digging.

Time passed.

The king asked the questions again.

The hermit still remained silent.

Then suddenly, a wounded man came running out of the forest.

He was holding his hands against his stomach, and blood was flowing through his fingers.

The king immediately stopped digging.

He rushed towards the wounded man, carried him to the hermit's hut and cleaned his wound. He washed it, bandaged it and continued caring for him until the bleeding stopped.

The wounded man was exhausted.

The king gave him water and helped him lie down.

By evening, the man fell asleep.

The king was also tired. He lay down near the entrance of the hut and soon fell asleep.

The next morning, when the king woke up, he found the wounded man looking at him.

“Forgive me!” the man said.

The king was surprised.

“I do not even know you. Why are you asking me for forgiveness?”

The man explained that he had once been an enemy of the king. He had planned to kill him because the king had punished his brother and taken away his property.

He had been waiting in the forest to attack the king.

But the king's guards had discovered him, and while trying to escape, he had been wounded.

“If you had not treated me,” the man said, “I would have died. I came here to harm you, but you saved my life. From today onwards, I will be your faithful servant.”

The king was deeply moved.

He forgave the man and promised to return his property.

Then the king turned towards the hermit.

“I must have an answer to my three questions,” he said. “Please tell me what you think.”

The hermit smiled.

“You already have your answers,” he said.

The king looked puzzled.

“Yesterday, when I was digging, the most important time was the time when you were digging. It was the only time you had. The most important person was the man who came to you, because he was the person who needed your help. And the most important thing to do was to help him.”

The hermit continued:

“Later, when you were caring for the wounded man, the most important time was that moment, the most important person was the wounded man, and the most important thing was to save his life.”

The king finally understood.

The hermit gave him the final lesson:

“Remember that there is only one important time—now. The present moment is the only time over which we have power. The most necessary person is always the person with whom you are, for no one knows whether they will ever have dealings with anyone else. And the most important affair is to do that person good, because for that purpose alone was man sent into this life.”

The king returned to his kingdom with a completely different understanding of wisdom.

He had gone to the forest looking for complicated answers.

Instead, he discovered something wonderfully simple.

THE MESSAGE OF THE STORY 

We often spend our lives worrying about yesterday or planning endlessly for tomorrow. But the present moment is the only moment we can actually live.

The person standing before us may need our kindness, attention or help. We may not know what tomorrow will bring.

And sometimes, doing something good for another person is far more important than finding the perfect answer to every question.

Tolstoy's story reminds us that wisdom does not always come from books, grand speeches or complicated theories.

Sometimes, it is found in a simple act of kindness at the right moment.

THE THREE ANSWERS AT A GLANCE 

The most important time: Now.

The most important person: The person who is with you.

The most important thing: To do good to that person.

Story time

THE WEAVER WHO WOVE WITH HIS HEART 

In a small village surrounded by golden fields and bright marigold flowers lived a humble weaver named Madhav. He owned very little—a small mud hut, an old wooden loom, and a few simple household utensils. Yet, Madhav was always content.

Every morning, before the village had fully awakened, Madhav would sit before his loom. As the first rays of sunlight appeared in the sky, his fingers would begin moving gently through the threads.

To Madhav, weaving was not merely a way of earning a living. It was his prayer.

He believed that every thread carried a blessing and that every beautiful pattern could become a silent offering to the Divine.

While other villagers chatted, laughed and sang as they worked, Madhav remained quiet and completely absorbed in his weaving.

“Why doesn't Madhav laugh and sing like the rest of us?” his neighbours often wondered.

“He is a strange man,” some whispered.

Madhav heard them, but he never became upset. He simply smiled and continued working, giving his full attention to every thread.

THE FESTIVAL CLOTH 

One day, an announcement spread through the village. A grand festival was going to be held in honour of the goddess of abundance.

The entire village came alive with excitement. Homes were cleaned and decorated. Colourful flowers were hung at the doors, and the streets were prepared for the celebrations.

The weavers were especially busy. They began making beautiful saris, shawls and other garments to sell at the festival market.

Madhav also decided to weave a special cloth.

But there was one important difference between Madhav and the other weavers.

While everyone else was thinking about how quickly they could finish their work and how many coins they could earn, Madhav thought only about creating something beautiful with love and devotion.

As his fingers moved across the loom, he imagined the goddess wearing the cloth. He imagined the golden morning sun, the gentle moonlight, the songs of birds and the peaceful colours of nature.

He wove all these thoughts into his creation.

Days passed.

Then weeks passed.

Madhav continued working slowly and patiently.

Villagers who passed his hut often shook their heads.

“He is still weaving!”

“At this rate, he will miss the festival.”

“He will have nothing to sell.”

But Madhav paid no attention. He continued weaving late into the night, his heart filled with silent prayers.

The Festival Day

At last, the festival arrived.

