A fox once tore its face while stealing some food. The wound left a scar which made its expression look as if it was smiling and sound as if it was singing. The smiling face attracted one curious little doe. The fox smiled and sang for her for some time and then ate her up. The fox did not need to hunt but just walk lazily near its hole smiling and singing. Many innocent animals were attracted and were merrily eaten.
When the tiger was passing by dragging its prey, the fox called out, ‘Come O Lord. This is your place. Please be gracious and have your meal here’. The tiger was pleased and as it was eating the fox smiled and sang. The content tiger left the remaining portion of the prey there and went away. As the fox escorted it out, it said sweetly ‘Do come again Lord, to your place’.
Soon the King Lion noticed that the animals were decreasing alarmingly. It came to investigate. The Fox sweetly called, ‘O King, please come in to your place. Do help yourself to whatever you find here’. The Lion looked in and found too many bones, rotting flesh and a fat fox waging its plump tail.
‘Thank you, O fox’ the Lion said and pounced on the surprised fox and tore away a large chunk of its tail.
‘Your tail is very tasty to chew, I will come for the rest later’ said the lion.
‘Do come, O King, but I am afraid my flesh won’t taste good any more, because I am hunting again’ said the fox bitter-sweetly and ran away.
Swami Sampurnananda
31st May 2009, 7.00 p.m.
Belur Math
The Old Math (Mother’s Place)
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