Others' foolishness

Courtesy: Sri.KV.Anantanarayanan

It is not our own intelligence but the foolishness of others that save us
quite often.*

*A story from Panchatantram of Vishnu Sharma*

* *

*In a forest there lived a lion who was more than middle-aged and would
prefer to sit at ease somewhere and catch hold of the prey who came nearby
by applying whatever grey cells that remained in his brain.. Of course he
had, as usual with people of this age, an inflated estimate of his own
talents and wisdom..What is it that is left there for old guys than to
ruminate and brag about their glorious (often imaginery) past? *

*
*

*One day, our hero could not find any food in his usual way. When the
midday was also a memory, the acute pangs of hunger showed in his stomach
where the digestive juices started eating the fine linings of his innards,
he could wait no more, and with reluctance, started walking along in search
of food. He really covered a distance which would have fetched him a medal
in any solo marathon race, but still no living beings except trees, shrub
and grass was on sight. Finally as the sun was withdrawing to his
celestial abode after a strenuous days duty, the lion saw an isolated cave
at the foot of a hill.
*

*
*

* The wise lion thought. " The cave may not be occupied now, but surely some
animal who owns the cave will return here for the nocturnal rest. I will
now enter and take rest in the cave, and the owner can come at his leisure
and can take rest inside my stomach.. Heavenly it is, food and good rest."*

*Accordingly he occupied the cave and waited for his prey to show up. Indeed
the prey came that way. It was a wily jackal named Dadipuchcha.. The
jackal was always circumspect. How could a jackal live if he is not
circumspect? He never opens his mouth to tell a truth. So every time he
talked, he has to rewind all his memory of a lifetime, if he had to survive.
This happens to all liars. *

*
*

*Now he saw some unusual disturbances in the flora and fauna of the area. He
could also find some faint pug-marks of a lion also. He could see through
the plans of the lion.
*

*
*

* He talked to himself." What is happening today? Why is may beloved cave
not happy about my return for the night? Every day when I comeback, she
would welcome me in her endearing voice.. Is she sick or angry? Anyway I
shall ask her."
*

*Then he addressed the cave, " My darling cave, why are you so silent? If
you do not like my presence, I would immediately leave your lovely company
and take rest for the night somewhere else. I am just leaving."
*

*
*

*Leave he did not. The genius of a lion was hearing the jackals soliloquy
and also his endearing address to the cave. He thought.." This treacherous
cave is not answering since she knows that her lover is in danger. Let it
be so. She cannot beat me, nor this jackal."
*

*
*

*The lion did not lose even a split second. He tried in vain to bring
softness to his gruff voice and said.."Do not ever leave my love, I was
just engaged in some domestic chores. I did not notice your arrival. You
please come in.. I am waiting here eager to embrace you.*

*The jackal could now fully understand who was inside the cave and what
would have awaited him had he entered the cave carelessly. He simply
walked off a few feet, then hastened his gait and bolted far away.*

*
*

*It is not our own intelligence but the foolishness of others that save us
quite often.*


--
If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it.
Happy moments, praise God.
Difficult moments, seek God.
Quiet moments, worship God.
Painful moments, trust God.

  Every moment, thank God