Think Before You Act: A Lesson from Udhata

Think Before You Act: A Lesson from Udhata

Once upon a time, a local fisherman's donkey by the name of Udhata suffered from persistent starvation. He made the decision to set out in quest of food with his jackal friend. Nighttime exploration of the settlement by the two brought them to a field of cucumbers. After devouring the cucumbers together, they both made the decision to return every night to eat. As a result of the nourishing meals he was consuming, Udhata soon began to seem more healthier and stronger.

Udhata insisted on singing one night after an especially excellent supper of cucumbers. The jackal warned him against it, but the donkey was obstinate and wouldn't heed his advice. Udhata was even reprimanded by the jackal for having an unpleasant voice, but the donkey disregarded the criticism and insisted that there was nothing wrong with him expressing his gladness. Udhata was forewarned by the jackal that singing might cause them difficulty, but the stupid donkey disregarded his words.

The jackal grew uneasy when Udhata began to sing and chose to wait outside the field for his own protection. However, the donkey's loud braying alerted the guard, who then brutally beat Udhata. The donkey regretted not taking his friend's advise because it made it so difficult for him to move.

Udhata dragged his limp body out of the field, where the jackal was waiting for him, despite the pain. With a compassionate expression on his face, the jackal remarked, "I told you so." Udhata recognised his error and grasped the value of considering his actions before acting.

Think before you act is the story's main lesson. If Udhata had heeded the counsel of his friend, he could have been spared the beating. Making informed decisions is more important than acting hastily without thinking through the repercussions. Children learn from the tale the value of seeking out other people's opinions and making informed decisions.