The ‘Separation of Friends’ or ‘Mitra Bheda Panchatantra’, comprises a bunch of moral stories written by Pandit Vishnu Sharma. But before we step into the story if you haven’t read the Summary of Panchatantra Stories just yet, go ahead and check it out.
Now, let us begin exploring some stories for your young ones!
Once upon a time, in a charming village in South India, there lived a wise merchant named Vardhaman.
He believed that wealth was the key to power and influence. For him, money was very important and he wanted to save more and more.
Vardhaman looked at the mirror and said to himself, “Even enemies look to be friends with a wealthy man. I want to be wealthy too. So, I will go to the beautiful & busy city of Madhura to sell my goods! I will be rich!”
Vardhaman left for Madhura in a beautifully adorned cart, pulled by two strong bullocks. Along the way, one of the bullocks, Sanjeevaka fell ill. Amid a dense jungle near the banks of the pretty river Jamuna, Sanjeevaka collapsed.
So, Vardhaman instructed his servants to take care of the sick bullock and continued travelling to Madhura.
But as soon as he departed, the servants left the suffering bullock too. Sanjeevaka was still alive, he began eating good green grass and became stronger. He began dancing and singing as he explored the forest.
In the same forest, there lived a majestic lion, Pingalaka. He ruled the animal kingdom. One day when Sanjeevaka, the happy bull danced in the forest, Pingalaka and his fellow animals were drinking water from the serene waters of Jamuna. Pingalaka heard the deafening bellow of the bullock echoing through the forest.
The sound was so terrifying that it sent shockwaves through the animal kingdom. Totally terrified, Pingalaka retreated into the forest, seeking solace and counsel among his animal subjects.
Seeing this, two jackals, Karataka and Damanaka, sons of former ministers, got confused. Karataka asked, “Damanaka, why do you think our noble king is so frightened?”
Damanaka, with a mischievous glint in his eyes, replied, “Why should we meddle in affairs that do not concern us, my dear Karataka? Have you ever heard the tale of the monkey who pulled the wedge from the log?”
Intrigued, Karataka responded, “No, please do tell me this interesting story.”
And so, Damanaka began narrating the story of the monkey.
Mitra Bheda Panchatantra – The Monkey and The Wedge
One bright and sunny day, a curious little monkey and his companions were wandering through the forest.
The young monkey’s curiosity was piqued when he spotted a peculiar object in the distance – a log of wood!
His companions, equally curious, asked, “What’s so interesting about a simple log of wood?”
Without answering, the little monkey went over the log and gazed upon the wedge firmly lodged within. His little paw reached out to touch it.
A group of woodcutters were having their lunch, not aware of the monkeys.
These woodcutters had been tirelessly working on that log all morning, successfully splitting it into sections, before taking a break to replenish their energy.
Fearing the log might close up again during their absence, they had wisely placed a sturdy wedge in the slit to prevent it from sealing shut.
The curious monkey, however, did not stop. He tugged at the wedge, much to the amazement and fear of his companions, who swiftly retreated to safety.
In a sudden and unexpected twist, the wedge snapped, and the log swiftly closed, trapping the little monkey’s leg!
While his companions fled in fear, the unfortunate monkey sat there, his leg caught in the log, waiting for the woodcutters to return from their lunch break.
Moral Lesson: You should not interfere in others’ matters unnecessarily.
Inspired by the tale, Karataka firmly stated, “We must not get involved in matters that do not concern us. We have our own source of survival. Why should we trouble ourselves about the lion’s problems?”
Damanaka, not easily influenced, responded, “Our survival does not solely depend on food, my dear Karataka. Wise must be good to the king and be in his good graces to protect our friends and prevent enemies.”
Karataka, cautious and wise, warned, “But we are no longer ministers, Damanaka. Remember the age-old saying – we must offer counsel without being asked.”
Damanaka, with an air of confidence, said, “No, my friend. Anyone who serves the king with unwavering devotion will earn his favour in due time. We must be in the good graces of the king.”
“Very well, what is your plan then?” asked Karataka.
Damanaka elaborated, “The king is consumed by fear at this moment. We shall approach him and, utilizing the six facets of diplomacy, draw closer to him.”
Sceptical, Karataka asked, “Do you have any insight into the king’s current state of mind?”
Damanaka confidently responded, “Today, I shall approach the distressed king and, with my intellect, reduce his fear, thus restoring myself as his minister.”
