Cat and nine lives

Cat and nine lives

The store house of a merchant was full of rats. They were everywhere. One day a Brown cat entered the warehouse and felt the storehouse to be a nice place for it to stay. It decided to catch as many rats as possible and decided upon an idea.

The cat decided that it would lie down like a dead cat. Hence it laid itself for some time and ensured that the rats would believe him to be dead.

The younger rats went to their grand father mouse and requested for a permission, if they could go near the cat and play, as cat was dead.. The old mouse was not convinced and wanted to verify himself.

He went to a nearby shelf and started to tell that, the cat has nine lives and would like to check if this cat had many lives. As he was talking, he began to chew a sack which was full of flour. As soon he was able to open a little, automatically the flour began to fall on the cat that was below the shelf.

The cat did not like the onslaught and was finding it difficult to lay still. Hence he finally gave up with a loud sneeze. The cat jumped out from the flour shower and looked like a white cat. The wise mouse said; see the cat has changed into another life. It has changed its color in its next life.

All the younger rats thanked the old mouse for its intelligence and guidance. The rats were happy as their lives were saved by the old mouse.

Is it Good to get early

Is it Good to get early
Mullah’s father was a good and hard working merchant. Mullah was happy to go to Madrasa; the schools were he used to go to study. He was a lazy boy and wanted to sleep for longer times. Hence for him to get up early was a difficult job. His father’s ambition was to make Mullah a learned man. He looked for opportunities to educate Mullah and started to give advice on why one should get up early.

Mullah’s father had a habit of going to early morning walks. He liked the morning scene where the birds used to sing. One day he saw a bird attack a small worm on the ground. As the grounds in the morning time are cool and moist, the bird was able to get the worm. Hence the early bird got all the worms that were visible on the ground.

Suddenly this thought touched the Mullah’s father and he thought with this he could educate his son. While he was returning to his house he found a bag lying in the middle. He picked it up and was surprised to see gold coins in the bag. Being an honest man he looked all round for the owner, as he did not see anybody in the early hour, he picked up the bag and rushed to his house. Now he had two stories to tell his son, the importance of getting up early.

When he reached home, he saw that Mullah was still sleeping. He went near to him and shook him up to tell about the incidents. But Mullah did not listen and went to sleep again. Unable to wake him up, his father poured some water over Mullah’s head and face.

Mullah immediately woke up and started to ask his father what was the urgency to wake him up. His father responded and told him that he would like to share his bounty to him. The father told his son how the birds that made cheerful noise and started to collect worms for their food. Also he told about the bag of gold coins he found in the path. The father explained since he got up early he was able to get all these things and how important it was to get up early as you might have a chance to collect worms and find a treasure.

But Mullah had a different reasons for the both the incidents. He logically told his father that when the worms got up early, he was eaten by a bird. Similarly the man who got up early lost his bag of gold coins. Poor man must be crying somewhere. Hence according to Mullah getting up will bring trouble. The father was aghast to note how his son interpreted his logic and was able to convince him, which he could not refuse.

The story tells us that what is good for others, cannot be good for us

Ninurta the rain deity

Ninurta the rain deity
He was an agricultral and rain deity. He was one of the 'young god' who was associated with wild storms and martial prowess. In the mythological text"Splendid storm king" during the begining of time people did not follow to feed themselves.It is said that Ninurta defeated a demon. He also made a giant stone dyke and diverted the flow of the river Tigris from flowing eastwards. The river flows through the remains of his slain enemy.

The Red and White cow

The Red and White cow
Peter was most excited because his father and his mother had moved into the country from the town. How different it was! There were green lanes instead of busy streets, big trees instead of tall chimneys, and such a lot of animals and birds to see.

‘There are thirty-two sheep in the fields and six lambs!’ said Peter to his mother. ‘And there are eleven horses at the farm, and I saw two goats this morning and about twelve ducks. I couldn’t count them properly because they wouldn’t stay still. The hens won’t stay still either.

