The Moon King And His Subjects
Once some creatures of the forest were discussing the need of having a king. They thought that without a ruler, there was anarchy. But who should be the king? "If we must have a king, then, we should choose one who is great," said a bird. "But one who is already great may not care to look after our interest," observed another. "Even then it pays to pass on as the subjects of the great. Did not the rabbits escape the great calamity by declaring themselves as the subjects of the moon?" replied the bird. And to satisfy the curiosity of his listeners, he narrated the following incident: In a certain forest lived a large number of elephants under their king, Chaturdanta. They lived quite happily, for the forest was evergreen and there were several natural lakes inside it. King Chaturdanta had a group of able-bodied elephants for his officers. They roamed about in the wide forest and kept watch on such beasts from whom they expect danger. Thus everything went on all right until one year there befell a severe drought. The lakes dried up. King Chaturdanta was worried about providing water to his subjects. He sent his officers in all directions to look for some fresh source of water. Most of them returned sadly after a fruitless search. Two, however, came back with their faces looking quite bright. "My lord, there is another forest ten miles away. Although there are no lakes in that forest, a river flows by it and there is enough water in the river to meet our needs. We can go over to that forest and live there till the next monsoon," reported one of the two.
The other elephant's face beamed even brighter. He said, "At the farthest end of this forest itself there is a lake which I have just discovered. It abounds in fresh and cool water. Half our thirst should be quenched even when we have a mere look at it!" King Chaturdanta, naturally, was not in favor of migrating to a new forest. He led his subjects, early next morning, to the lake at the end of the forest and rejoiced at its sight. There were think bushes around it teeming with berries. Tall trees with the prolific growth of leaves stood behind them. Lush creepers hanging from the trees touched the water. The elephants trumpeted loudly and danced with joy around the lake. Then they entered the lake and enjoyed a long bath. Giving out another chorus of trumpets, they left. Little did the elephants know what havoc they wrought on the peaceful life of a small settlement of rabbits. Their frolic and thumps of heavy freet killed dozens of rabbits and wounded many more inside their numerous small holes. Those who survived the calamity remained stunned for a while after the departure of the elephants. Then they came together and mourned their numerous small holes. "What I gathered from their talk, they will come here again tomorrow morning," said one of the rabbits. "That means we are doomed," observed another. There was a long silence. Then said the old rabbit, "Well, we have lived around this lake for generations. Because it is situated on the edge of the forest, we were never troubled by the big beasts who like to live in the interiors of the forest. Now scarcity of water has brought the elephants here. I agree that we are doomed should the elephants continue visiting the lake. But should we not try to stop them?"
There was silence again. Nobody knew how, the tiny creatures that they were, they could check the movement of the elephants. It was for the old rabbit to speak again: "Well, give me your good wishes and let me see if I can do anything. He did not disclose his plan to anybody and waited till the nightfall. He then marched towards the habitation of the elephants. A full moon shone over the forest when the old rabbit saw the elephant king, Chaturdanta, settling down near a rock for relaxation. The rabbit climbed the rock and said, "I greet His Highness King Chaturdanta!" The elephant king stood up and located the rabbit. With surprise, he asked him, "Who are you?" "You should look upon me as an ambassador, for I bring a message from the Moon King," said the rabbit gravely. "Moon King? What is his message for me, please?" asked Chaturdanta. "Who in the world does not know that the lake you visited today belongs to the Moon King? Even the shape of the lake should remind a passer-by of the crescent moon. It is at the wish of the Moon King that we the rabbits, his glorious subjects, live around the lake. Upon his visit to the lake tonight, the Moon King is distressed to see the harm you have caused to us, his subjects!" said the rabbit.
"Is it so? What do you suggest me to do?" asked the elephant anxiously. "I don't suggest anything. All I wish to tell you is, the Moon King may decide not to shine over this forest anymore. That will bring terrible consequences. You will go down in history as the cause of this misfortune of the forest," warned the rabbit. "Please lead me to your king. I will apologize to him," said the elephant. The rabbit led Chaturdanta to the lake which brilliantly reflected the full moon. Chaturdanta, wishing to go closer to the moon, stepped into the water. Instantly a hundred waves reflected a hundred moons. Scared, the elephant stepped back and asked the rabbit, "What is the matter? Is your king annoyed with me?" "Quite so, You see, he does not relish even your touching the water of his lake, what to speak of your bathing in it," explained the rabbit. "Then, how do I apologize to him?" asked the elephant. "I will do all the apologizing on your behalf. The best course for you should be to leave the forest and never to approach this lake," told the rabbit. "Let it be so. There is enough water in a river that flows by a nearby forest. We can migrate over there. Please plead with your king to shine over this forest as usual," King Chaturdanta appealed to the little rabbit and departed hastily. The same night he led his subjects away to the next forest!
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