Deceivers Deceive Themselves

Often we try to wear the garb of someone and try to cheat others. Wearing a white coat, one does not become a Doctor. Likewise just by wearing the saffron, we do not become Sadhus. A moment comes when our real identity gets revealed somehow. So it is always better that one should not try to give the appearance what he is not. Deceiving others knowingly or unknowingly is not wise. The story of a jackal appropriately shows how disastrous the deceiving becomes:

Once a Jackal was waylaid in the night and unknowingly he entered the city. It was pitch dark, he could not see where he was going and whose house he entered. Suddently he fell in a tub full of coloured water. It was the house of a washerman and the tub was full of water with the blue powder for giving extra tinge and shine to the clothes. The Jackal was all coloured from his head to tail and his entire personality changed. No one could recognize whether it was a jackal hiding under the veil of that colourful animal. Early morning when there was enough light, the jackal traced his way back to the forest and rushed.

The other animals for the first time saw such a coloured animal. They were all awestruck. Hesitatingly they came near him and tried to make friends. They also informed the King of the forest, the Lion about it. He also got awestruck seeing such a coloured animal for the first time. He respectfully invited him and made him his guest of honour. The jackal was happy that he had acquired such a colour. He was feeling over proud of himself. And so he never revealed his real self. He did not tell them that he was none else but their old companion, the jackal. He just enjoyed the treat offered by the lion and the other animals.

In the night, the other jackals of the forest started crying in their usual tone. The coloured jackal also heard them. It is customary that when one such jackal cries, the other jackals in turn also respond to his call. When the coloured jackal responded, the Lion and the other animals at-once realised that the animal that they were fearing so much, was none else but an ordinary jackal. The King was sorry that he had to flatter and treat him throughout the day. In his anger he at once pounced on the jackal and killed him.

Of course we should not pounce on such deceivers but we should not believe on any one just by his or her outer appearance. It is always better to be on guards.