Short story: The Rabbit and the Frog

Copyright@shravancharitymission

By Kamlesh Tripathi

    Once upon a time three rabbits in the peak of summers assembled around the dry bushes of nearby strawberry plant. Since there was nothing available to eat in the fields because of the intense heat they were very hungry. They were also quite troubled by the pet dogs that used to escort the walkers both in the mornings and evenings. The bushes in the field had dried up and were without any leaves, so they could not even hide behind the bushes. And upon being chased by the dogs, they used to get a place to hide with great effort. With all such difficulties they had become weary of life.

    One rabbit in frustration said—‘Lord Brahma has done great injustice to our species. He has made us extremely small and weak. He has neither given us pointed horns like the deer nor sharp paws like the cat. We have no weapon to defend ourselves from our enemies. The only thing we can do is to run away from everyone. From all corners the creator of this world has only created disasters for us.

    The second rabbit in desperation said—‘I am extremely scared of this pitiable and tentative life of mine. I have decided to drown myself in the pond.’

     The third one giving up on life said—‘Even I want to die. I cannot take this sorrow anymore. I’m just going to jump in that pond.’

    ‘Let’s all go with you. Since, we all have lived together, we shall also die together.’ Voiced the first rabbit. And they all left for the pond.

    Many frogs were lying and lazing around the pond. When they saw rabbits approaching the pond, they got scared and quickly started jumping into the pond. On seeing the scared frogs jumping into the pond the first rabbit suddenly stopped and said, ‘brothers! There is no need to give our lives, come let’s go back. Because in this world of Lord Brahma there are even smaller and weaker beings than us, who live and survive, than why should we get demoralized with life and try to kill ourselves?’

    Heeding to the advice of the first rabbit they all decided to do away with the thought of committing suicide and they returned.

    Moral of the story: Whenever you feel there are serious problems on you and you are scared of life, lookout for people in this world who are sadder than you, poorer than you, who are sick and prone to difficulties. That will make you realize how better off you are and will remove the scare of life out of our mind.

                

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