The Snake Who Carried Frogs
An old snake tells the frogs that a brahmin has cursed him to serve as their vehicle. The frog king is delighted with the ride.
Near the Varuna mountain there lived an old black snake named Mandavisha. He thought: "Now that I am old, how shall I live comfortably?"
He went to a pond full of frogs and lay down at the edge of it looking utterly dejected. A frog sitting near the water asked: "Uncle! Why aren't you out looking for food today as you always are?"
The snake said: "My dear, what appetite has a wretch like me? Last night I went out to feed, and on the way I saw a brahmin's son. I bit him, and he died at once. Then his father, wild with grief, cursed me: 'Wicked creature! You bit my innocent son; so from now on you shall be the vehicle of frogs, and shall live on whatever they choose to give you.' That is why I have come to be your mount."
The frogs reported this to their king Jalapada. Delighted, the king came with his ministers and climbed onto the snake's hood; the others got onto his back as they pleased, and the rest ran along behind. Mandavisha carried them with such skill and such elegance of motion that Jalapada was quite charmed by the ride.
The next day Mandavisha moved slowly and feebly. Jalapada asked: "Why do you not carry us as well as before?" The snake said: "Master, today I have no strength to carry you, for want of food."
Jalapada said: "Then eat the small frogs." At that the snake's whole body thrilled, and he said: "That is precisely the curse the brahmin laid on me; so I am glad of your word."
And eating frogs steadily, in a few days he grew strong. Well pleased, he laughed to himself: "The frogs are caught fast in my deception — how long can they last, being eaten by me?"
Jalapada, charmed by the snake's flattery, understood nothing at all. Then another huge black snake came by, and seeing Mandavisha carrying frogs was astonished: "Friend! You carry on your head the very creatures that are our food? This is absurd." Mandavisha said: "I know all of it — that I am being ridden by them. But I am biding my time, as that brahmin did who was blinded with ghee."
मण्डूका विषधा होते छलघोपसमाहिता । कियन्तं कालमक्षीणा भविष्ये खादिता मम ॥
Moral: The frogs are caught fast in my deception — how long can they last, being eaten by me?
From the Panchatantra, Book III — Of Crows and Owls.
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