Calila e Dimna facts for kids

Calila e Dimna is an ancient collection of stories from 1251. It was translated from an Arabic book called Kalila wa-Dimna. Prince Alfonso, who later became King Alfonso X, ordered this translation. The Arabic book itself was translated from an even older Indian collection of stories called the Panchatantra. These stories are like lessons for future kings and leaders. They teach important ideas through conversations between a king and a wise person. Many of the tales are told by animals, like an ox, a lion, and two jackals named Calila and Dimna. These two jackals tell most of the stories. This style of storytelling, with stories inside stories, was also used by Don Juan Manuel in his famous book, Tales of Count Lucanor.

How the Book Was Made

We know about this book from two old copies, called A and B. The first copy says the book was translated from Arabic to Latin, and then into Spanish in 1261. But the Spanish version is very similar to the Arabic one, so it probably went straight from Arabic to Spanish. Since Alfonso was still a "prince" (he became king in 1252), experts believe the book was written around 1251. This makes Calila e Dimna one of the very first fiction books written in prose in Spain!

What the Book is About

The main story is a conversation between King Dabshalem and a wise philosopher named Bidpai. Bidpai tells the king many stories. These stories have important lessons for a ruler. The stories are often like "Russian dolls," meaning there are stories hidden inside other stories.

Story One: The Lion and the Ox

This story is about how someone can break a friendship.

The Main Story: The Lion and the Ox

An ox named Shatrabah was left alone in a mud pit by his owner. He managed to get free and found a green meadow. He lived peacefully but felt lonely. His loud mooing reached the ears of the lion king. The lion was worried about this new, big animal.

Two jackal brothers, Kalila and Dimnah, were doormen in the lion's court. Dimnah was very ambitious. He wanted to be the king's most trusted advisor. Kalila tried to warn him, but Dimnah didn't listen. Dimnah used his clever words to impress the lion. He quickly became the king's closest friend.

The lion was scared of Shatrabah's loud mooing. Dimnah calmed the king down. He then went to Shatrabah and told him how fierce the lion king was. Shatrabah was scared and agreed to meet the king. But when they met, the ox and the lion became good friends. Shatrabah soon took Dimnah's place as the king's main advisor.

Dimnah became very jealous. He decided to get rid of Shatrabah. Kalila warned him again, but Dimnah wouldn't stop. Dimnah told the lion that Shatrabah was planning to take his power. The king didn't believe him at first. He knew Shatrabah was gentle. But Dimnah kept pushing. He convinced the lion that Shatrabah was a traitor. Dimnah told the lion to kill the ox.

The lion decided to confront Shatrabah and send him away. Dimnah knew this would ruin his plan. He told the lion that if Shatrabah trembled or moved his horns, it meant he was a traitor. Then, Dimnah quickly went to Shatrabah. He told the ox that the lion planned to kill him. Shatrabah was confused. He hadn't done anything wrong. But Dimnah convinced him that evil members of the court had turned the king against him. Shatrabah believed Dimnah was his only friend. He thought the lion's nature as a meat-eater had won. Shatrabah got ready to fight the lion to save his life. Dimnah told the ox that if the lion came with his chest out and mouth open, he was coming to kill him.

When the lion and ox met, they saw each other just as Dimnah had described. They attacked each other. Shatrabah was killed, and the lion was badly hurt. Kalila scolded Dimnah for his actions. He warned him of the terrible results if his lies were found out. The lion king regretted killing Shatrabah. He started to suspect Dimnah.

A leopard overheard Kalila scolding Dimnah. The leopard told the lion's mother everything. The mother visited her son and saw his sadness. She scolded him for acting without checking the facts. Dimnah visited the king. The lion's mother accused him of trickery. Dimnah tried to talk his way out, but he was thrown into prison.

In prison, Kalila visited Dimnah. He reminded Dimnah of his warnings. A cheetah was also in prison with Dimnah. He heard everything and agreed to tell the judge. In court, the judge asked for witnesses. The cheetah testified against Dimnah. This was enough for the judge to sentence Dimnah to death. Dimnah was executed.

