The Tale of Two Fishes and a Frog

Panchtantra Stories

A lake was home to two fishes named Sahasrabuddhi and Satabuddhi. They were friends with a frog named Ekabuddhi, and they would meet and gossip on the banks of the lake every day. One day, they observed some fishermen passing by. They noticed the lake was full of fishes, and discussed that they would return next morning to catch the fishes in the lake. The fish heard their conversation and were very worried. Then the frog asked Satabuddhi for advice.  "O Satabuddhi, you have heard what the fishermen were planning. Now tell us what we should do. Should we remain in the lake or go somewhere else."  Sahsrabuddhi answered the question, "Don’t worry. You should not be scared by just words. The learned have said "The world is still safe because the dreams of snakes and wicked men never come true." The fishermen may not even come tomorrow. If they come, I am here to save you."  Satabuddhi said, "You are a genius. What you say is correct. There is nothing that accomplished men cannot conquer. Remember how Chanakya had killed all the armed Nandas.  "Where one cannot pierce sun and wind The wits of a resourceful man enter. One should not leave motherland, for, Nothing is happier than one’s own land."  Then, Ekabuddhi, the frog, said, "Friends, flight is the only thing I know. So, I and my wife will leave this place tonight itself." Accordingly, the frog left the lake immediately. Next day, the fishermen came and netted lot of fish, frogs, crabs, turtles etc. and also Satabuddhi and Sahasrabuddhi and killed all of them. One of them carried Satabuddhi on his head because he was heavier and slung Sahsrabuddhi to his arm because he was long.  Ekabuddhi showed this scene to his wife and said, "Didn’t I tell you what the fishermen will do? Now, see the plight of Satabuddhi and Sahasrabuddhi."  At the end, Chakradhara said, "O Suvarnasiddhi, you said that wisdom is superior to knowledge. But I say that wisdom alone without education does not serve any purpose."  "True," said Suvarnasiddhi. "But it is not wise to rule out the advice of a friend. Greed made you ignore my advice. Haven’t you heard how the donkey ignored the advice of the jackal and got a millstone around his neck?"