The village looked completely different. Bright lanterns decorated the streets. Drums echoed through the air. Colourful stalls filled the village square, and people arrived in their finest clothes.

The other weavers proudly displayed piles of beautiful garments.

Then Madhav appeared.

He carried only one piece of cloth.

The villagers turned to look.

As he unfolded it, everyone fell silent.

The cloth shimmered with soft blues, glowing golden shades and delicate greens. It looked as though someone had captured the colours of dawn and woven them into fabric.

An elderly woman slowly stepped forward.

She gently touched the cloth.

Suddenly, tears filled her eyes.

“This is not just a piece of cloth,” she whispered. “There is something peaceful about it. I can feel warmth in it.”

One by one, other villagers gathered around.

Some touched the fabric and smiled. Others stood quietly, admiring its beauty.

Even the children, who were usually running around noisily during festivals, stood still and gazed at the cloth as though they were watching a beautiful sunrise.

THE SAGE'S WORDS 

Among the visitors at the festival was an old sage. He had been watching Madhav and the villagers from a distance.

The sage finally approached the humble weaver.

He bowed respectfully and said,

“You have shown us that true art is born from devotion, not desire. Your silence has spoken louder than all the festival drums.”

Madhav bowed his head humbly.

“I only wove what my heart prayed,” he replied softly.

The sage smiled and blessed him.

“May your hands always remember this sacred rhythm. You have woven not merely threads, but the spirit of dharma and love.”

The villagers listened carefully.

For the first time, they understood why Madhav worked differently from them.

He was not simply making cloth.

He was putting his heart into his work.

A NEW BEGINNING 

From that day onward, nobody called Madhav strange.

People began visiting his little hut not only to buy his beautiful cloth but also to seek his blessings and wisdom.

Young weavers started sitting beside him, watching his hands move across the loom. Madhav taught them the art of weaving, but he also taught them something far more valuable.

“Do not weave only with your hands,” he would tell them. “Weave with patience, love and a peaceful heart.”

Slowly, the spirit of Madhav's work spread throughout the village.

People began doing their own work with greater care and kindness. The village became more peaceful, and the little hut of the humble weaver became a place filled with the gentle sound of the loom, the fragrance of sandalwood and the warmth of silent prayers.

Madhav never became wealthy in coins.

But his heart overflowed with something far more precious—joy, peace and love.

And the villagers finally understood that sometimes the greatest treasures are not the things we can buy or sell, but the goodness and devotion we put into what we do.

MORAL OF THE STORY 

When we work with love, sincerity and devotion, even an ordinary task can become a prayer. The true value of our work lies not only in what we create, but in the love and goodness we put into creating it.

The Forty Verses Born in a Prison Cell

THE LEGEND OF HANUMAN CHALISA

Did Goswami Tulsidas really compose the Hanuman Chalisa inside Emperor Akbar's prison? For centuries, this fascinating story has been told across India. It is a beloved legend connected with Agra Fort and the deep devotion of Goswami Tulsidas to Lord Hanuman.

A SAINT ARRIVES IN AGRA 

It was around the year 1600, during the reign of the Mughal emperor Akbar. Goswami Tulsidas, the great saint-poet who wrote the Ramcharitmanas, was travelling towards Mathura. As night fell, he halted in Agra.

The next morning, word spread quickly that Tulsidas had arrived. Thousands of people gathered just to see the saint whose devotion to Lord Rama had touched countless hearts.

Akbar's Challenge

The growing crowd caught Emperor Akbar's attention. Curious, he summoned Tulsidas to his royal court.

Akbar said, “People say you possess divine powers. Show me a miracle. Show me your Lord Rama.”

With folded hands, Tulsidas replied gently, “I am not a magician. I am only a humble servant of Lord Rama. Miracles belong to God, not to me.”

The emperor was angered by this answer. He ordered his soldiers to chain the elderly saint and throw him into a dark prison cell.

THE MONKEY INVASION 

According to the legend, the very next morning something extraordinary happened.

Thousands of monkeys suddenly entered Agra Fort. They ran through the palace, climbed the walls, frightened horses, damaged property, and created complete chaos. The emperor's soldiers were unable to control them.

A frightened Akbar called Birbal for advice.

Birbal is said to have replied, “Your Majesty, you wished to witness a miracle. These monkeys are believed to be the army of Lord Hanuman. Release Tulsidas, and the chaos will end.”

FORTY VERSES OF DEVOTION 

Akbar rushed to the prison and found Tulsidas sitting peacefully in prayer despite his chains.

He apologised and ordered the saint to be released.

When asked what he had been doing in prison, Tulsidas replied that he had spent the night remembering Lord Rama and praying to Lord Hanuman. During that deep devotion, forty beautiful verses flowed from his heart.

Those forty verses became the Hanuman Chalisa.