Sub-story: The Man and the Wolf

A man was running from a wolf. He jumped into a river to escape, but the current was too strong. Villagers saved him. He rested in an empty hut, but found bandits inside. He ran into an alley. A wall fell on him, and he died.

• Lesson: Sometimes, trying too hard to avoid one danger can lead to another, or even worse.

Sub-story: The Monkey and the Carpenter

A monkey watched a carpenter work. One day, the carpenter left. The monkey tried to hammer a peg, but his tail got caught. The hammer drove the peg into his tail, and he fainted. When the carpenter returned, he punished the monkey even more for his foolishness.

• Lesson: Don't meddle in things that aren't your business. It can lead to trouble.

Sub-story: The Crow and the Serpent

A crow's eggs were eaten by a snake. A jackal advised the crow not to fight the snake directly. He told the crow to steal human jewelry and drop it into the snake's burrow. Humans followed the crow, found the snake, and killed it to get their jewelry back.

• Lesson: Being clever and using your brain is often better than just using strength.

Sub-story: The Toad and the Crab

An old toad couldn't catch fish. A crab felt sorry for him. The toad lied, saying fishermen would take all the fish. He offered to move fish to a new pond, but he ate them instead. When the crab asked to be moved, he saw the bones. The crab grabbed the toad and killed him.

• Lesson: Deceiving others for your own gain can backfire badly.

Sub-story: The Rabbit and the Lion

Animals offered themselves as sacrifices to a lion. One day, it was a rabbit's turn. The rabbit made the lion wait. He told the lion that another lion claimed to be the real king. The angry lion demanded to be taken to this rival. The rabbit led him to a well. The lion saw his reflection, thought it was the other lion, attacked it, and drowned.

• Lesson: Intelligence and cunning can overcome great strength.

Sub-story: The Three Fish

Three fish heard fishermen planning to catch them. The wise fish left immediately. The smart fish waited, then pretended to be dead to escape. The shortsighted fish was caught.

• Lesson: Be prepared for problems. It's better to prevent trouble than to try and fix it later.

Sub-story: The Louse and the Flea

A louse lived safely in a rich man's bed. A flea visited and bit the man, waking him up. The man saw only the louse and killed it.

• Lesson: Even a small, weak wrongdoer can cause harm to others.

Sub-story: The Wolf, the Crow, the Jackal, and the Camel

A lion had three companions: a wolf, a crow, and a jackal. A camel joined them. When the lion was injured and couldn't hunt, his companions plotted to eat the camel. The lion didn't want to betray his friend. But the crow convinced him that sacrifices are sometimes needed. The three animals pretended to offer themselves first, but then let the camel be eaten.

• Lesson: A group of weaker, evil people can overpower a strong, innocent person if they plot together.

Sub-story: The Sea Bird and the Sea Agent

A sandpiper couple had a nest near the sea. The wife wanted to move it, but the husband refused. The tide came in and took their nest. The male sandpiper asked the phoenix, king of the birds, for help. The phoenix and other birds attacked the sea agent, who gave up the nest out of fear.

• Lesson: Don't underestimate a weak opponent. They might find help and defeat you. Also, listen to good advice.

Sub-story: The Turtle and the Two Ducks

A turtle lived in a drying pond. Two ducks helped him move by holding a stick while the turtle held on with his mouth. People on the ground marveled. The turtle, annoyed, cursed them. He opened his mouth to speak, fell, and died.

• Lesson: Always take good advice, especially when your life depends on it.

Sub-story: The Monkeys and the Bird

Monkeys were cold and chased a glow worm, thinking it was fire. A bird tried to tell them it wasn't fire. A man told the bird to leave them alone, as they were too stubborn. The bird didn't listen and flew to the monkeys. They got angry, grabbed the bird, and killed him.

• Lesson: There's no use trying to advise someone who doesn't want to listen. It can even hurt you.

