Skip to main content

The Bug and The Poor Flea


Listen/Download :
   
Mandavisarpini was a white flea. She lived in the folds of the exquisite white silk sheet that covered the bed of a king in a certain country.

She fed on the king's blood without anybody noticing, and was happy to spend her days.

One day, a bug managed to enter the beautifully decorated bedroom of the king.

When the flea saw him, she warned, "O Bug, what are you doing in the king's bedroom. Leave at once before you get caught!"

The bug replied, "Madam, even if I were a good-for-nothing bug, that is no way to treat a guest. One should welcome a guest with humble words, sweet behaviour and offer refreshments."

The bug continued, "I have fed myself with all types of blood, but never have I had the pleasure of the blood of a king. It must be very sweet, for the king eats the choicest of food. I would love to taste the king's blood, if you permit."

The flea was taken aback, "O Bug, you have a nasty bite, like a sharp needle. Besides, I feed on the king's blood only when he is deep into his sleep. I can permit you to feed on the king's blood only if you promise to wait till he is asleep."

The bug agreed, "I promise to wait till the king is asleep, and only after you have fed yourself, will I feed myself on his blood."

Soon after they decided on such terms, the king came to his bedroom and lay down to sleep.

The bug could not control himself, and decided to take a tiny bite of the king, without waiting. As the king was yet to fall asleep, he jumped at the sharp bite of the bug.

The king shouted at his servants, "Hey, there is something in my bed that has bitten me. Look for it, as I have already been bitten."

On hearing this, the bug quickly hid himself in a corner of the bed, before the servants could start searching for him.

However, the servants scrutinized the entire bed, sheet by sheet, and found the flea between the folds. They killed her at once, and the king went to sleep without anymore worries.

The wise indeed say:
The false promises of friends as well as strangers have no value. You end up paying for it.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

I was busy + (verb-ing)

When using the word 'was', you are referring to something in a past tense, or something that happened before. Combining it with the word 'busy' you can express something that was occupying you in a past time. Examples: "I was busy thinking." "I was busy working." "I was busy cooking dinner." "I was busy talking on the phone." "I was busy cleaning the house." "I was busy studying for my test." "I was busy thinking of ideas for our website." "I was busy entertaining our neighbors." "I was busy completing my housework." "I was busy learning new things." By changing 'was' to 'am' you change your message from past tense to present tense and refer to something you are doing 'now.' Examples: "I am busy working." "I am busy cooking dinner." "I am busy studying for my test." "I am busy c...

I promise not to + verb

When using the word 'promise' you are giving your word that what you are saying is true. You might also be assuring someone a guarantee that you will follow through on what you are saying to them. When using 'promise not to' you are stating you will not do a particular thing. Examples: "I promise not to tell." "I promise not to leave without you." "I promise not to be so late." "I promise not to hurt your feelings." "I promise not to wake you up." You can also just use the word 'promise' to assure someone of your intentions. Examples: "I promise I am telling the truth." "I promise to practice my math." "I promise to call you." "I promise I will tell you." "I promise I will come to your party."

I'm having a hard time + (verb-ing)

By stating you are having a hard time you are letting someone know you are having difficulty with something. This could be something physical or mental and something that could be overcome with effort. Examples: "I'm having a hard time writing." "I'm having a hard time understanding you." "I'm having a hard time answering your question." "I'm having a hard time downloading songs to my iPod." "I'm having a hard time agreeing to the terms." With the addition of an adverb you can express in more detail just how difficult something is for you. Examples: "I'm having an extremely hard time trusting you." "I'm having an extremely hard time with my wife." "I'm having a very hard time finding a job." "I'm having a very hard time finding parts for my car."