The story of the foolish heron, the black snake and the mungoose
A Panchatantra Tale for Young Children
Chapter 1: Life by the Sacred Banyan Tree
In a peaceful grove beside a flowing river, there stood an ancient banyan tree with massive branches that stretched wide like protective arms. Its thick trunk was covered in smooth bark, and its roots dipped down into the earth like gentle fingers.
High up in the strong branches of this magnificent tree lived a heron named Shikhandi. He had beautiful gray and white feathers, a long sharp beak perfect for catching fish, and bright yellow eyes that could spot the tiniest movement in the water below.
SPLASH! SPLASH! Every morning, Shikhandi would glide down to the river to catch his breakfast of fresh fish, then return to his comfortable nest among the leaves.
But there was something that made Shikhandi different from other herons – he was very lazy and always looked for the easiest way to solve his problems, even when those solutions weren’t very wise.
“Why should I work hard when there might be an easier way?” he would say to himself as he rested in his nest. “Surely there must be a simple solution to every problem!”
The other birds in the grove knew Shikhandi well. “There goes our friend again,” they would say with concerned looks. “He always wants the quick fix instead of thinking things through properly.”
Shikhandi was not a bad bird – he was kind and meant well. He just had the habit of making hasty decisions without considering all the consequences!
Chapter 2: The Troublesome Visitors
One bright morning, Shikhandi was enjoying his usual rest in the banyan tree when he heard a terrible commotion below.
CHITTER! CHATTER! SCREECH! A large family of crabs had moved into the hollow spaces between the tree roots, and they were making an awful racket!
“What is all that noise?” complained Shikhandi, peering down from his nest. “I can’t get any peace and quiet with all that chattering!”
The crabs were indeed very noisy. They clicked their claws constantly, argued loudly about the best spots to live, and scuttled around making scraping sounds on the bark all day and all night.
CLICK! CLACK! SCRAPE! SCRAPE! The sounds echoed up through the tree branches without stopping.
“This is terrible!” grumbled Shikhandi. “How am I supposed to rest? How am I supposed to enjoy the peaceful life I’ve built here?”
Days passed, and the crab family showed no signs of moving away or becoming quieter. In fact, more crabs seemed to be joining them every day!
“There must be something I can do about this,” thought Shikhandi. “But I don’t want to have to fight them myself – that sounds like too much work. There must be an easier way to get rid of these noisy creatures.”
Shikhandi began thinking about all the different animals that lived near the river. Surely one of them could help him solve this problem without much effort on his part!
Chapter 3: The Dangerous Plan
As Shikhandi pondered his noisy problem, he remembered something he had heard other birds talking about. Deep in a rocky cave near the riverbank lived a large black snake named Kฤlasarpa.
“That’s it!” thought Shikhandi excitedly. “Snakes love to eat crabs! If I can get Kฤlasarpa to come to my tree, he’ll eat all these noisy crabs, and then my problem will be solved!”
Shikhandi was very pleased with his clever idea. He didn’t stop to think about what might happen after the snake finished eating all the crabs.
“This plan is perfect!” he congratulated himself. “I won’t have to do any fighting or arguing myself. The snake will do all the work, and then I can go back to my peaceful life!”
Without considering the dangers or asking any other birds for advice, Shikhandi flew down to the rocky area where Kฤlasarpa lived.
The snake was indeed very large and very black, with scales that gleamed like polished stone and eyes like bright amber jewels. He was coiled up in the cool shade of his cave, enjoying an afternoon rest.
“Greetings, mighty Kฤlasarpa,” called Shikhandi politely. “I have a proposition that might interest you.”
“Oh?” said the snake, lifting his large head curiously. “What kind of proposition, bird?”
“There’s a whole family of delicious crabs living in the roots of my banyan tree,” explained Shikhandi. “They’re fat and tasty, and there are many of them. Would you be interested in making them your dinner?”
Kฤlasarpa’s eyes gleamed with interest. “Indeed, I would be very interested! Crabs are quite a delicacy. But tell me, heron – why are you offering me this feast? What do you gain from this arrangement?”