Sub-story: The Cunning Person and the Naive Person

Two travelers found gold. The cunning one suggested burying it and taking small amounts when needed. He later dug it all up. When the naive man needed money, they found nothing. The cunning man accused the naive man. In court, the cunning man claimed the tree would testify. He had his father hide in the tree to pretend to be its voice. The judge ordered the tree burned. The father screamed, jumped out, and confessed. The naive man got his gold back.

• Lesson: Deception often leads to the deceiver's own downfall and shame.

Sub-story: The Merchant, the Iron, and the Mice

A merchant left his iron with a friend. When he returned, the friend said mice ate it. The merchant kidnapped the friend's child. When asked about the child, the merchant said a falcon took him. The friend was shocked, saying falcons don't carry children. The merchant replied, "In a land where mice eat iron, falcons kidnap children!" The friend confessed and returned the money.

• Lesson: Trying to deceive someone often fails and can lead to embarrassing consequences.

Story Two: True Brotherhood

The Main Story: The Collared Pigeon

A crow saw a hunter set a net. A flock of pigeons, led by the collared pigeon, landed in the net and got trapped. The collared pigeon told them to work together and fly off. They flew away, carrying the net, with the hunter chasing them. The pigeon asked his mouse friend to free them. The mouse cut the net, freeing all the pigeons. The crow was impressed and wanted to be friends with the mouse.

The mouse was careful around the crow, who was a predator. But the crow promised not to eat until the mouse became his friend. The mouse agreed but was still afraid of other crows. The crow promised to protect him. Their friendship grew. The crow convinced the mouse to move to the jungle with him and his tortoise friends.

One day, a deer ran into their gathering, escaping hunters. The animals offered the deer a safe place to stay. Later, the crow found the deer caught in a hunter's net. He told his friends. They rushed to save the deer. The mouse cut the net. The tortoise also followed, but his friends worried he was too slow.

The hunters returned. The friends ran and flew away, but the tortoise was caught. They made a plan: the deer and crow would lead the hunter away, while the mouse freed the tortoise. After freeing the tortoise, they regrouped. The hunter, confused and without any game, thought he was going crazy and left.

• Lesson: True friendship is very valuable. Even weak friends can help each other stay safe by working together.

Sub-story: The Mouse and the House of the Pious Man

A mouse lived in a pious man's house, eating his food. One day, the man's guest dug a hole to find the mouse and found gold coins instead. The guest and the man split the money. The other mice shunned the mouse because he had no food for them. The mouse tried to take money from the sleeping man but was hit. He left the house and became friends with the pigeons.

• Lesson: Sometimes, friends are more important than wealth. Also, poverty can lead to being looked down upon.

Story Three: The Deceitful Enemy

The Main Story: The Owl and the Crows

Crows and owls lived on a mountain and hated each other. One night, the owl king attacked the crows, killing and capturing many. The crow king asked his five wise advisors what to do. Three suggested running away. One suggested paying the owls a yearly tribute. The king didn't like these ideas. The fifth crow suggested a trick: the crow king should hurt him and make him look disheveled. This way, he could pretend to be a spy and join the owl colony.

The owls found the crow spy. Their ruler asked his advisors what to do. One said to kill him, but two others wanted to keep him as an advisor. The crow spy gained the owls' trust and learned their secrets. One day, he returned to the crow colony. He told them that the owls lived in burrows in the mountain. The crows planned to gather dry firewood, dump it into the burrows, and set it on fire. This would kill all the owls with fire or smoke. The crows did this perfectly. All the owls died. The crow spy was welcomed back as a hero.

• Lesson: Never fully trust your enemy, even if they seem friendly.

Sub-story: The Crane and the Crow

Cranes wanted an owl as their leader. A crow landed nearby and they asked his opinion. The crow spoke badly about owls, calling them ugly and mean. The cranes changed their minds. The owls were furious and vowed to be enemies of crows forever.

• Lesson: Be careful with your words. They can have big consequences.

