The Brahman, the Tiger, and the Six Judges
by Unknown · from The Fairy Ring
Adapted Version
Once, a kind Brahman walked in the jungle. He saw a big tiger.
The Brahman walked on the road. He saw a big cage. A big Tiger was inside the cage. The Tiger was trapped. The Tiger called to Brahman. "Please help me," said the Tiger. "Let me out. I need water. I will not harm you." The Tiger promised.
Brahman felt sad for the Tiger. He thought about it. Then Brahman opened the cage door. The Tiger jumped out fast. "Now I will not let you go," Tiger said. "I will keep you."
Brahman was scared. "This is not fair," said Brahman. "Let us ask some friends. They will tell us what is right."
They saw a big Tree. "Tree, please tell us," said Brahman. "Is this fair?" The Tree said, "People are unkind. They take my shade. Then they cut my branches. So the Tiger is right."
They saw an old Camel. "Camel, please tell us," said Brahman. "Is this fair?" The Camel said, "People forget friends. They make me work. Then they leave me. So the Tiger is right."
They saw a tired Bullock. "Bullock, please tell us," said Brahman. "Is this fair?" The Bullock said, "People leave their helpers. They make me pull carts. Then they do not care. So the Tiger is right."
Brahman felt very sad. He saw a clever Jackal. "Jackal, please help me," said Brahman. "Is this fair?"
The Jackal was clever. "I do not know," said the Jackal. "Show me how it was. Show me the start."
They all went back to the cage. The Jackal watched.
"Tiger, show me," said the Jackal. "How were you in the cage?" The Tiger walked into the cage. He showed them. "Now, Brahman, quickly!" said the Jackal. Brahman quickly shut the door. He locked it tight.
"Tiger, you are not kind!" said the Jackal. "You must stay in the cage." The Tiger stayed in the cage. Brahman was safe. Brahman was free. The clever Jackal helped the kind Brahman. It is not good to be unkind.
Original Story
The Brahman, the Tiger, and the Six Judges
ONCE upon a time a Brahman, who was walking along the road, came upon an iron cage, in which a great tiger had been shut up by the villagers who caught him.
As the Brahman passed by, the Tiger called out and said to him: "Brother Brahman, brother Brahman, have pity on me, and let me out of this cage for one minute only to drink a little water, for I am dying of thirst." The Brahman answered: "No, I will not; for if I let you out of the cage you will eat me."
"Oh, father of mercy," answered the Tiger, "in truth that I will not. I will never be so ungrateful; only let me out, that I may drink some water and return." Then the Brahman took pity on him and opened the cage door; but no sooner had he done so than the Tiger, jumping out, said: "Now, I will eat you first and drink the water afterwards." But the Brahman said: "Only do not kill me hastily. Let us first ask the opinion of six, and if all of them say it is just and fair that you should put me to death, then I am willing to die."
"Very well," answered the Tiger, "it shall be as you say; we will first ask the opinion of six."
So the Brahman and the Tiger walked on till they came to a Banyan tree; and the Brahman said to it: "Banyan Tree, Banyan Tree, hear and give judgment." "On what must I give judgment?" asked the Banyan Tree. "This Tiger," said the Brahman, "begged me to let him out of his cage to drink a little water, and he promised not to hurt me if I did so; but now, that I have let him out, he wishes to eat me. Is it just that he should do so or no?"
The Banyan Tree answered: "Men often come to take shelter in the cool shade under my boughs from the scorching rays of the sun; but when they have rested, they cut and break my pretty branches and wantonly scatter my leaves. Let the Tiger eat the man, for men are an ungrateful race."
