The Cat, the Rat, and the Dog – An Indian Tale About Cunning and Alliances

Description: This Panchatantra story tells of a clever cat, a cautious rat, and a loyal dog. These animals lived in the same house and tried to coexist, each pursuing their own interests. The story teaches caution and the ability to recognize deceit.

Once upon a time, in a large house, lived a cat who loved hunting rats. She was quick and clever, but her feud with the dog often disrupted her plans. The dog was the house’s guard, protecting both the people and their food supplies. The third resident of the house was a rat who tried to avoid the cat and survive in constant danger.

One day, the cat decided it would be beneficial to befriend the dog. “Why should I fight with him?” thought the cat. “It’s better to form an alliance and hunt rats while he protects me from the wrath of the owners.”

The cat approached the dog and said, “Dear dog, we live in the same house, but we always quarrel. Is that right? Why don’t we work together? If I catch the rats and you guard the house, the owners will be happy and reward us both.”

The dog pondered. “Perhaps she’s right. But the cat has always been sly—can I trust her?” he thought. Nevertheless, he decided to give the cat a chance. “Alright,” said the dog, “we’ll try. But remember: if you deceive me, I’ll chase you out of this house forever.”

The cat began catching rats in front of the owners, proving her usefulness. But the clever rat quickly noticed that the cat continued to follow her cunning plan. “She’s not just catching us; she’s also stealing food from the owners. We must do something,” the rat said to her companions.

The rat devised a clever plan. She observed the cat for a few days and noticed that she often hid leftover food. One night, the rats worked together to steal a piece of meat and placed it where the cat frequently rested. The next morning, the owners discovered the missing food and decided it must be the cat’s doing.

The dog heard about the “theft” and decided to investigate. He found the meat and accused the cat: “You’ve deceived me! Not only do you harm the owners, but you’ve made me look foolish. Leave this house immediately!”

The cat tried to defend herself, but the dog chased her away, and the rats sighed in relief. “We must always remember that cunning doesn’t always lead to victory,” the clever rat told her companions.

Moral: Do not trust those who act only in their own interest. Be careful in choosing allies and remember the consequences of deceit.

Questions for Kids:

• Why did the cat want to befriend the dog?
• How did the rat expose the cat’s cunning plan?
• What lesson does this story teach us?