Sub-story: The Rabbits and the Elephants

A herd of thirsty elephants trampled rabbits near a pond. A rabbit approached the elephant king at night. He claimed to be a messenger from the moon. He said the moon wanted the elephants to leave the pond. The elephant saw the moon's reflection in the trembling water and believed the moon was angry. He bowed and left.

• Lesson: Even the weak can protect themselves from the strong by using their intelligence and clever plans.

Sub-story: The Cat and the Rabbit

A corncrake left his house, and a rabbit moved in. When the corncrake returned, they argued. They went to a cat, known for being pious, to settle the dispute. The cat pretended to be a righteous worshipper. After gaining their trust, the cat pounced on both the rabbit and the corncrake and ate them.

• Lesson: Be cautious of everyone, even those who seem good and pious. People can be different on the inside.

Sub-story: The Pious Man and the Goats

A pious man bought a goat to sacrifice. A group of people wanted the goat. They approached the man one by one, pretending to be shocked that he was sacrificing a dog. After hearing this many times, the man believed his goat was a dog. He let it go, and the group took it.

• Lesson: You can often get what you want through clever tricks, not just by force.

Sub-story: The Pious Man, the Thief, and the Devil

A pious man bought a cow. A thief and a devil followed him, both wanting to steal it. They argued over who should take it. Their argument woke the man, and villagers rushed to the house. The thief and devil ran away.

• Lesson: A smart person can benefit when their enemies fight among themselves. Divided enemies are less of a threat.

Sub-story: The Pious Man, the Mouse, and the Rat

A pious man's prayers were always answered. A kite dropped a mouse near him. He prayed for it to become a girl. She grew up and wanted to marry the strongest person. She asked the sun, then clouds, then winds, then a mountain. The mountain said the rat was stronger because it burrowed inside him. The girl, with her father's help, turned back into a mouse and married the rat.

• Lesson: Your true nature and identity will not change, no matter what happens around you.

Sub-story: The Snake and the Frog

An old, weak snake couldn't hunt. He lay near a pond of frogs. The frog king asked why he was sad. The snake lied, saying he was cursed to be the frog king's mount and could only eat frogs given to him. The frog king, eager to show off, made the snake his mount and fed him two frogs daily. The snake lived happily among his former prey.

• Lesson: Sometimes, it's worth enduring a little discomfort for a big, long-term gain.

Story Four: The Monkey and the Turtle

The Main Story: The Monkey and the Turtle

An old monkey king named Mahir was cast out by younger monkeys. He lived in an olive tree by the sea. He threw olives into the water. A turtle ate the olives and became friends with the monkey. They spent a lot of time together.

The turtle's wife became jealous. Her neighbor told her to pretend to be sick and say the only cure was a monkey's heart. The turtle, believing his wife, invited the monkey to his island home, planning to kill him. The monkey agreed. The turtle felt ashamed and pulled his head into his shell. The monkey became suspicious and asked why. The turtle said his wife was sick. As they traveled, the turtle kept acting strangely. The monkey asked what the cure was. The turtle said, "A monkey's heart."

The monkey realized his danger. He quickly told the turtle that monkeys leave their hearts at home when visiting friends. He said they should go back so he could get his heart. The turtle, happy, swam back. The monkey quickly climbed his tree. The turtle waited, then called for the monkey to come down with his heart. The monkey scolded the turtle for his foolish plan.

• Lesson: It's often easier to get something than to keep it. Don't be careless with what you have.

Sub-story: The Lion and the Donkey

A lion had scabies and couldn't hunt. His jackal companion asked what to do. The lion said the cure was a donkey's ears and heart. The jackal tricked a donkey into following him, promising freedom. The lion was too weak to attack, and the donkey ran. The jackal tricked the donkey again. The lion caught it. The lion said he needed to bathe before eating. While he bathed, the jackal ate the heart and ears. When the lion asked, the jackal said a donkey that returns after being attacked must have no heart or ears!

• Lesson: Even if something seems impossible, a clever mind can find a way.