A HYMN THAT LIVES ON 

The Hanuman Chalisa is a devotional hymn of forty chaupais dedicated to Lord Hanuman. Millions of devotees recite it with faith, believing it brings courage, strength, peace, and protection during difficult times.

Whether this prison episode happened exactly as described is not confirmed by historical evidence, but it remains one of the most cherished legends in Hindu tradition. The story reminds us that sincere devotion is stronger than fear, pride, or imprisonment.

Chaupai (चौपाई) is a traditional form of verse in Hindi and Awadhi poetry.

Meaning: The word chaupai comes from chau (four) and pai (feet or lines). A chaupai is a four-line stanza with a specific poetic rhythm (meter).

In the Hanuman Chalisa, there are:

●40 chaupais (forty four-line verses), which give the hymn its name.

●It also begins and ends with dohas (two-line verses).

So, Hanuman Chalisa literally means “the hymn of forty chaupais.”

The Great Churning of the Ocean of Milk

SAMUDRA MANTHAN 

The timeless story of cooperation, sacrifice, and the triumph of good over evil

The Samudra Manthan, also known as the Amrut Manthan, churning of the Ocean of Milk, is one of the most fascinating and symbolic stories in Hindu mythology. Described in the Bhagavata Purana, Vishnu Purana, Mahabharata, and other ancient scriptures, it tells how the gods (Devas) and demons (Asuras) joined forces to churn the cosmic ocean in search of Amrit, the nectar of immortality. More than a mythological tale, Samudra Manthan teaches profound lessons about patience, teamwork, self-control, and the balance between good and evil.

WHY DID SAMUDRA MANTHAN HAPPEN?

Once, Sage Durvasa, known for his fiery temper and great spiritual power, received a divine garland from a celestial maiden (Vidyadhari). The garland was sacred because it was blessed by Goddess Lakshmi and symbolised prosperity and divine fortune. 

Durvasa met Indra, the king of the Devas, who was riding his white elephant Airavata. As a blessing, the sage offered the garland to Indra.

Instead of placing it on his own head with reverence, Indra casually put it on Airavata's head. The elephant, disturbed by the fragrance and buzzing bees, threw the garland to the ground and trampled it. Durvasa saw this as disrespect toward a sacred gift. 

The garland was made of Santānaka flowers, heavenly blossoms whose fragrance filled the entire forest. The Vishnu Purana also says the garland was the abode of Goddess Lakshmi (Shri), which is why Durvasa expected Indra to treat it with great reverence.

An angry Durvasa said that because Indra had become proud of his power and wealth. He cursed Indra and all the Devas to lose their strength, radiance, prosperity, and fortune. 

As a result Asuras became more powerful, the Devas were defeated repeatedly in the battle and sought help from Lord Vishnu.

Lord Vishnu advised them to make peace temporarily with the Asuras and churn the Kshira Sagara (Ocean of Milk). He promised that the nectar of immortality hidden in the ocean would restore the Devas' strength.

This extraordinary event became known as Samudra Manthan.

HOW WAS THE OCEAN CHURNED?

The churning required enormous effort and divine planning.

●Mount Mandara was used as the churning rod.

●Vasuki, the king of serpents, became the churning rope.

●The Devas held Vasuki's tail, while the Asuras held his head.

●When the mountain began sinking into the ocean, Lord Vishnu took the Kurma (tortoise) avatar and supported the mountain on His back.

Thus, the great churning began.

THE POISON THAT EMERGED FIRST 

Before any treasures appeared, a deadly poison called Halahala emerged from the ocean. Its fumes threatened to destroy all creation.

To save the universe, Lord Shiva drank the poison. Goddess Parvati held His throat so the poison would not enter His body. The poison remained in His throat, turning it blue, and Shiva became known as Neelkanth, the Blue-Throated Lord.

This episode Symbolises sacrificing one's comfort for the welfare of the world.

THE FOURTEEN DIVINE TREASURES (CHATURDASHA RATNAS)

As the churning continued, 14 priceless treasures emerged from the ocean.

1) Halahala Poison: Consumed by Lord Shiva to protect creation. 

2) Kamadhenu: The divine wish-fulfilling cow.

3) Uchchaihshravas: The celestial white horse. 

4)Airavata: Lord Indra's magnificent white elephant. 

5) Kaustubha Mani: The most precious divine jewel, worn by Lord Vishnu. 

6) Kalpavriksha: The heavenly wish-fulfilling tree.

7) Apsaras: Beautiful celestial dancers. 

8)Varuni: Goddess associated with divine nectar and prosperity. 

9) Chandra: The Moon, later adorned on Lord Shiva's head.

10) Lakshmi: Goddess of wealth and prosperity, who chose Lord Vishnu. 

11) Shankha: The sacred conch, symbol of victory and purity. 

12) Dhanvantari: The divine physician carrying the pot of Amrita.

