Long ago there lived a Lion, Mr. Badshah Junglewala in the forest town of Forestabad. He was stout, with a big round face, flowing beard and almost always carrying a big smile for all and sundry- Ah, why "almost always", you would ask.... so my dear baby, here is the story behind why his big smile would sometimes disappear!
Badshah Junglewala was fond of all the animals that lived in his kingdom of Forestabad, well, all but one, the stingy mosquito, Mr. Itch Bites. Nature had blessed Forestabad with lush green foliage, trees laden with sweet fruits of all kinds, fragrant flowers blooming in all hues... But Mr. Bites would prefer loitering around sewage drains, rotten and stale food bits, static puddle of dirty water. Oh, he was insufferable!
In this blessed kingdom of Forestabad, everyone lived happily, spreading smiles and love. Everyone shared that nature gave it in abundance. Fights were unheard of, even minor squabbles were rare. The King ensured all his subjects nurtured good habits and refrained from hurting each other. the stories of this happy and beautiful kingdom spread far and wide. Neighboring kingdoms envied the residents of Forestabad and were often indulging in mischief to disturb its peace and tranquility. But with clever ministers, - Mr. Buddhiwan (the monkey), Mr. Vir Singh, the Tiger, and Ms. Cathy, the cat, - the dirty tricks of the mischief mongers were always defeated.
However, due to bad habits of Mr. Bites and his proximity to spoilt brats from other kingdoms, Forestabad was now under threat of a bad disease. Often young cubs would fall sick, shivering with fever, itching all over. Dr. Humpy, the elephant, was troubled, for he knew, how many medicines he may prescribe to the patients, it will not work till Mr. Bites was made to give up his mischief.
and, in this Mr. Bites was not alone. He had an army of stingy friends from nearby places, who would fly over to Forestabad at night, and run havoc with its residents.
One day all the residents decided to go and meet the King and ask him to stop the nightly attack led by Mr. Bites. The King listened to their woes patiently and called Dr. Hump. Dr. Hump said he can suggest some sprays that will kill Mr. Bites and his friends, but then it was not in the nature of the people of this happy kingdom to hurt anyone, however cruel he may be. The situation was serious. Mr. Bites had to be controlled. The King learned from his ministers that the mosquito brigade was warned against spreading malaise, but they simply ignored the warnings.
Ms. Cathy, then came up with a brilliant idea. She called a meeting of spiders. Mr. Webby, the leader of spiders brigade arrived the very next day at the King's court with his army. A secret plan was designed and everybody was told to keep calm. That very evening the spider brigade got to work and built a dense mesh of their web all across the residence area of the kingdom. Mr. Bites and his friends were caught in the mesh as they tried to enter the homes of various animals to play their prank! Many of his friends were hurt. They could not fly. Soon they all started wailing... shouting for help. The kind citizens of the kingdom felt bad hearing their helpless cries. They did not want to cause any pain to the mosquitoes. Many of the animals came out of their homes and requested Mr. Webby to release the mosquitoes caught in webs.
Mr. Webby was touched with their concern and said "I can release them, but only if the King orders so"
The King was informed and he immediately arrived with his ministers. He asked Mr. Webby to release Mr. Stingy Bites. When Mr. Bites was released, he fell on the feet of the King and started crying. He said "My Lord, I have always caused trouble to all of you, yet everyone has been so kind to me. They forgave me even though I hurt their children, spreading diseases. I am ashamed of myself. I beg your forgiveness. I will never ever hurt anyone anymore", Mr. Bites was crying uncontrollably.
The King said, "Mr. Bites, it is good that you realize your mistakes and are ready to be reformed. Everyone makes mistakes at some point in their lives. But those who learn from their mistakes are the ones who are respected by all. I am ready to forgive you and your friends, but it is really the people whom you have caused trouble, they need to forgive you"
"We forgive him My Lord!" said the animals in one voice. Mr. Bites was forgiven. His friends were released as well. They too vowed never to bother anyone ever. As everyone was ready to go home, Mr. Bites rose and said, " I am thankful to you all for being so kind. However, i have just one question to ask. Can you tell me why do you think we mosquitoes bite children often?"
Everyone was surprised at such a question. No one could think of an answer. Mr. Buddhiwan, the clever minister said on behalf of everyone, " There definitely be a good reason behind it. Now that you have brought this up, why don't you tell us?"
"Mr. Minister, very well. Let me tell you the reason behind it. Most of the time children play in dirty water, throw half eaten fruits around, let garbage accumulate all around. These may look horrible to you, but our senses get attracted with these sights. We run towards stagnant water, littered bits of food etc. And, it is here that we pick up viruses of many diseases that gets spread with even our playful bites.", explained Mr. Bites.
Everyone now understood that they were also responsible in creating this menace of diseases. The King said, "Dear Friends, I am sure now you realize what is our fault. While Mr. Bites has promised not be a trouble anymore, our children will be safe and healthy only when we keep our kingdom clean and develop healthy habits of disposing waste in covered bins, cleaning puddles of water around and never to leave food to rot! Can we promise, we will do all this?"
"Sure, we will. We want to live happy and healthy life. Thank you My lord and Mr. Bites for showing us the importance of small things in our well being. We promise to keep not only our homes but the entire kingdom clean", Mr. Spots, the Giraffe said on behalf of all residents of Forestabad. Everyone raised their hands in agreement and vowed to follow healthy habits.
