Over cleverness doomed him

Once a young man approached Hazrat Musa and desired to learn the language of animals. Musa advised him not to have such a desire, as it was very dangerous. But the man was adamant and went on pleading. Musa knew that it was mere foolishness to ask for such a boon, but the more he tried to stop him, the more eager he became. Musa even told him that the desire was satanic. The man pleaded that he should be taught the language at-least of two animals – one of the dog at his door step and the other of the cock whom he has brought up. Finally Musa blessed him saying alright now you know the language of these two animals.

To ascertain whether he knew the language of these two animals well, he stood at the door. When he spread the mat on the floor, there was a piece of bread, which fell down. The cock picked it hurriedly. Seeing this, the dog said to the cock: Hey you can eat even the corns, but I can’t, so please let me have the piece of bread. The cock replied: My fried, don’t worry. to-morrow the horse of our owner will die. Then you will get enough to eat.

The owner heard it and immediately rushed to the market and sold the horse. The next day when again the cock picked up the piece of bread, the dog complained: You are a liar. You had said that our owner’s horse shall die, but it did not. The cock replied: The horse had died. But our owner sold it before and thus was saved of the losses. But you don’t worry tomorrow his camel will die. You will have enough to eat. The owner listened to their conversation and sold the camel also.

The third day, the dog said to cock: You are a very great liar. The cock replied: Our owner had sold the camel as well. But you don’t worry, tomorrow his slave will die. Food will be distributed freely. The dogs too will have enough to eat. The owner who was keenly hearing their conversation, sold his slave also. He was very happy that he could understand their language and so was saved of the heavy losses.

The fourth day the disappointed dog complained to the cock: You the boaster. What happened to all your forecasts? You are a cheat, a braggart. The cock humbly replied: I have never told a lie to you. Our owner had sold the slave and had been saved of the losses. But you don’t worry, tomorrow he himself will die. His relatives will perform a number of rites including the feeding of the poor as well. You will definitely have enough to eat, to your heart’s content.

The owner who heard their conversation now ran to Musa and started pleading. Musa said alright, now you go and sell of yourself too. You are very clever in this business. He pleaded that he should be helped and spared for all his follies. Musa said that once the arrow has been shot, it never comes back. Though you have escaped losses but at the cost of your own life!