13) Amrita Kalasha: The pot containing the nectar of immortality. 

14) Sharanga (Divine Bow): A celestial weapon associated with Lord Vishnu. 

THE STORY OF AMRITA AND MOHINI AVATAR 

When Dhanvantari appeared with the pot of Amrita, the Asuras seized it. To protect the nectar, Lord Vishnu took the enchanting Mohini avatar. Mohini cleverly served the nectar only to the Devas.

One Asura, Swarbhanu, disguised himself as a Deva and drank a few drops. The Sun and Moon recognised him and informed Vishnu, who severed his head with the Sudarshan Chakra. His head became Rahu, and his body became Ketu.

SPIRITUAL MEANING OF SAMUDRA MANTHAN 

Samudra Manthan is also a symbolic journey within every human being.

●The Ocean of Milk represents the human mind.

●The Devas and Asuras symbolise our positive and negative qualities.

●Mount Mandara represents determination and spiritual discipline.

●Vasuki symbolises desire and life's challenges.

●Halahala represents anger, greed, and negativity that must be controlled.

●Amrita symbolises wisdom, peace, and self-realisation.

The message is that inner treasures emerge only after patience, effort, and overcoming negativity.

THE CONNECTION WITH KUMBH MELA 

According to tradition, while carrying the pot of Amrita, drops of nectar fell at Prayagraj, Haridwar, Ujjain, and Nashik. These four sacred places host the Kumbh Mela, one of the world's largest religious gatherings.

LESSONS FROM SAMUDRA MANTHAN 

Samudra Manthan offers timeless lessons for modern life:

●Great achievements require teamwork and cooperation.

●Challenges often appear before success, just as poison emerged before nectar.

●Sacrifice for the greater good is the highest form of service.

●Patience and perseverance ultimately lead to wisdom and prosperity.

●Good and evil exist within everyone, and true victory comes through self-control and righteousness.

DID YOU KNOW?

●Samudra Manthan is one of the most frequently depicted scenes in Indian temple art.

●The giant relief of Samudra Manthan at Angkor Wat in Cambodia is one of the world's largest mythological carvings.

●Lord Vishnu's Kurma avatar is the second of His ten principal avatars (Dashavatara).

AMAZING FACTS 

●The churning was performed in the Kshira Sagara, the cosmic Ocean of Milk.

●Lord Shiva became Neelkanth after drinking the deadly Halahala poison.

●Goddess Lakshmi emerged from the ocean during Samudra Manthan and chose Lord Vishnu as her eternal consort.

●The story explains the mythological origin of Rahu and Ketu, associated with eclipses in Hindu tradition as well as comets. 

●The Kumbh Mela is traditionally linked to the spilling of drops of Amrita during this event.

CONCLUSION 

The story of Samudra Manthan is much more than an ancient legend. It is a powerful reminder that life is a constant churning of experiences. Difficulties, like the Halahala poison, may appear first, but with courage, faith, discipline, and cooperation, we eventually discover the nectar of wisdom, peace, and success. This timeless message continues to inspire millions across generations and remains one of the greatest spiritual stories in Sanatan Dharma.

A Folk Tale from Chester, West of England

THE GIRL AND THE OLD WOMAN 

Long ago, in a small village in Chester, in the west of England, there lived a poor widow and her beautiful daughter. The girl was kind and cheerful, but she loved playing in the green meadows more than doing household work.

Her mother often asked her to learn spinning, an important skill in those days. Girls were expected to spin linen into thread before marriage, and a good spinner was believed to make a good wife. The mother pleaded, scolded, and even punished her daughter, but nothing changed. The girl still disliked spinning.

One morning, the worried mother handed her daughter seven bundles of linen fibre.

“You have three days to spin all of this into thread,” she said firmly.

The girl tried her best, but by the end of the second day she had finished only a small part of the work. Feeling frightened and hopeless, she cried herself to sleep.

At dawn on the third day, she wandered out into the fields sparkling with dew. Soon she reached a little hill beside a gentle stream. Sitting on a stone, she buried her face in her hands and wept.

Suddenly, she noticed an old woman sitting nearby. The woman had unusually long, thick lips. Curious, the girl asked why her lips looked that way.

The old woman smiled and replied, “Years of spinning did this. I wet my fingers with my lips while drawing thread from the distaff.”

When the girl told her about the unfinished linen, the old woman kindly said, “Bring it to me. I will help you.”

Filled with hope, the girl fetched the linen and gave it to the old woman. Without another word, the old woman disappeared into the trees.

Tired from crying, the girl fell asleep beside the stream.

When she awoke, evening had fallen and the first star shone in the sky. Then she heard a voice coming from a small hole beneath the stone. Looking inside, she saw the old woman in a cave with many young women. They were spinning busily with distaffs and spindles, and all of them had the same long, thick lips.

