The clever frog defeats Tiger and Elephant
- Kei Amadi Shamu bu Hangoi na Maithiba Piba -
- Animal Fables-
Fungawari Singbul by B. Jayantakumar Sharma *
Art Work - Phurailatpam Banti
Animal Fables:
Funga Wari Singbul: Page 4
Kei Amadi Shamu bu Hangoi na Maithiba Piba
Once upon a time in a forest, there lived a well built elephant and, a strong, fearless tiger.
They had never met with each other until one day when both came out in search for food at the same spot. They have no respect for each other.
The mountain seems to break when the tiger roars, and the forest seems to tremble when the elephant trumpets. All the animals fearing the outcome ran away from the forest to save their lives.
The elephant was defeated by the tiger and held hostage by him. It thought of killing and eating the elephant, but he was so full at the time, so for the time being, the elephant was kept alive.
While staying as a hostage, the elephant saw a frog on a tree nearby.
He called out, "Hey frog, don’t go away, stay next to me".
So loud was his voice that the frog got angry with him. Seeing this made the elephant angry.
Then the frog set a challenge, "whosoever wins a race will be named greater and winner" so the race began.
As soon as the race began, the frog climbs on the elephant and then jump before reaching the end. So the frog won the race and they became friends.
When the tiger found his prisoner missing, he became very angry and came searching for him. He then met the frog.
They began to argue with each other and again another race was fixed.
Using the same technique, the frog won the race. The tiger ran way after being defeated by the frog.
So, in this way, the clever frog saved the big elephant from the tiger and they lived happily ever after.
Wit can be at times better than strength.
* This is a Manipur folk tale translated from a Book in Manipuri "Fungawari Singbul" compiled by B. Jayantakumar Sharma. E-pao.net thanks B. Jayantakumar Sharma for giving permission to reproduced in this site. Translation done by Team e-pao. This was webcasted on July 22, 2011.
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