A tiger once attacked a group of bandits who were camping in the forest after looting some travellers. The tiger kept a golden bangle from the loot for himself, as it glitter and somehow pleased his senses. As days passed, the tiger found his strength waning and ability to catch prey decreasing.
it suddenly struck him that instead of running after his prey he would have to adopt some other strategy to ensnare the smaller animals. So daily he would wait in the tall grass growing on the edges of a marshy lake and on sighting a traveller, wave the golden bangle as a white flag of peace. The unwitting traveller would be enticed and as soon as he drew near the tall grass, the tiger would pounce upon him and devour him in on time.
A very poor Brahmin named Hari happened to pass through the forest one day. The tiger imitating a male voice called out to him, ?Please take this bangle as it is of no use to me. I want to give it to you.?
Hari looked around in surprise but could not seen anyone. Suddenly he saw a golden bangle glittering behind the grass reeds. As he drew near, he saw the tiger'spaw holding that bangle. Terrified at the sight, Hair turned to make his escape when the tiger spoke out, ?Wait, I will not eat you. I just wish to give you this golden bangle as a token of peace.?
Hari waited for a few minutes to check if the tiger would follow him or pounce upon him. On seeing no such move, Hari asked boldly, ?Oh Tiger, how can I know that you will not kill me if I were to come near you??
The tiger replied, ?Sir, you have nothing to fear from me. As you can see for yourself, my teeth are half gone with wear and tear and my claws have become blunt with age. I am no longer interested in killing human beings and to make amends for my past deeds, I want to give you this bangle.?
Unable to curb his greed, the Brahmin drew near to take the bangle. Immediately the tiger pounced upon him and the last thought that came to his mind before dying was, ?Oh, what a fool was I to trust a wild beast.?
An enemy will always be an enemy.
(Based on a story from the Hitopdesha.)
?MG
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