Once upon a time, in a lively jungle nestled by a mighty river, a large troop of monkeys resided. Their leader was a smart and thoughtful monkey named Bheema, known for his wisdom throughout the forest.
Not too far from the monkeys, on a small island in the centre of the river, lived a crocodile. His name was Makara. Over time, Bheema and Makara became great friends. Every day, Makara would swim to the bank of the river, where Bheema would kindly share ripe, juicy fruits from his trees.
One sunny afternoon, Makara took a few fruits back to his home. His wife, intrigued by the sweet fruits, asked where they came from. Learning they were given by a monkey, she formulated a cunning plan. She managed to convince Makara that if a monkey’s fruit tasted this sweet, its heart would taste even sweeter. She asked Makara to bring Bheema’s heart to her.
Makara was torn. He did not wish to harm his friend, but he also didn’t want to disappoint his wife. So, he hatched a plan. The next day, he told Bheema, “My friend, on my island, there is a tree bearing fruits sweeter than any in this jungle. Won’t you come and taste them?”
Bheema, trusting his friend, agreed, “Oh, that sounds wonderful, Makara. Let’s go!”
As Makara swam halfway, he revealed his wife’s request. He said, “Bheema, my wife wishes to taste your heart. She believes it will be as sweet as these fruits.”
Quick-witted Bheema didn’t panic. Instead, he said, “Oh, dear Makara, you should have told me earlier. We monkeys usually keep our hearts safely at home. Take me back, and I will bring my heart for your wife.”
Fooled by Bheema’s cleverness, Makara turned back. Upon reaching the bank, Bheema jumped off Makara’s back onto dry land. He confessed, “Makara, I’m sorry, but I tricked you. We, like all creatures, carry our hearts within us. You’ve disappointed me by choosing to betray our friendship for such a wicked cause.”
Makara, filled with regret, returned home and confessed everything to his wife. His rash decision, influenced by greed, had cost him a true friend.
The tale of Bheema and Makara is a significant reminder of Mitra Bhedha, or the Loss of Friends. It shows us how precious friendships can be broken by deceit, and teaches us the importance of honesty and trust. Friendships are not to be taken lightly, and one should never allow greed or falsehood to taint these sacred bonds.
