Three
fish lived in a pond. Their names were Anagatavidhata, Pratyutpannamati and
Yadbhavishya. Some fishermen passing by the pond wondered, Hey, we have never
seen this pond. It seems to be full of fish. It is now evening. Let us come at
dawn tomorrow and bag as many fish as we can.
Hearing
the fisherman, Anagatavidhata (the one who foresees a danger in time) called a
meeting of all the fish and told them, Haven't you heard what the fishermen
were saying? We must move out of this pond tonight itself. As the wise men have
said weak men should flee when a strong man invades or seek refuge in a fort.
There is no alternative.
The
fisherman will come tomorrow. I think we should not be here for even a moment
more, said Anagatavidhata.
That's
true. I endorse your suggestion, said Pratyutpannamati. Let's go elsewhere.
Those who are afraid of foreign lands and those who are bound to their soil
will die in their own country. He who can prosper anywhere does not die in his
own land clinging to sentiment.
Loudly
laughing, Yadbhavishya said, Your plans are not good. Why should we leave this
pond, ancient home of our forefathers, because the fishermen have evil
intentions. If it is destined, we cannot escape death even if we go elsewhere.
Everything is in the hands of God. You cannot dispose what he proposes. Without
his blessings people will die even if they have protection. With his blessings
nobody can kill them even if they do not have protection.
Unable
to convince him, the other two fish left the pond. Coming the next day, the
fishermen took a big catch of fish in the pond. Yadbhavishya was one among
them.
The
female pheasant resumed, That is why I told you that those who foresee the
problem and those who deal with the problem when it arises are always victors
and those who trust their luck are the losers.
Her
husband asked, In that case do you think I am as stupid as that Yadbhavishya?
Wait and see what I can do. I will siphon off all the water in the Sea and
leave him dry.
Don't
try to settle scores with the Sea. It will do no good to you. A weak man's
anger will hurt him in the end.
Don't
discourage me. Those who have confidence can confront stronger men. Doesn't the
lion who is small in size slash the crown of the mighty elephant? Doesn't a
small wick repel darkness? He who has courage is the stronger person. See how I
will siphon off all the water in the Sea and make him dry, said the male.
"But
hundreds of rivers flow into the sea. Your beak is just as big as a drop of the
sea. How can you consume all the water in the Sea? Stop this tall talk,
advised the female.
Not
to despair is to win the Goddess of Wealth. I have an iron beak. I will toil
day and night to siphon of all the water.
The
wife said, Okay, if you want to engage the Sea, call all of your friends and
try to do the job together. When they are united, it is difficult to defeat
even a band of weak men. Even blades of slender grass can bind an elephant if
they are woven into a rope. Haven't you heard the story of
how a sparrow, a woodpecker, a fly and a frog killed an
elephant
?
Let
me know how they did it, asked the male pheasant.
The
wife began telling the story.
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