Story of the week - Man versus Animals

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Story of the week

 

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Man versus Animals

 

One day a clever fox began wondering, "Why man is considered the

acme of creation and in what way is he superior to animals? Both man

and beast have emotions and passions. Both have their own good and

bad qualities. Why then this superiority? Let me go to the king lion

and seek his advice." Thinking thus, the fox hurried to the lion's

den. "How nice to see you after so many days! Come tell me what is

it that you want?" said the lion. The fox said in all humility, "Oh,

King! Man is growing all-powerful and is claiming sovereignty over

the entire creation! I cannot tolerate man's arrogance and his claim

of superiority over all animals. In what way are we inferior? Can we

not establish our superiority? We must do something about it." The

lion nodded its head and said: "True dear, what shall we do?" The

lion and the fox discussed the problem for a long time and decided

finally to call for a conference of all animals in the forest. They

would discuss thoroughly the relative merits and demerits of man

versus animals. The lion then said to the fox: "Go and make all

arrangements for the conference. Invite all animals, big and small

without any exception. But, who will preside over the conference?"

The fox replied: "There is a sage in our forest who has been doing

penance since a long time. He is a friend of both man and animals.

He will certainly have no preference or prejudices. Why not request

him to be the Chairman?Do so", replied the lion.

 

In a week's time the fox executed the whole plan. A vast area in the

forest was cleared to hold the conference. On the appointed day the

animals began filling up towards the conference venue. Very soon,

all the animals were seated in their respective places. The sage

arrived in time and took his presidential seat. The lion and the

elephant stood on either side of the sage, while the fox stood in

front of the gathering.

 

The fox being the Secretary of the conference welcomed the gathering

and said: "I welcome you all and thank you all for attending this

conference". Referring to the Agenda of the conference, the fox

said: "I am pleased to place before you four major points over which

we have to deliberate. You have to think well and come forth with

your opinions as these points have a vital bearing on our self-

respect.

 

1. Man as well as the animals are born alike, of the womb of the

mother. Then why should animals be called 'janthu' and man

as 'manava'? They should be addressed alike.

2. There is a fantastic notion that man is wise and animals are

foolish. We cannot accept this humiliation and baseless stigma.

3. It is claimed that man has the most blessed faculty of speech.

But what is the reason for pride when man is only abusing this

faculty? In what way do we suffer for want of this faculty? Though

we are dumb, we are able to procure food, find shelter, rear our

children and live happily. So, man cannot be considered as superior

to us only because of this rare faculty of which he boasts.

4. Finally, they say that we are cruel and that man is kind and

compassionate. In fact, we are more kind and considerate than man.

So, we have to refute this allegation, as well.

 

Having read out the agenda, the fox went and sat in its place. The

lion stepped forward and raising his head, said in a dignified

manner: "I totally approve of all the points of the agenda. I cannot

consider man superior to us in any way. Let us first of all take up

the point of valour and strength. Is there one among men who can

excel me in strength and valour? Even though I am the sole monarch

of the forest, I do not indulge in any act of injustice and

corruption. I don't kill any animal unless I am hungry. Such being

the case, can man claim to be superior to us?Never, never",

roared the whole assembly.

 

The lion then resumed its seat beside the sage. The elephant got up

and trumpeted its own glory. "In form, stature, and strength, I am

far superior to man. He is a pigmy beside me. As for intelligence, I

am reputed for my subtle intellect. Since time immemorial, for every

important and auspicious function in the temple or in the palace my

presence is considered auspicious. In fact pious men offer me fruits

and flowers with deep feelings of reverence. How can man call

himself superior to us?" The whole assembly roared: "He can't, he

can't". The elephant went back to its seat by the side of the sage.

 

Then came forward the dog and saluting one and all in the assembly

said aloud: "I have sound reason to claim that the animals are

certainly superior to mankind. Take for example, the quality of

love, faithfulness and loyalty. Can any man boast of himself being

superior to the dog in these qualities? Man himself keeps us and

treats us as a member of his family because of these rare qualities.

But, what about men? They have no sense of gratitude even. They keep

us on cheap food or on the left over bits at their meal. Man, in his

relation to his own master whom he serves is ungrateful to the core.

Sir, I am sure, we animals are far superior in these characteristics

to man." Having spoken thus, it went and sat in its place.

 

It was now the turn of the President to give out his decision on the

mater under dispute. The sage got up and said: "My dear friends,

what the dog has said is true. Man often says one thing and does

another. This inconsistency is not to be found in animals". All the

animals clapped for long with joy. The sage continued: "In the

matter of food, sleep and allied habits of living, there is

absolutely no difference between man and animals. But, there is one

fundamental difference. The animals cannot transform themselves,

while man can transform himself through education, company and

emulation. The animals cannot even change their food habits". The

fox at once got up and questioned, "Oh Master! What you have said is

true. But do you think that all men transform themselves?" The sage

said: "Why, without doubt, such men who do not, are worse than

animals." At once all the animals clapped and cheered the President.

The sage continued: "Men have got another virtue, discrimination".

The fox said: "It is true that they have discrimination, but what is

the use? They put even animals to shame in their bad conduct. Oh,

what a pity! Man spends all his time, talents, strength and money to

earn his bread, while we animals procure food without any labour."

The sage could see that the fox was trying to exceed the limits and

make much of their instinctive nature. So, he said: "Oh, dear

animals! You must also be told about another important distinction.

Man can conquer illusion. He can realise the self or atma and attain

immortality. In fact the very word "man" indicates these attributes.

 

M - means Maya;

A - means the Atmic vision and

N - means Nirvana.

 

By getting rid of illusion and attaining Atmic vision, man can

become God. Why don't you own and admit your limitations?" The

animals asked him: "Oh Wise one! Do you mean to say that all men

make use of these three attributes?No, not all of them," replied

the sage. "Then those who do not attain nirvana by conquering

illusion and having atmic vision must be treated as our comrades"

asserted the animals, in one voice. "Oh, Dear ones!" replied the

sage, "I have come to this forest only to be your friend and prove

myself a true Man".

 

- Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Source: Chinna Katha II, 180

 

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