The old woman told them to bundle the spun thread and give it to the girl. She also warned her not to tell her mother who had done the work.

The grateful girl carried the bundle home. It contained seven long coils of perfectly spun linen thread.

The next morning, her mother was amazed. She believed her daughter had performed a miracle and proudly told everyone in the village.

A young man passing through the village heard the news. He was so impressed that he asked for the girl's hand in marriage.

Later, the girl told him the truth about the mysterious old woman and the cave. Curious, they visited the cave together. When the young man saw the women whose lips had become disfigured from years of spinning, he felt sorry for them.

He turned to his wife and said, “I never want your beautiful lips to suffer like theirs. You shall never spin again.”

The young couple returned home and lived together happily for the rest of their lives.

MORAL OF THE STORY 

Kindness often comes when we least expect it, but the story also reminds us that hard work has its price. True happiness comes from caring for one another and valuing people more than appearances or perfection.

A wise fable about thinking before trusting advice

THE GRASS IS NOT ALWAYS GREENER 

A hungry old lion paced across the savannah, frustrated that he had not caught a single meal all night. Age had slowed him down, and he was no longer as swift or strong as he had once been.

Just then, he spotted a young goat happily munching on grass at the top of a steep, rocky hill.

The lion's eyes lit up with hope—but there was a problem. The cliff was too steep for him to climb. So, instead of using strength, he decided to use cunning.

"Why are you eating that dry grass up there, my friend?" the lion called out sweetly. "Can't you see the lush, green grass growing down here in the valley?"

The goat looked down and replied, "Yes, I can see it. It does look green and fresh."

"It is even better than it looks," said the lion. "The grass is soft, tender, and still covered with sparkling morning dew."

"That's true," said the goat calmly. "I can see the dew shining in the early sunlight."

The lion continued tempting him. "The sun is rising quickly. Soon the dew will disappear. Come down now and enjoy this delicious feast before it's too late!"

The goat remained silent for a moment. Then he smiled and answered wisely,

"I see the green grass. I see the sparkling dew. But I also see the eager eyes of a hungry lion waiting below."

The lion realised that the clever goat could not be fooled. Defeated, he turned away and went off in search of another prey.

Moral of the Story

Beware of advice from people who stand to benefit from your decision. Think carefully before following someone's suggestions, especially when they may have hidden motives.

A troll tale

THE CLEVER YOUNGEST SON 

Once upon a time, there lived a poor farmer with three sons. The farmer was growing old, and the family had a large debt to repay. One day, he called his sons and said, “We must work hard and repay our debt. Go to the forest and bring back some wood to sell.”

The eldest son went first. He walked deep into the forest and began chopping a fir tree. Suddenly, a huge troll appeared from behind the trees. It was so frightening that the boy dropped his axe.

“Get out of my forest!” the troll roared. “If I ever see you here again, I will eat you!”

The terrified boy ran all the way home. When he told his father what had happened, the farmer shook his head.

“Why are you so frightened?” he asked. “No troll ever scared me when I was young!”

The next morning, the second son went into the forest. But the moment he began chopping a tree, the same enormous troll appeared.

“Leave my forest at once!” it thundered.

The second son was even more frightened than his brother and ran home without taking a single piece of wood.

Finally, it was the youngest son’s turn. Unlike his brothers, he was not easily frightened. Before leaving, he put a large piece of cheese into his knapsack.

When he reached the forest, he calmly began chopping wood.

Soon, the troll appeared.

“What are you doing in my forest?” it roared. “Leave immediately!”

The young man looked at the troll and smiled.

“Why should I be afraid of you?” he asked.

The troll stepped closer threateningly. But the young man took the cheese from his knapsack and squeezed it tightly. The soft cheese oozed through his fingers.

“See this white stone?” he said boldly. “If you make me angry, I will squeeze you just as easily!”

The troll stared at the “stone” and became terrified.

“Please don't!” it cried. “Spare me, and I will help you chop the wood.”

The young man agreed. Together, they worked quickly and gathered a huge pile of wood.

As evening approached, the troll invited the young man to its home for dinner. There, the troll cooked a giant pot of delicious porridge.

“Let us have an eating contest!” suggested the young man.

The troll eagerly agreed, certain that it could out-eat the boy.

But the young man had a clever plan. Before sitting down, he secretly tied his empty knapsack in front of himself. As he pretended to eat, he quietly dropped spoonful after spoonful of porridge into the knapsack.

Soon, the knapsack was completely full.

The young man secretly made a small cut in it with his knife. Then he pretended to cut his own stomach.

“Look!” he exclaimed. “I have made more room in my belly. Now I can eat even more!”

The foolish troll believed him.

“If you can do that, so can I!” it cried.

Without thinking, the troll followed the young man's advice. That was the end of the foolish troll.

The young man then searched the troll's home. Hidden inside were piles of gold and silver that the troll had collected over many years.