At these words the Tiger would have instantly killed the Brahman, but the Brahman said: "Tiger, Tiger, you must not kill me yet, for you promised that we should first hear the judgment of six." "Very well," said the Tiger, and they went on their way. After a little while they met a camel. "Sir Camel, Sir Camel," cried the Brahman, "hear and give judgment." "On what shall I give judgment?" asked the Camel. And the Brahman related how the Tiger had begged him to open the cage door, and promised not to eat him if he did so; and how he had afterwards determined to break his word, and asked if that were just or not. The Camel replied: "When I was young and strong, and could do much work, my master took care of me and gave me good food; but now that I am old, and have lost all my strength in his service, he overloads me and starves me and beats me without mercy. Let the Tiger eat the man, for men are an unjust and cruel race."
The Tiger would then have killed the Brahman, but the latter said: "Stop, Tiger, for we must first hear the judgment of six."
So they both went again on their way. At a little distance they found a bullock lying by the roadside. The Brahman said to him: "Brother Bullock, brother Bullock, hear and give judgment." "On what must I give judgment?" asked the Bullock. The Brahman answered: "I found this Tiger in a cage, and he prayed me to open the door and let him out to drink a little water, and promised not to kill me if I did so; but when I had let him out he resolved to put me to death. Is it fair that he should do so or not?" The Bullock said: "When I was able to work my master fed me well and tended me carefully, but now I am old he has forgotten all I did for him, and left me by the roadside to die. Let the Tiger eat the man, for men have no pity."
Three out of the six had given judgment against the Brahman, but still he did not lose all hope and determined to ask the other three.
They next met an eagle flying through the air, to whom the Brahman cried, "O Eagle, great Eagle, hear and give judgment." "On what must I give judgment?" asked the Eagle. The Brahman stated the case, and the Eagle answered: "Whenever men see me they try to shoot me; they climb the rocks and steal away my little ones. Let the Tiger eat the man, for men are the persecutors of the earth."
Then the Tiger began to roar and said: "The judgment of all is against you, O Brahman!" But the Brahman answered: "Stay yet a little longer, for two others must first be asked." After this they saw an alligator, and the Brahman related the matter to him, hoping for a more favorable verdict. But the Alligator said: "Whenever I put my nose out of the water men torment me and try to kill me. Let the Tiger eat the man, for as long as men live we shall have no rest."
The Brahman gave himself up as lost; but again he prayed the Tiger to have patience and let him ask the opinion of the sixth judge. Now the sixth was a jackal. The Brahman told his story, and said to him: "Uncle Jackal, Uncle Jackal, say what is your judgment?" The Jackal answered: "It is impossible for me to decide who is in the right and who in the wrong unless I see the exact position in which you were when the dispute began. Show me the place." So the Brahman and the Tiger returned to the place where they first met, and the Jackal went with them. When they got there, the Jackal said: "Now Brahman, show me exactly where you stood." "Here," said the Brahman, standing by the iron tiger cage. "Exactly there, was it?" asked the Jackal. "Exactly here," replied the Brahman. "Where was the Tiger, then?" asked the Jackal. "In the cage," answered the Tiger. "How do you mean?" said the Jackal; "how were you within the cage? which way were you looking?" "Why, I stood so," said the Tiger, jumping into the cage, "and my head was on this side." "Very good," said the Jackal, "but I cannot judge without understanding the whole matter exactly. Was the cage door open or shut?" "Shut and bolted," said the Brahman. "Then shut and bolt it," said the Jackal.
When the Brahman had done this, the Jackal said: "Oh, you wicked and ungrateful Tiger! when the good Brahman opened your cage door, is to eat him the only return you would make? Stay there, then, for the rest of your days, for no one will ever let you out again. Proceed on your journey, friend Brahman. Your road lies that way and mine this."
So saying, the Jackal ran off in one direction, and the Brahman went rejoicing on his way in the other.
Story DNA
Moral
Ingratitude is a grave sin, and cleverness can overcome brute force and injustice.
Plot Summary
A kind Brahman frees a trapped Tiger who immediately threatens to eat him. To decide if this is just, they agree to ask six judges. Five judges (a Banyan Tree, a Camel, a Bullock, an Eagle, and an Alligator) all side with the Tiger, citing humanity's ingratitude and cruelty towards them. Desperate, the Brahman appeals to the sixth judge, a clever Jackal, who tricks the Tiger into re-entering the cage to demonstrate the original situation, then traps him inside, saving the Brahman and delivering justice.
