The Guilty Dogs
Traditional | India
A king blamed city dogs for damaging his chariot, but a wise chief dog proved the palace dogs were guilty.
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Once upon a time, a mighty king rode his stunning chariot, pulled by six gleaming white horses. When the day turned into night, the horses went back to their stables, while the chariot with its leather harnesses was left out in the palace courtyard.
Late that night, a sudden downpour of rain softened the chariot's leather harnesses. The palace dogs, seeing this, thought, "Oh, what a chance to play!" Silently, they scampered into the courtyard and chewed on the lovely, soft straps. They had their fun the whole night, then sneaked off just as the sun was about to rise.
In the morning, the stablemen discovered the damaged chariot. Shocked, they went to the king, saying, "Dear King, the chariot's leather straps were destroyed overnight. It seems like the work of dogs who chewed on the beautiful straps."
The king became angry and ordered, "Get rid of all the dogs in the city!"
When the dogs heard about the king's command, they felt very scared. All the city's dogs, nearly seven hundred of them, went to their wise chief, who was known for his kindness and bravery.
"Why are you all so sad today?" asked the wise dog chief, seeing their gloomy faces.
"We're in danger!" they told him, "The king believes we chewed the chariot's leather straps and now wants us all gone."
The chief thought, "No city dog could've gone into the palace. It must've been the palace dogs. I'll prove it to the king and save all of us."
Bravely, the chief walked to the palace. Even though men were ready to harm him, they couldn't, charmed by the love in his eyes. He walked past the guards and into the hall of justice where the king sat.
After a moment of silence, the dog chief spoke up, "Dear King, why do you want to get rid of all the city dogs?"
The King answered, "They destroyed the royal chariot's harnesses."
"But do you know which dogs did it?" asked the chief.
"I don't know," the King admitted, "so I ordered all city dogs to be gotten rid of."
The chief then asked, "But what about the palace dogs? Are they spared?"
"Yes," the King replied, "Only the palace dogs are allowed to live."
"Is that fair, dear King?" the chief asked gently, "Why are palace dogs innocent while city dogs are blamed? Is this your justice?"
The King fell silent, then asked, "Then, wise chief, who really is to blame?"
"The palace dogs," answered the chief.
The King asked for proof, so the chief suggested, "Let's bring the palace dogs here, give them kusa grass and buttermilk, and see what happens."
Once the palace dogs ate the kusa grass and buttermilk, bits of chewed leather fell from their mouths onto the ground. The real culprits were revealed.
"I see the truth in your words," the King acknowledged, "You've taught me a valuable lesson. Justice should be fair and impartial, no matter who is involved. From now on, all the city dogs shall enjoy royal care and good food every day."
And so, all the city dogs lived happily ever after.
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