Short Summary
A farmer, his wife and their small child lived in a village. There was also a baby mongoose in the house, who they believed would be their son’s companion and friend in future. One day the farmer and his wife went out leaving the child alone with the mongoose. The farmer’s wife returned home from the market carrying a heavy basket. She found the mongoose at the entrance of the house with blood on his face and paws. She jumped to the conclusion that it was her son’s blood, and the mongoose was the guilty one.
Summary
Once, a farmer, his wife and infant son lived in a village. The farmer wanted to give a companion to his son, so he brought a baby mongoose for him. Both the baby and mongoose grew together. In six months time, the animal grew to its full size whereas, the baby was still in the cradle.
One day the farmer’s wife went to the market after feeding and rocking the baby to sleep. She did not trust the mongoose and did not like to leave her baby alone with the animal so she told her husband to keep an eye on him. The farmer told her not to worry as the mongoose and their son were good friends. Saying so the farmer also went out to look after his fields.
After some time, the farmer’s wife returned from the market carrying a heavy basket. She found the mongoose at the entrance of the house with blood on his face and paws. She jumped to the conclusion that the mongoose had killed her baby. In a fit of anger she smashed the mongoose with the heavy bag. The mongoose died.
She ran inside to see her baby and found him fast asleep but on the floor lay a snake which had been killed by the mongoose.
At once she realized her mistake. The mongoose had in fact killed the snake to save the baby. She started crying and was very sad at her rash act.