Pamcatamtra - Stories Of Wisdom Poem by Srinivasa Bharadwaj Kishore

Pamcatamtra - Stories Of Wisdom



paMcatantra - 2


a musical skit for children

Lyrics & Music by
Srinivasa Bharadwaj Kishore



*********************************** JUNGLE
Huge jungle it is - very
dense a jungle it is.

hundreds of miles wide and
hundreds of miles long
huge jungle it is with
hundreds of thousands of
tall trees all along
dense a jungle it is.

Humans would never dare
cross it in the darkness alone
huge a jungle it is. even
sun cannot be seen
from the ground at noon
dense a jungle it is.

In that jungle - - - -

Thousands of animals are
living happily for
many generations
like a family

Thousands of deer
roam without fear
cuddly hairy bear
found everywhere

monkeys in thousands on
tall trees and highlands
donkeys in hundreds
grazing in the lowlands

many a white bunny
where it is sunny
busy bees many
filling the combs with honey

sleeping on the rocks
cheetas - wildcats
living in the caves
are cross legged hyenas

Elephants so big
with their trunks so strong
Giraffes eating twig
with their necks very long

Parrots and Eagles
perched on the treetops
sparrows and cuckoos
with their chicks in the nests

How did so many animals live in harmony?

Jungle has been giving them
all the food and water with
thousands of leafy trees
giving the needed shelter

How do so many species of animals maintain order?

Jungle has a mighty king
a mighty lion king -who is
Kind to one and all
to those under his wing -pro
tecting the jungle from
external invaders -and
saving his people
by feeding on intruders

Everything is going so good.
But not really.... there was....something
.... in the neighborhood....
Next to this jungle.....

*********************************** SMALL FOREST

Small forest it is -
very sparse forest it is.
Just a mile Wide and
just a mile long -
small forest it is.

Very few animals
live there under fear with
everyone hiding
all the land is clear

All that is because

Forest has a fiery king
a fiery lion king -who is
Arrogant and Cruel for
fun he is killing

jackals are serving him
for making a living - and
running to find a prey
and helping in hunting

Yesterday, hunted one by one,
forest was left with no animal.
Lion was getting restless
and the jackals were scared that
Lion king might kill them for lunch.
They thought and thought and came with an idea
They said to the king...

O'Mighty king
O' our mighty King
You are no doubt
the greatest in hunting
let's go to the jungle big -which
you should be ruling and
thousands will follow you
if you replace the king

To that, the king of forest said

I am the mighty king
I'm the Lion King
I am without a doubt
the greatest in hunting. I
wannabe in the jungle big
I will be ruling will have
many animals following
when I replace the king

To that, the the jackals said

O'Mighty king
O' Lion King
You are no doubt
the greatest in hunting

but - -
Jungle has a mighty king
a mighty lion king -who is
Kind to one and all
to those under his wing -pro
tecting the jungle from
external invaders -and
saving his people
by feeding on intruders

Though he is getting
old and is weakening
Even today he is a
very strong a king

but our lord, don't you worry

We will go to the jungle
with people we will mingle
we will trick and trap the king
you can come and strangle

Forest king: Thats like my boys.
Go ahead. I will follow you a short while later.

(Saying so, the jackals left the forest and entered the jungle. They approached the king of the jungle and...)

*********************************** JUNGLE KING's DEN

O'Mighty jungle king
O' the great Lion King
You are no doubt
the greatest in hunting

We are from the forest
driven out by the king
we came to you seeking
your care and blessing

We seek your protection our lord.
Please allow us to touch your feet.

(Sensing that something is wrong, Eagle, Jungle king's advisor says)

O'Mighty jungle king
O' the greatest King
jackals are lying and
they may be tricking

Jungle king:
Don't you worry dear friend
look at the way they plead
If they are in real need
We are there indeed

(Jackals approach jungle king and pretending to be touching his feet, they hold his hands and legs tight and start shouting
'O king of the forest -
we have captured lion king -
come now it is time for you to take over'.

Eagle runs out screaming aloud
'Hear Hear all the residents of jungle -
our king has been deceived and captured'.

In the meanwhile, the forest king comes in,
and ties the jungle king's hands and legs with rope to a tree.
Forest king and Jackals dance with joy:

Aha' Aha' I am the jungle king Now
Oho' Oho' I am the mighty king Wov
Now it is time for us to
dance with joy and sing and
have a lot of fun
and pleasure of hunting

Jungle king: No No you cruel heartless beast -
don't kill anybody unnecessarily.
They did not harm you anyway.

