Upaakhyaana - 1 - (Tales and Fables - 1)

उपाख्यान
(Tales and Fables -1)

Pigeon. Two pigeons lived in their nest on a tree at the edge of a village. One evening, a traveller came and sat below the tree and lay down. It was winter and cold. The pigeons collected sticks and lit a fire to give some warmth to his numbed limbs. Then noticing he was hungry, the male said - He is our guest. We have to provide food to him. We have no stock of food. So I will jump into the fire and he can eat my roasted body. His wife said - He is my guest too . I will offer my body too. Indeed what will I live for without you? Thus both flew down into the fire.
This is the height of hospitality. (Upanishad lore / Jataka tales)

Tittibha. Tittiba is a small bird living on the seashores. They build their nests on the ground. Once when a Tittiba couple was out for food, a high wave from sea washed away the nest and the two eggs . The couple were dejected on return, but at once decided to retrieve their eggs by drying out the sea! They flew to the water, picked a beakful of water, flew back and dropped the water in a pond nearby. Whole afternoon and evening, they kept doing this. Garuda observed this and reported to ViShNu. Admiring their courage, ViShNu ordered the sea to restore the eggs. Courage brings good results.

Cow (PuNyakoTi). PuNyakoTi was one of many cows in a shed. Every morning, the cows went to the hills and returned in the evening. One day, PuNyakoTi suffered s sprained ankle and was limping. She slipped behind the other cows. A tiger intercepted her and was about to pounce on it. She pleaded with the tiger to let her go to feed her calf once and make arrangements for the orphan's care after her death. The tiger would not listen at first, but finally let her go. Back in the cowshed, she fed the calf and told all about her fate. She asked her sisters to take of her calf . And left the moaning calf behind. The tiger was surprised to see her. He said - You are so truthful. If I kill you, God will punish me. Better that I kill myself. Saying thus, the climbed a cliff and hurled itself down and was killed. PuNyakoTi ran back to her child. The poem PuNyakoTi was a favourite of all the children. They recited it and their mothers recited it to them. Both shed tears.