Themes
Emotional Arc
despair to triumph
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
This story is a classic example of a 'trickster tale' found in many cultures, particularly prevalent in Indian folklore (e.g., Panchatantra, Hitopadesha), where animals often embody human traits and moral lessons are conveyed through fables.
Plot Beats (15)
- A Brahman finds a Tiger trapped in an iron cage.
- The Tiger pleads with the Brahman to release him for a drink of water, promising not to eat him.
- The Brahman, despite his initial hesitation, takes pity and opens the cage.
- The Tiger immediately reneges on his promise and declares he will eat the Brahman.
- The Brahman proposes they seek the judgment of six others to determine if this is fair.
- The Banyan Tree, the first judge, sides with the Tiger, citing human ingratitude for its shade.
- The Camel, the second judge, sides with the Tiger, citing human cruelty and abandonment in old age.
- The Bullock, the third judge, sides with the Tiger, citing human ingratitude and abandonment after service.
- The Eagle, the fourth judge, sides with the Tiger, citing human persecution and theft of its young.
- The Alligator, the fifth judge, sides with the Tiger, citing human torment.
- The Brahman, losing hope, asks the sixth judge, a Jackal, for his opinion.
- The Jackal states he cannot judge without seeing the exact original situation.
- The Brahman and Tiger return to the cage with the Jackal.
- The Jackal cleverly tricks the Tiger into demonstrating how he was in the cage, then instructs the Brahman to shut and bolt the door.
- The Jackal declares the Tiger ungrateful and condemns him to remain in the cage, freeing the Brahman.
Characters
The Brahman
A man of average height and slender build, with a gentle demeanor. His skin is a warm, medium brown, typical of the Indian subcontinent, and his movements are deliberate and thoughtful.
Attire: Simple, clean dhoti (a white or off-white loincloth wrapped around the legs) and an angavastram (a thin cloth draped over the upper body or shoulder), made of plain cotton or linen. His attire is practical for walking on a road in a warm climate, reflecting his status as a religious scholar or priest.
Wants: To survive the Tiger's treachery and uphold the principle of justice.
Flaw: His excessive compassion and trust in others, even dangerous creatures, which initially puts him in peril.
Starts as a compassionate but naive individual who is almost devoured due to his trust. He learns to be more cautious and to rely on cleverness to navigate danger, ultimately reaffirming his belief in justice.
Compassionate, trusting, intelligent, persistent, and somewhat naive. He is willing to extend mercy but also quick-witted enough to buy himself time.
The Tiger
A large, powerful Bengal tiger, with a muscular, agile body. Its fur is a vibrant orange-yellow with distinct, bold black stripes. Its eyes are piercing and predatory, and its claws and teeth are formidable.
Attire: None, as a wild animal.
Wants: To satisfy its hunger and to escape confinement.
Flaw: Its overconfidence and lack of foresight, which allows the Jackal to trick it back into the cage.
Remains unchanged in its treacherous nature. It is outsmarted and returns to its original state of confinement, learning nothing.
Cunning, ungrateful, treacherous, impatient, and self-serving. It uses deception to achieve its goals and shows no remorse.
The Jackal
A small to medium-sized canid, lean and agile, with sandy-brown fur that blends with its surroundings. It has pointed ears and a bushy tail.
Attire: None, as a wild animal.
Wants: To ensure justice is served and to outsmart the ungrateful Tiger.
Flaw: None apparent in the story; it is presented as a purely positive force of intellect.
Serves as the ultimate arbiter of justice, restoring order and punishing the wicked. It does not change but rather acts as a catalyst for change for the Brahman.
Extremely clever, cunning, wise, and just. It is a master of deception when used for good.
