Name: _______________
Date: ___________________
The Clever Rabbit and the Foolish Lion
(A Panchatantra Fable)
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Long time ago, there lived a cruel lion called Dhusta, in a dense forest. He was very
powerful, ferocious and arrogant. He used to kill the animals of the forest to satisfy
his hunger. All the animals in the forest were worried that, if Dhusta kept on killing
them, none of them would be left alive. They discussed this problem among
themselves and came upon the decision to hold a meeting with the lion. They
wanted to arrive on a friendly settlement with the lion and to put an end to the
problem.
One day all the animals of the forest gathered under a big tree. Elephant stood up
and said, “Your Majesty, it’s natural that you kill us for your food. But, killing more
than what is required is not a good method. If you go on killing the animals without
any purpose, very soon a day will come, when there will be no animal left in the
forest.”
Dhusta
roared,
“So
what
do
you
want?”
Elephant replied, “Your Majesty, we have decided to send one animal daily to your
den. You can kill and eat it, the way you like. This will also save you from the trouble
of hunting.” Dhusta replied, “Fine. I agree to this proposal, but make sure that the
animal must reach to me in time, otherwise, I'll kill all the animals of the jungle."
From that day onwards, daily an animal was sent to the lion to become his food.
The lion was very happy to have his food right before him without taking any pains
of hunting. So, everyday it was the turn of one of the animals. Once, it was the turn
of a rabbit called Chatura to go to the lion’s den. Chatura was old and wise. On his
way to his death, Chatura happened upon a well and leaned over to look down
into the water. He saw his reflection, which gave him an idea. He thought of a plan
which would save his life and the lives of other animals of the forest. He took his own
sweet time to go to the lion and reached the lion’s den a little late than the usual
time.
The Lion, Dhusta was getting impatient on not seeing any animal by the time.
Dhusta got extremely furious when he saw a small rabbit for his meal. He decided
to kill all the animals.
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But the wise rabbit, Chatura was calm and slowly told the lion that it was not his
fault. Chatura with folded hands hesitatingly explained, “Your Majesty. I am not to
be blamed for that. Actually, five rabbits were sent to make your meal, but four of
them were killed by another lion. He also claimed to be the king of the forest. I
have
somehow
escaped
to
reach
here
safely."
Dhusta howled in great anger and said, “Impossible, there cannot be another king
of this forest. Tell me. Who is he? I’ll kill him. Take me to the place, where you saw
him.” The intelligent rabbit agreed and took the lion towards a deep well, filled with
water. When they reached near the well, Chatura said,” This is the place where he
lives.
Look
inside
the
well
he
might
be
hiding
there.”
Dhusta looked into the well and saw his own reflection. He thought it was the other
lion. He was enraged and started growling. Naturally the image in the water, the
other lion, was also equally angry. Not realizing that it was but his own reflection he
saw in the watery depths, Dhusta attacked his enemy and jumped into the well. He
darted
his
head
against
the
rocks
and
drowned
in
the
deep
well.
Chatura, with a sigh of relief went back to other animals and narrated the whole
story. All the animals got happy and praised the rabbit for his wit. Thus the wise
rabbit saved all the animals of the jungle from the cruel lion, and they all lived in
peace thereafter.
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The Clever Rabbit and the Foolish Lion
1. Who was Dhusta?
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
2. Why were all the animals worried?
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
3. What did the animals proposed to the lion?
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
4. Who was Chatura?
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
5. Why was the rabbit late?
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
6. How did the lion react when he saw his reflection in the well?
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
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Vocabulary Activity
Write the synonyms for the vocabulary words from the article.
1.
Dense
____________________
2.
Powerful
____________________
3.
Foolish
____________________
4.
Wise
____________________
5.
Big
____________________
6.
Daily
____________________
7.
Happy
____________________
8.
Cruel
____________________
9.
Calm
____________________
10.
Furious
____________________
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The Clever Rabbit and the Foolish Lion – ANSWER KEY
1. Who was Dhusta?
Dhusta was a cruel lion who lived in a dense forest.
2. Why were all the animals worried?
All the animals in the forest were worried that, if Dhusta kept on killing them,
none of them would be left alive.
3. What did the animals proposed to the lion?
The animals proposed to send one animal daily to the lion.
4. Who was Chatura?
Chatura was old and wise rabbit.
5. Why was the rabbit late?
The rabbit was late because he was stopped by another lion who claimed
to be the king of the forest.
6. How did the lion react when he saw his reflection in the well?
Not realizing that it was his own reflection, the lion attacked his enemy and
jumped into the well.
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Vocabulary Activity – ANSWER KEY
Write the synonyms for the vocabulary words from the article.
1.
Dense
Thick
2.
Powerful
Strong
3.
Foolish
Silly
4.
Wise
Clever
5.
Big
Large
6.
Daily
Everyday
7.
Happy
Pleased
8.
Cruel
Unkind
9.
Calm
Cool
10.
Furious
Angry
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