He gathered the treasure and returned home.

His father and brothers were amazed when they heard the whole story. The gold and silver were enough to pay off their debt, and the family could finally live without worry.

The farmer proudly hugged his youngest son.

“You proved that courage is not always about being strong,” he said. “Sometimes, a calm mind and a clever idea are more powerful than great strength.”

And from that day onwards, the family lived happily and peacefully.

Moral: Courage, intelligence and presence of mind can help us overcome even the greatest challenges.

Story from Panchatantra

THE MONKEY AND THE CROCODILE 

Once upon a time, a monkey lived on a jamun tree beside a river. In the same river lived a huge crocodile. As time passed, the monkey and the crocodile became close friends. Every day, the monkey plucked sweet jamun fruits from the tree and shared them with the crocodile.

One day, the crocodile took some of the fruits home and offered them to his wife.

"These are from my friend," he said. "He gives me these delicious fruits every day."

The crocodile's wife tasted the fruits and was delighted by their sweetness. But soon, greed took hold of her. She said, "If these fruits are so sweet, just imagine how sweet the monkey's heart must be after eating them every day. I want his heart, no matter what."

The crocodile was shocked by her cruel wish, but she insisted until he reluctantly agreed.

The next day, the crocodile went to the monkey and said, "Brother Monkey, my wife has heard so much about you. She wishes to meet you and has invited you to our home for a grand feast."

Trusting his friend completely, the monkey happily jumped onto the crocodile's back, and together they began crossing the river.

When they reached the middle of the river, the crocodile could no longer hide the truth. "Forgive me, my friend," he confessed. "The real reason I brought you here is that my wife wants to eat your heart."

The monkey was terrified, but he remained calm and quickly thought of a plan.

He laughed and said, "Brother, if that is all, you should have told me earlier. I always leave my heart hanging safely on my jamun tree. Since I have such a brave friend as you, I don't need to carry it with me all the time. Let us return so I can fetch it."

The foolish crocodile believed every word and immediately turned back.

As soon as they reached the riverbank, the monkey sprang off the crocodile's back and climbed high into the branches of the jamun tree. Looking down, he called out, "You deceiver! I trusted you as my friend, but you betrayed that trust. How can anyone live without a heart? You have lost both a friend and my respect."

The crocodile hung his head in shame. Realising his foolishness, he quietly swam away, never to return.

MORAL: True friendship is built on trust and loyalty. Intelligence and presence of mind can save us from even the greatest danger, but we must also learn to be cautious, for blind trust in the wrong person can lead to betrayal.

RELEVANCE OF THE STORY IN OUR LIVES 

Although The Monkey and the Crocodile was written centuries ago, its message remains just as meaningful today. In our daily lives, we meet many people—at school, at work, in our neighbourhood, and even online. While most people are honest and kind, not everyone has good intentions. Some may pretend to be our friends only to take advantage of us for their own benefit.

The monkey trusted the crocodile because he had always treated him with kindness. However, when the crocodile allowed greed to overcome friendship, he betrayed that trust. This reminds us that trust is precious and should be placed wisely. At the same time, the monkey teaches us another valuable lesson: when faced with danger or betrayal, we should not panic. Calm thinking, presence of mind, and intelligence often help us find solutions to difficult situations.

The story also warns us against greed. The crocodile's wife allowed her selfish desire to cloud her judgment, and in the end, the crocodile lost a true friend because of it. Greed and dishonesty may promise temporary gain, but they often result in lasting loss.

In today's world, where people interact both in person and through social media, this story encourages us to be kind but cautious, trusting but wise. It reminds us to value genuine friendships, stay alert to deception, and use our intelligence to overcome life's challenges.

A story from Panchatantra

THE FOUR FRIENDS: A lesson in friendship and teamwork 

Stories have long been a powerful way of teaching valuable life lessons. Among the most treasured collections of Indian fables is the Panchatantra, a masterpiece of wisdom originally written in Sanskrit over two thousand years ago. Through stories featuring animals, it teaches important values such as friendship, intelligence, kindness, and cooperation. One such story is that of the mouse, crow, deer, and turtle, which beautifully illustrates how true friends stand by one another and how every individual's unique abilities can contribute to overcoming even the greatest challenges.

Long ago, deep inside a peaceful forest, lived four inseparable friends—a mouse, a crow, a deer, and a turtle. Every day they gathered beneath a large tree to share stories and discuss the happenings in the forest. Their friendship was built on trust, respect, and genuine concern for one another.

One day, however, the deer failed to arrive at their usual meeting place. As the hours passed, the mouse, crow, and turtle grew increasingly worried. The wise turtle sensed that something was wrong.

Turning to the crow, he said, "You can fly swiftly and see the forest from above. Please search for our friend and find out what has happened."

