A Lie Saves A Life

Story: N. Mangai, N. Chokkan

Illustrations: Pratham Books

Illustrations Courtesy: Pratham Books

Released In “Creative Commons – Attribution”

Once upon a time, a monkey was climbing on a coconut tree.

When it reached the top, it noticed a strange bird sitting there, happily humming.

The bird looked at the monkey and said, ‘Hey, Who are you?’ ‘I am a monkey. WHO are you?’ asked the puzzled monkey. ‘My name is Chintoo, I come from a far away country. I don’t know anyone here. Will you be my friend?’ ‘Sure!’ agreed the monkey. ‘My name is Mathikesh. Pleased to meet you!’

At that time, a man with a drum came there and started playing it.

Mathikesh liked the tune. He felt like dancing.

So, he jumped from the tree. Immediately, the man caught the monkey and put him in a cage.

Mathikesh realized that the man with the drum is actually a hunter. Now, he didn’t know how to escape from this cage.

He looked at the bird and asked, ‘Dear friend, will you help me?’

Chintoo flew around looking for help. She saw a herd of elephants nearby, which gave her an idea. She approached the elephants and told them, ‘Beware, a magician is in this jungle. He applies a strange magic which changes elephants to monkeys. He then puts them in a cage and sells them to the circus.’

The head elephant looked at Chintoo with worried eyes. ‘Do you know how I can save my herd from that magician?’

‘Yes. If you break his drum and cage, his magic will stop working’ told Chintoo.

The elephant king was happy to hear this. He ordered all the elephants to follow him.

They walked fast and surrounded the hunter and his cage. Each elephant caught the other one’s tail and ensured that the hunter can’t escape.

One elephant snatched the drum from the hunter with its trunk, and broke it with its leg.

Another elephant kicked the cage with Mathikesh in it. The cage flew fast, it hit a tree and broke immediately.

Now, Mathikesh was free. So, he hopped away to safety.

Elephants chased the hunter who ran for his life. He was never seen again in that jungle.

Mathikesh returned and thanked Chintoo for saving his life with a smart lie.

Chintoo smiled broadly and told, ‘Come on, Let us play now!’