OBEY THE ELDERS

Far away from the village on the slopes of the mountain range there was a huge banyan tree. A partridge, a monkey and an elephant made this banyan tree their home. These there were friends. Yet, they often quarreled among themselves. They did not respect or obey each other. Constant quarrels made their lives very unpleasant. They lived in this manner for some time. When they no longer could bear to live this unpleasant life they eagerly thought of a way to settle their problems. They decided to find out which of them was most senior, and then to honour, respect and obey him.

One day they got a bright idea. The partridge and the money went near the elephant and asked, “Dear friend elephant, we want to ask you something. The three of us have been living under this banyan tree for a long period of time. Can you please tell us, for how long have you known this banyan tree?

The elephant chuckled and this shook his burly body He flapped his winnowing fan like ears and scratched his head with the truck. Then he said in a deep voice.

“ You know, when I was a baby elephant I used to walk about this place while my parents kept watching from a distance. This banyan tree was then a small bush. I used to stand astride over it. At such moments its topmost branches toughed my belly giving me a ticklish feeling.” Saying so, he chuckled loud as if he is being tickled.

“When did you fist see this banyan tree, asked the elephant from the monkey?

My friends, when I was very young I used to run about this place eating tender leaves. I remember how at times. I used to sit near the banyan tree just as we do now. Then I had only to stretch out my neck as I sat on the ground, and I could eat the topmost tender leaves.”

That means you are elder to me,” said the elephant.

 “How big was the banyan tree when you first came here?” The elephant and the monkey asked partridge.

“How big was this banyan tree when I first came here?” Repeated the partridge? “When I first came here there was no banyan tree. The banyan tree that was closest to the place was at a fair distance way from here. I remember that I used to fly around, perch on that tree and eat its seeds. When I found my belly full, I used to fly away. On one occasion I dropped some dung here and along with the dung a banyan seed. This tree sprouted from that seed”.

Both the monkey and the elephant were surprised “You are so tiny, but you are the oldest among us. From now onwards we will consider you our senior. We will respect you and obey you”. Ever since then the three friends lived happily.