01 · The Monkey and the Wedge
Near a town, a merchant was building a temple in a grove.
Near a town, a merchant was building a temple in a grove.
Every day at noon, the workers went to the town for lunch.
Every day at noon, the workers went to the town for lunch.
One day, a troop of monkeys came to the half-built temple.
One day, a troop of monkeys came to the half-built temple.
A carpenter had left a big log half split, with a wooden wedge stuck in the crack.
A carpenter had left a big log half split, with a wooden wedge stuck in the crack.
The monkeys played happily on the trees, the roof and the piles of wood.
The monkeys played happily on the trees, the roof and the piles of wood.
One monkey sat on the split log and noticed the wedge.
One monkey sat on the split log and noticed the wedge.
“Why is this wedge here?” he wondered.
“Why is this wedge here?” he wondered.
He held the wedge with both hands and pulled it hard.
He held the wedge with both hands and pulled it hard.
The wedge came out, and the two halves of the log snapped shut.
The wedge came out, and the two halves of the log snapped shut.
The monkey was caught in the crack and was badly hurt.
The monkey was caught in the crack and was badly hurt.
So do not meddle in work that is not yours.
So do not meddle in work that is not yours.
Saylumo English retelling · Panchatantra, Book 1 (Mitra-bheda): Kīlotpāṭi-vānara-kathā · Original simplified English retelling and meanings written for Saylumo. Not a quotation or translation of the Sanskrit text or of any modern translation. · Source & license