She Chose a Mouse Over a God – Shocking Panchatantra Tale

The Kind Hermit on the River Ganga

Long, long ago, there lived a hermit on the bank of the River Ganga. He was very kind by nature. Every morning, the hermit would visit the River Ganga for a bath. Then, he would take some water in his palm and sip it after chanting a few holy verses over it. This practice is called Aachman in India.

The Baby Mouse’s Rescue

One day, the hermit had just taken some water in his palm for Aachman when a tiny baby mouse fell into it. The little creature had slipped out of the claws of a hawk flying overhead.

Hermit with a She-mouse in his palm from bedtime stories for all

Very merciful as the hermit was, he caressed the baby mouse and brought her to his hut.
“What should I do with this tiny creature? If I set her free, some bird of prey may take her away again,” the hermit said to himself.

Just then, the hermit’s wife came out of the hut. Seeing her, he thought, “She often longs to have a baby. Why shouldn’t I change this tiny mouse into a baby girl? She will be overjoyed.”

A Magical Transformation

Thinking so, the hermit used his mystic powers and transformed the tiny mouse into a baby girl. Then he said to his wife, “My sweetheart, you have often expressed your desire for a baby. Here—take her, and bring her up as your own daughter.” The hermit’s wife was overjoyed to have a lovely daughter.

Hermit transforms a She-Mouse into a beautiful Baby Girl

Finding the Perfect Groom

She raised the baby girl with deep love and care, and in due course, the child grew into a charming young woman. Her mother soon became anxious to find a suitable match for her. She pleaded with her husband to look for the perfect groom for their daughter.

The hermit nodded in agreement and decided to seek a divine being as a husband for their daughter. After much thought, he chose to invoke the Sun-God and request him to accept their daughter as his wife.

The Sun-God is Rejected

So, the hermit called upon the Sun-God, and the deity appeared without delay. With folded hands, the hermit spoke, “I request you, O Sun-God, to marry my daughter. She is exceptionally charming, beautiful, and divinely gifted.” The hermit’s wife and daughter silently witnessed the proceedings.

Appearance of the Sun-God in front of the hermit

Before the Sun-God could say anything, the girl burst out, “No, Daddy! I won’t marry him. He is far too hot. Surely, he will burn me to ashes!”

Hearing these words, the Sun-God prepared to leave. But the hermit pleaded with him, “Please suggest a suitable groom for her—someone with whom she may live happily.”

The Sun-God recommended the God of Clouds, saying, “He is cool by nature and even has the power to counter my scorching rays.” Saying this, the Sun-God disappeared.

The God of Clouds is Rejected

The hermit then invoked the God of Clouds, and the deity appeared before him. Folding his hands, the hermit said, “Be kind enough to wed my beautiful daughter. She is very clever as well.”

Appearance of the Cloud-God in front of the hermit

But the girl did not like him because of his bluish-black complexion and lopsided form. So, the God of Clouds also prepared to leave. The hermit implored him to suggest another match for his daughter.

The God of Clouds recommended the God of Wind as a perfect groom for the hermit’s daughter. “He can scatter me in no time,” the Cloud God said. “So, you had better ask him to marry your daughter.”

The God of Wind is Rejected

The hermit then invoked the God of Wind, who appeared before the family instantly. But before the hermit could begin any meaningful conversation, the girl expressed her disappointment. “Daddy! He is far too restless and can never stay in one place. He will drag me hither and thither all my life. I have decided not to marry him either.”

The hermit was truly disappointed and annoyed by his daughter’s words. Composing himself, he turned to the God of Wind and said, “Be kind enough to suggest a suitable match for my daughter. She is beautiful, talented, and graceful as well.”

The God of Wind replied, “The God of Mountains is far stronger than I. He can block my path and change my direction. He is mighty and unshakable. You should approach him and speak to him about your daughter’s marriage.”

The God of Mountains is Rejected

The hermit was thus compelled to invoke the God of Mountains, who appeared before him, shaking the earth beneath his feet. With folded hands, the hermit requested him to take his daughter as his life partner.

The Mountain-God put an appearance in front of the Hermit

But the girl once again burst out, “He is too rocky, heavy, and slow-moving. I will not marry him under any circumstances!”

The hermit felt truly brokenhearted, and his wife was no less disappointed. So, he turned to the God of Mountains and said, “Please suggest a suitable match for my beautiful daughter.”

The God of Mountains replied, “I fear only mice. They are far stronger than I, for they can dig holes in my hard body with ease and live there happily.”

The Truth Revealed

Just then, a big, handsome mouse happened to pass by. The girl leapt with joy at the sight of him and exclaimed, “Daddy! I shall marry this mouse. He is the most suitable groom for me!”

The hermit was taken aback by his daughter’s words. He turned to his wife and said, “True allegiance always lies with one’s own kind. Even after being a human for over sixteen years, she has not forgotten her race.”

Hermit and his Wife blesses The Mouse Couple

Return to True Nature

So, the hermit used his mystic powers to change the girl back into a she-mouse. The two mice scampered away together, slipped into a nearby hole, and lived happily ever after.

Moral: One’s true nature never really changes.

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