Chapter 4: The Foolish Invitation
“Well,” said Shikhandi, “the crabs are making too much noise, and I can’t get any rest in my tree. If you come and eat them, you get a wonderful meal, and I get my peace and quiet back. It’s a perfect solution for both of us!”
The clever snake thought about this offer carefully. He was indeed hungry, and crabs sounded delicious. But he was also wondering if there might be even more opportunities in this arrangement.
“Very well, friend heron,” said Kฤlasarpa with a smile that showed his sharp fangs. “I accept your invitation. I’ll come to your tree tonight and take care of your crab problem.”
“Wonderful!” exclaimed Shikhandi, delighted that his plan was working so well. “You can make your new home in the hollow spaces between the roots after you’ve eaten all the crabs. That way, you’ll be comfortable, and I’ll never have to worry about noisy crabs again!”
“How very generous of you,” said Kฤlasarpa, though there was something in his voice that should have made Shikhandi think twice about his offer.
That evening, just as he had promised, the large black snake slithered through the grass to Shikhandi’s banyan tree.
The crabs never knew what hit them. One by one, Kฤlasarpa caught and swallowed them until every single noisy crab was gone.
“Ahh,” sighed Shikhandi contentedly from his nest high above. “Perfect silence at last! My plan worked beautifully!”
What Shikhandi didn’t realize was that his troubles were just beginning.
Chapter 5: The Snake Makes Himself at Home
After finishing his crab dinner, Kฤlasarpa settled comfortably into the hollow spaces between the banyan tree roots, just as Shikhandi had suggested.
For the first few days, everything seemed perfect. The tree was completely quiet, Shikhandi could rest peacefully, and Kฤlasarpa seemed content in his new home.
“I’m so clever!” Shikhandi congratulated himself. “I solved my problem without any effort at all!”
But soon, Kฤlasarpa began to get hungry again. He had eaten all the crabs, and there were no more easy meals waiting for him in the tree roots.
The snake began to look around for other sources of food, and his amber eyes began to focus upward, toward the branches of the tree where other birds had their nests.
“Hmm,” thought Kฤlasarpa to himself. “This tree is full of birds. Birds are quite tasty too. And I’m living right here – how convenient!”
One morning, Shikhandi woke up to discover something terrible. The family of sparrows who lived in the lower branches had completely disappeared!
“How strange,” thought Shikhandi. “I wonder where they went?”
The next day, a pair of mynahs vanished from their nest.
Then a family of parakeets disappeared overnight.
“This is very mysterious,” said Shikhandi, still not understanding what was happening. “All my neighbors seem to be leaving suddenly!”
What Shikhandi didn’t realize was that his new tenant was systematically eating every bird in the tree, working his way up from branch to branch, getting closer and closer to Shikhandi’s own nest.
Chapter 6: The Growing Danger
As more and more birds disappeared from the banyan tree, the few remaining ones became very frightened and tried to warn Shikhandi.
“Friend Shikhandi!” called a wise old crow from a nearby tree. “Don’t you see what’s happening? That snake you invited is eating all the birds in your tree!”
“Nonsense!” replied Shikhandi, still unwilling to admit his plan might have problems. “Kฤlasarpa is just taking care of pests and unwanted visitors. I’m sure the birds just decided to move somewhere else.”
“But Shikhandi,” pleaded a concerned dove, “snakes don’t just eat crabs! They eat birds too! You’ve brought a predator right into your own home!”
“You’re all being silly,” insisted Shikhandi stubbornly. “Kฤlasarpa and I have an understanding. He solved my crab problem, and now he lives peacefully in the roots. He would never harm me – we’re business partners!”
But deep down, Shikhandi was beginning to feel worried. The tree that had once been full of cheerful bird songs and friendly chatter was now eerily quiet. The only sounds were the occasional movements of the snake below.
Still, Shikhandi’s pride prevented him from admitting that his plan might have been foolish. “I’m sure everything will be fine,” he told himself. “I’m too clever to have made a mistake.”
