In a forest in India, a wise old crow lives alone in a comfortable nest. One day, he observes a man setting a trap for birds using rice as bait. A flock of pigeons, led by their king, falls into the trap. The king devises a plan for the pigeons to lift the net together and escape. They succeed and decide to seek help from Hiranya, a mouse, to free them from the net. The mouse, upon hearing their cries, nibbles through the net and sets them free. The crow admires the mouse's wisdom and attempts to befriend him, but the mouse is wary, suspecting the crow's intentions. Despite initial reluctance, the mouse and the crow share meals and become friends. The crow suggests visiting a tortoise named Mandharaka, who lives by a river. The mouse agrees to be carried by the crow. They reach the tortoise, who welcomes them and shares stories. One day, a deer, fleeing from hunters, stumbles upon them. The crow flies off to scout the area and reassures the deer that the hunters have left. The deer joins their group, and they enjoy a peaceful existence. However, one night, the deer gets caught in a net. The crow, unable to help directly, fetches the mouse, who frees the deer. Grateful, the deer offers to repay the mouse, who declines, valuing the act of kindness itself. Later, the tortoise is captured by the same hunter. The friends devise a plan: the deer pretends to be dead, and the crow distracts the hunter. The mouse frees the tortoise, who escapes into the river. The hunter, confused by the events, leaves empty-handed. The friends reflect on their adventures, acknowledging the mouse's cleverness and bravery. They reaffirm their bond and continue to live happily together, appreciating each other's strengths and contributions.
By S.M. Mitra · First published 1940 · Genre: Fable, Children's Literature, Adventure · 7 chapters