Panchatantra Stories

1 The Lion and the Bull Do not believe gossip about a friend. Go and ask your friend instead. 2 The Monkey and the Wedge Do not poke into work that is not yours to do. 3 The Jackal and the War Drum Look before you run away. Many scary sounds are nothing at all. 4 The Blue Jackal Pretending to be someone else never lasts. Be who you really are. 5 The Clever Rabbit and the Lion A small friend with a big brain can solve a very big problem. 6 The Crow and the Snake When you cannot win by strength, win by thinking. 7 The Heron and the Crab A lie may work for a while, but it always gets found out. 8 The Sandpiper and the Sea Never give up, even when the task looks far too big. 9 The Turtle Who Talked Too Much Sometimes the wisest thing is to say nothing at all. 10 The Elephant and the Sparrow Many small friends together can do what one strong one cannot. 11 The Wise Old Goose Listen to those who have seen more than you. Small problems grow big. 12 The Monkeys and the Firefly Advice only helps the person who is willing to listen. 13 Right-Mind and Wrong-Mind A lie needs more lies to hold it up, and the whole pile falls down. 14 The Mice That Ate Iron If you are unfair to someone, you may soon feel the same unfairness yourself. 15 The Three Fish It is best to plan ahead. Waiting for trouble is a poor plan. 16 The Foolish Friend A friend who does not think can do more harm than a person who dislikes you. 17 The Grateful Animals Say thank you and mean it. Kindness deserves kindness back. 18 The Camel Who Trusted Wrongly Choose your friends slowly. Sweet words are not the same as true care. 19 A Cure Worse Than the Illness Think whether your help will really help, or only make things worse. 20 The Jackal Between Two Rams Do not step into a quarrel that has nothing to do with you.

21 The Four Friends Friends who are different can help each other in different ways. 22 The Doves and the Hunter's Net When everyone pulls together, even a trap cannot hold you. 23 The Mouse Who Cut the Net A good leader thinks of others before thinking of himself. 24 The Deer Who Was Trapped Real friends come when you need them, even if it is difficult. 25 The Two-Headed Bird When you hurt someone in your own family, you hurt yourself as well. 26 The Elephants and the Mice Be kind to those smaller than you. One day they may be the ones who help you. 27 Sesame for Sesame If a deal looks too good, stop and ask why. 28 The Greedy Jackal and the Bow Greed makes people take one bite too many. 29 The Crab Who Saved a Life Even the smallest friend can save the day. 30 The Monk and the Little Mouse What we have inside changes what we believe we can do. 31 The Barber Who Saw Gold Copying what someone does, without understanding why, leads to trouble. 32 The Man Who Got What Was Coming What you give out tends to come back to you. 33 Soft the Weaver's Wish Think carefully before you ask for something. You might get it. 34 The Hunter, the Deer and the Jackal Wanting everything at once often means getting nothing at all. 35 The Wise Old Bird A warning costs nothing to hear, but ignoring it can cost a lot. 36 The Crow Who Won a Friend Trust is built slowly, by keeping your word again and again. 37 The Turtle's Welcome Making room for someone new can be the start of a long friendship. 38 The Weaver's Two Choices A house full of friends is richer than a house full of things. 39 The Deer, the Crow and the Jackal New friends may be sweet, but old friends are the ones who stay. 40 All Four Together Again The friends who stand by you are your greatest treasure.

