Thank you.
Hello, this is Jana and I'm here with an ancient story from India.
It features a variety of characters, including a tiger, a buffalo, a tree and a road.
Yes, that is an unusual collection.
It starts with the tiger and a man who has led a soft and sheltered life.
The Gentleman Who Set a Tiger Free A long time ago in the jungle, a tiger was caught in a trap.
It was like a wooden cage that dropped down from a tree and caught him tight.
He wiggled and jiggled, but those bars wouldn't budge.
Eventually, a gentleman came strolling down the forest path, humming a happy tune and twirling a walking stick.
He had a kind face and a soft heart, perhaps a little too soft.
The tiger's ears heard this happy tune.
''Oh, good sir,'' he called out, putting on his most pitiful voice.
''Please, please help me.
I'm stuck in this dreadful cage.''
If you let me out, I'll be your friend for life.
I'll follow you like a dog.
I'll guard your house.
I'll give up meat and I'll only eat vegetables.
The man stopped and looked the tiger up and down.
Oh right, he said, scratching his chin.
But you're a tiger and tigers eat people.
Oh not you, cried the tiger.
Why would i eat you?
If you save me, I'll be ever so grateful.
The tiger gave a sniff and blinked his big golden eyes, while the man's heart went all soft and syrupy.
He opened the latch.
And out sprang the tiger.
Thank you very much, said the tiger, licking his lips.
Well, I'm so hungry I could eat a whole picnic.
And you are it, the man gasped.
Well, hold on a moment.
That is not fair.
I did you a big favour, and this is how you repay me?
By eating me up?
Unfair, is that what you say? replied the tiger.
What a complainer.
What a miserable whiner.
What a poor loser you are.
I played a trick and you fell for it.
Now I'm going to eat you.
It's the natural order.
What's unfair about that?
But the man carried on complaining.
Oh, you are most unjust.
We had a bargain and you broke it.
All right, all right, said the tiger.
Tell you what we'll do then.
You ask three others if they think I'm treating you unfairly.
If anyone agrees with you, then I'll let you go scot-free.
Can't say fairer than that, can I?
The man agreed.
He had no choice.
First, he asked a great tree that had roots like ropes and branches like umbrellas.
"'Tree?' said the man.
"'I saved the tiger, and now he wants to eat me.
Is that fair?'
The tree rustled sadly.
I give shade to all, and yet people snap off my branches to feed their goats.
Fairness?
I've seen none of it.
Next, the man asked an old buffalo who was plodding round and round, turning a creaky watermill.
Buffalo, he said.
Am I being treated unjustly?
The buffalo snorted.
I gave milk all my life.
Now I'm old.
They feed me scraps and make me work like a machine.
The world is a wheel and fairness is not part of it.
Then the man asked the dusty road beneath his feet.
Road, please, he begged.
Tell me, is this tiger fair?
The road groaned.
Oh, people walk all over me.
Carts roll over me.
Even donkeys drop things on me.
Do they ever say thank you?
No.
Life, my friend, is one long trudge.
By now, the man was trembling.
He had no idea there was so much suffering and injustice in the world, and he was almost ready to give up.
The tiger was licking his paws in anticipation.
Just then, out of the undergrowth, trotted a jackal, looking all sleepy and dreamy.
Good day, said the jackal politely.
I've been listening, but I'm a simple creature, not too clever, and this story, oh dear, it's rather muddled in my poor little head.
Who was in the cage?
Again, i was.
Oh, do keep up, said the tiger impatiently.
Oh, i see, i see, said the jackal.
I was in the cage.
The tiger walked by and the man was the judge or, oh dear, I'm such a muddle.
Growled the tiger.
Why can't you get the story straight?
Oh, but I still don't quite understand.
Where were you?
Could you show me?
Oh, with pleasure. said the tiger, who wanted the whole jungle to know how clever he was.
He stepped into the cage to show him how it had all been.
You were there? asked the jackal wide-eyed.
Yes, exactly.
The door was shut like this, said the jackal, swinging it closed with a click.
The tiger blinked.
Wait perfect, said the jackal dusting off his paws.
Now i understand completely.
Thank you so much.
The man burst out laughing.
The jackal gave a cheeky bow.
Together.
They walked away, leaving the tiger behind the bars muttering about the unfairness of it all.
And from that day on, the man was never quite so gullible.
And the jackal, well, he remained as clever as ever.
And that was The Gentleman Who Set the Tiger Free, read by me, Jana, for Story Nori.
Before I go, I'd like to mention Olivia, who listens to Story Nori on Spotify every night.
Thank you, Olivia.
And yes, our podcast is on Spotify and all good podcast apps.
And a special mention goes to an Irish storyteller, Kitty Caboodle, who is reading our story The Samurai and the Tea Master, in a very fitting place.
In the wooden tea room of the Lafcadio Hearn Gardens, not in Japan, but in Ireland.
Thank you, Kitty.
And if any of our listeners would like to support Story Nuri, that would be wonderful.
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You can find details at storynoricom, and do remember to drop us an email with a brief message so that we can give you a nice thank you.
Bye for now!
