The Brahmin and the Crab

Panchtantra Stories

In a village, there lived a Brahmin boy named Brahmadatta. One day, he prepared to travel to another village. But his mother was against him travelling alone. The boy tried to convince his mother that the village he was going to was safe, and that she should not be afraid. Knowing that he was determined to go, the mother went to the well in the backyard and took out a crab and asked his son to keep the crab with him during his travel. The boy then put the crab in a camphor box and put that box in a vessel and set out on his journey. That being summer, the day was very hot and the Brahmin halted and took rest under a big tree. From the hollow of the tree, a snake emerged and, attracted by the fragrance of camphor, swallowed the box containing the crab. The crab came out of the box and sliced the head of the snake and killed him. The Brahmin boy woke and found the dead snake and the camphor box. When he saw the crab coming out of the box alive, he at once realised what had happened. He then remembered the words of his mother and thought he did well by heeding her advice that saved him from death. He also recalled the words of the elders:  "Those who feed on the rich Do not help them in distress. When their wealth is in tact Everyone hovers around the rich." Chakradhara concluded his story telling Suvarnasiddhi how important to always have a companion. He then agreed to Suvarnasiddhi taking leave of him. Thus ends the fifth and final part of the Panchatantra