Vishnu Sharma
|
India

The Cunning Mediator

One bird left his friend and returned to find a rabbit in his home; he sought resolution from a wise cat but ended up being eaten.
Problem-Solving
Trust
Caution
Featured in Fable Book
Panchatantra Fables - The Cunning Mediator
Audio available for B1 version

Once upon a time, two small, sparrow-like birds lived in a tree in the heart of the forest. One made its home in the branches, while the other nestled inside a cozy hole at the base of the tree. These two birds were the best of pals, often sharing stories and their day-to-day experiences with each other. Their companionship filled their lives with joy.

One day, one of the birds decided to join a flock in search of food and flew off. As the day turned into evening, and the bird hadn't returned, his friend at the tree began to worry. "Why hasn't he come back? Could a hunter have caught him, or worse, killed him?" thought the worried bird. Day after day passed with no sign of his friend, and eventually, the bird lost hope of his friend's return.

One night, a rabbit spotted the unoccupied hole at the base of the tree and decided to move in. The bird, having lost hope of his friend's return, didn't oppose the rabbit taking residence in the hole.

After several days, the missing bird came back. He had discovered a place abundant with food, and he returned looking healthy and well-fed. But, on discovering the rabbit in his home, he was furious. "Rabbit! You've taken over my home in my absence. You need to leave right now!" he demanded.

The rabbit refused, stating, "I found this home empty, and so I made it my own. I won't leave." And so, a heated argument began.

Seeing no resolution through quarrel, the bird suggested, "Let's go to someone wise and fair, who can help us settle this dispute according to the rules of the forest." The rabbit agreed, and they set off to find such a figure.

In the meantime, a crafty wild cat overheard their conversation. Quick to seize an opportunity, the cat pretended to be a wise figure. Standing upright, holding a sacred grass blade in its paw, and appearing deep in thought, it posed on the riverbank.

Spotting the cat, the rabbit remarked, "He seems wise and knowledgeable. Let's ask for his help." The bird agreed but warned, "Let's keep our distance as he is a natural enemy to us both."

They approached the wild cat from afar and asked him to help settle their dispute, stating that whoever was found at fault could be eaten by him.

The wild cat replied, "I've given up my violent ways as they lead to nothing good. I won't harm either of you, but I will gladly help resolve your conflict with the wisdom I've acquired."

Both the bird and the rabbit felt reassured by the cat's words. The cat continued, "However, my hearing isn't what it used to be. I can't hear you from this far away. Don't worry, I wouldn't harm a flea, let alone either of you. Come closer, explain your dispute, and I'll help you reach a fair resolution."

Convinced by the cat's assurance, the bird and the rabbit moved closer to explain their disagreement. This was exactly what the cat had been waiting for. As soon as they were within reach, the cat swiftly pounced, capturing the bird with his claws and the rabbit with his teeth. Before they knew what was happening, the crafty cat had turned them into his supper.

A long time ago, two little birds lived in a big tree in the forest. One bird made his home in the branches, while the other lived in a small hole at the bottom of the tree. These two birds were very good friends. They liked to tell each other stories and share their daily adventures.

One day, one of the birds decided to fly away to look for food with other birds. As the day turned into night, the bird didn’t come back. His friend started to worry, "Where is he? Did something happen to him?" Days went by, but the bird still didn’t return, and his friend felt sad and thought he would never come back.

One night, a rabbit saw the empty hole at the bottom of the tree and decided to move in. Since the bird didn’t think his friend would come back, he didn’t stop the rabbit.

But one day, the missing bird finally returned. He had found a place full of food and came back healthy and happy. However, when he saw the rabbit in his home, he was very angry. “Hey, rabbit! This is my home. You must leave now!”

The rabbit said, “But I found this home empty, so it’s mine now. I won’t leave.” They argued but couldn’t find a solution.

The bird then said, “Let’s ask someone who is fair and wise to decide who is right.” The rabbit agreed, and they went to look for help.

Meanwhile, a clever wild cat was listening to their argument. The cat quickly thought of a plan. Pretending to be very wise, the cat stood up tall and waited by the river.

The rabbit saw the cat and said, “He looks like someone smart who can help us.” The bird replied, “Okay, but let’s be careful because he is a cat, and cats can be dangerous to us.”

They went near the cat and asked him to help solve their problem. The cat said, “Don’t worry, I don’t hurt others anymore. I will help you.”

The bird and the rabbit felt safe and moved a bit closer. The cat added, “I can't hear you well from far away. Come closer so I can understand you better.”

