The monkey and the wedge
In a city there lived a rich merchant. One day the merchant decided it was time to build a temple. He chose the appropriate spot for building the temple. A nice shady place.
He gathered workers who would help in the construction work, and appointed them. He then told them what they were supposed to do, and the timeline by when he needed the work completed. Payment terms were discussed and agreed on, and the date when the workers would start, was decided.
On the set date, the workers arrived at the site, ready to start their work. They would go there every day early morning and start work. When afternoon came, the workers would take a break. They would call out to each other, and then would leave the site. They would return after sometime and resume their work.
This site was a shady place. There were many trees there. And in those trees, lived monkeys. Every day the monkeys would observe the workers busy with their work.
Let’s talk about this specific day. A carpenter was trying to split a log into two. He had managed to cut part of the log. It was just then, that his fellow workers came and called him, and told him it was time for a break. The carpenter really needed a break. But how to handle the log? If he left it, the cut part would snap back, closing the gash. To ensure it remained in that position, the carpenter pushed a wedge into the gap in the log, and then left with his colleagues, for his break.
The monkeys, up in the trees, saw the workers leave the site. They were used to the schedule of the workers. When the workers left, the monkeys would come down and roam around the site freely. When the monkeys were there, the curiosity bug caught one of the monkeys. This monkey saw the wedge, which had been pushed into the gash, in the log. It was something that the monkey had never seen before and it was curious. What is this? It thought. The monkey went closer and touched the wedge. It was sturdy, and refused to move. The monkey then grabbed the wedge and began to pull it. Unfortunately for the monkey, the wedge shot out of the log. Taken aback, the monkey moved and his legs got caught in the gash in log. With the wedge out, the log closed in, crushing the monkey, killing it.
The jackal finished telling his brother the tale of the unfortunate curious monkey. Saying this he said -
Why should we be curious? Why the lion returned back without drinking water, should not be for us to worry about. We need to be content. When the lion kills and eats, he leaves scraps around. We need to be happy eating that. So, stop thinking about the lion.
The other jackal said,
I disagree. Are we here just to hunt for food? What are we? Crows, that we need to roam around, looking for food?
The first jackal said,
look, we are not in the service of the lion. When we did, things were different. Just forget the lion and his affairs.
The second jackal said
No. All one has to do, is serve the king. Doing so, even an ordinary person, can become a minister.
If a minister is not doing their job properly, they can be let go.
We need to find out what the king likes, dislikes; his wants, his desires. Doing so, we can get closer to the king.
The first jackal was listening.
Tell me. What is your plan? What are we supposed to do?
The second jackal said
I have a plan. I have seen the lion. He went to drink water but came back thirsty. I know the river is not dry. Also, have you noticed something? The lion has said something to the other animals, and they all look a bit scared. I will use diplomacy to find out what is happening.
And how do you know that the lion is scared - asked the first jackal.
The second jackal said -
Look closely. Can you not see the lion. He is looking back towards the river time and again. Also, his voice. And the way his eyes are twitching. All these are signs, that tell me, something is bothering the lion. I will go to the lion and become friendly with him. I will gain his trust and then, I will remove his fear. By doing so, I will help regain our father's position, as his advisor.
The first jackal said - You are talking about serving the lion. What do you plan to do? Fine, tell me. What will you say when you go to the lion?
The second jackal said - I have not planned anything. All I know is, I will be successful I need to understand the situation, and then based on the situation, I need to say what is correct. If the lion is angry, I'll flatter him. I will treat all his friends and allies as my own. And appreciate all that he says and gives.
The first jackal said - Good luck. I will remain here and watch and see what you do.
The second jackal then took leave of his brother and went and greeted the lion.
This lion was not like the ferocious lion we hear of. He was a nice person. When he saw the jackal approaching, he greeted him and asked -
How have you been? All well? I have not seen you for a long time?
The jackal said - You are the king, and I am just a subject. I offer my services to you. A king needs high ranking people to serve him, and he also sometimes needs nobodies like us.
The lion said - What high and lows? You are the son of my ex-advisor and I have respect for you. If there is anything to say, do not hesitate.
The jackal said - I have come here to say something to you. I am not sure, what I want to say is something that I need to say in front of all.
The lion looked at the other animals near him. He saw some tigers and wolves sitting there.
Could you please leave me and the jackal alone for some time - he said.
They understood. The tigers and wolves walked away from there.
When they were gone, the jackal said - I think, your majesty, you went to the river to drink water, but came back thirsty. Any reason why?
The lion was taken aback. He stammered and said - Oh nothing, let it be.
The jackal said - I understand you are not comfortable sharing things with me. Let it be. The jackal got up, ready to leave.
The lion thought for some time and then said - you seem trust worthy. Let me tell you. So I was at the river and heard a scary noise. Wait .... can you hear it now?
The jackal heard the bellow of the bullock.
He said - So what? This is a jungle. You will hear noises here.
The lion said - Look, I am not comfortable. Some scary animal has come here and has made its home. It makes these strange noises. It’s not visible.
The jackal said - You have just heard some noise and that is scaring you? It’s your jungle. You were born here, raised here. Noises should not scare you. Drums make strange noises. When a jackal overcame his fear of noises, he found food.
Which jackal is this, what happened? asked the lion.
The jackal began telling the lion the story of this jackal.
Analysis Summary
A jackal says, avoid curiosity. One should be "content" with what authority provides. The second jackal says No; I do not accept this. I am ambitious. I refuse to settle for scraps.
- The story talks about the danger of interfering with things that one does not understand. The monkey, driven by "curiosity," interfered with the wedge in the log and died. It says curiosity without knowledge can be fatal.
- The second jackal's approach shows the importance of intelligence and planning before action. His goal is to regain his family's position by knowing the king's weaknesses and using "diplomacy".
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