The Banyan Tree
A massive, ancient Banyan tree with a sprawling canopy supported by numerous aerial roots that have grown into thick, pillar-like trunks. Its bark is rough and textured, and its leaves are broad and green, providing deep shade.
Attire: None, as a tree.
Wants: To express its long-held grievance against humans.
Flaw: Its inability to move or defend itself from human harm, leading to its jaded perspective.
Does not change; it serves as a voice of nature's grievance against humanity.
Bitter, cynical, and resentful due to past mistreatment by humans. It views humanity as ungrateful.
The Camel
An old, gaunt dromedary camel, with a single hump that sags slightly. Its fur is sparse and dusty brown, and its legs are thin, showing signs of weariness and past labor. Its eyes are rheumy and tired.
Attire: None, though it might have remnants of old harness marks on its body.
Wants: To voice its suffering and the injustice it experienced at the hands of humans.
Flaw: Its physical decline and the emotional scars of its past mistreatment.
Does not change; it serves as a voice of animal suffering and human ingratitude.
Bitter, resentful, and world-weary due to a lifetime of hard labor and subsequent abandonment by its master. It views humanity as unjust and cruel.
The Bullock
An old, emaciated bullock, lying by the roadside, clearly abandoned and near death. Its ribs are visible beneath its dull, patchy hide, and its horns are worn. Its eyes are dull and resigned.
Attire: None, as a wild animal, though it may have scars from a yoke.
Wants: To express its despair and the lack of pity shown by humans.
Flaw: Its physical weakness and imminent death, making it completely vulnerable.
Does not change; it serves as another voice of animal suffering and human ingratitude.
Resigned, sorrowful, and bitter due to being abandoned after a lifetime of service. It sees humans as pitiless.
The Eagle
A majestic and powerful eagle, with broad wings and sharp talons. Its feathers are dark brown, with a lighter head and tail. Its beak is hooked and strong, and its eyes are keen.
Attire: None, as a wild animal.
Wants: To voice its experience of being hunted and having its young stolen by humans.
Flaw: Its vulnerability to human hunters and nest raiders.
Does not change; it serves as a voice of nature's experience of human persecution.
Wary, protective of its young, and resentful of human interference. It views humans as persecutors.
The Alligator
A large, powerful alligator with a long, scaly body, dark green to brownish-grey in color. Its skin is rough and armored, and its jaws are massive, filled with sharp teeth. Its eyes are yellow and slit-pupiled, often just above the water's surface.
Attire: None, as a wild animal.
Wants: To voice its experience of being tormented and hunted by humans.
Flaw: Its vulnerability to human attacks when it surfaces.
Does not change; it serves as another voice of nature's experience of human persecution.
Wary, aggressive, and constantly on guard due to human torment. It views humans as a source of endless trouble.
Locations
Roadside with Iron Cage
A dusty, unpaved road in a rural Indian setting, likely bordered by sparse vegetation. An old, sturdy iron cage, possibly made of wrought iron bars, sits prominently by the side of the road, containing a large tiger.
Mood: Initially tense and desperate due to the tiger's plea, then shifting to cunning and dangerous.
The Brahman first encounters the caged tiger and is tricked into releasing it. This is also where the jackal later tricks the tiger back into the cage.
Under the Banyan Tree
A massive Banyan tree with a sprawling canopy providing deep, cool shade. Its aerial prop roots descend from the branches, forming a natural colonnade. The ground beneath is likely bare earth or covered in fallen leaves, offering respite from the sun.
Mood: Initially a place of judgment and supposed wisdom, but with an underlying sense of human ingratitude.
The Banyan tree is the first judge, giving its verdict against the Brahman.
Roadside with Bullock
A dusty Indian roadside, similar to the first, but featuring a weary, old bullock lying by the side. The ground is dry and possibly uneven, with sparse vegetation.
Mood: Desolate and melancholic, reflecting the bullock's abandonment and the theme of ingratitude.
The bullock, the third judge, gives its verdict against the Brahman, reinforcing the theme of human ingratitude.