The story of the king and the foolish monkey
A Panchatantra Tale for Young Children
Chapter 1: The Royal Palace
In a magnificent kingdom surrounded by golden wheat fields and blooming gardens, there stood a beautiful palace made of white marble that sparkled like diamonds in the sunlight. The palace had tall towers, graceful arches, and fountains that danced with crystal-clear water.
In this splendid palace lived a wise and kind king named Maharaja Vikram. He had a gentle heart, intelligent eyes, and always wore robes of deep purple silk with golden embroidery. The king was beloved by all his subjects because he was fair, generous, and always tried to make the best decisions for his kingdom.
CLANG, CLANG, CLANG! Every morning, the palace bells would ring to start another day of royal duties.
But there was something very special about King Vikram that made him different from other rulers – he had a deep love for animals! Throughout his palace, he kept many beautiful creatures as his companions and friends.
“Good morning, my dear friends!” the king would say cheerfully each day, visiting the peacocks in his garden, the parrots in their golden cages, and the gentle deer that roamed freely through his courtyards.
CHIRP, CHIRP, SQUAWK! The animals would greet their kind master with joyful sounds.
The palace was like a wonderful zoo where animals lived happily alongside the royal family and servants. King Vikram believed that caring for creatures showed the true character of a ruler.
All the animals in the palace were well-fed, well-cared for, and deeply loved. They lived in harmony, bringing joy and life to the magnificent royal home.
Chapter 2: The Arrival of Bandar
One bright morning, a traveling merchant came to the palace carrying a small wooden cage. Inside the cage was a young monkey with bright, mischievous eyes and golden-brown fur that shimmered in the sunlight.
“Your Majesty,” said the merchant with a deep bow, “I have brought you a very special gift – this clever young monkey from the distant mountains!”
King Vikram looked at the little monkey with immediate fondness. The monkey was certainly adorable, with tiny hands that gripped the cage bars and curious eyes that seemed to take in everything around him.
“Hello there, little friend,” said the king gently. “What shall we call you?”
The monkey chattered excitedly, swinging from the top of his cage to the bottom with amazing agility.
“I think we’ll call you Bandar,” laughed the king. “Welcome to your new home!”
CHATTER, CHATTER, CHATTER! Bandar seemed delighted with his new name and his luxurious surroundings.
King Vikram immediately ordered the finest accommodations for his new pet. Bandar was given a beautiful room with silk cushions, golden bowls for his food, and toys made by the palace craftsmen.
“Make sure Bandar has everything he needs,” the king instructed his servants kindly. “He is now part of our royal family.”
The servants smiled at their king’s generosity. They had seen him show the same kindness to every creature that came to live in the palace.
Chapter 3: A Life of Luxury
Bandar quickly settled into his life of royal luxury. He had servants who brought him the finest fruits – mangoes, bananas, grapes, and sweet dates. He slept on soft silk pillows and played with toys made of silver and gold.
“This is the most wonderful life a monkey could have!” Bandar would think to himself as he swung from the beautiful curtains in his room.
Every day, King Vikram would spend time with his beloved pet, talking to him kindly and watching him play.
“Bandar, my friend,” the king would say, “you bring such joy to our palace. I’m so glad you’re here with us.”
The other animals in the palace welcomed Bandar warmly. The peacocks showed off their beautiful tail feathers for him, the parrots taught him new sounds, and the deer let him ride on their backs through the gardens.
SWING, JUMP, LEAP! Bandar would play happily throughout the palace grounds.
But there was something about Bandar that none of them noticed at first – he was very impulsive and rarely thought carefully before acting. When he saw something interesting, he would immediately rush toward it. When he had an idea, he would act on it right away without considering the consequences.
“Bandar certainly is energetic!” the servants would say, laughing as they watched him bound from room to room.
They thought his quick actions were simply signs of playfulness and intelligence. They didn’t realize that this impulsiveness would one day lead to serious trouble.
Chapter 4: The King’s Afternoon Rest
King Vikram had a daily routine that everyone in the palace respected and protected. After lunch each day, when the sun was at its highest and warmest point in the sky, the king would take a peaceful nap in his favorite garden pavilion.
This beautiful pavilion was made of white marble with delicate carved columns and soft silk cushions. It was surrounded by fragrant jasmine flowers and provided cool shade from the afternoon heat.
“Time for my rest,” the king would announce gently each day after his meal. “Please see that I’m not disturbed unless there’s an emergency.”
YAWN! The king would settle comfortably on his favorite cushion, close his eyes, and drift into peaceful sleep.
During these quiet afternoon hours, the entire palace would become hushed and calm. The servants would walk softly, speak in whispers, and make sure that everything was perfectly peaceful for their beloved ruler.
“Shh,” they would remind each other. “His Majesty is resting.”
The animals, too, seemed to understand the importance of this daily rest time. The peacocks would fold their magnificent tails and rest quietly, the parrots would stop their chatter, and even the playful deer would lie down calmly in the shade.
Everyone in the palace – human and animal alike – respected this sacred time of rest for their kind and hardworking king.
Chapter 5: Bandar’s New Responsibility
One afternoon, the king’s personal servant, an elderly man named Govind who had served the royal family faithfully for many years, approached his master with a concerned expression.
“Your Majesty,” said Govind respectfully, “I have a family emergency in my village. My elderly mother has fallen ill, and I need to travel to care for her.”
King Vikram’s kind heart was immediately filled with compassion. “Of course, dear Govind! Family always comes first. You must go to your mother right away.”
“But who will watch over you during your afternoon rest?” asked Govind worriedly. “I have always made sure no insects or disturbances trouble your sleep.”
The king thought for a moment, then smiled. “Don’t worry about that, my faithful friend. Bandar can keep me company during my rest time.”
“Bandar, Your Majesty?” Govind asked with surprise.
“Yes! He’s intelligent and devoted to me. He can sit quietly beside me and make sure I have a peaceful rest,” explained the king confidently.
CHATTER, CHATTER! Bandar seemed excited about his new important responsibility.
