Once there were two rats who were good friends. One of them lived in a city and the other lived in a village. Both of them exchanged news of their well being through other rats who travelled between the two places.

   Once the city rat wished to meet his village friend. He sent the message through some rats of the village. The village friend was very excited about his friends visit. He made preparations to welcome him. To receive his friend, he went to the border of the village wearing a traditional dress like dhoti, kurta and cap, with a garland in his hand. However, his city friend was wearing a suit, boots and a neck tie. They hugged each other and exchanged greeting.

   The village rat welcomed him and said, "We have fresh and unpolluted air here. The atmosphere in the city is impure."

   They gossiped a lot and exchanged their views on different topics. Then, they sat down to eat. The village rat served him fruits and boiled wheat grains.

   After having food, they went for a stroll outside the village. The fields looked green and the natural beauty of the jungle had its own attraction. The village rat said, "Does the city have such beautiful scenes?" The city rat said nothing but invited the village rat to come to the city at least once to see the comfortable life of the city.

   The village rat said he would certainly come to the city one day. The city rat said, "Why don’t you accompany me now?" The village rat replied, "All right, I will consider your proposal."

   When the night fell, they came back and slept on the soft grass. Next day, for breakfast the village rat served his friend fresh fruits and cereals. The city rat was irritated and said to the village rat, "Let us go to the city right now. Give me a chance to serve you."

   The village rat accepted the proposal and got ready for the journey to the city. The city rat lived in a big house. At night the village rat was surprised to see, the dining table full of different types of dishes. The village rat has not seen such a variety of food before. The city rat asked the village rat to enjoy the meal. Then he started eating. The village rat had a liking for the paneer and finished the piece quickly. At this moment, they heard the voice of a cat. The city rat said, "Quickly hide yourself below the almirah, otherwise the cat will eat us." Both rushed to the almirah and hid themselves under it. After some time, when the cat went away, both came out. The village rat was still trembling. The city rat again started eating the dishes and advised his friend too, "Do not be afraid. It is a part of the city life." The village rat gathered courage and went to the dining table again. This time he quickly finished the cake of his choice. At this juncture, a boy came there with a dog. The village rat being afraid of the dog asked his friend, "Who is this fellow?" The city rat said, "He is Jimmi, the son of the master of this house and the dog is his pet. Be quick and hide yourself there." After their departure, both the rats came out. The village rat was very afraid. He said, "Friend, I think I should go back now. I am thankful to you for the tasty dishes, but there are to many dangers. Thanks again." And he started for the village. On reaching, he heaved a sigh of relief and said, "Oh! Life is precious and above all wisdom."

   Once upon a time there lived a parrot in a forest. He was very handsome. His beak and wings were very beautiful. His younger brother also lived with him. Both were living happily in the forest."

   One day, a hunter came to the forest. He saw the pair of the parrots and thought, ‘These parrots are very beautiful and special. I will present them to the king,’ He spread his net in the jungle to catch them. Soon both the parrots were trapped.

   He kept them in a cage and went to the place. He said to the king, "O king, see this beautiful pair of parrots. I caught them in the deep forest. Seeing their beauty I decided to bring them to you. They will add to the beauty of your palace."

   The king was very happy. He gave one thousand coins to the hunter. He kept both the parrots in a golden cage and ordered his servants to look after them well.

   The parrots were looked after very well. They were treated as very important birds in the palace. They were served fruits and delicious food. They became the centre of attraction. Even the young prince came to play with them. The parrots were very happy. They got everything without any labour. The older parrot once said to his brother, "We are highly respected in the palace and hence, quite satisfied."

   The younger brother replied, "You are right, we are getting royal treatment. It is our luck."

   One day, a hunter brought a black monkey named Kala Bahu. The monkey was presented to the king, who asked the attendants to keep the monkey in the courtyard. The king as well as the prince were very happy to see the monkey and his amusing activities. Soon the monkey became the centre of attraction.

   With the arrival of the monkey, the parrots were neglected. They sometimes did not even get food. Both of the parrots knew the cause of it. The older parrot was wise and hoped that the days would change again and one should not be depressed. He comforted his brother, "Nothing is permanent in this world. Have patience till the bad days are over."

   One day the monkey performed such feats before the prince that he got scared and cried, "Help! Help!" Hearing his cries, all rushed there and took the prince away. When the king came to know about it, he ordered his men to leave the monkey in the forest. The next day, the monkey was sent to the forest.

   The bad days of the parrots were now over. They were treated well again. Good dishes and fruits were also served to them. They again became the centre of attraction.

   The wise parrot clarified the situation to his younger brother saying that time never remains the same, and one should not be depressed by the temporary unfavorable changes. The young parrot also realized the fact that nothing is permanent in the world and one should never lose patience.

   Once there lived a sadhu on the bank of the river Ganga. He had pledged to silence. That is why he had to convey his messages and ideas by sign language. He had many pupil to follow him.

   One day, he reached the house of Ganesh Vaish for alms. A beautiful girl came out to give alms. The sadhu was so enchanted to see her beauty that he even forgot his pledge. He spoke out, "What a beauty!" But the very next moment he realised his mistake and rushed bach his place.

   But Ganesh, the farther of the girl saw him speaking something. He went to the sadhu and asked, "Baba! You are under the pledge of silence, but you uttered some words today at my house?" The sadhu was very cunning. H e said, "Your daughter is responsible for breaking my silence." Ganesh asked again, "How is my daughter responsible for that?"

   The sadhu said, "Troubles are coming to you. The girl will bring misfortune. If you get her married, you will be destroyed." Ganesh became nervous and asked for the remedy. He promised to do whatever the Sadhu would ask him to do.

   The hypocrite Sadhu thought for a while and said, "Put your daughter into a big wooden box and set it to float in the river with an earthen lamp lit over it. This way you will always be happy in your life."

   The selfish and orthodox father was ready to sacrifice his daughter. He did as he had been told by the Sadhu despite his daughter’s protest.

   On the other side, the Sadhu had directed his pupil to bring the box to him without opening it.

   Meanwhile, something strange happened which saved the life of the daughter. A prince who was strolling along the bank of the river saw the wooden box floating in it. He asked his men to take the box out. When the box was opened, all were surprised to see a beautiful girl in it. The prince asked her, "Who are you? What had happened with you." She told everything to the prince. The prince understood that she was a victim of the lust of a cunning Sadhu, who had tried to take advantage of a superstitious self-centred father. He decided to teach a lesson to the Sadhu. He asked his men to put a dangerous monkey into the box and set it afloat again in the river. Then, the prince married the daughter of Ganesh and took her to his palace.

   When the box reached near the ashram, the pupil took it out and gave it to their guru, who directed them to leave and not to come till called. He clarified that he would be busy in meditation. All the pupil left, leaving their guru alone in his hut.

   At midnight, the Sadhu opened the box; a monkey jumped out and bit him at several places. The Sadhu ran out of his hut and cried for help. His pupil rushed to save him from the monkey. At first, they felt pity for him, but when they came to know the reality, they laughed at him.