Without wasting a moment, the crow soared high into the sky. After searching for some time, he discovered the unfortunate deer trapped in a hunter's net. The frightened deer struggled desperately to free himself, while the hunter was still some distance away.

The crow hurried back and informed his friends. The turtle immediately came up with a plan.

"Our mouse friend has sharp teeth," he said. "He alone can cut through the net. Crow, carry him on your back so they can reach the deer quickly."

The crow lifted the mouse and flew to the trapped deer. As soon as they landed, the mouse began gnawing at the ropes. Within minutes, the net was cut apart, and the grateful deer regained his freedom.

Just then, the turtle slowly arrived at the spot. Before the four friends could celebrate, the hunter approached. The deer darted into the forest, the crow flew into the trees, and the mouse disappeared into a nearby bush. Unfortunately, the slow-moving turtle could not escape.

Disappointed that the deer had escaped, the hunter noticed the turtle crawling away. Thinking he would at least have a meal to take home, he tied the turtle with the remains of the net, placed him in his bag, and continued on his journey.

Hidden nearby, the crow and mouse watched helplessly as their friend was carried away. They quickly informed the deer, who devised another clever plan.

"I will distract the hunter," said the deer. "While he chases me, Mouse, you must free the turtle."

The mouse worried about the deer's safety, but the deer smiled confidently. "As long as I stay alert, no hunter can catch me."

Soon, the deer appeared in front of the hunter, pretending not to notice him. Excited by the sight of the escaped deer, the hunter immediately dropped his bag and quietly followed the deer, hoping to catch him.

The clever deer allowed the hunter to come close before gracefully leaping away, tempting him to continue the chase. Meanwhile, the mouse rushed to the abandoned bag, chewed through the ropes, and freed the turtle. The turtle quickly hid beneath thick bushes.

Watching from above, the crow signalled that the turtle was safe. Seeing this, the deer bounded away into the forest. Exhausted and empty-handed, the hunter finally gave up and returned home in disappointment.

That evening, the four friends reunited beneath their favourite tree. Their joy knew no bounds. Once again, they had proved that true friendship, courage, intelligence, and cooperation could overcome even the most difficult obstacles.

Moral of the Story

Each of the four friends possessed different strengths. The crow could fly swiftly, the mouse had sharp teeth, the deer was fast and clever, and the turtle was wise and patient. Alone, none of them could have solved every problem. But by combining their unique abilities and helping one another selflessly, they succeeded in rescuing each friend from danger.

The story reminds us that true friendship is based on trust, compassion, and teamwork. Instead of competing or trying to dominate others, we should appreciate each person's unique talents and work together for the benefit of everyone. In a world often divided by differences, cooperation and kindness remain the greatest strengths of all.

Story

HOW RAGHU OUTSMARTED HIS MASTER 

Kishenlal was in an unusually cheerful mood. One of the farmers working on his land had presented him with a delightful gift—a plump roast chicken and a bottle of fresh fruit juice. The thought of enjoying such a feast made his mouth water with anticipation.

Calling his young servant, Raghu, he handed over the basket and said sternly, “Take this home carefully. There is a live bird and a bottle of poison inside. Do not lift the cloth, or the bird will fly away. And remember, even a slight smell of the poison can be deadly.”

Raghu nodded obediently and set off. However, the moment he was out of his master’s sight, curiosity—and temptation—got the better of him. Finding a quiet corner, he uncovered the basket, devoured the delicious roast chicken, and drank the fruit juice to the very last drop. Completely satisfied, he lay down and soon fell into a deep sleep.

Meanwhile, Kishenlal returned home, eager to enjoy his meal. But to his surprise, his wife said, “Lunch isn’t ready yet.”

“That’s fine,” he replied. “I’ll eat the chicken and drink the juice I sent with Raghu.”

His wife looked puzzled. “What chicken? What juice? I haven’t seen Raghu since morning!”

Furious, Kishenlal rushed out in search of the boy. He soon found Raghu fast asleep and angrily shook him awake.

Raghu opened his eyes lazily and said, “Master, you were right. The bird flew away as soon as I lifted the cloth. In my despair, I drank the poison… and now I am waiting for death!”

Kishenlal was left speechless, realising he had been cleverly outwitted by his young servant.

A Native American folk tale

WHY DO OWLS STARE?

Once upon a time, an owl and a pigeon were good friends. Though different in nature, they often spent time talking and sharing their thoughts.

One day, the owl puffed up his feathers proudly and said, “I believe there are far more owls in this world than pigeons.”

The pigeon burst into laughter. “You must be joking! We pigeons are everywhere. We easily outnumber you.”

The owl frowned, unwilling to accept defeat. “Then let us settle this with a count!” he declared.

“Agreed,” cooed the pigeon calmly. “But first, we must choose a proper place. We will need plenty of space for everyone to gather.”

The owl thought for a while and suggested, “Let us meet in the Big Woods. There are many trees there.”