“If you’re certain, Your Majesty,” said Govind, though he looked a bit uncertain. “I’ll return as soon as possible.”
“Go with my blessings, Govind. Take care of your mother, and don’t worry about anything here,” said the king kindly.
Chapter 6: The First Day of Guard Duty
The next afternoon, when it was time for the king’s rest, Bandar took his new responsibility very seriously. He sat quietly beside King Vikram’s cushion, trying his best to be a good guardian.
“Now remember, Bandar,” the king said gently before closing his eyes, “just sit quietly and make sure I have a peaceful rest. Can you do that for me?”
CHATTER! Bandar nodded enthusiastically, proud to have such an important job.
For the first few minutes, everything went perfectly. The king dozed peacefully, and Bandar sat still, watching over his beloved master.
But then, something caught Bandar’s attention.
BUZZ, BUZZ, BUZZ! A large fly had entered the pavilion and was circling around the king’s head.
Oh no! thought Bandar immediately. That pesky fly is going to disturb the king’s sleep! I must get rid of it right away!
BUZZ, BUZZ! The fly continued to circle, occasionally coming close to the king’s face.
Bandar began swatting at the air with his hands, trying to shoo the fly away. But the fly was quick and kept dodging his attempts.
“Shoo! Go away!” Bandar whispered as quietly as he could, not wanting to wake the king.
The fly buzzed around for several more minutes before finally flying away on its own. Bandar sat back down, feeling proud that he had successfully protected his master’s rest.
For the remainder of that afternoon, the king slept peacefully, and when he woke up, he smiled at his faithful monkey companion.
“Thank you, Bandar. You did a wonderful job watching over me today.”
Chapter 7: The Persistent Fly
The next afternoon, during the king’s rest time, the same annoying fly returned to the pavilion. This time, it seemed even more determined to bother the sleeping king.
BUZZ, BUZZ, BUZZ! The fly flew in circles around King Vikram’s head, occasionally landing on his forehead before buzzing away again.
This is terrible! thought Bandar anxiously. This fly is much more bothersome today! I must protect the king!
Bandar began waving his arms more vigorously, trying to chase the persistent insect away. But every time he thought he had succeeded, the fly would return.
BUZZ, BUZZ! There it was again, landing right on the king’s nose!
Bandar gently waved his hand near the king’s face, and the fly flew away. But within moments, it was back, this time landing on the king’s cheek.
This went on for nearly an hour. Every time Bandar managed to shoo the fly away, it would return to bother the king again.
“This fly is my enemy!” Bandar thought angrily. “It’s deliberately trying to ruin the king’s rest! I must find a way to get rid of it permanently!”
The fly, of course, was just being a normal fly, looking for a comfortable place to rest. It had no intention of deliberately bothering anyone. But Bandar, in his simple thinking, began to see the fly as a personal threat to his beloved master.
By the time the king woke up, Bandar was feeling quite frustrated and determined to find a better solution for the next day.
Chapter 8: Bandar’s Growing Frustration
On the third day, the fly returned yet again, and this time it seemed even bolder than before.
BUZZ, BUZZ, BUZZ! It flew directly to the king’s face and settled comfortably on his forehead, as if it had decided this was the perfect spot for its own afternoon nap.
“No, no, no!” Bandar whispered urgently. “You cannot stay there!”
He gently brushed the fly away, but it immediately returned to the exact same spot on the king’s forehead.
This pattern continued for several minutes – Bandar would gently shoo the fly, and it would immediately return to the king’s forehead.
I’m not being effective enough, thought Bandar with growing frustration. I need to be more forceful with this stubborn fly!
Bandar began swatting more energetically, but he had to be careful not to actually touch the king’s face or wake him up.
The fly, meanwhile, seemed completely unbothered by Bandar’s efforts. It would fly away when disturbed, circle around the pavilion a few times, and then return to its favorite spot on the sleeping king’s forehead.
After an hour of this frustrating battle, Bandar was feeling quite upset and determined.
“Tomorrow,” he thought grimly, “I will be ready with a better plan. This fly will not win!”
The king, fortunately, continued to sleep peacefully, unaware of the great “battle” being fought for his comfort by his devoted monkey companion.
Chapter 9: The Dangerous Plan
On the fourth day, Bandar came prepared. He had thought long and hard about the fly problem, and he believed he had found the perfect solution.
Early that morning, before the king’s rest time, Bandar had noticed the palace guards practicing their sword work in the courtyard. Their swords gleamed in the sunlight as they swung them through the air with great skill.
“That’s it!” Bandar had thought excitedly. “I need a weapon to defeat this troublesome fly! The guards use swords to defeat their enemies, so I should use a sword to defeat mine!”
When no one was looking, Bandar quietly took one of the smaller practice swords from the training area. It was still quite heavy for a monkey, but Bandar was determined to be properly equipped for his battle.
CLANK! He dragged the sword to the pavilion and hid it behind one of the marble columns.
“Today,” he thought confidently, “that fly will meet its match!”
When the king settled down for his afternoon rest, Bandar took his usual position beside the royal cushions. But this time, he kept glancing toward the hidden sword, ready to spring into action.
“Sleep peacefully, Your Majesty,” Bandar thought loyally. “I will protect you from that terrible fly once and for all!”
Within minutes, as if on schedule, the familiar buzzing sound announced the arrival of Bandar’s nemesis.
BUZZ, BUZZ, BUZZ! There was the fly, heading straight for its usual landing spot on the king’s forehead.
“Not today!” Bandar thought grimly, reaching for his hidden weapon.
Chapter 10: The Tragic Mistake
The fly landed right in the center of King Vikram’s forehead and settled there comfortably, just as it had done the previous days.
This was the moment Bandar had been waiting for.
“Now I have you!” he thought triumphantly, gripping the sword with both hands.
Bandar raised the sword high above his head, aiming directly at the fly on the king’s forehead. In his simple mind, he was completely focused on his target – the troublesome insect that had been bothering his beloved master.
“This will solve the problem forever!” he thought, bringing the sword down with all his might.