“What about the cows?’ said his mother. ‘Have you counted those?’

‘I don’t like the cows,’ said Peter. ‘They have big horns and they roar at me.’

‘Oh, no,’ said his mother. ‘Lions roar. Cows only moo.’

‘Well, it sounds just like roaring to me,’ said Peter. ‘I don’t like the cows at all. They are my enemies.’

‘They are very good friends!’ said mother. ‘They send you lot of presents.

‘I’ve never seen a present from a cow!’ said Peter.

‘Well, here is one,’ said Mother, and she took down a jug of milk. She poured it out into a mug and gave it to Peter. He drank it.

‘So they came from the cow, did it!’ he said, ‘Well, it was simply lovely!’

At dinner-time Mother put down a dish of stewed apples for Petr. He looked round for the custard that Mother usually made for him. There wasn’t any.

‘The cow has sent you this present instead!’ said Mother – and she gave him a dear little jug full of thick cream. How delicious it was! Peter poured it all over his apples; they tasted much nicer than usual.

‘So that came from the cow, too!’ said the little boy. ‘Well, it must be a very kind animal!’

At tea-time Mother pit the loaf of bread on the table. Peter was surprised. Usually there were slices of bread and butter.

Mother put down a blue dish on which there were little rolls of new-made yellow butter.

‘A present from the cow again!’ she said, and laughed, ‘You can spread your present yourself on slices of bread for a treat!’

‘Goodness me! said Peter. ‘What a nice friendly creature the cow is! I won’t hate it any more or frightened of it.’

‘I should think not!’ said Mother. ‘Look, Peter – the cow has sent me a present too!’

Mother lifted up the lid of the cheese-dish, and underneath Peter saw a big lump of orange- coloured cheese. Mother cut herself a piece, and said it was delicious.

‘I shall go and stand on the gate that leads to the cow field and say thank you to the cows!’ said Peter. ‘I didn’t know they were so kind!’

And now he isn’t a bit afraid of them, and he likes them very much. He says they are his friends, not his enemies. What do you say?

source: Five O’clock Tales – Enid Blyton – EuroKids International

The Fox and the Lion

When first the Fox saw the Lion he was terribly frightened, and ran away and hid himself in the wood. Next time however he came near the King of Beasts he stopped at a safe distance and watched him pass by. The third time they came near one another the Fox went straight up to the Lion and passed the time of day with him, asking him how his family were, and when he should have the pleasure of seeing him again; then turning his tail, he parted from the Lion without much ceremony. Familiarity breeds contempt.

The Peacock and Juno

A Peacock once placed a petition before Juno desiring to have the voice of a nightingale in addition to his other attractions; but Juno refused his request. When he persisted, and pointed out that he was her favourite bird, she said: "Be content with your lot; one cannot be first in everything."

The Horse, Hunter, and Stag

A quarrel had arisen between the Horse and the Stag, so the Horse came to a Hunter to ask his help to take revenge on the Stag. The Hunter agreed, but said: "If you desire to conquer the Stag, you must permit me to place this piece of iron between your jaws, so that I may guide you with these reins, and allow this saddle to be placed upon your back so that I may keep steady upon you as we follow after the enemy.” The Horse agreed to the conditions, and the Hunter soon saddled and bridled him. Then with the aid of the Hunter the Horse soon overcame the Stag, and said to the Hunter: "Now, get off, and remove those things from my mouth and back." "Not so fast, friend," said the Hunter. "I have now got you under bit and spur, and prefer to keep you as you are at present." If you allow men to use you for your own purposes, they will use you for theirs.

The Fox and the Grapes

One hot summer's day a Fox was strolling through an orchard till he came to a bunch of Grapes just ripening on a vine which had been trained over a lofty branch. "Just the thing to quench my thirst," quoth he. Drawing back a few paces, he took a run and a jump, and just missed the bunch. Turning round again with a One, Two, Three, he jumped up, but with no greater success. Again and again he tried after the tempting morsel, but at last had to give it up, and walked away with his nose in the air, saying: "I am sure they are sour." It is easy to despise what you cannot get.