When the bird and the rabbit moved close enough, the cat suddenly jumped on them. He caught both of them and ate them for dinner. The bird and the rabbit realized too late that the cat wasn’t really wise – just hungry.

A long time ago, two little birds lived in a big tree in the forest. One bird made his home in the branches, while the other lived in a small hole at the bottom of the tree. These two birds were very good friends. They liked to tell each other stories and share their daily adventures.

One day, one of the birds decided to fly away to look for food with other birds. As the day turned into night, the bird didn’t come back. His friend started to worry, "Where is he? Did something happen to him?" Days went by, but the bird still didn’t return, and his friend felt sad and thought he would never come back.

One night, a rabbit saw the empty hole at the bottom of the tree and decided to move in. Since the bird didn’t think his friend would come back, he didn’t stop the rabbit.

But one day, the missing bird finally returned. He had found a place full of food and came back healthy and happy. However, when he saw the rabbit in his home, he was very angry. “Hey, rabbit! This is my home. You must leave now!”

The rabbit said, “But I found this home empty, so it’s mine now. I won’t leave.” They argued but couldn’t find a solution.

The bird then said, “Let’s ask someone who is fair and wise to decide who is right.” The rabbit agreed, and they went to look for help.

Meanwhile, a clever wild cat was listening to their argument. The cat quickly thought of a plan. Pretending to be very wise, the cat stood up tall and waited by the river.

The rabbit saw the cat and said, “He looks like someone smart who can help us.” The bird replied, “Okay, but let’s be careful because he is a cat, and cats can be dangerous to us.”

They went near the cat and asked him to help solve their problem. The cat said, “Don’t worry, I don’t hurt others anymore. I will help you.”

The bird and the rabbit felt safe and moved a bit closer. The cat added, “I can't hear you well from far away. Come closer so I can understand you better.”

When the bird and the rabbit moved close enough, the cat suddenly jumped on them. He caught both of them and ate them for dinner. The bird and the rabbit realized too late that the cat wasn’t really wise – just hungry.

Once upon a time, deep in a forest that looked like a big playground for animals, two bird buddies lived in a tree. One bird stayed up in the branches, making tweets like he was a singer, while the other made a cozy home at the bottom of the tree, calling it his "underground castle."

These birds were like peanut butter and jelly, always chatting and singing together. They'd tell jokes about who found the best worm or who could sing the loudest. Life was as fun as a roller coaster!

One day, Bird One had a big idea. "Hey, I heard there's a whole bunch of food out there! I'm going to join a group of birds and look for snacks." And off he flew, like a race car zooming down the track.

Now, Bird Two started to get really worried when the sun went down. "Oh no! Where's my pal? Did he get caught in a net or something?" Days went by, and Bird One was still missing. "Guess I'm on my own," said Bird Two, feeling kind of sad.

Then, hop, hop, hop! A rabbit saw the empty hole at the bottom of the tree. Bird Two, who was missing his friend a lot, just said, "Fine, move in, Mr. Fluffy Ears."

Guess who came back looking all happy and plump? Bird One! He was so mad when he saw Rabbit in his "castle." "Hey, Mr. Hopper! That's my spot!"

Rabbit just wiggled his nose and said, "You were gone, so I moved in! Finders keepers!"

They started to argue like two kids fighting over the last cookie. Finally, Bird One said, "Let's go find someone really smart to help us figure this out."

Now, a sneaky wild cat had been listening. Seeing his chance, he stood by the river holding a piece of grass, pretending to be super wise, like a teacher but with whiskers.

"There's someone who looks smart," said Rabbit. But Bird One felt a bit nervous. "Just remember, cats like to chase birds and rabbits. Be careful!"

Wild Cat spoke up, "Don't worry, guys! I'm nice now. But come closer; you're too far away for me to hear you."

So, believing the cat, Bird and Rabbit hopped closer. And guess what? SNAP! Just like that, they became dinner for Wild Cat. So much for being wise, huh?

So, there you have it. Bird One and the Rabbit found out the hard way that not everyone who looks wise is actually your friend. Unfortunately, they didn't get a chance to tell this newfound wisdom to others in the forest because they became Wild Cat's dinner.

Two feathered friends in the woods did stay,
One on the branch and the other in the bay.
Chatting, chirping, they’d sing and play,
Together they’d welcome each sunny day.

Then one birdie said, "I’ll take a flight,
To find some food, till the evening light."
But when night came and stars did gleam,
His friend wondered where he could be.

Weeks went by, and hope grew thin,
Was his friend trapped or hurt within?
A rabbit saw the empty space below,
And thought, “It’s cozy, I’ll make it my burrow!”

