The Lion, the Mouse, and the Cat: A Story About Choosing Friends Wisely

The Lion, the Mouse, and the Cat

In the high, rugged mountains, there lived a grand Lion named Maliavikrama. He was powerful and majestic, the ruler of his domain, but he had one small annoyance that troubled him greatly. Despite his formidable presence, there was a tiny creature—a small, daring Mouse—that made its home in his cave. While the Lion would sleep soundly after his long day of hunting, the Mouse would scurry up to him and nibble on his thick mane, causing the Lion to wake in irritation. This constant disturbance made the once peaceful moments of rest unbearable.

Maliavikrama, being unable to catch the nimble Mouse, became increasingly frustrated. His pride and patience were slowly wearing thin, and he knew that something had to be done. But, instead of relying on his own strength, the Lion, in his desperation, decided to seek assistance. He would not just wait idly for the Mouse to leave on its own; he would take action. In his mind, the solution was simple—he needed help from a more agile, clever creature. And so, he decided to recruit a Cat to solve his problem.

After much thought, Maliavikrama managed to trick a Cat named Dadhikarna into coming to his cave. The Cat, curious about the invitation, followed the Lion's call, unaware of the true nature of the request. The Lion presented his dilemma, and the Cat, being a natural predator of smaller creatures, was eager to assist.

For a time, the plan seemed to work perfectly. The presence of the Cat in the cave terrified the little Mouse. It dared not show its face, knowing that the Cat was watching, ready to pounce at any moment. The Lion, for the first time in what felt like forever, was able to sleep undisturbed, his mane no longer being nibbled on by the mischievous rodent.

However, as time passed, the situation began to take a darker turn. While the Lion had his peace and quiet, he became complacent, and his reliance on the Cat grew. Eventually, the Mouse, growing bolder and perhaps sensing that the Cat had relaxed its vigilance, ventured out once again. The Mouse, hungry and looking for food, was quickly snatched up by the Cat, who devoured it with relish. The Lion was pleased; his problem was solved. The Mouse, the source of his annoyance, was no more.

But this victory was short-lived. With the Mouse gone, the Lion found himself in a new dilemma. He no longer had need of the Cat. The creature had done its job, and now there was no longer a reason to keep it around. The Lion, being a creature of practicality and pride, began to see the Cat as expendable. He stopped providing for the Cat, no longer offering food or care, leaving Dadhikarna to fend for itself.

With no food to eat and no further purpose in the Lion's cave, the Cat slowly grew weaker and weaker. The once-proud creature who had been so eager to help now found itself starving. The Lion, content in his own world, paid no heed to the Cat's plight. In the end, the Cat, without support and sustenance, perished alone, having been discarded after serving its purpose.

The story highlights a number of moral lessons. It touches on themes of exploitation, where one being is used to fulfill the needs of another, only to be discarded once it is no longer of use. It also emphasizes the transient nature of alliances formed out of convenience, especially when power and survival are at stake. Additionally, there's an underlying commentary on loyalty and the harsh consequences of forgetting those who help us when we no longer need their assistance.