How a Tiger Was Killed
The Fearless Cowherd
Near the city of Swarnapuri lived a cowherd named Madhu. Despite his lack of formal education, he was an intelligent young man who took great care of his family after his father’s death. Known for his strength and extreme fearlessness, his friends affectionately referred to him as “Tiger Man” to celebrate his bravery.
The Menace of the Tiger
One day, a tiger from the nearby hills sneaked into the outskirts of the city and carried off a significant number of cattle. Day by day, the tiger grew bolder, killing farmers’ livestock at will. The local lord attempted to hunt the animal but ultimately failed, declaring a generous reward of a thousand rupees for anyone who could slay the beast.
The Call to Action
When the news reached Madhu’s village, his friends surrounded him, urging, “Madhu, you’re the one for this job. Go and kill the tiger to earn the reward!” Flattered by their faith in him, Madhu agreed to take on the task. However, in private moments of reflection, he felt less enthusiastic about confronting such a ferocious creature.
A Clever Plan
After deep contemplation, Madhu visited the local lord and said, “Sir, my name is Madhu. Though I can easily kill that tiger, I’ve been ill recently and have become rather weak. If you could provide me with food to regain my strength, I will surely track down the beast.” The lord agreed, and for the next month, Madhu lived comfortably in the lord’s house.
Preparations for the Hunt
As time passed, Madhu showed no signs of embarking on the hunt. Growing impatient, the lord asked, “Madhu, when will you kill the tiger?” “All in good time, sir,” he replied. “But first, let me have a gun and some bullets.” The lord provided him with a gun and cartridges.
A Dangerous Escape
That night, Madhu hurried home, waking his mother from sleep. “Mother, it’s dangerous for us to stay here any longer. Let’s leave this place.” They gathered their meagre belongings and trekked through the forest. After travelling some distance, they decided to rest. Madhu instructed his mother to sleep in the fork of a tree while he chose another high branch to curl up and rest.
The Unexpected Encounter
As midnight approached, the tiger left its lair and ventured into the forest. Upon nearing the tree where Madhu lay, it caught the scent of the humans and let out a nerve-shattering roar as it crashed against the tree. The impact shook the tree and caused Madhu’s belongings to cascade around. A jar of spices broke, spilling chilli powder into the tiger’s eyes. In pain, the tiger leapt high into the air.
A Quick Decision
Awakened by the chaos, Madhu aimed his gun and shot hastily but missed. The tiger bounded away across the clearing and fell into a disused well. The well was deep with smooth sides, and the tiger desperately tried to claw its way up. Recognizing the situation, Madhu ran to the edge of the well and shot the tiger in the head as its ears poked above the rim. With a splash, the tiger fell into the well and succumbed.
The Return Home
Madhu, picking up his mother, who had fainted at the sight of the tiger, returned to the village. Hiring a cart, he came to retrieve the carcass he had slain, laying it on the straw floor of the cart. He then drove back to the lord to claim his reward.
A Hero’s Reward
The lord was overjoyed that the dreaded tiger had been killed. He not only rewarded Madhu with the promised money but also gifted him an entire village in gratitude for his brave deed.