Meanwhile, Kฤlasarpa was getting hungrier and bolder each day. He had eaten all the birds in the lower and middle branches of the tree. Now he began to eye the upper branches where Shikhandi lived.
“That heron looks quite plump and healthy,” the snake thought to himself. “And after all, he did invite me here. Surely he won’t mind contributing to my meals as well.”
Chapter 7: The Arrival of Hope
One sunny afternoon, while Shikhandi was trying to ignore his growing fears, a small brown animal came bounding through the grass toward the banyan tree.
It was a mongoose named Rikki, with bright eyes, quick movements, and a fluffy tail that twitched with alertness. Mongooses were known throughout the forest as the natural enemies of snakes.
Rikki had been traveling through the area when he noticed something odd about the banyan tree. “This tree used to be full of birds,” he said to himself. “But now it’s strangely quiet. Something’s not right here.”
Using his keen sense of smell, Rikki detected the strong scent of snake around the base of the tree.
“Aha!” said Rikki. “There’s a large snake living in these roots. That explains why all the birds have disappeared!”
Shikhandi, seeing the mongoose from his high perch, called down nervously. “You there! Mongoose! This tree is occupied! You should move along!”
“Greetings, heron,” called back Rikki politely. “I’m just investigating why this tree, which should be full of birds, is so strangely empty. Do you happen to know anything about that?”
Shikhandi shifted uncomfortably on his branch. He didn’t want to admit his mistake to a stranger, but he was also beginning to realize that he might actually need help.
“Well,” said Shikhandi reluctantly, “there is a snake living in the roots. But he’s… he’s my business partner! We have an arrangement!”
Rikki’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Your business partner? Friend heron, snakes are not business partners with birds! They’re predators! You’ve invited a killer into your own home!”
Chapter 8: The Truth Revealed
For the first time since making his deal with Kฤlasarpa, Shikhandi was forced to face the reality of what he had done.
“But… but he was only supposed to eat the noisy crabs!” protested Shikhandi weakly. “I just wanted some peace and quiet!”
“And after he ate all the crabs, what did you think he would eat next?” asked Rikki gently but firmly. “Snakes don’t just stop being hungry, friend. They don’t retire after one meal!”
As if summoned by their conversation, Kฤlasarpa himself emerged from the roots of the tree. His belly was full and round from all the birds he had been eating, and his eyes gleamed with satisfaction.
“Ah, my friend Shikhandi!” called the snake in a voice that was no longer friendly. “I’ve been thinking – you’ve been such a generous host, providing me with this wonderful tree full of delicious birds. But I’m still quite hungry, and there’s only one bird left…”
The snake’s meaning was perfectly clear. Shikhandi’s eyes widened with terror as he finally understood the full consequences of his foolish plan.
“You… you want to eat ME?” stammered Shikhandi. “But we had a deal! You were supposed to just eat the crabs!”
“Oh, I did eat the crabs,” replied Kฤlasarpa with a cold smile. “They were delicious. But deals change, my feathered friend. And I’m afraid you’re the only meal left in this tree.”
Shikhandi looked around desperately. There were no other birds left to help him, no place to hide, and no escape from the consequences of his own poor judgment.
“Please!” he begged the snake. “I made a mistake! I didn’t think this through! Can’t we make a new arrangement?”
“I’m afraid not,” said Kฤlasarpa, beginning to slither up the trunk of the tree. “You invited a predator into your home, bird. This is simply the natural result of that decision.”
Chapter 9: The Battle Begins
Just as Kฤlasarpa was halfway up the tree trunk, approaching Shikhandi’s branch, Rikki the mongoose sprang into action.
“Not so fast, snake!” called Rikki bravely, leaping onto the tree trunk below Kฤlasarpa.
Mongooses and snakes are natural enemies, and both Rikki and Kฤlasarpa knew that this meant a fight to the death.
“This is none of your business, mongoose,” hissed Kฤlasarpa angrily. “The foolish bird invited me here himself! He deserves whatever happens to him!”
