A herd of elephants lived in a forest. They fed on the leaves
of the wild trees and drank the cool water from the stream that flowed through
the forest. One year, drought hit the area where the forest was located. Many
animals fled the forest to other places which had no lack of water or food. The
leader of the elephants was worried. He was called Iravat and he took good care
of his herd. He sent his brothers to look for water. After a long search, they
located a lake at the far end of the forest. They decided to quench their
thirst and take their baths there very morning.
Now, everyday the herd would go to the lake to bathe and
drink the sweet water of the lake. On the way, they would pass a colony of
rabbits. They would not pay attention to rabbits on the ground. So, everyday
some rabbits would be injured or crushed to death. As their number grew less,
the leader of the rabbits called a meeting.
“Dear brothers and sisters,” he addressed his fellow
companions, “We are all aware of how we are being killed by the unthinking
elephants everyday. We must think of a way to save ourselves.”
Mikkoo was a young and intelligent rabbit. He said, “Sir,
don’t worry. go as your messenger and ask the elephants to change the path they
take to the lake.”
So with the leader’s permission Mikkoo went as a messenger.
He spotted the elephant herd approaching and stood on the top of a large, high
rock to save himself.
When the Iravat, the elephant leader came near, he
said, “Respected sir, I am Mikkoo, a messenger from the Moon himself. The
almighty Moon has sent me to you with a private message, so please step aside.”
When Iravat came near, Mikkoo said, ‘The lake where you go to
bathe and quench your thirst belongs to the Moon. He is very upset as you crush
many rabbits on the way. As we are his close friends and guides, our sad plight
has saddened and angered the Moon. He wishes to speak to you privately. If you
would be kind enough I will escort you to the lake of the Moon for a meeting.”
iravat readily agreed for the meeting. When Iravat and Mikkoo
reached the lake, the Moon was reflected in its still water.
“let me offer my greetings to the moon,” said Iravat and just
as he dipped his trunk in the lake thewater stirred and so did the Moon’s
reflection.
“Oh! See how the mighty Moon shakes in anger,” said Mikkoo.
But why is it so?” asked Iravat.
“You have angered him even more by touching the holy water of
the lake at night,” replied Shweta.
At this Iravat said in a mournful voice, “Please ask the Moon
to forgive us. We shall never come again to this lake nor we will ever harm the
rabbits, loved so much by the Moon.”
Thus Iravat left with a promise never to visit the lake of
the Moon and the rabbits lived safely and happily ever after.
Moral: A lie that saves many lives is worth a thousand truths.
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