WHOOSH! The sword cut through the air.
But Bandar, in his eagerness to defeat the fly, had completely forgotten the most important thing – the king’s head was directly beneath his target!
THUD! The sword struck not just the fly, but the sleeping king as well.
King Vikram cried out in pain and shock, blood flowing from the terrible wound on his forehead.
The fly, of course, had simply buzzed away at the first movement of the sword, completely unharmed.
“BANDAR! WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?” cried the king, pressing his hand to his wounded head.
Bandar dropped the sword and stared in horror at what he had caused. In his simple desire to help his master, he had gravely injured the very person he was trying to protect.
“I… I was only trying to kill the fly!” Bandar stammered, finally understanding the terrible magnitude of his mistake.
Chapter 11: The Consequences
The king’s cries of pain brought the palace guards and servants running from every direction.
“Get the royal physician immediately!” shouted the captain of the guards when he saw the king’s injury.
“How did this happen?” demanded another guard, seeing the sword on the ground and Bandar cowering nearby.
The king, despite his pain, managed to explain what had occurred. “Bandar was trying to protect me from a fly,” he said weakly. “But he… he didn’t think about what he was doing.”
The royal physician arrived quickly and began treating the king’s wound. Fortunately, while the injury was serious and painful, it was not life-threatening.
“Your Majesty will recover,” the physician announced with relief, “but this was a very dangerous wound. A few inches lower, and it could have been fatal.”
The palace fell into shocked silence as everyone realized how close they had come to losing their beloved king.
Bandar sat in the corner, finally understanding the full impact of his impulsive actions. His desire to help had nearly caused the greatest tragedy imaginable.
“I was trying to do good,” he whimpered sadly. “I only wanted to help the king sleep peacefully.”
“But you didn’t think!” said one of the older servants sternly. “You acted without considering the consequences of your actions!”
The other animals in the palace looked at Bandar with disappointment and fear. They had trusted him, and he had betrayed that trust through his reckless behavior.
Chapter 12: The King’s Decision
When King Vikram had recovered enough to speak clearly, he called for a meeting with his advisors to decide what should be done about Bandar.
“Your Majesty,” said his chief advisor, “this monkey has proven to be dangerous. He could have killed you! He should be banished from the kingdom immediately!”
“Execute him!” demanded the captain of the guards angrily. “He attacked the king!”
“Send him to the dungeon!” suggested another advisor.
But King Vikram, even in his pain, remained thoughtful and measured in his response.
“Bandar did not act out of malice,” the king said slowly. “He acted out of foolishness and lack of thought. The question is: can he learn from this terrible mistake?”
All eyes turned to Bandar, who sat trembling before the royal assembly.
“Bandar,” said the king seriously, “do you understand what you did wrong?”
“Yes, Your Majesty,” Bandar replied in a very small voice. “I acted without thinking. I was so focused on the fly that I forgot about everything else. I could have… I could have…” He couldn’t bring himself to say the words.
“You could have killed me,” the king finished gently. “And all because you didn’t pause to think about the consequences of your actions.”
Bandar nodded miserably, tears in his eyes.
“I have made my decision,” announced the king. “Bandar will not be executed or imprisoned. But he can no longer live in the palace. He must leave and learn to live on his own, away from positions where his impulsiveness could hurt others.”
Chapter 13: The Departure
The next morning, Bandar prepared to leave the palace that had been his home. He looked sadly at his silk cushions, his golden food bowls, and all the luxury he was giving up.
But more than missing the comfort, he was heartbroken about leaving King Vikram, who had shown him such kindness.
“Your Majesty,” Bandar said, approaching the king one final time, “I am so sorry for what I did. I know now that good intentions are not enough if we don’t think carefully about our actions.”
The king, his head still bandaged from the injury, looked at his former pet with a mixture of sadness and wisdom.
“Bandar, I believe you have learned an important lesson,” the king said kindly. “But some lessons are too dangerous to learn while living so close to others. You need time to grow wiser before you can be trusted with important responsibilities again.”
“Will I ever see you again?” asked Bandar hopefully.
“Perhaps,” said the king thoughtfully. “If you truly learn to think before you act, if you develop wisdom and self-control, then maybe one day our paths will cross again.”
Bandar bowed deeply to his former master. “I promise I will learn, Your Majesty. I will think carefully before I act, and I will remember this lesson for the rest of my life.”
With that, Bandar walked slowly out of the palace gates, leaving behind his life of luxury to face the world on his own.
The other animals watched sadly as he left. While they were disappointed in his actions, they couldn’t help feeling sorry for their former friend.
Chapter 14: Life in the Forest
Bandar made his way to the forest outside the kingdom, where he had to learn to survive without servants, golden bowls, or silk cushions.
Life in the wild was difficult and challenging. He had to find his own food, build his own shelter, and protect himself from dangers. But these hardships gave him plenty of time to think about his actions and their consequences.
Every day, as he searched for fruit in the trees or built a nest for the night, Bandar would remember the lesson of the fly and the sword.
“I was so focused on solving one small problem that I created a much bigger problem,” he would think to himself. “I acted quickly without considering all the possible outcomes.”
As the months passed, other forest animals began to notice something different about this monkey. Unlike most monkeys who acted impulsively and did whatever came to mind, Bandar had developed a habit of pausing to think before he acted.
When a young rabbit came to him crying because a snake was blocking the path to her burrow, Bandar’s first impulse was to grab a stick and chase the snake away immediately.
But then he stopped himself. “Wait,” he thought. “Let me think about this carefully. What are all the possible consequences of different actions?”
Instead of rushing in with a stick, Bandar first observed the snake from a safe distance. He realized it was not a dangerous snake at all, but a harmless grass snake that was probably just sunning itself on the warm path.
He also noticed that there was an alternate path the rabbit could use to reach her burrow without disturbing the snake at all.
“Little rabbit,” Bandar said gently, “there’s another way to your home that doesn’t require bothering the snake. Let me show you.”
The rabbit was amazed by this wise solution that helped everyone and hurt no one.
