The wolf and the crane
Once there lived a wolf in a wood. One day while eating the flesh of a hunted lamb, a bone struck him on the throat. He felt pain and fell at a loss what to do. He saw a crane looking for food. “Good morning, Mr. Crane”, said the wolf. “A bone struck in my throat. It gives me great pain. Can you do me any relief? In return I’ll give you what you ask for.”The crane wanted to help the wolf. “Open your mouth wide,” the crane said to the wolf. The crane pulled the bone out with his long bill. The wolf got relieved. “May I have my fees?” asked the crane. “What! Fees!" exclaimed the wolf. "When you have put your bill in my mouth. I haven’t swallowed your head. It’s great luck for you that you are still alive. Isn’t it enough fees?” The crane became afraid and got away in fright.
An ant and a dove
Once there lived an ant in a forest. He became very thirsty. He went to a river to drink water. Suddenly a wave struck him and took away from the shore. He tried his best to swim to the bank but could not. He was turned about to die. There was a dove up on a big tree. The dove saw the ant’s danger and difficulties. He tore a big leaf and dropped it on the water. The ant came to the leaf swimming and climbed it up. He saved his life from being drowned to death. Soon after this while the drove was strolling about, a hunter was just about to trap him. The ant was near the hunter. He remembered the great help of the dove. “I don’t want to lose the chance to do something as a return of your help,” the ant said to himself. So he hurried to the hunter and bit him severely. The hunter was troubled and moved forward making a sound. The drove heard it and escaped from being trapped.
Moral: Selfless help has its reward.
Two friends and the bear
Once upon a time there lived two friends. One day they went on a journey along the way passing through a jungle. As they were advancing, they saw a bear approaching to them. Both of them became frightened. One of them knew how to climb a tree but the other did not. When the bear was coming very near to them, the first climbed up to a branch of a tree. The other had no way to save himself. A plan struck him. He knew that the bear doesn’t eat the dead body. He lay flat on his face and remained unbreathing. The bear came up and sniffed at his body. It thought him to be dead and went away. The other friend climbed down to him and asked, “Friend, what has the bear whispered in your ears?” “He gave me a good advice.” replied his friend, “What’s that?” he again asked. “Don’t believe a friend who doesn’t come to the help in danger,” replied the other friend.
An old farmer and his sons
Once there lived an old farmer in a village. He had three sons. The common habit of the sons was that they quarreled with each other even about a trifling thing. One day they were quarrelling. The old farmer heard it and called them beside him. He said to them, “Bring me three sticks and some rope.” They did accordingly. The old farmer then tied the sticks with the rope. “Snap the bundle of the sticks,” said the old man. Every one of them tried to break the bundle but could not do. Then the farmer untied the bundle and gave one a stick and ordered to break. This time all of them snapped their sticks easily. The old farmer said to them, “Nobody can do any harm to you if you have unity.”
Moral: Unity is strength.
Major Jalil - the first political prisoner of Bangladesh
Major Jalil was born in Uzirpur of Barishal district on the 19th February, 1942. His father’s name was Ali Mia and mother’s was Rabea Khaton. His father died three months after his birth. He passed the S.S.C. from Uzirpur WB Institute in 1960 and the H.S.C. in 1963. Then he got admitted in Kabul Army Academy. He achieved commission and joined the Pakistani army as an officer in September, 1965. This year he participated in the Indo-Pakistan War as an officer of 12th Bengal Regiment. He got graduation from Pakistan Army Academy in 1966 and passed M.A. on history from Multan, India. On the 10th February, 1971 he came home to see his ill mother on leave of a month. But he didn’t go back to Pakistan after the leave and waited to observe the political situation. Then he joined the Liberation War on the 26th March, 1971. On the 7th April he led an operation against the Pakistani army to rescue Barishal radio office. He went to India through the Sondarban to collect arms. His activities positioned him as the chief of the 9th sector commander of the war. Bangladesh became independent after a nine month war and the people of Barishal accorded him a respectful reception on the 18th December, 1971. After the war India who helped Bangladesh by giving arms, training, forces and providing many other necessary things tried to treat Bangladesh as one their provinces. The Indian army looted the arms left by Pakistani army and what they got in Bangladesh. There is a saying that the Indian forces looted all even a glass hung on the wall. On the 31th December when a caravan of the Indian forces was carrying the loot, Major Jalil impeded them. But the Awamy government was in favour of India. The government arrested him and sent to imprisonment in a lonely house of Jessore cantonment. After five month and six day imprisonment he was released on the 7th July. Not only that but the government also deprived him of the confession of his glorious contribution in the War whereas many other salvation armies were acknowledged by honourable denotations. This was as he protested Indian imperialistic policy, tyranny of the Shekh Mujib government and the lootery the Indian forces. (Source: The weekly Sonar Bangla, Bangladesh, 18th November,2011)