Story Five: The Hasty Person

The Main Story: The Pious Man and the Weasel

A couple had no children, then the wife became pregnant. The husband, a pious man, wanted a son. They had a son, and the father was delighted. One day, the wife went for a bath and asked her husband to watch the baby. A messenger from the king summoned the father. He left the baby with his pet weasel, whom he had raised since it was young.

When the man returned, he saw the weasel with blood on its mouth. He thought the weasel had killed his baby. In a rage, he hit the weasel with a stick and killed it. But when he went inside, he found his child safe. A dead black snake lay next to the cot. The weasel had killed the snake to protect the baby. The man realized his mistake. He was filled with sadness over his hasty decision. His wife returned and told him this was the price of acting too quickly.

• Lesson: Always think before you act. Hasty decisions often lead to regret.

Sub-story: The Pious Man, the Fat, and the Honey

A pious man received fat and honey daily. He stored it in a jar. One day, he imagined selling the jar for gold, buying goats, then cows, then land, building a house, buying slaves, marrying a beautiful lady, and having sons. He imagined hitting his sons with a staff if they misbehaved. He swung his staff, accidentally hitting the jar, which fell and broke.

• Lesson: Don't get lost in dreams and desires. Focus on what you have now, or you might lose it all.

Story Six: Befriending Enemies

The Main Story: The Rat and the Cat

A cat lived in a tree trunk, and a rat lived at its base. Hunters often set nets. One day, the cat got caught. The rat left his home and faced a weasel and an owl. His only escape was to approach the trapped cat. The rat offered to free the cat if the cat promised not to harm him. The cat agreed. The rat was still careful and left one rope attached until he was safe. He freed the cat and went into his burrow. The rat kept his distance from the cat. The cat tried to call him, but the rat stayed cautious.

• Lesson: You can never be completely sure if someone is a true friend or a hidden enemy. Be careful.

Story Seven: Nobles Who Should Avoid Each Other

The Main Story: The Prince and the Bird Fanzah

An Indian king had a pet bird named Fanzah. Fanzah had a chick, and the queen had a prince. The prince and the chick grew up as friends. One day, the chick made a mess in the prince's room. The angry prince killed the chick. When Fanzah returned, she cried out, blinded the prince, and flew to the palace roof. The king was furious. He tried to call Fanzah down, saying the prince deserved punishment. But Fanzah refused. She knew the king's anger for revenge would lead him to kill her. She said goodbye and flew away.

• Lesson: When a problem causes deep resentment between friends, it's often best to stay away from each other.

Story Eight: The Ruler Who Examines Punishment

The Main Story: The Lion and the Pious Jackal

A pious jackal, unlike other predators, didn't spill blood or envy others. His fame reached the lion king, who asked him to join his council. The jackal refused, saying it would bring trouble. But the lion insisted. The jackal agreed, but only if the lion promised not to judge him quickly if any accusations came up. The lion made the jackal responsible for his treasury. Other members of the court became jealous and plotted against the jackal.

The lion gave the jackal a large piece of meat to store. The next day, the meat was gone. Advisors told the lion the jackal took it. The jackal said he gave it to the food person, who denied it. A search party found the meat at the jackal's house. The jackal was jailed. The lion summoned him to defend himself, but the other ministers sent a rude fake reply. The enraged king ordered the jackal's execution.

The lion's mother realized her son acted too quickly. She calmed him down and told him to investigate properly. She suspected the other ministers. Soon, they confessed their lies. The mother told the lion to forgive them, as they wouldn't dare do it again. She also told him to make up with the jackal and give him his job back. The jackal didn't want to return at first, but the lion convinced him and honored him even more.

• Lesson: Don't jump to conclusions, especially about people you trust. Rushing into decisions leads to regret. A good leader should investigate carefully and apologize if they make a mistake.

Story Nine: Forbearance, a Ruler's Quality

The Main Story: Iladh, Baladh, and Irakht

King Baladh had eight frightening dreams. Monks, who hated the king for killing many of their kind, were asked to interpret them. They plotted to tell the king he must kill his loved ones: his wife Irakht, his child, his nephew, his friend Iladh, his scribe, his elephants, his horse, and the wise man Kabariyoon.