The kingdom of Forestabad was never again inflicted with deadly diseases and everyone there lived happily ever after.
Badshah Junglewala was fond of all the animals that lived in his kingdom of Forestabad, well, all but one, the stingy mosquito, Mr. Itch Bites. Nature had blessed Forestabad with lush green foliage, trees laden with sweet fruits of all kinds, fragrant flowers blooming in all hues... But Mr. Bites would prefer loitering around sewage drains, rotten and stale food bits, static puddle of dirty water. Oh, he was insufferable!
In this blessed kingdom of Forestabad, everyone lived happily, spreading smiles and love. Everyone shared that nature gave it in abundance. Fights were unheard of, even minor squabbles were rare. The King ensured all his subjects nurtured good habits and refrained from hurting each other. the stories of this happy and beautiful kingdom spread far and wide. Neighboring kingdoms envied the residents of Forestabad and were often indulging in mischief to disturb its peace and tranquility. But with clever ministers, - Mr. Buddhiwan (the monkey), Mr. Vir Singh, the Tiger, and Ms. Cathy, the cat, - the dirty tricks of the mischief mongers were always defeated.
However, due to bad habits of Mr. Bites and his proximity to spoilt brats from other kingdoms, Forestabad was now under threat of a bad disease. Often young cubs would fall sick, shivering with fever, itching all over. Dr. Humpy, the elephant, was troubled, for he knew, how many medicines he may prescribe to the patients, it will not work till Mr. Bites was made to give up his mischief.
and, in this Mr. Bites was not alone. He had an army of stingy friends from nearby places, who would fly over to Forestabad at night, and run havoc with its residents.
One day all the residents decided to go and meet the King and ask him to stop the nightly attack led by Mr. Bites. The King listened to their woes patiently and called Dr. Hump. Dr. Hump said he can suggest some sprays that will kill Mr. Bites and his friends, but then it was not in the nature of the people of this happy kingdom to hurt anyone, however cruel he may be. The situation was serious. Mr. Bites had to be controlled. The King learned from his ministers that the mosquito brigade was warned against spreading malaise, but they simply ignored the warnings.
Ms. Cathy, then came up with a brilliant idea. She called a meeting of spiders. Mr. Webby, the leader of spiders brigade arrived the very next day at the King's court with his army. A secret plan was designed and everybody was told to keep calm. That very evening the spider brigade got to work and built a dense mesh of their web all across the residence area of the kingdom. Mr. Bites and his friends were caught in the mesh as they tried to enter the homes of various animals to play their prank! Many of his friends were hurt. They could not fly. Soon they all started wailing... shouting for help. The kind citizens of the kingdom felt bad hearing their helpless cries. They did not want to cause any pain to the mosquitoes. Many of the animals came out of their homes and requested Mr. Webby to release the mosquitoes caught in webs.
Mr. Webby was touched with their concern and said "I can release them, but only if the King orders so"
The King was informed and he immediately arrived with his ministers. He asked Mr. Webby to release Mr. Stingy Bites. When Mr. Bites was released, he fell on the feet of the King and started crying. He said "My Lord, I have always caused trouble to all of you, yet everyone has been so kind to me. They forgave me even though I hurt their children, spreading diseases. I am ashamed of myself. I beg your forgiveness. I will never ever hurt anyone anymore", Mr. Bites was crying uncontrollably.
The King said, "Mr. Bites, it is good that you realize your mistakes and are ready to be reformed. Everyone makes mistakes at some point in their lives. But those who learn from their mistakes are the ones who are respected by all. I am ready to forgive you and your friends, but it is really the people whom you have caused trouble, they need to forgive you"
"We forgive him My Lord!" said the animals in one voice. Mr. Bites was forgiven. His friends were released as well. They too vowed never to bother anyone ever. As everyone was ready to go home, Mr. Bites rose and said, " I am thankful to you all for being so kind. However, i have just one question to ask. Can you tell me why do you think we mosquitoes bite children often?"
Everyone was surprised at such a question. No one could think of an answer. Mr. Buddhiwan, the clever minister said on behalf of everyone, " There definitely be a good reason behind it. Now that you have brought this up, why don't you tell us?"
"Mr. Minister, very well. Let me tell you the reason behind it. Most of the time children play in dirty water, throw half eaten fruits around, let garbage accumulate all around. These may look horrible to you, but our senses get attracted with these sights. We run towards stagnant water, littered bits of food etc. And, it is here that we pick up viruses of many diseases that gets spread with even our playful bites.", explained Mr. Bites.
Everyone now understood that they were also responsible in creating this menace of diseases. The King said, "Dear Friends, I am sure now you realize what is our fault. While Mr. Bites has promised not be a trouble anymore, our children will be safe and healthy only when we keep our kingdom clean and develop healthy habits of disposing waste in covered bins, cleaning puddles of water around and never to leave food to rot! Can we promise, we will do all this?"
"Sure, we will. We want to live happy and healthy life. Thank you My lord and Mr. Bites for showing us the importance of small things in our well being. We promise to keep not only our homes but the entire kingdom clean", Mr. Spots, the Giraffe said on behalf of all residents of Forestabad. Everyone raised their hands in agreement and vowed to follow healthy habits.
The kingdom of Forestabad was never again inflicted with deadly diseases and everyone there lived happily ever after.
No comments:
Post a Comment