Vishnu Sharma
|
India

The Dog who went Abroad

Chitranga, a hungry dog, left his town in search of food, found plenty in a new town but faced danger and realized home is best.
Appreciation
Adaptability
Contentment
Panchatantra Fables - The Dog who went Abroad
Audio available for B1 version

Once upon a time, there was a dog named Chitranga who lived in a little town. This town had a big problem - a terrible famine had hit, and there was almost no food left for anyone.

People were so hungry that they didn't have enough food to share with the animals. Dogs, cows, and all the other animals were super hungry, and some of them didn't make it because of the lack of food.

Chitranga was too hungry and sad, and he thought that maybe he needed to leave the town to find a place where food was plenty and life was better.

So, off he went on a long journey and reached a new town. In this new place, he spotted an open door in a big, beautiful house. The door was left open by mistake by a wealthy lady who lived there. Seeing this, Chitranga sneaked in and found lots of yummy food inside. He hadn't eaten for such a long time and so he ate until his belly was full. Then, he decided to leave quietly.

But just as he was leaving, the neighborhood dogs spotted him. They knew he wasn't from their town and began to chase him. Because Chitranga's belly was so full, he couldn't run fast, and the other dogs caught up and bit him with their sharp teeth.

He managed to escape, but he was very hurt. He thought to himself, "Even if my town doesn't have food, at least it's peaceful. I should go back home."

And so, he went back to his own town. When he got there, all the other hungry dogs were curious. They gathered around him and asked, "Tell us about the town you visited. What was it like? Were there kind people? Was there lots of food?"

Chitranga sighed and said, "Dear friends, in that town, the people are a bit careless. They leave their doors and windows open, and there's plenty of food. But the dogs there aren't very nice. They don't care if you're a guest. They can be very mean."

And so, Chitranga learnt that even though a place might seem better, it's always nicer to be home where you're loved and safe.

Once upon a time in a little village where even the ants were on a diet, there was a dog named Chitranga. "Oh boy, I'm so hungry I could eat a... well, anything, really!"

He looked around at his buddies, like cows and birds, all looking like they needed a snack, fast. "Wow, it's so quiet here you could hear a flea sneeze," Chitranga said. "I've gotta find someplace with more action...and food!"

So, Chitranga put on his walking paws and went off on an adventure. After a lot of walking and sniffing, he found a new town. And guess what? There was a huge house with the door wide open. "Well, that looks like an invitation!" Chitranga giggled as he tip-toed inside.

Inside, it was like a food party! Meat, cheese, cookies—you name it! "Woo-hoo! It's chow time!" Chitranga jumped right in, gobbling and nibbling until his tummy was round like a bouncy ball. "Ah, I'm so full I could roll! Time to sneak out."

But just as he was wiggling his way out, some dogs from the neighborhood spotted him. "Hey, who's that? Get him!" they barked really loud.

Chitranga tried to run, but with his big belly, he more like wobbled. "Uh-oh, too much munching, not enough crunching!" The local dogs caught up with him, and let's just say, they weren't in a sharing mood.

Somehow, Chitranga got away, but he had some new ouchies. "Wow, that was tough! Back home, we might not have a lot to eat, but at least we're nice to each other."

So he walked, and walked, and walked some more until he got back to his own village. All his hungry friends were super curious. "What happened? Did you find cookies? Was it like a dream?"

Chitranga shook his head and said, "Well, the place had a lot of food, like a never-ending snack bowl. But the dogs there? They don't play nice. Not nice at all."

And just like that, Chitranga knew: even if his old home didn't have a mountain of treats, it was still the best place to be. Because nothing is better than hanging out with friends who make you laugh—even if your tummy's still a bit rumbly.

Chitranga the dog felt so down,
In a hungry, quiet, foodless town.
No treats to munch, no bowls to lick,
This famine made everyone sick.

With a woeful howl and a drooping tail,
Chitranga thought, "It's time to set sail.
To a new place with feasts galore,
Where my belly won't ache anymore."

So off he trotted, far and wide,
Until a lovely town did he bide.
A mansion grand with an open door,
Smelled like the snacks he'd been looking for.

He snuck inside, oh what a feast!
He ate and ate, from west to east.
Stomach full, he tried to go,
Thinking no one would ever know.

But oh no, dogs from 'round the block,
Chased him fast, tick-tock, tick-tock.
His full tummy slowed him down,
And he got bit, on the edge of town.

Chitranga thought as he fled away,
"Maybe home is where I should stay.
For even with no food to spare,
At least there's love and peace in there."

Back he went, his friends did say,
"Tell us, pal, about your getaway!
Was it nice? Were treats in sight?
Did they share without a fight?"

He sighed and said, "Listen close, my crew,
That town had food, that much is true.
But the dogs were mean, they didn't care,
If you were a visitor from elsewhere."

Chitranga learned, through journey's end,
That home is where you find a friend.
Sometimes you think you'll find a dream,
But love and peace are the finest theme.

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Understanding Questions

Reflection Questions

  1. Why do you think Chitranga decided to leave his hometown in search of food?
  2. What made the new town seem appealing to Chitranga, and why did he decide to sneak into the house?
  3. How do you think Chitranga felt when the neighborhood dogs chased and bit him, even after he found food?
  4. Why do you think Chitranga decided to return to his hometown, even though there was still a famine?
  5. What lesson did Chitranga learn from his adventure and how can we apply this lesson in our own lives?

Fable Quotes

Home may not have everything, but its love and safety are treasures worth appreciating.
Sometimes, the best place to be is where you can adapt and thrive with what you have.
Even in scarcity, home's warmth outshines all other treasures.
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