The Hart in the Ox-Stall

A Hart hotly pursued by the hounds fled for refuge into an ox-stall, and buried itself in a truss of hay, leaving nothing to be seen but the tips of his horns. Soon after the Hunters came up and asked if any one had seen the Hart. The stable boys, who had been resting after their dinner, looked round, but could see nothing, and the Hunters went away. Shortly afterwards the master came in, and looking round, saw that something unusual had taken place. He pointed to the truss of hay and said: "What are those two curious things sticking out of the hay?” And when the stable boys came to look they discovered the Hart, and soon made an end of him. He thus learnt that Nothing escapes the master's eye.

The Belly and the Members

One fine day it occurred to the Members of the Body that they were doing all the work and the Belly was having all the food. So they held a meeting, and after a long discussion, decided to strike work till the Belly consented to take its proper share of the work. So for a day or two, the Hands refused to take the food, the Mouth refused to receive it, and the Teeth had no work to do. But after a day or two the Members began to find that they themselves were not in a very active condition: the Hands could hardly move, and the Mouth was all parched and dry, while the Legs were unable to support the rest. So thus they found that even the Belly in its dull quiet way was doing necessary work for the Body, and that all must work together or the Body will go to pieces.

The Dog and the Wolf

A gaunt Wolf was almost dead with hunger when he happened to meet a House-dog who was passing by. "Ah, Cousin," said the Dog. "I knew how it would be; your irregular life will soon be the ruin of you. Why do you not work steadily as I do, and get your food regularly given to you?" "I would have no objection," said the Wolf, "if I could only get a place." "I will easily arrange that for you," said the Dog; "come with me to my master and you shall share my work." So the Wolf and the Dog went towards the town together. On the way there the Wolf noticed that the hair on a certain part of the Dog's neck was very much worn away, so he asked him how that had come about. "Oh, it is nothing," said the Dog. "That is only the place where the collar is put on at night to keep me chained up; it chafes a bit, but one soon gets used to it." "Is that all?" said the Wolf. "Then good-bye to you, Master Dog." Better starve free than be a fat slave.

The Man and the Wood

A Man came into a Wood one day with an axe in his hand, and begged all the Trees to give him a small branch which he wanted for a particular purpose. The Trees were good-natured and gave him one of their branches. What did the Man do but fix it into the axe head, and soon set to work cutting down tree after tree. Then the Trees saw how foolish they had been in giving their enemy the means of destroying themselves.

The Serpent and the File

A Serpent in the course of its wanderings came into an armourer's shop. As he glided over the floor he felt his skin pricked by a file lying there. In a rage he turned round upon it and tried to dart his fangs into it; but he could do no harm to heavy iron and had soon to give over his wrath. It is useless attacking the insensible.

The Hart and the Hunter

The Hart was once drinking from a pool and admiring the noble figure he made there. "Ah," said he, "where can you see such noble horns as these, with such antlers! I wish I had legs more worthy to bear such a noble crown; it is a pity they are so slim and slight.” At that moment a Hunter approached and sent an arrow whistling after him. Away bounded the Hart, and soon, by the aid of his nimble legs, was nearly out of sight of the Hunter; but not noticing where he was going, he passed under some trees with branches growing low down in which his antlers were caught, so that the Hunter had time to come up. "Alas! Alas!" cried the Hart: "We often despise what is most useful to us."

The Bat, the Birds, and the Beasts

A great conflict was about to come off between the Birds and the Beasts. When the two armies were collected together the Bat hesitated which to join. The Birds that passed his perch said: "Come with us"; but he said: "I am a Beast.” Later on, some Beasts who were passing underneath him looked up and said: "Come with us"; but he said: "I am a Bird.” Luckily at the last moment peace was made, and no battle took place, so the Bat came to the Birds and wished to join in the rejoicings, but they all turned against him and he had to fly away. He then went to the Beasts, but soon had to beat a retreat, or else they would have torn him to pieces. "Ah," said the Bat, "I see now, "He that is neither one thing nor the other has no friends."