At last, the birdie returned, looking swell,
Having found a food haven where he did dwell.
But seeing the rabbit, he chirped in dismay,
"You took my home, now you must go away!"

Said the rabbit, “This home was free,
So it seemed right to belong to me.”
Arguing, fussing, they could not agree,
Who should stay in the tree by the sea?

“Let’s find someone wise to judge and tell,
Who’s right or wrong, in this tale we dwell.”
But a sly cat with crafty intent,
Heard their plan and off he went.

Posing wise, with a blade of grass so neat,
He sat by the river, looking so sweet.
The rabbit said, "He looks so kind and neat,
Let’s ask for his help, from where we stand, discreet.”

The cat called out, "Come, don’t delay,
I've given up hunting, come and relay.
I won’t harm, promise, come close, it’s okay,
Share your story, and we’ll find a way.”

But as they moved close, in the blink of an eye,
The cat jumped and the sky let out a sigh.
For in nature, as tales often tell,
It’s wise to think twice, or things might not go well.

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Word Finder

  1. Adventures:

    Fun and exciting experiences happening to someone.

  2. Decided:

    Made a choice about something to do.

  3. Worry:

    Feel scared or nervous something bad might happen.

  4. Empty:

    Having nothing inside; no people or things.

  5. Argued:

    Talked angrily because of a disagreement.

  6. Solution:

    The answer to a problem or question.

  7. Pretending:

    Acting like something is real, but it isn’t.

  8. Clever:

    Very smart and good at solving problems.

  9. Dangerous:

    Likely to hurt or cause harm.

  10. Realized:

    Suddenly understood something you didn’t know before.

Understanding Questions

  1. Where did the two birds live in the forest?
  2. Why did the bird feel sad after his friend did not return for many days?
  3. What did the rabbit do when he found the hole at the bottom of the tree empty?
  4. Why did the bird and the rabbit decide to ask someone wise for help?
  5. What trick did the cat use to catch the bird and the rabbit?
Word Finder
    1. Adventures:

      Fun and exciting experiences happening to someone.

    2. Decided:

      Made a choice about something to do.

    3. Worry:

      Feel scared or nervous something bad might happen.

    4. Empty:

      Having nothing inside; no people or things.

    5. Argued:

      Talked angrily because of a disagreement.

    6. Solution:

      The answer to a problem or question.

    7. Pretending:

      Acting like something is real, but it isn’t.

    8. Clever:

      Very smart and good at solving problems.

    9. Dangerous:

      Likely to hurt or cause harm.

    10. Realized:

      Suddenly understood something you didn’t know before.

    Understanding Questions
    1. What did the rabbit do when he found the hole at the bottom of the tree empty?

      1. He looked around.
      2. He went back home.
      3. He called for the bird.
      4. He found another hole.
    2. Where did the two birds live in the forest?

      1. In a tree.
      2. In a bush.
      3. On the ground.
      4. In a cave.
    3. Why did the bird feel sad after his friend did not return for many days?

      1. He missed his friend.
      2. He was hungry.
      3. He wanted to play.
      4. He was lost.
    4. Why did the bird and the rabbit decide to ask someone wise for help?

      1. They were confused.
      2. They were happy.
      3. They were bored.
      4. They were hungry.
    5. What trick did the cat use to catch the bird and the rabbit?

      1. He hid in the bushes.
      2. He climbed a tree.
      3. He made a loud noise.
      4. He pretended to be friendly.
    1. Where did the two birds live in the forest?
    2. Why did the bird feel sad after his friend did not return for many days?
    3. What did the rabbit do when he found the hole at the bottom of the tree empty?
    4. Why did the bird and the rabbit decide to ask someone wise for help?
    5. What trick did the cat use to catch the bird and the rabbit?
    1. What lesson did the bird learn from his experience?
    2. How did the rabbit feel during the adventure?
    3. What qualities make someone wise?
    4. What are the dangers of the forest?
    5. How did the friendship between the bird and the rabbit grow?
    Reflection Questions
    1. Why do you think the bird allowed the rabbit to move into the hole without opposition?
    2. What did the rabbit and the bird do when they couldn't solve their problem by themselves?
    3. How did the wild cat trick the bird and the rabbit into believing he was wise and harmless?
    4. What does this story teach us about the importance of being careful and not trusting everyone who appears friendly?
    5. Can you think of a time when it was important to be careful about who you trust, just like in this story?
    Fable Quotes
    To solve a problem, ask someone fair for help and be careful of tricks that seem too easy.
    Trust cautiously, for those who appear wise may have hidden intentions lurking within.
    Caution, a vigilant companion, keeps us safe from the traps woven by deceitful adversaries.
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