The Conversation of A Cat and A Rat!

(Apadharmanushasana Parva- Shanti Parva, Vyasa Mahabharata)

This story was told by Grand Sire Bhishma to King Yudhishthira when he asked, ‘O foremost of Bharata’s race! What should be the action of a King conversant with scriptures and well-versed in profit and virtue when surrounded by enemies? O grandfather, tell me in detail regarding this!’

Bhishma was delighted hearing his question and said, ‘O son, you deserve to know about this! Depending upon situations, you either have to make friends with your enemies or distrust one friend! Because of the requirements of time and place, one should either trust one’s enemies or announce war! O Padu puttra! Regarding this, I shall narrate a beautiful story based on the conversations of a Cat and a Rat! Listen to me carefully. He then began narrating the story————————————————————————

Once, there was a huge banian tree in a forest. Creepers thickly covered it. The trunk of that tree was quite large, and several branches spread on all sides. The shade of that tree was very refreshing for the travellers. The tree had become the dwelling place of many birds and animals. An intelligent mouse named Palika was living in a hole having many outlets on that huge banian tree. And a cat named Lomasha was also living in one of the branches of that same tree.

One day, a Chandala (hunter) came to that forest and built his hut there. He lived his life by killing hundreds of birds and other animals. Every day in the evening, he would spread his net and would go back home. Next day at dawn, he used to collect the animals trapped in the net. One day, because of his carelessness, the cat was caught in a net.

Looking at his enemy- the cat caught in the trap, Palita (the mouse) happily came out of his hole and moved freely in search of his food. At last, he saw a piece of meat. He enjoyed his enemy’s misfortune and began to eat the flesh getting upon the trap. While enjoying the flavour of the meat, he didn't notice the danger waiting for him! Suddenly, as he cast his eyes, he saw a dreadful mongoose who was living in holes underneath near the same banian tree. His name was Harita. Licking the corner of his mouth, Harita gazed at him (his prey) steadily standing on his haunches. At the same time, Palita (the mouse) saw another enemy, a night-ranging owl sitting on a branch of the banian tree. He was called Chandraka. That owl had a sharp beak. Chandraka was waiting for his chance to devour him!

The mouse, in great fear, began to think! In such a great danger when fear surrounds on every side, when death itself is staring at me, what should be my best action to save myself from this danger? 

‘O son of Kunti, this was a crucial situation for the mouse,’ said Pitamaha Bhishma. He continued-

But the mouse was very intelligent! Studded with danger from all sides, the fear-stricken mouse made a high resolution. He thought, ‘If I move to the ground, the mongoose will devour me, if I stay in this trap, the owl will catch me and the moment the cat will be free, there is no doubt that he will eat me! So, in this crucial juncture of life, I must try the best recourse and intelligence to save my life!

Thus, the highly intelligent mouse went on thinking about the knowledge of profit and gain laid down in the scriptures. He thought, ‘It is written in the scriptures ———

A wise person conversant with the science of policy never loses his hope at the time of danger! As I am already surrounded by three enemies from all sides, it is better to act smartly. Taking refuge with the great enemy cat for the time being, I can save my life from all three! Presently, the cat is in more danger than me! Let me make peace with him by doing some beneficial work for his interest. 

Wise people consider that one should make friends with one of the enemies to set free himself from danger of his life!

It is better to have an enemy who is learned than to have a fool as a friend. Looking at the suitable time and place, one should announce war or peace with his enemy! 

The wise mouse, Palita, politely addressed the cat, wishing him a long life to live. He also mentioned his immediate danger from the mongoose and an owl awaiting him. In the term of conversation, the mouse assured him to save his (cat’s life) as a friend! He talked about mutual benefit by which both of their lives could be saved! He said, ‘O cat! If you promise me not to kill, I can help you escape from this net. Don't be afraid and let's be good friends and help each other! It is said- wise never trust him whom nobody trusts and to him who never trust to others! I know for sure that without my help, you can never cut this hard string of the net. So, we should think over the mutual benefit!’ Saying this, the mouse waited to get a reply from the cat.

Hearing his reasonable and wise words, the cat showed sympathy to the mouse. He was delighted with his magnanimous soft words. He agreed to act the way the mouse planned to do! Assured by the cat, the mouse rushed towards him and confidently laid himself under the breast of the cat. Looking at the intimacy between the cat and the rat, Harita (the Mongoose) and Chandrika (the owl) lost their hope of devouring him. With heavy hearts, they went away to their places.

Thenceforth, the rat- Palita, well versed with the knowledge of time and place, began cutting the strings of the noose slowly. Looking at the slow progress of his work, Lomash (the cat) became impatient. He said, ‘O wise one! Cut the string quickly before the hunter comes!’

The mouse said, ‘O noble cat! Remove your anxiety! A job in hurry doesn't end up with good result! But, a work in proper time yields good results. Thus, keep your patience! If you will be freed at an improper time, then I shall have to fear you. And if I shall cut the strings at that very moment when both of us will run to save our lives! You will have no time to think or to kill me! The moment the hunter shall approach near the trap, I shall cut open the whole strings. Both of us will rush to our holes to save our lives, and no other thought will capture your mind at that very moment.’

The impatient cat- Lomasha said with great anxiety, ‘O Palita! For any reason, if you have kept any grudge about our relationship (hostility), you should forget it now. And if you allow time to slip away, your own life will be at stake! Be aware of that!’

The mouse retorted calmly, ‘O Lomasha! One should be very careful while making friends with one who is stronger than the other carrying natural hostility! No one is no one’s friend or enemy! It develops depending upon the time, place, and situation. A person should be careful when agreeing with a stronger one as a friend like the hand of the snake charmer from the snake's fangs! I have cut all the strings except one. O friend, feel free from danger! The last one also I shall cut it at proper time.’

 Suddenly, both of them noticed the gruesome hunter coming towards the net, holding some weapon! The mouse expert in understanding the time and place cut the last string of the net. Without a second thought, the cat and the mouse ran to their holes! Poor, hunter! His hard labour went in vain! With heavy heart, he went back his home.   

After a while, the cat- Lomasha sitting on the branch of that tree addressed the mouse, ‘O friend! Without telling me, you rushed to your hole. O noble mouse, don't keep any evil idea against me.  It is unfair for both of us if we do not enjoy our friendship! In intelligence, you are no less than Shukracharya! You are like my preceptor and life saviour! Let me serve you and your whole family like a servant!’ 

The cat- Lomasha tried his best to manipulate the mouse with flattering words. But the clever mouse was beyond his soft malice! With proper ethical knowledge, he said, ‘O Lomasha! There is no such friend or enemy without self-motivation! I am your food, and you are the eater! There can not be any friendship between us!’ The intelligent mouse -Palita gave him the true knowledge of friendship!

Thus reciting the story, Pitamaha Bhishma said, ‘O Noble son of Pandu! Being surrounded by your foes and kinsmen, act properly according to the scriptures.’