Chapter 15: The Reputation for Wisdom
Word spread throughout the forest about the thoughtful monkey who always considered all possibilities before taking action.
Animals began coming to Bandar for advice when they faced difficult problems.
A family of birds asked for help when a crow kept stealing food from their nest.
Bandar’s first thought was to chase the crow away, but he paused to consider the situation more deeply.
“Tell me,” he asked the birds, “when does the crow come to steal your food?”
“Always in the early morning, right after we leave to look for more food,” they replied.
“And where do you store your food in the nest?”
“Right in the center, where it’s easiest to reach,” they said.
“I think I see the problem,” said Bandar thoughtfully. “The crow isn’t necessarily trying to be mean – he’s just taking advantage of an easy opportunity. Instead of trying to fight the crow, let’s make it harder for him to steal and easier for you to protect your food.”
Bandar helped the birds redesign their nest with a small, narrow entrance that was too small for the large crow to fit through, but perfect for the smaller birds.
“This way,” explained Bandar, “you solve the problem without having to fight anyone, and the crow will simply find food elsewhere.”
The birds were amazed by this peaceful and effective solution.
Chapter 16: The Test of True Change
One day, while Bandar was gathering berries in the forest, he heard a commotion nearby. A group of young monkeys was surrounding a beehive, throwing stones at it and laughing as the angry bees buzzed around frantically.
“This is fun!” shouted one of the young monkeys. “Look how angry the bees get!”
“Let’s see if we can knock the whole hive down!” suggested another.
Bandar’s first instinct was to rush over and stop them immediately – the young monkeys were in serious danger of being stung badly by the angry bees.
But then he forced himself to pause and think carefully about the best way to handle the situation.
If I run over there shouting, he thought, I might startle them into making even more dangerous mistakes. The bees are already agitated, so adding more chaos could make things worse.
If I simply tell them to stop, they might not listen to a stranger, and they’re clearly not thinking about consequences.
What they need is to understand the real danger they’re in, and they need a safe way to get away from the angry bees.
Bandar climbed up into a nearby tree where he could speak to the young monkeys without getting too close to the agitated bees.
“Friends!” he called out in a calm but urgent voice. “You’re in great danger! Those bees are preparing to swarm, and if they do, you could be seriously hurt!”
“Who are you to tell us what to do?” one of the young monkeys called back rudely.
“I’m someone who learned a hard lesson about acting without thinking,” Bandar replied honestly. “I once hurt someone I cared about because I acted quickly without considering the consequences. I don’t want the same thing to happen to you.”
“What do you mean?” asked another monkey, suddenly looking a bit worried as the buzzing grew louder.
“Look at the bees,” Bandar said calmly. “See how they’re starting to cluster together? That means they’re about to attack as a group. If you move slowly and quietly away right now, you’ll be safe. But if you keep throwing stones, they’ll chase you, and bee stings can be very dangerous.”
The young monkeys looked at the bees and suddenly realized how angry and organized they were becoming.
“How do we get away safely?” asked the smallest monkey, now looking frightened.
“Move very slowly and quietly toward me,” Bandar instructed. “Don’t make any sudden movements, and don’t throw any more stones. Just walk calmly away.”
The young monkeys followed Bandar’s advice, and they all managed to get to safety just before the bees launched their attack on the empty space where the monkeys had been standing.
“Thank you!” said the young monkeys gratefully. “You saved us!”
“You saved yourselves by choosing to listen and think,” Bandar replied wisely. “That’s the most important skill anyone can learn.”
Chapter 17: The Unexpected Visitor
Two years after leaving the palace, Bandar was living peacefully in his forest home when he heard a familiar voice calling his name.
“Bandar! Bandar, where are you?”
It was Govind, the king’s faithful servant, walking through the forest looking tired and concerned.
“Govind!” Bandar called out, swinging down from his tree. “What brings you to the forest?”
“Bandar, I’ve been looking for you everywhere!” Govind said with relief. “King Vikram sent me to find you.”
“The king? Is he all right? Is his injury healed?” Bandar asked anxiously.
“His physical injury healed long ago,” Govind replied. “But he has been facing a different kind of problem, and he believes you might be able to help.”
“Me? Help the king? But I’m the one who hurt him!” Bandar said in confusion.
“That’s exactly why he thinks you can help,” Govind explained. “There’s a situation in the kingdom that requires someone who truly understands the importance of thinking carefully before acting. The king has heard from the forest animals about how wise and thoughtful you’ve become.”
Bandar was amazed. “The king knows about my life in the forest?”
“News travels quickly when someone changes as dramatically as you have,” Govind smiled. “The king wants to know if you would consider returning to help solve a serious problem.”
“What kind of problem?” asked Bandar cautiously.
“The kingdom’s young princes have been making impulsive decisions that are causing trouble for everyone,” Govind explained. “They act quickly without thinking, just as you once did. The king needs someone who can teach them the importance of careful consideration – someone who has learned this lesson through real experience.”
Bandar thought carefully about this request. It would mean returning to face the place where he had made his terrible mistake, but it would also mean a chance to use his hard-learned wisdom to help others.
“I will come,” he decided. “But not to live in luxury again. I’ll come as a teacher and advisor, and I’ll return to the forest when the job is done.”
Chapter 18: The Return
When Bandar arrived at the palace, he was amazed by how different everything looked to him now. The luxury that had once seemed so important now appeared less meaningful than the wisdom he had gained.
King Vikram received him in the same pavilion where the tragic accident had occurred. The king’s forehead still bore a small scar from Bandar’s sword, a permanent reminder of the consequences of acting without thinking.
“Your Majesty,” Bandar said, bowing deeply, “I am honored that you would consider trusting me again, despite what I did.”
“Bandar,” the king replied warmly, “the fact that you nearly killed me with your impulsiveness is exactly why you’re the right teacher for my sons. You understand the real consequences of acting without thinking in a way that no one else can.”
The king introduced Bandar to his three young princes, who were indeed having problems similar to those Bandar once had.