The king was heartbroken. He said he would rather die. Iladh noticed the king's sadness. He told Irakht to find out what was wrong. Irakht asked her husband, and he told her the monks' interpretation. Irakht was scared but knew the monks hated the king. She comforted him and told him to ask Kabariyoon for the true meaning. Kabariyoon said the dreams meant he would receive amazing gifts in one week.

A week later, the king received wonderful gifts. He asked his two wives, Irakht and Hawraqnah, to choose. Irakht chose a wreath, and Hawraqnah chose a dress. One night, Hawraqnah wore her beautiful dress and walked past the king. The king, enchanted, scolded Irakht for choosing the wreath. Irakht, angry, hit her husband with a plate. The shocked king ordered Iladh to execute Irakht.

Iladh knew the king was angry and would regret it. He hid Irakht in a hut and told the king he had killed her. The king, now calm, was filled with sorrow. He openly declared his love for Irakht. Iladh then told the king that Irakht was alive. The king was overjoyed and welcomed her back, giving her and Iladh higher status. The king then executed the monks who had tried to trick him.

• Lesson: Don't ask for advice from those you have wronged, as they might seek revenge. Don't rush into decisions, and control your anger.

Sub-story: The Two Pigeons

A pigeon couple filled their nest with grain, promising not to eat it until winter. In summer, the grain dried and shrunk. The male pigeon accused his wife of eating it and pecked her to death. When it rained, the grain grew back. The male realized his mistake and died of grief.

• Lesson: Don't jump to conclusions or judge others too quickly.

Story Ten: The Ex-Oppressor

The Main Story: The Lioness, the Horseman, and the Jackal

A lioness had two cubs. One day, a horseman killed her cubs and took their skins. The lioness roared in grief. A jackal visited her and said she deserved it. The lioness was confused. The jackal explained that her actions were no different from the horseman's. Her prey also had parents who grieved.

The lioness understood. She changed her ways, became a vegetarian, and spent her days in worship. One day, two doves scolded her for eating all the fruit, causing a shortage. The lioness apologized and from then on, ate only grass and plants.

• Lesson: Sometimes, experiencing what you've done to others helps you understand your mistakes. Treat others as you want to be treated.

Story Eleven: The Wise Advisor

The Main Story: Mihrayiz the King of the Rats

In the city of Badoor, there was a rat king named Mihrayiz with three advisors. They discussed how to overcome their fear of cats. One advisor said you can't change inherited fears. Another suggested tying bells to cats. A third suggested all rats leave the city for a year, making people think cats weren't needed, so they'd kill the cats.

The third advisor, Rudhbadh, had the best idea. He suggested rats secretly damage clothes and furniture in homes, but leave the food alone. People would blame the cats. The more cats in a house, the more damage. This would make people kill all the cats, even wild ones. The rats followed this plan. They successfully caused all cats in the city to be killed. People hated cats for generations, so no cat could live in Badoor again.

• Lesson: Even the weak can defeat a strong enemy by working together and using their intelligence. Always think about a plan's pros and cons and listen to wise advice.

Sub-story: The King on the Banks of the Nile

A king ruled near the Nile. His advisors suggested closing a mountain tunnel where winds came from, to make a palace area a paradise. The king ordered everyone to block the hole with rocks and wood. They succeeded. But this stopped the winds, drying up trees and water. All animals died, and the land became a wasteland. Many people died. The remaining people killed the king and his advisors. They set fire to the wood blocking the hole. The trapped air burst out, spreading fire everywhere. No city or tree escaped the fire.

• Lesson: Some plans can cause huge, lasting damage and leave you worse off than before.

Sub-story: The Donkey and the Deer

A donkey tied up by his owner wanted antlers like a deer. He escaped and followed a deer. He tried to talk to it, but the deer didn't understand. The donkey thought the owner was the problem, so he bit the owner. The owner cut off the donkey's ears to mark him. The donkey returned to his furious master and got an even worse punishment.

