The Talking Cave

The lion, Bharanakhara, ruled over a part of a jungle. One day, despite having wandered around the jungle for hours, he had not found prey and was returning home at sunset, tired and hungry. As he passed a big cave he thought: "An animal must surely live in this big cave and is bound to return. I shall hide here and wait for my dinner." The cave was the home of a jackal. Soon after the lion had hidden himself, the jackal returned. As he was entering the cave, he noticed there were lion footprints going into the cave, but none coming out. He thought. "If a lion is here I will be dead as soon as I enter. But, how can I be sure? I must find a way to confirm if a lion is inside or not.” He thought of a plan. Standing in front of the cave he began to shout: "Hello Cave! Hello Cave! Can I come inside?" He waited in silence a few moments, and then shouted again, "Hello Cave! Have you forgotten our understanding of all these years? I wait for your reply before I enter. Why are you silent today? I shall have to go to some other cave if you do not reply." On hearing this, the lion thought, "The cave must reply to the jackal when he returns at sunset. It is because I am inside that the cave is not replying today. I must invite the jackal on behalf of the cave, or he will go away." So, from inside the cave the lion replied, "Hello Jackal, you may enter. It is safe inside." The voice echoed through the walls of the cave and frightened the jackal who realized the lion was lying in wait. He fled as fast as he could to safety.