The Deceitful Friend

A deer and a jackal were resting under a jand tree. A crow was sitting on a branch above them. The crow flew down and sat in the shade near the deer and the jackal. The crow started a conversation, Wouldnt it be great if we three became friends Then we could stay together and find a place where we all get plenty of food.

The jackal and the deer liked the idea. They swore to be friends. The jackal said, Brother crow, you find us a place where we can get different kinds of food. The crow replied, You two wait here; I will fly around and find such a place. The crow flew around, scanning the surroundings with its sharp eyes, and finally found a suitable spot.

The crow returned and said, Brothers I have found a place where we three can eat our fill. A farmer has sown bajra (pearl millet), khakri (wild melons), and moth beans in his field nearby. I can peck at the bajra grains; you, jackal, can eat the khakri, and the deer can graze on the moth beans. Moreover, when I sit on the tall bajra plants, I will see the farmer coming from a distance and will caw loudly to alert you both. When the farmer arrives, we will all run away.

The jackal and the deer agreed, Great idea, brother crow Lets go there.

The crow flew ahead while the deer and jackal followed. They reached the farmers field. The crow sat on a bajra stalk, pecking at the grains; the deer grazed on the moth beans, and the jackal ate the khakri. They all ate their fill and then returned to their respective places. Every day, at the usual time, they visited the farmers field, ate, and left. The farmer was very troubled as his crops were being destroyed daily.

One day, the farmer sat under a berry tree with his lunch basket and a pot of buttermilk, thinking about how to stop the animals from ruining his crops. He realized that the crow and the jackal were cunning, but the deer was innocent. So, he decided to trap the deer. That night, he set a strong snare in the field.

The next day, as the deer was grazing on the moth beans, its leg got caught in the trap. It struggled to free itself. The crow quickly flew to the deer and called the jackal. The three of them wondered how to save the deer.

The crow said, If the farmer comes, he will surely kill the deer. We have sworn to stand by each other in times of trouble. I cant open the snare with my beak because it is made of tough leather and wood. But you, jackal, can cut through the leather with your sharp teeth. Once the snare loosens, the deer can free its leg.

The jackal, however, thought to himself, I eat khakri every day, but today, I will get to eat meat The farmer wont take all of the deers meat with him, and whatever is left will be mine.

The crow asked again, Jackal, will you help

The jackal made an excuse, saying, Brother, today I am fasting for Sankat Chauth. I cant even swallow my own spit. If I bite through the leather, my fast will break.

The crow felt betrayed. He then said, Alright, then hide in those bushes near the berry tree where the farmer keeps his lunch basket. Lets see what happens.

The jackal went and hid. The crow flew away but secretly returned to the deer. He advised, Brother, listen carefully. Farmers are simple-minded. Pretend to be dead. Lie still and stop breathing. When the farmer arrives, he will check if you are alive. If he thinks you are dead, he will remove you from the snare. Stay motionless. I will keep an eye from above. As soon as he sets you free, I will fly to his lunch basket and start cawing loudly. When he runs toward me to save his food, you must run away.

Everything happened as planned. The farmer thought the deer was dead and removed its leg from the trap. At that moment, the crow flew to the lunch basket and started cawing loudly. The farmer, fearing his food would be ruined, ran toward the crow with his axe. As he swung his axe, it missed the crow and accidentally hit the jackal hiding in the bushes, injuring its ear. The jackal screamed in pain and ran away.

The crow, flying high above, laughed and said

Jackal, you fasted for Sankat Chauth,

Yet you didnt cut the snare,

You betrayed your friends,

And now you got an axe on your ear