The Dove and the Crow – The story follows a dove as she returns to her nest in a banyan tree, carrying grains in her beak. The dove is anxious to get home to her eggs and senses danger approaching. The crow, who has previously killed her young ones, is approaching her nest.
The dove quickly maneuvers to avoid the crow and lands safely on the top of the tree. She finds her eggs unharmed and coos with satisfaction. The crow tries to intimidate her, but she remains on guard.
The mother dove calls for her husband, who is sleeping in a cavity of the tree. The crow attempts to attack the dove, but she defends herself. The sparrows and the He-dove awaken and come to her aid.
The crow retreats, and the mother dove is relieved that her mate has come to protect her. The sparrows mock the crow, and the He-dove shows his strength and pride. The crow cleans his beak, indicating his defeat.
The mother dove is in pain and coos. The He-dove comes and kisses the mother dove, giving her warmth and love. The crow, who is the dove’s enemy, flees upon hearing the love song and caws with bitter hatred.
In Punjab, it is believed that the dove can defend itself against the crow’s attack by cooing. The cooing of the dove stems from the deep love of the mother for her young ones. The cawing and anger of the crow come from the hatred in its heart.
The Butterfly – The author describes the colorful sweet peas in the garden and compares the butterflies to flying flowers with their vibrant wings. The author expresses a desire to catch a butterfly and observes its movements and interactions with the flowers. The author reflects on the beauty and delicacy of the butterflies and their connection to the flowers. The author attempts to catch a specific yellow butterfly with black spots but fails, feeling frustrated and longing for a deeper connection. The author contemplates the limitations of the physical body and the desire to capture and release beauty. The author experiences a sense of fulfillment and loss in the chase, leading to a desire to write a poem about lost love. The story ends with a mention of the belief that butterflies, after enjoying the sweetness of flowers, eventually die in barren fields.
The Golden Cockerel – The sun rises and warms the earth, dispersing the winter mist. The golden cockerel announces the dawn and searches for worms. The old woman shouts, criticizing the lazy wife who hasn’t woken up yet. The cockerel enjoys the warmth of the sun and continues to crow. The old woman counts the eggs and worries about her husband’s strength.
The sun bronzed the old woman’s face, making her feel youthful. The chicks peck at bits near the manure pit, following their mother. The cockerel chases the third hen, but she escapes. The sunlight illuminates the early winter morning. The cockerel regains his composure and crows proudly. The old woman gathers the pots and pans and scolds the cockerel for his behavior.
The Peacock – The arrival of rain brings a sense of relief and rejuvenation. The peacock’s call attracts the attention of the peahens. Contrary to expectations, it is the peahen who pursues the peacock. The male peacock walks confidently, while the female follows cautiously. The male peacock tries to entice the female with his movements and gestures. The female peahen expresses her longing for the male. The male peacock teases and plays with the female, creating a sense of chase. Eventually, the male peacock displays his magnificent plumage to the female. The female peahen is captivated by the sight of the male’s body. The male peacock’s behavior may be driven by a mix of vanity and self-torment.
A Leaf in the Storm – The story begins with a description of a small, tender leaf on a tree, surrounded by other leaves of different sizes and ages. A strong breeze comes and shakes the tree, causing the little leaf to tear and change its appearance. The breeze continues to blow every day, eventually uprooting the tree and carrying the little leaf away.
The leaf falls to the ground in an unfamiliar place, where there is no sunshine or warmth. The leaf languishes in exile, thinking it has flown across the seas like the Bodhi leaf to Lanka. However, it realizes that the Bodhi leaf had roots while its own roots are drying in the land of the five rivers.
The leaf becomes ambitious and decides to fly like a bird, eventually settling on a rock in its own landscape. The sun warms the leaf’s heart, and it finds sustenance from roots in the mountains. The leaf now resembles a premature Buddha, baking itself in the sun to match its own color. The leaf believes that even a drifting leaf like itself can one day become a tree with real roots. It emphasizes the importance of having roots but not getting rooted in barren fields.
Mulk Raj Anand Five Short Fables Summary
One Reply to “Mulk Raj Anand Five Short Fables Summary”