Forest king: You old and weak cat, you are my prisoner now.
Don't you dare teach me what to do.
Jungle king: Do you think you are strong you cheat -
come for a straight duel with me along with all your jackals
(jackals are scared) - I will show you where you stand.

Forest king: Do you think I am a fool to release you
and get killed? Smiling sheepishly,

Thousands of animals I can start killing to
have a lot of fun and pleasure of hunting
Jackals also dance with joy

*************************** DEEP IN THE JUNGLE

(In the night, all the animals assemble under a tree and discuss)

This lion, a ruthless one
He cares for none
Even if not hungry
he kills just for fun
Soon we'll all be gone
killed one by one
if we don't do anything
joining minds as one

(they discuss seriously among themselves
and come with an idea and shake hands with each other
- in the meanwhile the forest king comes there and roars)

I am you mighty king
the new Lion King
I am without a doubt
the greatest in hunting

(Animals say in unison)
O'Mighty lion king
O' our new King
You are no doubt
the greatest in hunting

But your highness - think for a while

Even if not hungry
if you hunt for fun
Soon we'll all be gone
killed one by one

But think of a win-win solution for all of us
we all have come with a plan where you can relax
And yet have all the fun you want,
and eat the food you want

You don't have to look for prey
and don't have to run
Prey will itself come to you
to chase and have some fun

You won't ever be hungry
and so no need get angry
We all pray to you to
please do agree

Every morning - - by sunrise,
one of us will come to you for you to chase,
kill and eat and share with your loyal subjects

Forest king (thinks and says to himself)
I don't have to search for one
and don't have to run?
Prey will itself come to me
to chase and kill for fun?
I won't ever be hungry
so won't get angry?
Will they go back on the offer
If I don't agree?
No No, I am not, I am not a fool
to let this opportunity go out of my hand.
Jungle is better than I thought:

You all seem to be
smarter than I thought
I will take the offer
you all have brought

Everymorning at sunrise
not a single minute late
One of you will come to me
I will not wait

All animals say in unison
We all agree our lord -
one of us will come starting tomorrow morning

Forest King: Smart boys and girls -
see one you tomorrow morning - remember - I won't wait.
(Forest king leaves along with jackals)

*************************** DEEP IN THE JUNGLE

(Animals in discussion)
Elephant - I am the biggest and I am the oldest -so to save my brethren I will go first

Bear - I am also big and I am also old -so to save my brethren I will go first

Deer - I am the cutest - and also the fastest -so to save my brethren I will go first

Monkey - I am the funniest - and the wittiest -so to save my brethren I will go first

Eagle - Listen my friends. It is so heartening to see everybody ready to sacrifice for brethren
Any of us can go tomorrow. The cruel lion and wicked jackals will eat us for lunch.
But how about our own jungle king - he has been made a prisoner.
We need to think of a solution to free him. If he is freed, he will take care of these witchy creatures and save us all.
Then it will be time for us to feast on them.
(All animals) - Yes Yes Yes - we need to free him. But how do we do that?

Elephant - I can crush the wicked ones under my legs

Bear - I can strangle him with my hands

Deer - I can tear them with my horns

Monkey - I can kill them by throwing tons of fruits and rocks

Eagle - No - None of these will work.
Under our king, we have all be complacent.
We will have to first build strength.
And then get trained on war tactics
and then plan a strategy and then attack
For which all the strong ones need to come together.
All this will take some time to organize.

Bunny - But he will not wait for one of us to come tomorrow.
If we don't he will come and kill us all.

Eagle - That's a point.
Till we organize ourself, we need to send somebody.
Who will that be.

Eagle - Let us blindfold elephant.
We will all shuffle our places.
Whoever he selects will go tomorrow morning.

All animals - Sounds like a plan.
(Action - elephant blind folded.......)
(Finally results in selecting bunny)

Bunny - Not me. I am very young.
I don't want to die
I don't want to die so soon.

Elephant -
You are the cleverest -
oh dear Bunny

Bear -
You can think on feet -
my dear Bunny

Deer -
You are the cutest -
oh dear Bunny

Monkey -
Be our saviour -
my dear Bunny

Eagle -
Yes dear bunny -
we all agreed to it.