Karataka, now somewhat convinced, questioned, “But do you truly understand the principles of serving the king?”
Damanaka then shared the wisdom he had gained regarding the qualities that make a loyal servant in the service of a king.
Karataka, having considered his friend’s words, finally said, “In that case, Damanaka, I wish you the best of fortune.”
And so, Damanaka went to meet the king. As he approached, the guard recognized him as the son of the former minister and promptly welcomed him into the king’s presence. Damanaka humbly knelt to show his respect.
The king, King Pingalaka, greeted him warmly, saying, “It has been quite some time since we last saw you.”
Damanaka, equally humble, replied, “I may be of little use to you, Your Majesty, but the wise have often said that there are moments when even the most modest among us, high or low, may be of service to the king. Generations of my family have served you loyally. Yet, I have fallen out of your favour.”
The king, curious, responded, “Very well, whether competent or not, you are the offspring of our former minister. Please, go ahead and share what is on your mind.”
Damanaka asked, “Might I humbly inquire, Your Majesty, what caused you to return from the lake without drinking water?”
King Pingalaka, lost in thought, answered, “Damanaka, have you not heard the scary sounds coming from the distance? I have an urge to abandon this forest. Whatever creature can produce such fearsome sounds must be as formidable as they are scary.”
Damanaka, in an attempt to allay the king’s fear, offered his advice, “Your Majesty, sounds can often be deceiving. Allow me to recount to you the tale of the brave jackal and how he overcame the fear of sound.”
Intrigued, the king urged, “Please, share the story with me.”
Eager to share the story, next week… I hope you are excited too…
Here are some interesting reads for you:
A Summary of Panchatantra Stories in English to Inspire Kids
Indian Bedtime Stories for Kids: Nurturing Imagination & Joy
FAQs – The Monkey and the Wedge – Panchatantra Stories for Kids
What is Mitra Bheda Panchatantra?
Mitra Bheda Panchatantra is a collection of ancient Indian fables and stories that offer valuable moral and ethical lessons through the adventures of animal characters.
Who is the author of Mitra Bheda Panchatantra?
Mitra Bheda Panchatantra is attributed to Vishnu Sharma, an ancient Indian scholar and storyteller. He is known for compiling these tales to impart wisdom and life lessons.
What are the key themes in Mitra Bheda Panchatantra stories?
Mitra Bheda Panchatantra stories often revolve around themes such as friendship, wisdom, moral dilemmas, and the consequences of one’s actions.
Can I use Mitra Bheda Panchatantra stories to teach moral values to children?
Absolutely! Mitra Bheda Panchatantra stories are a fantastic resource for teaching children valuable life lessons and moral valengagingly and entertainingly way.
What is the significance of ‘Stories of Inspiration’ in Mitra Bheda Panchatantra?
The ‘Stories of Inspiration’ in Mitra Bheda Panchatantra are narratives that motivate and inspire readers by showcasing the triumph of wisdom, courage, and moral choices over challenges and dilemmas.
Can adults also benefit from reading Mitra Bheda Panchatantra stories?
Certainly! The timeless wisdom in Mitra Bheda Panchatantra stories is relevant to people of all ages. Adults can find valuable insights and guidance in these stories.
How can I use Mitra Bheda Panchatantra stories to inspire and educate my children?
You can use Mitra Bheda Panchatantra stories as bedtime stories, moral lessons, or even for discussions on important life values. Encourage your children to reflect on the lessons learned from these timeless tales.
What is the moral of The Monkey and The Wedge?
The moral of the story “The Monkey and the Wedge” is to highlight the consequences of unnecessary interference and curiosity. In this story, a curious monkey becomes entangled in a wedge while meddling with it, ultimately leading to its demise. The story teaches us that it is essential to recognize the boundaries and not get involved in matters that do not concern us. It illustrates the importance of minding one’s own business and not being overly curious about things that may lead to trouble. The monkey’s fate serves as a cautionary tale, emphasizing the wisdom of not meddling in situations that we do not fully understand, as it can lead to unfortunate consequences.
What is Mitra Bheda Panchatantra popularly known as?
Mitra Bheda Panchatantra is popularly known as the tale of ‘Separation of Friends’.
Who is Vardhaman in Panchatantra?
Vardhaman is a wise merchant referenced in the Mitra Bheda Panchatantra Tales.
