Cats and rats are natural born enemies. “Fight at first sight” is the policy of most of the cats when they encounter rats. In stories, rats have tried to bell the cats but failed miserably. The rats have always failed in the fight against cats.
A group of rats held a serious discussion about their futile fights against cats. Lack of real leaders was suggested as the major reason for their constant failure. So the rats decided to form a strong army. The strongest warriors were selected and conferred the title of ‘Generals’. As a mark of distinction and identification, the ‘Generals’ were crowned ceremoniously. Cracked shells of large nuts were stuck to the heads of the Generals using strong glue - the sticky gum of the jack fruit tree.
The crowned Generals were proud and glad. They gave commands to the ordinary warrior-rats and after several training sessions, organized their first major assault against the cats.
Filled with confidence in their new professional leadership, they marched forward to attack a group of cats resting nearby under the shade of a tree. The arrogant Generals adorned with the majestic crowns led the army. The cats instantly sprang upon the approaching rats and attacked them violently. The rats were scared and scattered. They ran in different directions. The frightened rats fled with full speed and quickly entered their narrow burrows to escape from the attacking cats.But the ‘Generals’ who ran for their lives could not enter the narrow burrows. Their decorative crowns got stuck at the entrance and they were immobilized. All the Generals were killed and eaten by the rapidly advancing cats. The bulky crowns betrayed the boastful leaders and prevented their escape.
In the crazy race for wealth, power, position and prestige, many may lose the sanity and sanctity of life.
Jesus Christ taught, “The greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”
Arrogance will bring our downfall, but if we are humble, we will be respected. Pride goes before a fall.
……………………………………………………………………………………….
© By Dr. Babu Philip, Professor, Cochin University of Science & Technology, Fine Arts Avenue, Kochi-682016, Kerala, India and Leo. S. John, Maniparambil, Ooriyakunnath,Kunnumbhagom, Kanjirappally, Kottayam-686507,
For more moral stories, parables and anecdotes for students kindly visit our web-site:
This is Story No. 66 in this site. Please click ‘Older Posts’ at the bottom of a page to read previous stories and click 'Newer Posts' at the bottom of a page to read newer stories in this site. Please click on a word in the 'Story Themes' to read stories on that theme.
No comments:
Post a Comment