Story Summary
Explore the Panchatantra tale of The Mongoose and the Farmer's Wife, a powerful story about the tragic consequences of acting on impulse and false assumptions.
A farmer and his wife lived in a small village with their infant son and a pet mongoose. One day, the wife went to the market, leaving the baby in the care of the mongoose, whom she trusted as a family member. While she was away, a venomous black cobra entered the house and crawled toward the child's cradle. The brave mongoose immediately attacked the snake, fighting a fierce battle until the cobra lay dead. When the wife returned, the mongoose ran to the door to greet her, his mouth and paws stained with blood. Consumed by a sudden, horrific fear that the animal had killed her baby, the woman acted in a fit of blind rage. She threw her heavy water pot at the mongoose, crushing it instantly. When she rushed inside, she found her baby sleeping peacefully and the mangled remains of a snake nearby. Overcome with devastating grief, she realized she had killed her loyal protector through her own impulsive haste.
The Moral
Never act in haste or anger without knowing the full truth; an impulsive decision can lead to lifelong regret.
“Haste is the mother of regret; look beyond the blood to find the truth.”
Fun Fact
This story belongs to the fifth book of the Panchatantra titled 'Apariksitakarakam,' which literally means 'Ill-considered Action' or 'Acting without Prior Examination.'
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the moral of The Mongoose and the Farmer's Wife?
The moral is to avoid acting in haste or out of anger. It teaches that one should always verify the facts before making a life-changing or irreversible decision.
Who wrote The Mongoose and the Farmer's Wife?
The story is part of the Panchatantra, an ancient Indian collection of interrelated animal fables in Sanskrit, attributed to the scholar Vishnu Sharma.
Why did the farmer's wife kill the mongoose?
She saw blood on the mongoose's mouth and immediately assumed it had harmed her baby. In her panic and grief, she acted before checking on the child.
What actually happened to the baby in the story?
The baby was completely safe and sleeping. The mongoose had actually saved the baby's life by fighting off and killing a venomous cobra.
What does the mongoose symbolize in this story?
The mongoose symbolizes loyalty, bravery, and the misunderstood protector. It represents those who serve faithfully but are judged unfairly based on appearances.
Is this story found in other cultures?
Yes, variations of this story exist worldwide, most notably the Welsh legend of Llywelyn and his hound Gelert, which shares the same tragic theme of misplaced distrust.