Prince Ravi had recently started a fight with a neighboring kingdom because he felt insulted by their ambassador, not thinking about the possibility of war.
Prince Arjun had spent the royal treasury on expensive gifts for his friends without considering whether the kingdom could afford it.
Prince Dev had made promises to five different princesses that he would marry them, not thinking about the complications this would create.
“Princes,” said the king, “this is Bandar. He has learned some very important lessons about the dangers of acting without thinking, and he’s going to help you learn these lessons as well.”
The princes looked skeptically at the simple monkey who was supposed to be their teacher.
“What can a monkey teach us?” Prince Ravi asked dismissively.
“He can teach you what I learned the hard way,” Bandar replied calmly. “That good intentions are worthless if they’re not combined with careful thinking.”
Chapter 19: Teaching the Lesson
Bandar began working with the three princes, using his own experience as the foundation for their lessons.
“Let me tell you about the day I tried to help your father,” he began, and he told them the complete story of the fly, the sword, and the terrible consequences of his impulsive action.
“You mean you actually hurt our father because you didn’t think?” asked Prince Dev in amazement.
“I nearly killed him,” Bandar said solemnly. “And I did it while trying to help him. That’s how dangerous it is to act without considering all the possible outcomes of our actions.”
“But you meant well,” said Prince Arjun. “Surely that should count for something.”
“Good intentions are important,” Bandar agreed, “but they’re not enough. Let me ask you this, Prince Arjun: when you spent the royal treasury on gifts for your friends, what were your intentions?”
“I wanted to make them happy and show them how generous I am,” the prince replied.
“And those are good intentions,” Bandar acknowledged. “But what were the consequences?”
Prince Arjun looked uncomfortable. “Well… now there’s no money for the schools and hospitals that the people need.”
“Exactly,” said Bandar. “Your good intentions caused hardship for thousands of people because you didn’t think about all the consequences of your actions.”
He turned to Prince Ravi. “And when you started a conflict with the neighboring kingdom, what were your intentions?”
“I wanted to defend our honor,” Prince Ravi admitted.
“Good intention,” Bandar nodded. “But what have been the consequences?”
“Hundreds of soldiers from both kingdoms have been injured or killed in the fighting,” Prince Ravi said quietly.
“And Prince Dev, when you promised to marry five different princesses, what were your intentions?”
“I wanted each of them to feel special and loved,” Prince Dev replied sheepishly.
“Good intention,” Bandar agreed. “But the consequences?”
“All five kingdoms are now angry with us, the princesses hate each other, and I can’t keep my promises to any of them,” Prince Dev admitted miserably.
Chapter 20: The Method for Thoughtful Action
“Now that you understand how good intentions without careful thinking can cause terrible problems,” Bandar continued, “let me teach you the method I learned for making better decisions.”
He taught the princes to ask themselves four important questions before taking any significant action:
First: “What exactly am I trying to accomplish?”
“You need to be very clear about your real goal,” Bandar explained. “Are you trying to solve a problem, help someone, or protect something important? Be specific.”
Second: “What are ALL the possible consequences of this action – both good and bad?”
“Don’t just think about what you hope will happen,” Bandar continued. “Think about what else might happen. What could go wrong? Who else might be affected? What problems might this create?”
Third: “Are there other ways to accomplish the same goal that might have better consequences?”
“There’s usually more than one way to solve a problem,” Bandar said. “Take time to think of alternatives before choosing your action.”
Fourth: “What would happen if I waited and thought about this more before acting?”
“Sometimes the best action is to take no immediate action at all,” Bandar concluded. “Many problems solve themselves if you give them time, and you almost always make better decisions when you’re not feeling rushed or emotional.”
“These four questions,” Bandar explained, “are what I wished I had asked myself before I picked up that sword. If I had paused to think, I would have realized there were many better ways to deal with the fly.”
Chapter 21: Putting the Lessons to Practice
Over the following weeks, Bandar worked with each prince individually to help them apply these lessons to their current problems.
With Prince Ravi, they worked on stopping the conflict with the neighboring kingdom.
“What exactly are you trying to accomplish?” Bandar asked.
“I want to defend our kingdom’s honor,” Prince Ravi replied.
“What are all the possible consequences of continuing the fighting?”
“More people will die, more resources will be spent, and eventually one kingdom or the other might be completely destroyed,” Prince Ravi admitted reluctantly.
“Are there other ways to accomplish the goal of defending honor?”
Prince Ravi thought carefully. “I suppose I could apologize for overreacting and invite their ambassador to discuss the original problem peacefully.”
“And what would happen if you waited and thought about this more?”
“The fighting would continue, and more people would suffer while I was thinking,” Prince Ravi realized. “Sometimes quick action is needed, but it should be thoughtful quick action, not impulsive action.”
Prince Ravi decided to immediately send a message to the neighboring kingdom requesting a peaceful meeting to resolve their differences. The war was ended within a week through diplomatic discussion rather than continued fighting.
With Prince Arjun, they addressed the problem of the empty treasury.
“What exactly were you trying to accomplish?” Bandar asked.
“I wanted to show my friends that I valued them and make them happy,” Prince Arjun answered.
“What are all the possible consequences of having spent the kingdom’s money this way?”
“The people can’t get the services they need, other kingdoms might see us as financially irresponsible, and my friends might only like me for my gifts rather than for myself,” Prince Arjun said thoughtfully.
“Are there other ways to show your friends you value them?”
“I could spend time with them, listen to their problems, or help them with things that don’t cost money,” Prince Arjun realized.
“And what would happen if you had waited and thought about this more before spending the money?”
“I would have realized that I could make my friends happy in ways that didn’t hurt the kingdom,” Prince Arjun concluded.
Prince Arjun worked with the kingdom’s advisors to create a plan for rebuilding the treasury, and he found that his true friends valued his friendship much more than his expensive gifts.
With Prince Dev, they tackled the complicated situation with the five princesses.
“What exactly were you trying to accomplish?” Bandar inquired.
“I wanted each princess to feel special and know that I cared about her,” Prince Dev explained.