Androcles

A slave named Androcles once escaped from his master and fled to the forest. As he was wandering about there he came upon a Lion lying down moaning and groaning. At first he turned to flee, but finding that the Lion did not pursue him, he turned back and went up to him. As he came near, the Lion put out his paw, which was all swollen and bleeding, and Androcles found that a huge thorn had got into it, and was causing all the pain. He pulled out the thorn and bound up the paw of the Lion, who was soon able to rise and lick the hand of Androcles like a dog. Then the Lion took Androcles to his cave, and every day used to bring him meat from which to live. But shortly afterwards both Androcles and the Lion were captured, and the slave was sentenced to be thrown to the Lion, after the latter had been kept without food for several days. The Emperor and all his Court came to see the spectacle, and Androcles was led out into the middle of the arena. Soon the Lion was let loose from his den, and rushed bounding and roaring towards his victim. But as soon as he came near to Androcles he recognised his friend, and fawned upon him, and licked his hands like a friendly dog. The Emperor, surprised at this, summoned Androcles to him, who told him the whole story. Whereupon the slave was pardoned and freed, and the Lion let loose to his native forest. Gratitude is the sign of noble souls.

The frog and the Ox

"Oh Father", said a little Frog to the big one sitting by the side of a pool. "I have seen such a terrible monster!.It was as big as a mountain,with horns on its head, and a long tail, and it had hoofs divided in two" "Tush, child, tush", said the old Frog."that was only Farmer White's Ox. It isn't so big either, he may be a little taller than I, but I could easily make myself quite as broad, just you see" So he blew himself out, and blew himself out, and blew himself out."Was he as big as that?" asked he. "O, much bigger that that," said the young Frog Again the old one blew himself out, and asked the young one if the Ox was as big as that. "Bigger, father, bigger," was the reply So the Frog took a deep breath, and blew and blew and blew, and swelled and swelled and swelled. And then he said:"I'm sure the Ox is not as big as me. But at this moment he burst. "Self-concit may lead to self-destruction".

The Jay and the Peacock

A Jay venturing into a yard where Peacocks used to walk, found there a number of feathers which had fallen from the Peacocks when they were moulting. He tied them all to his tail and strutted down towards the Peacocks. When he came near them they soon discovered the cheat, and striding up to him pecked at him and plucked away his borrowed plumes. So the Jay could do no better than go back to the other Jays, who had watched his behaviour from a distance; but they were equally annoyed with him, and told him: "It is not only fine feathers that make fine birds."

The Fox and the Mask

A Fox had by some means got into the store-room of a theatre. Suddenly he observed a face glaring down on him and began to be very frightened; but looking more closely he found it was only a Mask such as actors use to put over their face. "Ah," said the Fox, "you look very fine; it is a pity you have not got any brains." Outside show is a poor substitute for inner worth.

The Fox and the Stork

At one time the Fox and the Stork were on visiting terms and seemed very good friends. So the Fox invited the Stork to dinner, and for a joke put nothing before her but some soup in a very shallow dish. This the Fox could easily lap up, but the Stork could only wet the end of her long bill in it, and left the meal as hungry as when she began. "I am sorry," said the Fox, "the soup is not to your liking." "Pray do not apologise," said the Stork. "I hope you will return this visit, and come and dine with me soon.” So a day was appointed when the Fox should visit the Stork; but when they were seated at table all that was for their dinner was contained in a very long-necked jar with a narrow mouth, in which the Fox could not insert his snout, so all he could manage to do was to lick the outside of the jar. "I will not apologise for the dinner," said the Stork: "One bad turn deserves another."