Bunny - But I don't want to die so soon

Eagle - May be you won't.
While you are running and he is chasing you,
we will all hide behind the trees and watch what he does,
and find out their weaknesses to strategize
tiring him out you can jump into a burrow

Bunny - But I don't want to die so soon

ALL - pleeeeese

Bunny - Hmm....
for my brethren, I will sacrifice.
I will muster courage and go.
But I don't want to die so soon...... (goes away)

*************************** DEEP IN THE JUNGLE - Near a well (Bunny is all alone)
Bunny: (Sadly - Looks into the well and sees his own image)
See how cute I look. I am still so young. I don't want to die so soon.
(Sound Reflection from well - I don't want to die)
Suddenly brightens up - says again 'I don't want to die' (sound reflection)
' I am not going to die' - reflection
' I am the king of my own destiny ' - (sound reflection)

Bunny: (Happily - dancing and telling himself)
I am not going to die -
I am not going to die
I'll trick the wicked into a trap -
and they are going to die

All the animals come from behind the trees and say
What What - what did you say?
You will trick them into a trap
and they are going to die?

Bunny: (Happily - dancing and telling himself)
I am not going to die - I am not going to die
I'll trick the wicket into a trap - and they are going to die

All: But how? They all crowd around bunny and
he whispers his plan to them

All: Yeah - Yeah
Elephant - You are the cleverest - oh dear Bunny
Bear - You can think on feet - my dear Bunny
Deer - You are the cutest - oh dear Bunny
Monkey - You will be the saviour - my dear Bunny
Eagle - Our Jungle king's good deeds are helping us
Bunny -
But what if they don't believe me?
They are going to gulp me in a second.
I don't want to die so soon

Eagle - Trust me your plan is robust - it won't fail.
You are too clever for them.

All: We will all hide behind the trees
and come out at the right moment
to help you implement your plan.

********************************** JUNGLE KING's DEN
Forest King: (Angrily) Look O big old weak cat -
what kind of subjects you have -
they don't maintain their promise

I am the new mighty king
the new Lion King
I am without a doubt
the greatest in hunting
I will not tolerate
breaking of promise
I will hunt them one by one till
all of them are gone

(Bunny walks in slowly)
Forest king: (Angrily)
You meek creature - why are you so late
Don't you know that this delay I don't tolerate

Bunny: Pardon me O' your highness
I and my twin brother started together to be your first feast.

Forest king: Then where is your brother?
Is he sleeping under a tree?

Bunny: No your highenss -
he.... he....

Forest king: He.... what..
tell me soon or else I will swallow you in one gulp.

Bunny: You can swallow me your highness but tomorrow.......

Forest king: Tomorrow? What tomorrow?

Bunny: He may kill you....

Forest king: (Angrily) What
I am the new mighty king
the new Lion King
I am without a doubt
the greatest in hunting
Who dares challenge my might and kill me

Bunny:
The same lion who captured my brother
who should have been your meal.

Forest king: (In a rage)
Who dares touching my meal? Where is he.. me?

Bunny: He is over there your highness - challenging you.
If you don't act, he is not going to kill the animals before they reach you.
I managed to escape to tell you this news.

Forest king: (In a mad rage)
Take me there this moment.
I am hungry. I will hunt and eat him.

Bunny: Follow me my lord.

*************************** DEEP IN THE JUNGLE - Near a well
Bunny: Your highness, he is in this well

Forest king: (Peeps into the well)
Bunny (in a hush hush voice) see - there he is and next to him is my twin

Forest king: (Peeping into the well roars)
(sound reflection)
You arrogant cat - come here (sound reflection)

I am going to get you and eat you alive (sound reflection)
(In a fit of rage)

Wait wait - here I come (sound reflection)

(Jumps into the well and cries ' Oh no... Oh no...
I am drowning... you cheat... you tricked me.....
I will kill you....I will... (sound muffles and fades away))
All the animals and Jungle king come from behind the trees and rejoice.
(Jackals run away)

********************************** JUNGLE KING's DEN
All the animals and Jungle king (now free) rejoice.

Huge a jungle it was - very dense a jungle it was.
Thousands of animals living happily for
many generations like a family
Jungle has a mighty king a mighty lion king -who is
Kind to one and all to those under his wing -pro
tecting the jungle from external invaders -and
saving his people by feeding on intruders
Huge a jungle it was - very dense a jungle it was.

POET'S NOTES ABOUT THE POEM
Story of how a rabbit outsmarts a cruel lion - dramatized for presentation as a musical by children.
COMMENTS OF THE POEM
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