“Perhaps he does deserve the consequences of his poor judgment,” admitted Rikki, “but that doesn’t mean I’m going to let you kill him! It’s my nature to fight snakes, just as it’s your nature to eat birds!”
What followed was an incredible battle. Rikki was small and quick, darting around the snake with lightning-fast movements. Kฤlasarpa was large and powerful, striking out with his fangs and trying to wrap his coils around the brave mongoose.
HISS! SNAP! CHITTER! The sounds of their battle echoed through the grove as the two natural enemies fought fiercely on the trunk and branches of the banyan tree.
Shikhandi watched from above, terrified but also amazed by the mongoose’s courage and skill.
For over an hour, the battle raged back and forth. Sometimes it seemed like Kฤlasarpa’s size and strength would win. Other times, Rikki’s speed and agility appeared to give him the advantage.
Finally, with one last quick dart and snap, Rikki managed to deliver a fatal bite to the snake’s neck. Kฤlasarpa fell to the ground below and moved no more.
Chapter 10: The Lesson Learned
After the battle was over, Rikki climbed up to Shikhandi’s branch. The heron was shaking with relief and shame.
“Thank you,” whispered Shikhandi. “You saved my life. But why? I made such a foolish mistake. I brought this danger on myself.”
“That’s true,” said Rikki kindly but honestly. “You did make a very poor decision. But everyone deserves a chance to learn from their mistakes and do better.”
“I can’t believe how stupid I was,” said Shikhandi, hanging his head. “I was so lazy and wanted such an easy solution that I didn’t think about the consequences at all.”
“What do you think you learned from this experience?” asked Rikki gently.
Shikhandi thought carefully before answering. “I learned that there are no easy solutions to real problems. I learned that when you invite danger into your home, it doesn’t just go away after doing what you want – it stays dangerous.”
“That’s very wise,” agreed Rikki. “What else?”
“I learned that I should have listened to the other birds who tried to warn me. And I learned that being lazy and looking for shortcuts can create much bigger problems than the original one I was trying to solve.”
Rikki nodded approvingly. “Those are all important lessons. But what will you do differently in the future?”
“I’ll think through the consequences of my decisions before I make them,” promised Shikhandi. “And I’ll work hard to solve my problems properly, even if it takes more effort.”
Chapter 11: Making Amends
Over the following weeks, Shikhandi worked hard to rebuild what his poor decision had destroyed. Although he couldn’t bring back the birds that Kฤlasarpa had eaten, he could try to make his tree a safe and welcoming place again.
He cleaned out all the signs of the snake’s presence from the tree roots. He gathered soft materials to build comfortable nesting spots for new bird families. And most importantly, he spread the word throughout the forest that the banyan tree was safe again and welcoming to all peaceful birds.
“I want to tell everyone about my mistake,” Shikhandi explained to Rikki, who had decided to stay in the area. “Maybe if other animals hear my story, they won’t make the same foolish choices I did.”
“That’s a very mature and responsible attitude,” praised Rikki. “Sharing our mistakes can help others avoid similar problems.”
Slowly, new birds began to come to the banyan tree. At first they were cautious, having heard about what had happened. But Shikhandi was patient and welcoming, and he made sure everyone understood that he had learned from his errors.
“I nearly destroyed this beautiful home because I wanted an easy solution to a simple problem,” he would tell the newcomers honestly. “I hope my mistake can serve as a warning to all of us about the dangers of not thinking through our decisions.”
A family of robins became the first to build a new nest in the tree. “We appreciate your honesty, Shikhandi,” said the mother robin. “Everyone makes mistakes. What matters is that you learned from yours and are working to make things better.”
Chapter 12: The Wisdom Spreads
Word of Shikhandi’s story spread throughout the forest, and it became a cautionary tale that parents told their young ones.
“Remember the heron who invited the snake,” they would say. “He thought he had found an easy solution to his problems, but he didn’t consider what would happen after the snake finished doing what he wanted.”