“Very well,” said the pigeon. “You inform all the owls, and I will gather my flock. We will meet in one week—on the seventh day, one hour after sunrise. Anyone who arrives late will not be counted.”

The owl nodded. “Agreed!” he hooted, and both friends flew off to spread the news.

Days passed, and at last, the seventh day arrived. As the sun rose, the owls gathered in the Big Woods. They perched confidently on the branches, filling several trees.

“Toowit! Toowit! It seems the pigeons are still asleep,” they hooted mockingly.

Just then, a strange darkness began to fall over the woods. The owls looked up in surprise as enormous clouds rolled in from all directions. Thunder seemed to rumble in the sky.

But soon, they realized the truth—the “clouds” were not clouds at all. They were pigeons!

Thousands upon thousands of pigeons swooped down, their wings beating loudly as they filled the sky. They covered the sunlight and descended upon the trees in great numbers. Branches bent and snapped under their weight. The owls were pushed closer and closer together.

Startled and frightened, the owls widened their eyes and turned their heads from side to side in disbelief. The pigeons kept coming in endless flocks.

Afraid of being crushed, the owls finally took flight and escaped into the open sky.

From that day on, the owls chose to come out only at night, when pigeons were fast asleep. And ever since, they have kept their eyes wide open, always watching carefully—just in case the pigeons return.

Moral: Pride and overconfidence can lead to embarrassment. It is wise to be humble and know the truth before making bold claims.

Story

HOW THE TAMARIND TREE BECAME THE KING OF THE TREES 

One day, when mighty Bhima, the second of the five Pandavas, was entering a dense forest at the foothills of the towering Himalayas, he noticed something unusual. The forest, which was usually calm and quiet, was filled with loud, angry voices.

Bhima was surprised.

“I must find out what is going on here today,” he murmured curiously.

As he strode deeper into the forest, he was astonished to discover that the trees themselves were having a heated argument.

“Why are you arguing like this?” Bhima asked one of the trees. “Your voices are disturbing the peace of the forest.”

“We have a problem that we cannot solve,” the tree replied irritably. “That is why we are arguing.”

“Tell me your problem,” Bhima said. “Perhaps I can help.”

“Well,” said the tree, “all the animals and birds have a king. Even the people in the nearby villages have a ruler. But we trees have no king. We need one too.”

“That sounds reasonable,” Bhima said. “But why such a fierce quarrel?”

“Because each of us believes we deserve to be king!” the tree snapped.

Bhima smiled. “It is your good fortune that I came this way. I will judge and decide who among you should be your king.”

“How will you do that?” the trees asked together.

Bhima chuckled. “You all know that I am as strong as a thousand elephants. I will test each of you. I will push every tree one by one. The tree that withstands my full strength will be worthy of becoming your king.”

The trees agreed that this was a fair test.

Bhima began with an ashoka tree. As soon as he pushed it, the tree groaned, “Stop! I do not wish to be king. Just let me stand!”

Next, he pushed a badam tree with rough leaves and smooth bark. It too could not withstand his strength.

“Please do not topple me,” it cried. “I admit I am not worthy of being king.”

Bhima continued, testing a thorny ber tree, a fragrant sandalwood tree, a eucalyptus tree, a neem tree, and a tall palm tree. None could stand firm against his immense strength. Some bent, some cracked, and some were even uprooted.

At last, only three trees remained standing strong—a mighty banyan tree, a tall peepal tree, and a tamarind tree with wide, spreading branches.

“So, which one of us will be king?” asked the banyan tree. “We cannot have three kings!”

“No, you cannot,” Bhima agreed thoughtfully. “Let us ask Brahma, the Creator. He is the wisest and will make the best decision.”

All the trees agreed.

Lord Brahma soon gave his judgment.

“The tamarind tree shall be the king,” he declared.

The banyan and the peepal trees were unhappy.

“Why did you choose the tamarind instead of us?” they asked together.

Brahma smiled and explained, “A king needs a wise and capable minister. The banyan tree, with its vast network of aerial roots, can gather information from every corner of the forest. It is perfectly suited to be the minister.”

The banyan tree felt proud and said, “I will serve the forest faithfully.”

Turning to the peepal tree, Brahma said, “You grow tall and straight, towering above others. You can see far and wide. Therefore, you shall be the guardian of the forest. You will warn everyone of approaching danger by rustling your leaves.”

The peepal tree was pleased and immediately rustled its heart-shaped leaves in joy.

“And the tamarind tree,” Brahma continued, “with its strong trunk and spreading branches, provides shelter and balance. It is steady and dependable—qualities of a true king.”

Thus, the graceful tamarind tree was crowned the king of the forest.

And from that day onward, the banyan served as the wise minister, the peepal stood as the alert guardian, and the tamarind ruled as the beloved king of the trees.