“What are all the possible consequences of promising to marry all five of them?”
“They all feel deceived now, their kingdoms are angry with us, and I’ve created a situation where I must disappoint four of them no matter what I do,” Prince Dev said sadly.
“Are there other ways to make people feel special and cared for?”
“I could have been honest with each of them about my feelings, or I could have taken time to get to know them better before making any promises,” Prince Dev reflected.
“And what would happen if you had waited and thought about this more?”
“I would have realized that making promises I couldn’t keep would hurt everyone involved more than being honest from the beginning,” Prince Dev understood.
Prince Dev decided to meet with each princess individually, apologize sincerely for his thoughtless promises, and explain that he had learned a valuable lesson about honesty and consideration for others.
Chapter 22: The Transformation
After several months of working with Bandar, the three princes had transformed dramatically. They had learned to pause, think, and consider consequences before taking action.
The kingdom began to prosper again as the royal family made thoughtful, well-considered decisions. The treasury was rebuilt, peaceful relations were established with neighboring kingdoms, and the people felt confident in their leaders’ wisdom.
King Vikram watched his sons’ transformation with great pride and gratitude.
“Bandar,” the king said one evening, “you have given my sons something more valuable than all the gold in the treasury – you’ve given them wisdom.”
“They already had good hearts, Your Majesty,” Bandar replied humbly. “I just helped them learn to use their minds to guide their hearts.”
“And in teaching them, you have also shown me something important,” the king continued. “You have proven that people can truly change and grow from their mistakes. The monkey who left this palace two years ago was very different from the wise teacher who returned.”
“I had to learn the hard way, Your Majesty,” Bandar said thoughtfully. “But perhaps that made the lesson stronger and more permanent.”
The other animals in the palace had also noticed Bandar’s transformation. Where once he had been impulsive and reckless, he was now patient and thoughtful. His advice was sought by creatures throughout the kingdom.
“It’s amazing how much Bandar has changed,” the peacocks would say to each other. “He’s become truly wise.”
“And he uses his wisdom to help others avoid the mistakes he made,” added the parrots approvingly.
Chapter 23: The Final Test
Near the end of Bandar’s time as teacher to the princes, a situation arose that would test everything he had learned and taught.
A terrible fire broke out in the palace kitchen during the evening meal preparation. The flames spread quickly, threatening to engulf the entire palace and everyone in it.
Bandar’s first instinct was to rush immediately toward the fire to help fight it. His second thought was to run around shouting warnings to everyone. His third impulse was to grab the nearest bucket and start throwing water on the flames.
But then he forced himself to stop and apply the four questions he had taught the princes:
First: “What exactly am I trying to accomplish?” I want to save lives and protect the palace from burning down.
Second: “What are ALL the possible consequences of different actions?” If I run toward the fire without a plan, I might be hurt or killed, which wouldn’t help anyone. If I panic and shout, I might cause a dangerous stampede. If I just throw water randomly, I might not be effective and could waste precious time.
Third: “Are there other ways to accomplish the same goal?” I could organize an efficient evacuation of people and animals while others fight the fire. I could use my knowledge of the palace to find the safest escape routes. I could help coordinate the firefighting efforts rather than just acting randomly.
Fourth: “What would happen if I waited and thought about this more?” The fire would spread while I was thinking, so I need to act quickly – but I need to act thoughtfully and effectively, not just impulsively.
In the space of just a few seconds, Bandar had considered all these questions and developed a plan.
He quickly climbed to the highest tower of the palace, where he could see the entire situation clearly. From there, he could direct the evacuation and coordinate the firefighting efforts.
“Everyone listen!” he called out in a clear, calm voice that carried across the palace grounds. “The fire is spreading from the kitchen toward the east wing. All people and animals in the east wing need to move to the west garden immediately. Use the main stairways, not the servants’ passages – they’re too close to the fire!”
“Guards, form bucket brigades from the fountains to the kitchen!” he continued. “Servants, help the elderly and young animals evacuate first!”
His calm, organized approach prevented panic and saved precious time. The fire was brought under control, and everyone escaped safely because of Bandar’s thoughtful leadership.
Chapter 24: Recognition and Choice
After the fire was extinguished and everyone was safe, King Vikram called Bandar to meet with him privately.
“Bandar,” the king said with deep admiration, “tonight you showed that you have truly mastered the lesson you came here to teach. In a moment of great danger, when everyone else was acting on pure instinct, you took time to think and then acted with perfect wisdom.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty,” Bandar replied. “But I must be honest – my first instincts were just as impulsive as they ever were. The difference is that I’ve learned to recognize those instincts and choose not to act on them immediately.”
“That recognition is the beginning of true wisdom,” the king said approvingly. “Bandar, I want to offer you a choice. You may stay here permanently as a valued advisor to the kingdom, with all the luxury and comfort you once enjoyed. Or you may return to your forest home, knowing that you have completed your mission here successfully.”
Bandar thought carefully about this offer, applying his own four questions:
What exactly do I want to accomplish? I want to continue using what I’ve learned to help others and to keep growing in wisdom myself.
What are all the possible consequences of each choice? If I stay in the palace, I’ll be comfortable and have influence, but I might become complacent. If I return to the forest, I’ll continue to face challenges that help me grow, and I can teach other forest creatures what I’ve learned.
Are there other ways to accomplish my goal? I could divide my time between both places, or I could train others to continue the work here.
What would happen if I waited and thought about this more? The princes no longer need my daily guidance, so there’s no urgency to decide.
“Your Majesty,” Bandar said finally, “I am deeply honored by your offer. But I believe I can do the most good by returning to the forest, where I can continue learning and teaching others who need these lessons. However, I would be grateful to visit the palace occasionally to see how the princes are doing.”
“A wise choice,” smiled the king. “You have learned not only to think before you act, but also to understand what truly makes you happy and fulfilled.”
Chapter 25: The Joyful Departure
Unlike his sad departure two years earlier, Bandar’s second leaving of the palace was a celebration. The princes, the servants, and all the palace animals came to wish him well.
