“Your Majesty, sounds can often be deceiving. Allow me to recount to you a hungry jackal story and how he overcame the fear of sound.”, Damanaka says, in an attempt to relieve King Pingalaka’s fear.
Want some context to what is this all about, go ahead and read Mitra Bheda Panchatantra Tales: Stories of Inspiration. If you already have some fair idea, let us listen to what story Damanaka has for us.
Now, Damanaka starts narrating the story of Gomaya, the jackal, to King Pingalaka. This is one of the many Panchatantra stories in english that kids would love.
Two long days had passed without a morsel of food. The jackal’s belly rumbled so loudly that even the forest itself seemed to tremble.
Just then, he heard a very loud sound – a thunderous, earth-shattering roar.
The forest is usually quiet, with the gentle sound of the breeze and the occasional chirping of birds. In the peaceful of the forest, this deafening sound is really scary. Fear gripped Gomaya, and he hastily sought shelter behind a nearby tree.
He speculated that a colossal and menacing beast must be lurking nearby and that thunderous roar could only be the growl of its enormous belly.
It was a beast so fearsome that not even the mightiest of lions could produce such a sound. This had to be a new, formidable creature.
As he pondered, his imagination ran wild, and his fear escalated with each passing moment. Panic gripped him from all sides.
Then, a novel idea dawned on him – why assume the source of the sound without first laying eyes on it?
So, he gathered his courage and stealthily ventured towards the source of the thunderous rumble.
His heart raced as he approached the source of the sound. Suddenly, he beheld the astonishing truth.
The very next moment, Gomaya started laughing uncontrollably. What he had feared to be a monstrous beast was nothing more than an abandoned battle drum in the forest.
It was merely being struck by a branch swaying in the wind.
As he approached the drum, he discovered a feast of delectable food left beside it, a gift from an unknown benefactor. Gomaya finally had his long-awaited meal!
Damanaka concluded his story with a moral lesson:
📝 “Your Majesty, it is unwise to be governed by fear of sounds. Might I suggest I investigate the source of these sounds?”
King Pingalaka, his fears somewhat reduced, granted permission for Damanaka to go ahead and uncover the source of the mysterious sounds.
However, the king remained cautious, harbouring suspicions about Damanaka’s true intentions. “Could he hold a grudge against me for dismissing him in the past? Such individuals often seek revenge. Perhaps I have erred in trusting him so readily,” the king pondered.
Keeping a watchful eye on Damanaka, King Pingalaka saw the crafty jackal approach Sanjeevaka, who was still clueless about the world beyond his jungle refuge.
A hint of relief washed over the king as he realized that Sanjeevaka was, after all, just an ordinary creature.
It was an auspicious sign, for kings seldom heeded their ministers’ advice unless faced with peril or distress. Just as a healthy person rarely thinks of a doctor, a powerful and secure king seldom feels the need for a minister.
Assured that Sanjeevaka posed no threat, Damanaka returned to the king and reported his findings. King Pingalaka inquired, “Is this the truth?”
Damanaka, ever loyal, assured the king, “Your Majesty, lying to a king leads to one’s downfall. The power to bestow favour or punishment lies solely with the king.”
The king, convinced by Damanaka’s words, declared, “I believe you. Truly great individuals do not harm the weak; they challenge their equals. That is the mark of a truly brave soul.”
Damanaka continued, “Indeed, Your Majesty. Sanjeevaka is a remarkable creature. With your permission, I shall persuade him to become one of your loyal subjects.”
The king readily agreed, saying, “Very well. You have convinced me, Damanaka. I shall reinstate you as my minister.”
Damanaka wasted no time, hurrying back to Sanjeevaka with the joyful news. He implored the bullock to cease his distressful bellowing and accompany him to meet King Pingalaka.
However, Sanjeevaka, wary of the unknown, inquired, “Who is this Pingalaka, and can you assure me that no harm will befall me?”
Damanaka assured the anxious bullock, “Have patience, dear Sanjeevaka. You are in the hands of someone wise and resourceful. Rest assured, your safety is my utmost concern. I will introduce you to the king at the right time.”
Returning to the king, Damanaka shared his plan.