41 The Crows and the Owls Many quarrels carry on long after everyone has forgotten the reason. 42 How the Birds Chose a King Choose a leader who can do the job, not just one who looks the part. 43 The Moon in the Lake A clever word can do what a big body cannot. 44 The Cat's Judgment Do not let a stranger settle your quarrel just because he speaks sweetly. 45 The Brahmin's Goat If many people repeat something, it still does not make it true. 46 The Snake and the Ants Never think you are too big to be taught something. 47 The Snake Who Paid Gold Wanting everything at once can cost you the little you already had. 48 The Birds Who Would Not Help A group that does not help each other is easy to hurt. 49 The Dove Who Gave Everything Kindness can change the heart of someone who came to do harm. 50 The Thief and the Demon When bad plans argue with each other, good people often escape. 51 The Mouse Who Became a Girl You are happiest being who you truly are. 52 The Bird with Golden Feathers Grabbing at a good thing can make it disappear. 53 The Cave That Talked A calm mind can find the truth by asking one good question. 54 The Frog Who Rode a Snake Be careful who you invite into your own home. 55 The Sage's Changing Pet Changing how you look does not change who you are inside. 56 The Foolish Frogs Ask for what is good for you, not just for what looks grand. 57 The Cobra and the Gold Coin Do not trade a friendship for something you can hold in your hand. 58 The Crow Who Made a Plan Patience and a plan can do what shouting and fighting never could. 59 The Old Owl's Warning One careful voice is worth listening to, even when everyone disagrees. 60 Peace at Last Winning a quarrel is not the same as living in peace.

61 The Monkey and the Crocodile Keep your head when you are frightened. A calm mind finds the way out. 62 The Donkey with No Sense If something frightened you once, stop and think before going back. 63 The Potter and His Scar It is better to be good at your own work than to pretend at someone else's. 64 The Jackal Who Killed No Elephants A boast is a promise you may have to keep. 65 The Donkey in the Tiger Skin A costume cannot hide who you really are for very long. 66 The Sparrow and the Monkey Even true advice can hurt if you give it unkindly. 67 The Dog Who Went Abroad A full stomach is not worth much without peace and people who know you. 68 The Camel's Bell A habit that feels nice can also lead trouble straight to you. 69 The Frog and the Golden Ring Showing off can cost you more than the shiny thing is worth. 70 The Jackal's Quick Thinking When you cannot run, stop and think. Panic makes everything harder. 71 The King and the Foolish Adviser The advice that sounds most exciting is not always the advice you need. 72 The Two Traders Your good name is worth more than anything you can sell. 73 The Crane Who Lost His Pond Be thankful for what feeds you. It may be better than it looks. 74 The Bullock Left Behind Do not judge someone by the noise they make. Go and meet them. 75 The Parrot Who Repeated Everything Repeating words is not the same as understanding them. 76 The Fox and the Drumstick Tree Some good things only come to those who can wait. 77 The Peacock and the Rain Do your part well. You do not have to control everything. 78 The Tortoise Who Left the Pond Find the place where your own gift works best. 79 The Merchant Who Forgot His Friend Do not leave old friends behind when things go well. 80 The Monkey Who Went Back You can forgive someone and still be careful with them.

81 The Loyal Mongoose Look at the whole picture before you decide. Hasty thoughts hurt people. 82 The Four Treasure Seekers Knowing when you have enough is a kind of wisdom. 83 The Lion Makers Cleverness without common sense can be dangerous. 84 The Two Fish and the Frog Cleverness used too late is no cleverness at all. 85 The Musical Donkey Not every feeling needs to be announced out loud. 86 The Weaver Who Rushed Rushing a decision often costs more time than thinking would have. 87 The Dreamer and the Pot Enjoy your dreams, but keep your hands on today. 88 The Barber Who Was Too Quick Act after you think, not before. 89 The Monkey Who Held a Grudge Holding a grudge costs you far more than it costs anyone else. 90 The Two Friends and the Bear You find out who your friends are when things get difficult. 91 The Bird Who Guarded the Sea Take care of what is really yours to take care of. 92 The Cat Who Wanted Wings Instead of wishing for someone else's gift, use your own. 93 The Elephant Who Would Not Ask Asking for help is not weak. Staying stuck is. 94 The Squirrel and the Storm A little done every day becomes a lot when you need it. 95 The Ox Who Judged Too Fast Find out the facts before you blame anyone. 96 The Fisherman's Three Nets Small jobs left undone become big problems later. 97 The Deer Who Forgot to Look Being good at something does not mean you can stop paying attention. 98 The Woodcutter's Honest Answer Honesty is worth more than gold, and often brings it too. 99 The Three Wise Words Knowing a wise saying is easy. Remembering it when it matters is the hard part. 100 The Last Lesson The best lessons arrive as stories, and stay with you for life.