“Thank you, Bandar,” said Prince Ravi sincerely. “You saved me from a lifetime of making impulsive decisions that hurt people.”
“You taught me that there are always alternatives if I take time to look for them,” added Prince Arjun gratefully.
“And you showed me that honesty is kinder than false promises,” said Prince Dev with appreciation.
“Remember,” Bandar told the three princes, “I didn’t teach you anything you couldn’t have learned on your own. I just helped you discover the wisdom that was already inside you.”
King Vikram presented Bandar with a special gift – a small, beautifully carved wooden medallion.
“This medallion,” the king explained, “is carved with four symbols representing the four questions you taught us to ask before acting. Wear it as a reminder of the wisdom you’ve gained and shared.”
The medallion showed a head for thinking, a heart for considering others, an eye for seeing consequences, and a hand for taking thoughtful action.
“I will treasure this always, Your Majesty,” Bandar said, touched by the thoughtful gift.
As Bandar walked through the palace gates for the second time, he felt completely different than he had during his first departure. Then, he had been filled with shame and regret. Now, he was filled with purpose and wisdom.
The forest animals were waiting to welcome him home with a great celebration. Word had spread about his success in teaching the princes, and many creatures wanted to learn from his example.
Chapter 26: The Wise Teacher’s New Life
Back in the forest, Bandar established himself as a teacher and counselor for animals who struggled with impulsive behavior. His tree became known as the “Thinking Tree,” where creatures could come to learn about making thoughtful decisions.
Young animals especially sought his guidance. A family of young squirrels came to him after getting into trouble for raiding a farmer’s grain storage without thinking about the consequences.
“We were just hungry,” they explained, “and the grain was right there.”
“I understand being hungry,” Bandar said kindly. “But let’s use the four questions to think about this situation. What exactly were you trying to accomplish?”
“We wanted food for our family,” the squirrels replied.
“What were all the possible consequences of taking the farmer’s grain?”
The squirrels thought carefully. “The farmer might set traps for us, or he might cut down our tree, or he might poison food to stop us from stealing.”
“Are there other ways to get food for your family?”
“We could gather nuts and berries like we usually do, or we could ask the farmer if we could work for some grain by helping with his crops,” they realized.
“And what would happen if you had waited and thought about this more before taking the grain?”
“We would have realized that stealing might put our whole family in danger for just a little bit of food,” the squirrels concluded.
The squirrels decided to approach the farmer honestly, apologize for taking his grain, and offer to help with his harvest in exchange for food. The farmer was so impressed by their honesty and wisdom that he agreed, and they became good friends.
Chapter 27: The Spreading Wisdom
As the years passed, the animals that learned from Bandar began teaching the same lessons to others. The forest became known throughout the land as a place of unusual wisdom and peace.
Creatures from other forests would make long journeys to visit the Thinking Tree and learn Bandar’s method for thoughtful decision-making.
A delegation of young wolves came seeking help with their pack’s constant conflicts.
“We keep getting into fights with other packs,” they explained, “and we don’t understand why.”
“Tell me about the most recent conflict,” Bandar requested.
“Another pack was hunting in an area we considered ours, so we immediately attacked them to drive them away,” the lead wolf explained.
“Let’s apply the four questions to that situation,” Bandar suggested. “What exactly were you trying to accomplish?”
“We wanted to protect our hunting territory,” they replied.
“What were all the possible consequences of attacking immediately?”
The wolves thought about this. “Wolves from both packs could be seriously injured or killed. The conflict might escalate and involve even more packs. The constant fighting might drive away the prey animals we’re all trying to hunt.”
“Are there other ways to protect your territory?”
“We could have talked to the other pack first to understand why they were there. Maybe they were just passing through, or maybe they were in desperate need of food,” the wolves realized.
“And what would happen if you had waited and thought about this more?”
“We might have discovered that cooperation would benefit both packs more than conflict,” they concluded.
The wolves learned to communicate with other packs before resorting to fighting, and conflicts in their region decreased dramatically.
Chapter 28: The Return Visit
Five years after leaving the palace, Bandar received an invitation that filled his heart with joy. Prince Ravi, now grown and about to become king, invited him to return for the coronation ceremony.
“Dear Teacher Bandar,” the letter read, “I am about to take the throne, and I cannot imagine celebrating this moment without the wise monkey who taught me to think before I act. Please come and see how your lessons have helped our kingdom flourish.”
When Bandar arrived at the palace, he was amazed by the changes. The kingdom was prosperous and peaceful, with strong relationships with neighboring lands. The people looked happy and well-cared for.
King Vikram, now older but still wise, greeted Bandar warmly.
“My friend,” the king said with deep gratitude, “look at what your lessons have accomplished. My sons have become thoughtful leaders, our kingdom is at peace, and the wisdom you taught has spread throughout the land.”
“Your Majesty,” Bandar replied humbly, “the credit belongs to your sons for being willing to learn, and to you for being wise enough to seek help when it was needed.”
During the coronation ceremony, the new King Ravi gave a speech that moved everyone present.
“My people,” he said, “I want you to know that the peace and prosperity we enjoy today came from learning a simple but powerful lesson: we must think carefully before we act. Every decision I make as your king will be guided by four questions that help me consider all consequences and find the best path forward.”
He then shared Bandar’s four questions with the entire kingdom, ensuring that this wisdom would be passed down through generations.
Chapter 29: The Legacy Continues
After the coronation celebration, Bandar returned to his forest home, but the connection with the royal family remained strong. Every year, the kingdom sent teachers to learn from Bandar so they could spread the wisdom throughout the land.
Schools began teaching children the four questions as part of their regular education. Parents used them to help their children make better decisions. Even merchants and craftspeople found that applying these questions helped them avoid costly mistakes in their businesses.
The kingdom became famous throughout the world for its wise and thoughtful people. Other rulers sent ambassadors to learn about the “Four Questions Method” that had brought such prosperity and peace.