Young animals would ask thoughtful questions: “But why didn’t Shikhandi just ask the crabs to be quieter?” or “Why didn’t he move to a different tree instead of bringing in a dangerous snake?”
“Those are excellent questions,” their parents would reply. “Shikhandi was so focused on finding the easiest solution that he didn’t consider the safer alternatives that would have required more effort from him.”
Teachers began using the story to help their students understand the importance of thinking through consequences before making decisions.
“Before you choose a solution to a problem,” they would say, “ask yourself these questions: What will happen after my solution works? Will it create new problems? Are there safer alternatives that might require more effort but lead to better results?”
Rikki became a beloved figure in the forest, known not just for his bravery in fighting the snake, but for his wisdom in helping Shikhandi learn and grow from his mistake.
“The mongoose didn’t just save the heron’s life,” animals would say. “He helped him understand how to make better choices in the future.”
Chapter 13: A Unexpected Challenge
One day, about a year after the incident with Kฤlasarpa, Shikhandi faced a new test of the wisdom he had gained.
A family of very loud woodpeckers moved into the tree and began drumming on the trunk all day long.
TAP! TAP! TAP! RATATATATA! The sound was even more annoying than the crabs had been!
Shikhandi felt his old impatience rising. “Oh no,” he thought, “not again! I can’t stand all this noise!”
For just a moment, he found himself thinking, “Maybe I could find some animal that eats woodpeckers…”
But then he caught himself. “Wait,” he said out loud. “I’m doing it again! I’m looking for an easy solution without thinking about the consequences!”
Instead of seeking a quick fix, Shikhandi decided to approach the problem thoughtfully. He flew over to visit Rikki, who had become his trusted advisor and friend.
“Rikki,” said Shikhandi, “I have a noise problem again, and I need your advice on the best way to handle it.”
Rikki was impressed. “The fact that you’re asking for advice before making a decision shows how much you’ve learned, friend. Tell me about the situation.”
Shikhandi explained about the woodpeckers and admitted that his first instinct had been to look for an easy, potentially dangerous solution.
“But I stopped myself,” he said proudly. “I remembered the lesson I learned with Kฤlasarpa. Now I want to find a good solution, not just an easy one.”
Chapter 14: The Right Way Forward
Together, Shikhandi and Rikki brainstormed several different approaches to the woodpecker problem.
“I could talk to them directly and explain the situation,” suggested Shikhandi.
“That’s a good idea,” agreed Rikki. “What else could you do?”
“I could move to a different part of the tree where the noise isn’t as loud,” said Shikhandi. “It would be more work to rebuild my nest, but it would be safer than trying to get rid of them.”
“Excellent thinking!” praised Rikki. “Any other ideas?”
“I could ask other birds for advice on how they deal with noisy neighbors,” continued Shikhandi. “Maybe there are solutions I haven’t thought of.”
“Now you’re thinking like a wise bird,” said Rikki approvingly. “Which approach do you think you’ll try first?”
Shikhandi decided to start by talking directly to the woodpecker family. He approached them politely and respectfully.
“Good morning, neighbors,” he said. “I’m Shikhandi. I live in the upper branches of this tree. I wanted to speak with you about your drumming.”
The head woodpecker, a friendly bird named Drummer, looked concerned. “Oh! Are we causing problems? We didn’t realize anyone else lived in this tree!”
“The sound echoes up through the branches and makes it difficult for me to rest,” explained Shikhandi diplomatically. “I was wondering if we might find a solution that works for both of us.”
This mature, respectful approach led to a wonderful conversation. It turned out that the woodpeckers were happy to do their loudest drumming during the hours when Shikhandi was usually down at the river fishing anyway!
Chapter 15: The Continuing Wisdom
Years passed, and Shikhandi became known throughout the forest as a bird who had transformed from foolish to wise. He was often asked to help other animals solve their problems thoughtfully.
“The secret,” he would always tell them, “is to resist the temptation of the easy solution. Ask yourself: What will happen after this solution works? What new problems might it create? Are there alternatives that require more effort but lead to better outcomes?”
