Rama's Net
Retold by Anjali Amit
Rama lived in a beautiful village. Coconuts grew aplenty, gentle rivulets ran down to the sea. The rice fields were a lush green; colorful flowers and chirping birds made this a paradise. Yes, you’ve guessed it; it was a coastal village.
But in this village entered a snake-a big king cobra. It terrorized the people of the village. Nobody had the courage to fight the snake.
The queen looked round for help.
"Call Rama," her councilors advised. "He has a plan for everything."
Rama was sent for and soon arrived at the castle. He had heard of the snake plaguing the village and was ready with a plan.
"Rama the snake has to be caught," said the queen. "If you are successful you will be rewarded."
Rama went out whistling. Soon he was in the forest where the snake made his home. Such a merry tune did Rama whistle that all the birds of the forest joined in.
"Surely this chorus will bring the snake out of his hole," said Rama. He waited patiently.
When the chorus quieted down Rama heard a whistling in the leaves. There, near his feet was the snake.
"Brother snake," said Rama, "I have heard people talking, and they say you cannot move."
"Sssssssilly people," hissed the snake.
"Here is a rope lying near you," said Rama, pointing to a rope with a slip noose at one end. "Now if you really cannot move you are no different from the rope." Of course Rama knew that the snake traveled all over the island, bothering the people.
"I’ll ssssssshow you," said the snake. "You know I can do anything I want, brother Rama." He slithered right into the noose. Quick as a flash Rama pulled the noose tight. Then he took hold of the snake by the tail and walked back to the palace.
"Now Your Majesty, where is my reward?" he asked.
"I have one more task for you Rama," said the queen. "The rice is ripening in the fields. But the birds eat the grain right off the stalk. If they are not stopped the villagers will starve this season. Take care of it and this basketful of jewels will be yours."
Rama peered into the basket. Emeralds glistened in the sunlight and a blood-red ruby glowed mysteriously.
"Let me think a while," said Rama, who had no plan ready for this. "I will be back in three days, if successful. If not, I will not return, and the basket of jewels will remain your property."
Rama returned home. Thoughts of weaving a large net flitted through his mind, but he was not a weaver, nor a hunter. And he had only three days at his disposal.
"Let me put on my thinking cap," he thought. He took the largest cane basket he could find and upturned it over his head. He walked to and fro, pondering. Deep in thought, he made his way to the rice field. The wicker basket had cracks large enough for him to see through. The sound of hundreds of birds twittering in the paddy fields drew him in the right direction.
As Rama lumbered up to the field all the birds fell silent. This was the scariest scarecrow they had ever seen. With one accord they took to the air. Rama took off the basket and laid it on the ground. He knew the birds would be back. What he needed to do was to capture them.
"Brothers and sisters of mine, I heard it said that you cannot be still for a minute. You spend your whole life pecking for food, with no rest."
"We rest when we can," replied the birds.
"This hot sun makes me sleepy," said Rama. "Here is a big roomy basket for you to rest in when you are tired."
Rama lay down and closed his eyes. First one bird then another hopped into the basket. Soon all the birds were in. Rama jumped up and shut the lid. He carried the heavy basket back to the queen’s palace.
"My tasks are completed, O queen," he cried.
"Well I’ll gladly exchange your basket for mine", said the queen, as she rewarded Rama for his success.