A Crow and his Three Friends

Name: A Crow and his Three Friends
Author: S.M. Mitra

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 · 4,380 words

First lines

In the branches of a great tree, in a forest in India, lived a wise old crow in a very comfortable, well-built nest. His wife was dead, and all his children were getting their own living; so he had nothing to do but to look after himself. He led a very easy existence, but took a great interest in the affairs of his neighbours. One day, popping his head over the edge of his home, he saw a fierce-looking man stalking along, carrying a stick in one hand and a net in the other.

What this Textopian page supports

A Crow and his Three Friends is listed on Textopian as a short story by S.M. Mitra, dated 1940 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

Work type: Short story
Author: S.M. Mitra
Date: 1940 CE
Language: English
Genres: Fable, Children's Literature, Adventure, Fantasy, Moral Story
Length: 4,380 words
Structure: 7 chapters, 44 paragraphs
Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)

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Work identity for A Crow and his Three Friends by S.M. Mitra
Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters

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Similar titles

Genres

Fable — The story features anthropomorphized animals and conveys moral lessons, typical of fables.
Children's Literature — The narrative style and themes are suitable for a young audience, focusing on friendship and cooperation.
Adventure — The characters embark on various adventures, facing challenges and dangers together.
Fantasy — The story includes talking animals and fantastical elements, creating a whimsical setting.