When young birds came to him with problems, he would share his story and guide them through the process of thinking carefully about consequences.
“I once invited a predator into my home because I thought it would solve my problems easily,” he would begin. “I almost lost my life because I was too lazy to consider safer alternatives.”
“But you learned from your mistake!” the young birds would always say. “And now you help others avoid similar problems!”
“That’s true,” Shikhandi would agree. “Sometimes our worst mistakes can become our most valuable lessons, as long as we’re humble enough to admit we were wrong and committed to doing better.”
Rikki remained Shikhandi’s close friend and continued to be respected throughout the forest for his bravery and wisdom. Their friendship had grown from a moment of crisis into a lasting bond based on mutual respect and shared values.
“You saved my life,” Shikhandi would often tell Rikki. “But more than that, you helped me save myself from my own poor judgment.”
“We all need friends who will help us see our mistakes and guide us toward better choices,” Rikki would reply. “That’s what friendship is really about.”
The banyan tree became more beautiful and lively than it had ever been before, home to many species of birds who lived together in harmony. Visitors to the grove would often comment on the peaceful, welcoming atmosphere.
“It’s because our host learned to solve problems wisely instead of looking for easy shortcuts,” the resident birds would explain. “When the leader of a community makes good decisions, everyone benefits.”
The End
Moral of the Story
When we face problems, it’s natural to want quick and easy solutions. However, the easiest solution is not always the wisest one. Before making decisions, especially those that involve bringing new elements into our lives, we must carefully consider all the consequences. What seems like a perfect solution to one problem can often create much larger and more dangerous problems. True wisdom lies in being willing to work hard for safe, sustainable solutions rather than taking dangerous shortcuts. Additionally, when we make mistakes, we can still learn from them and use our experiences to help others make better choices.
Fun Questions for Young Readers
Think About the Story:
๐ฆ About Shikhandi: What were Shikhandi’s good qualities? What was his main weakness that got him into trouble?
๐ About the Snake: Why do you think Kฤlasarpa was willing to help Shikhandi at first? What were his real intentions?
๐ฆซ About the Mongoose: What made Rikki decide to help Shikhandi even though the heron had created his own problems?
๐ค The Big Mistake: What could Shikhandi have done instead of inviting the snake? Can you think of three different solutions?
โก The Critical Moment: When do you think Shikhandi first realized his mistake? What clues should have warned him earlier?
๐ฏ Better Choices: How did Shikhandi handle the woodpecker problem differently than the crab problem?
๐ญ What If: How might the story have been different if Shikhandi had asked other birds for advice before inviting the snake?
๐ Learning and Growing: What specific lessons did Shikhandi learn? How did he use these lessons to help others?
Fun Activities:
๐จ Draw the Adventure: Which scene would you like to illustrate? The battle between the mongoose and snake, the banyan tree full of birds, or Shikhandi talking with the woodpeckers?
๐ฃ๏ธ Practice Problem-Solving: Think of a problem you have and brainstorm three different solutions – one easy, one harder but safer, and one that involves asking for help.
๐ญ Act It Out: Practice the different parts – Shikhandi’s laziness, the snake’s false friendliness, and the mongoose’s bravery.
Discussion Questions for Parents and Kids:
๐จโ๐ฉโ๐งโ๐ฆ Family Talk: When is it important to choose the harder solution instead of the easier one?
๐ค Decision Making: What questions should we ask ourselves before making important decisions?
๐ซ Good Advice: How can we tell when someone is giving us good advice versus when they might have hidden motives?
๐ Managing Problems: What’s the difference between solving a problem and just pushing it onto someone else?
๐ฏ Consequences: How can we get better at predicting what might happen after we solve a problem?
๐ Learning from Mistakes: How can we admit our mistakes without being too hard on ourselves?
๐ช Real Strength: Is it stronger to do things the easy way or the right way? Why?
๐ Protecting Our Home: What does it mean to “invite danger into your home”? How can we recognize when we might be doing this?
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