The Clever Donkey's Fake Faint: A Panchatantra Story

Once upon a time, in a small village, there lived a hardworking donkey named Ganesh. Ganesh was not only known for his strength but also for his mischievous and clever streak.

The Plan to Market

One day, Ashok, the farmer who owned Ganesh, had a plan to take him to the market to sell. However, their journey was not smooth; they had to cross a river to reach the market.

Crossing the Shallow River

As they approached the river, Ganesh noticed that the river was shallow, and the water level was low. The donkey, being clever, had an ingenious idea. Pretending to stumble, he could use the situation to his advantage. Ganesh fell into the water, causing Ashok to panic and attempt to pull him out. Strangely enough, Ganesh did not want to come out easily and played the part of a scared donkey, splashing around in the water.

The Spectator’s Help

A passerby noticed this unusual scene and offered to help. Together, Ashok and the spectator tried to pull Ganesh out, but the donkey resisted with all his might. When a rope was suggested to be tied around Ganesh’s neck, the donkey seized his opportunity to act even more helpless. He started yelling and thrashing about, creating a commotion.

Community Effort

People passing by stopped to help. They all grabbed the rope and pulled with all their strength. However, to their surprise, Ganesh did not move an inch. The clever donkey continued his act until everyone was completely convinced that he was stuck and helpless.

The Clever Escape

Finally, the commotion attracted more attention, and Ganesh knew it was the perfect moment to act. He stood up, pulled the rope, and walked out of the water as if nothing had happened. Everyone in the village stood amazed, astonished by Ganesh’s cleverness. Ashok, inspired by this display, saw that Ganesh was indeed a smart donkey and decided not to sell him.

The Donkey's Respect in the Village

From that day forward, Ganesh became a respected member of the village. People came from far and wide to witness his intelligence and wit. This story teaches us that sometimes pretending to be weak or helpless can bring more advantages than being strong and powerful.

The Moral of the Story

The moral of the story is a timeless lesson: clever deception and wit can often lead to better outcomes than brute strength. This Panchatantra story emphasizes the value of intelligence and quick thinking in achieving one's goals.