Bandar, now recognized as one of the wisest creatures in the land, continued to live simply in his forest home. He found great joy in seeing how his hard-learned lesson had helped so many others avoid the pain of impulsive mistakes.
Young animals still came to the Thinking Tree to learn, and Bandar never tired of sharing his story and its lessons.
“The most important thing to remember,” he would always tell them, “is that wisdom comes not from never making mistakes, but from learning deeply from the mistakes we do make and using that knowledge to help others.”
Chapter 30: The Circle Complete
In his old age, Bandar received one final visitor that brought his life’s journey full circle. A young monkey, much like he had been many years ago, came swinging through the forest, chattering excitedly and acting on every impulse.
“Old monkey!” the young visitor called rudely. “I hear you’re supposed to be some kind of teacher! I don’t need anyone to teach me anything – I’m smart enough to figure everything out on my own!”
Bandar smiled, remembering his own young arrogance and impulsiveness. Instead of being offended, he felt compassion for this youngster who reminded him so much of himself.
“What’s your name, young friend?” Bandar asked kindly.
“I’m Chappal, and I’m the fastest, smartest monkey in my part of the forest!” the young monkey boasted. “I can solve any problem instantly!”
“That’s quite impressive,” Bandar said calmly. “Perhaps you’d like to hear a story about another young monkey who once thought the same thing?”
“I suppose,” Chappal said impatiently. “But make it quick – I have important things to do!”
Bandar began to tell his story – the same story he had told countless times over the years, but never to someone who reminded him so completely of his younger self.
As he spoke about the palace, the king’s kindness, the fly, and the terrible moment with the sword, he watched Chappal’s expression change from boredom to interest to shock to understanding.
“You… you actually hurt the king?” Chappal asked in amazement.
“I nearly killed him,” Bandar confirmed sadly. “Because I was so sure I knew the right thing to do, and I was so eager to act quickly, that I never stopped to think about what might go wrong.”
“But you were trying to help,” Chappal said, his voice now much quieter and more thoughtful.
“Good intentions are important,” Bandar agreed, “but they’re not enough. Let me teach you the four questions that could have saved me from making that terrible mistake.”
For the first time in their conversation, Chappal sat completely still and listened carefully as Bandar explained the method for thoughtful decision-making.
“Do you think… do you think you could teach me to be wise like you?” Chappal asked humbly, his earlier arrogance completely gone.
“My young friend,” Bandar said with a warm smile, “you’ve already taken the first step toward wisdom by recognizing that you have more to learn. And that’s exactly how my own journey toward wisdom began.”
Epilogue: The Eternal Lesson
The story of Bandar, the foolish monkey who became a wise teacher, continued to be told throughout the kingdom and beyond for many generations.
Parents would tell it to their children when they saw them acting impulsively. Teachers would share it in schools when students needed to learn about consequences. Leaders would remember it when facing difficult decisions.
The four questions became known as “Bandar’s Wisdom” and were carved into stone tablets in the palace:
1. What exactly am I trying to accomplish? 2. What are ALL the possible consequences of this action? 3. Are there other ways to accomplish the same goal? 4. What would happen if I waited and thought about this more?
Long after Bandar had passed on, the Thinking Tree in the forest remained a place of pilgrimage for those seeking to learn the difference between quick thinking and wise thinking.
The lesson lived on: that true intelligence is not the ability to act quickly, but the wisdom to pause, consider, and choose the action that creates the best outcomes for everyone involved.
And in the royal palace, the small scar on the statue of King Vikram served as an eternal reminder that even those who love us most can hurt us when they act without thinking – and that the greatest gift we can give to those we care about is the wisdom to consider our actions carefully before we take them.
Moral of the Story
Acting quickly without thinking, even with the best intentions, can lead to terrible consequences. True wisdom lies not in the speed of our responses, but in taking time to consider all possible outcomes before we act. Good intentions must be paired with careful thought to truly help those we care about.
The wisest action is often to pause and ask ourselves: “What am I really trying to accomplish, what could go wrong, are there better alternatives, and what would happen if I thought about this more?” These simple questions can prevent us from causing harm while trying to do good.
Fun Questions for Young Readers
Think About the Story:
🐒 About Bandar: What were Bandar’s good qualities? What was his main weakness that got him into trouble?
👑 About King Vikram: Why do you think the king was willing to forgive Bandar and even ask for his help later?
🪰 The Fly Problem: What are some different ways Bandar could have dealt with the fly without using a sword?
😤 Understanding Impulsiveness: Can you think of times when you acted quickly without thinking? What happened?
🤔 The Four Questions: Which of Bandar’s four questions do you think is the most important? Why?
⚔️ The Critical Moment: What was Bandar thinking about right before he used the sword? What should he have been thinking about?
🌟 Learning and Growing: How did Bandar’s life in the forest help him become wiser?
🎯 Teaching Others: Why do you think Bandar became such a good teacher after making such a big mistake?
Fun Activities:
🎨 Draw the Adventure: Which scene would you like to draw? Bandar in the palace, the moment with the sword, or Bandar teaching in the forest?
🧠 Practice the Four Questions: Think of a decision you need to make and try using Bandar’s four questions to help you decide.
🎭 Act It Out: Practice different parts of the story – Bandar’s impulsiveness, the king’s kindness, and the wise teaching scenes.
Discussion Questions for Parents and Kids:
👨👩👧👦 Family Talk: When is it important to act quickly, and when is it better to slow down and think first?
⚡ Managing Impulses: What are some strategies for pausing when we want to do something right away?
💭 Good Intentions: Can you think of times when someone tried to help you but made things worse? How did that feel?
🎯 Smart Decisions: How can we tell the difference between a smart quick decision and an impulsive mistake?
🌈 Learning from Mistakes: How can big mistakes sometimes lead to important learning and growth?
💪 True Strength: Is it stronger to act immediately when you feel strongly about something, or to pause and think first?
🏠 Helping Others: What’s the best way to help someone when you see them making impulsive decisions?
🔄 Second Chances: When is it appropriate to give someone a second chance after they’ve made a serious mistake?
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