The talking Cave

Moral of the Story – USE YOUR WITS TO PROTECT YOURSELF FROM UNWANTED DANGERS.

Image source – Panchtantra

Long ago,in a jungle there lived an lion named Viratsur. Due to his old age and physical infirmity he could not find anything to eat and was very hungry. He roamed here and there in search of food and  thought that he would die of starving. At sunset he came across a big cave. He thought to himself, ‘There must be some animal who lives in this cave, I should hide myself inside and wait for  that animal’s return. And as soon as that animal enters the cave, I will kill him and eat him.” The lion entered the cave carefully and while sitting there he started dreaming about his prey.

Image source – Panchtantra

 Very soon a jackal arrived, as it was his cave. As he walked toward the entrance, he noticed something strange.  He saw the lion’s footprints leading into his cave, but none coming out. That meant the animal was still inside. The jackal began to wonder, “How can I find out whether a lion is inside my cave or not?” Then an idea struck him. 

“My dear cave,I am back,” cried the jackal.  After a moment of silence, the clever jackal said, “Please talk to me, why are you so quiet today? You promised to greet me every day when I came home. Why don’t you answer? If you don’t, I’ll go elsewhere”.

The lion sat in the cave, wondering what was happening and why wasn’t the cave replying? He thought, “Maybe this cave is a talking cave and is quiet because I am here, I should better answer for the cave or else the jackal may go away and I’ll lose my dinner”. So the lion called out on behalf of the cave, “Hello jackal. It’s all right for you to come in. Please do!” The loud roar came out through the mouth of the cave and echoed the whole jungle.The jackal quickly understood that a lion was hiding in his cave.

Image source – Panchtantra

Chuckling to himself, he shouted, “I’ve walked this jungle for years, but I’ve never heard a cave that talked.Only a fool would believe that a cave speaks” Then he ran far from the cave to find himself a new home.