The Brahmin and the Mongoose tells the tale of Dev Sharma, a common Brahmin, and his wife. They were pleased when they were expectant of a newborn child which was a boy. On the same day, around, a female mongoose produced a baby but unfortunately, it died soon after.
The Brahmin and his wife raised the tiny mongoose and their son. The wife of the Brahmin also loved both the children, she breastfed them and even bathed them side by side. She loved both the boys so much that she ensured that they grew up together as brothers.
But she did not loosen up entirely because she knew only too well that the mongoose was still an animal with its basic animal instincts. She shared all her worries with him and said that she loves the mongoose but it might harm their son one day due to its temper.
One day the wife of the Brahmin went to draw water and leaving her child with him of course she asked him to look after the child. In particular, she told him to make sure that the mongoose did not present any risk to the baby. The brahmin immediately went out for alms leaving the child behind. Without respecting his wife’s words he left the two young ones alone.
At this time, a venomous snake came to their house and crawled closer to the baby as it slept. From the desert to the yard of their house. The mongoose understands all the danger and fearlessly fights with the snake to save his brother. He being short in size and strength, couched and fought the snake right through till he overpowered it. The mongoose used his mouth and claw to fight. Then its mouth and claws were covered crimson red with the blood that spewed from the snake.
In the victory that followed the mongoose felt happy and was proud, he wanted to make his new mother proud of him and he waited for her to arrive. But the Brahmin wife had run home pretty fast thinking about her husband’s negligence. Upon seeing the bloodied mongoose approaching her, she jumped to a horrifying conclusion. She thought that the mongoose had injured her child, and she then threw a big water pot at him in annoyance.
The consequences devastated the mongoose to death. Her son was peacefully asleep in his cradle as she rushed inside. But she was shocked with horror when the wriggled snake lay near to him and she presumed it to be dead. She appreciates the fact that the mongoose had died for her child but it was sweet sorrow and regret.
On the Brahmin’s return home, his wife narrated the tragic events. The snake attacked their beloved pet, causing heartbreak for both parents. It is important to consider this story as a medium for the dangers of making decisions and acting without giving them enough thought.