“Your Majesty, Sanjeevaka is no ordinary creature. He believes himself to be the divine vehicle of Lord Shiva, and he claims to have received permission to graze upon the tender grass near the Jamuna. However, I have convinced him that these lands belong to our noble lion king, who is the chosen vehicle of the goddess Chandika. As our esteemed guest, he may meet with you and request a separate grazing area, with your blessing, of course.”
The king consented, and Damanaka successfully secured an audience for Sanjeevaka. The anxious bullock, after receiving the king’s assurance, agreed to meet him.
But Sanjeevaka, still uncertain, hesitated and pleaded with Damanaka. “Sir, you seem to possess great wisdom and wit. You alone can safeguard me. I shall come to meet the king, provided you can ensure my safety.”
Damanaka instructed Sanjeevaka to wait for the opportune moment to meet the king.
Returning to the king, Damanaka relayed a fictional narrative to further establish Sanjeevaka’s credibility.
“Your Majesty, he is no ordinary creature. He claims to be the divine vehicle of Lord Shiva and shares that Lord Shiva has permitted him to graze upon the lush grass near the Jamuna. Yet, I explained that this forest rightfully belongs to our lion king, the divine vehicle of goddess Chandika. You are our honoured guest. Sanjeevaka would like to meet you to request a separate grazing area, but he seeks assurance from Your Majesty.”
King Pingalaka, understanding the situation, responded, “Certainly, I shall grant my assurance. However, I shall need assurance from him in return. Bring him to me.”
Damanaka went back to Sanjeevaka and explained the terms to him.
“Your assurance has been granted by the king, but remember, this newfound status should not go to your head. We must work together for mutual prosperity, for those who fail to respect all, high or low, will forfeit the favour of kings, as exemplified by the story of Dantila.”
Perplexed, Sanjeevaka asked, “Tell me more about Dantila.”
Moral Lesson: When you walk towards the challenges in life, success walks towards you.
Damanaka’s story of “The Fall and Rise of a Merchant” next time around! Stay tuned!
What is the story “A Hungry Jackal Story” all about?
“A Hungry Jackal Story” is about a jackal named Gomaya who overcomes his fear of a loud sound in the forest, which he initially thinks is a fearsome beast. He later discovers that the source of the sound is just an abandoned battle drum and finds food nearby. It is also known as the story of, “The Jackal and the Drum” from Mitra Bheda Panchatantra.
Who is Damanaka in the story, and what role does he play?
Damanaka is a character in the story who narrates the tale of Gomaya to King Pingalaka. He serves as a storyteller and imparts a moral lesson to the king.
What is the moral lesson of “A Hungry Jackal Story”?
The moral lesson of the story is that one should not be governed by fear of sounds and should investigate the source of their fears before making assumptions. It encourages bravery and rational thinking. Panchatantra stories with moral in english, are worth all the effort going through reading them, right?
How does King Pingalaka react to the story, and what does he decide to do?
King Pingalaka, after hearing the story from Damanaka, permits him to investigate the source of the mysterious sounds. However, he remains cautious and suspicious of Damanaka’s intentions. This is an excerpt from “Panchatantra Stories for Kids – A Hungry Jackal Story”
Who is Sanjeevaka from Panchatantra stories in English, and how does he fit into the story?
Sanjeevaka is introduced later in the story as a bullock. Damanaka convinces Sanjeevaka to meet King Pingalaka and secure a separate grazing area with the king’s blessing. Sanjeevaka is initially hesitant and seeks assurance of his safety.
How does Damanaka establish Sanjeevaka’s credibility with King Pingalaka?
Damanaka tells King Pingalaka a fictional narrative about Sanjeevaka being the divine vehicle of Lord Shiva, who has received permission to graze near the Jamuna. He persuades the king to meet Sanjeevaka and grant him the assurance he seeks.
What is the significance of the story of Dantila mentioned in this story?
The story briefly mentions the story of Dantila to emphasize the importance of respecting others and working together for mutual prosperity. It suggests that failing to respect others can lead to the loss of favour, as exemplified by Dantila’s story.
Will there be another story by Damanaka in the future?
Yes, the article hints at another story by Damanaka called “The Fall and Rise of a Merchant” in the future. These short Panchatantra stories are filled with moral lessons. Stay tuned!
Is there a link to read more Panchatantra stories in English for kids?
Yes, read more Panchatantra stories in English for kids, here. You can find additional stories in the mentioned source.
