The Hermit and the Mouse

This is a story of a hermit who collected alms from the nearby villages to feed and give the rest to the poor. A mouse stole most of his alms and caused trouble. The hermit found a way to teach the mouse a lesson. What did the hermit do? Was he alone planning it? What happened to the mouse later? Read this interesting Panchatantra story and find out what happened.

The Sage and the Mouse Story

Once upon a time, a hermit lived near a temple. Poor workers worked hard to keep the temple clean. The hermit went to the villages to beg and collect food. He always used to give a major part of his alms to these workers. He was happy to help them.

There was only one problem. There was a mischievous mouse that was causing trouble to the hermit. Whenever he went outside to beg, the mouse came out of the holes and stole the stored food.

The Unhappy Hermit

The hermit was unhappy as he was unable to feed the poor, and all his hard work was going in vain. He hung the food bowl as high as possible, but the mouse was clever enough to find a way out.

He was frustrated and wanted to teach the mouse a lesson. He did not go to beg in the villages that day. He waited with a stick in front of the holes to beat the mouse. The mouse was clever enough to sense the danger. It did not come out from any of the holes. The hermit waited and waited.

A Beggar and the Hermit

A beggar came to the hermit’s door. He asked for food as he had not eaten for days. The hermit was too caught up in guarding the hole and could not answer him properly.

The beggar was angry. He said, “I have heard about you and came hoping to get some food. I have been walking for two days to get something to eat, but you are too busy to answer my questions. I am not coming back here!”

The hermit was moved by the beggar’s words. He apologised and explained the problem. The beggar understood why the hermit was so engaged in that act. He told the hermit to make a plan.

The Hermit Makes a Plan

He also explained that the mouse is collecting food and must have underground stock. He said, “There are many holes, but all lead to a burrow. I am sure about it. Let us find and follow the mouse’s footsteps.”

The hermit followed what he said and found footsteps leading to a particular hole. They started digging that hole and found a huge stack of food collected by the mouse. The mouse was there to guard it too.

The Hermit Beating the Mouse

The hermit did not wait and delivered a strong blow to the mouse. It was hurt but managed to run. From a distance, the mouse saw that the hermit was taking out all the food from the burrow. He was frustrated and left the hermit’s home and never came back.

Moral of the Hermit and the Mouse Panchatantra Story

The Hermit and the Mouse moral explains that you must deliver a blow to an enemy's weakness to bring them down. Strike at the power source, and the fort will crumble. The hermit found the weakness of the mouse. It was his stack of food stolen from the hermit. He took it away and disheartened the mouse.

If you observe, the mouse always dodged his attack. It means the mouse did not fear the hermit but was utterly disappointed when the stolen food was taken away.

Tips for Parents

Understand The Hermit and the Mouse summary and explain it to kids using pictures. The children will find it more interesting and will grab the moral.