• Lesson: Trying to achieve something impossible will only hurt you.

Story Twelve: The Unsuitable Search

The Main Story: The Pious Man and the Guest

A pious man offered dates to a guest. The guest liked them and wanted to plant them in his city. The pious man said his city already had many fruits. Planting dates would be a burden and might not even work. The guest dropped the idea.

The guest then wanted to learn Hebrew, which the pious man spoke. The pious man told him not to ignore his own language for Hebrew. He would forget his mother tongue and still be bad at Hebrew, failing at both.

• Lesson: It's foolish to try something that doesn't suit you or to abandon what you know well for something new and uncertain.

Sub-story: The Crow and the Partridge

A crow saw a partridge walking and tried to copy its style. He couldn't do it. When he tried to walk like a crow again, he couldn't do that properly either. He ended up with the worst walk of any bird.

• Lesson: Don't completely disregard what you already know for something else.

Story Thirteen: Misplaced Favor

The Main Story: The Tourist and the Jeweller

A tourist found a jeweller, a monkey, a snake, and a tiger stuck in a well. He decided to help them. The animals warned him not to help the jeweller, saying humans are ungrateful. The tourist helped the jeweller anyway. The animals told the tourist to call them if he ever needed help. The jeweller said to find him in the city Nawadirakht.

Later, the tourist visited Nawadirakht. The monkey gave him fruit. The tiger gave him the princess's necklace, which he had stolen after killing her. The tourist, happy with the animals' help, went to the jeweller. The jeweller recognized the necklace. He went to the palace and said the princess's murderer was at his home. The tourist was arrested.

He was sentenced to be crucified. As he was led through the city, he cried out that he should have listened to the animals. The snake heard him and bit the prince, poisoning him. The snake then made the prince believe the only cure was if the tourist read an incantation. The snake gave the tourist a leaf, the cure for its poison. The tourist cured the prince and told his story. The king rewarded the tourist and had the jeweller crucified for his lies.

• Lesson: Help those who truly deserve it, not just anyone. Ungrateful people can cause you great harm.

Story Fourteen: The Fortunate Ignorant and the Unfortunate Wise Man

The Main Story: The Prince and His Companions

Four friends, a prince, a businessman's son, a nobleman's son, and a farmer's son, had nothing. The prince believed in fate, the businessman's son in intelligence, the nobleman's son in beauty, and the farmer's son in hard work. They came to a city. The farmer's son went first. He gathered firewood and sold it for one silver coin. He wrote on the city gates: "A day's hard work costs one dirham."

The next day, the nobleman's son sat under a tree and fell asleep. A city nobleman saw his beauty and gave him five hundred silver coins. The nobleman's son wrote: "A day's beauty is five hundred dirhams."

The next day, the businessman's son went to the docks. Fishermen had many fish. Other businessmen planned to buy them cheaply later. The boy bought all the fish on credit for a huge sum. He spread news that he would take the fish to another city. The businessmen panicked and bought from him, and he made a huge profit. He wrote: "The price of a day's intelligence is one hundred thousand dirhams."

The next day, the prince went to the city gates and waited. That day, the king died without an heir. When the funeral passed, the prince didn't grieve. The gatekeeper arrested him. The next day, the city gathered to choose a new leader. The gatekeeper told them about the strange boy. The prince told them his story: his brother had taken his throne after their father died. People who had visited his land recognized him and supported him. The people chose the prince as their new leader.

During his coronation, he passed the gates and ordered it written: "Hard work, beauty, intelligence, and any good or bad one gains in this world is due to God's will." The new king made the intelligent one a minister and the hardworking one a farmer. He gave the handsome one money to send him away. The king told his advisors about the importance of faith. One advisor told his own story: he bought two hoopoe birds for two gold coins, intending to give one in charity. He released them in a garden. The birds told him about a bag of gold coins hidden in a tree. He found it and praised God.

• Lesson: Nothing is impossible for God. What God has planned will happen, no matter what.

Story Fifteen: Advising Others, Not Oneself

The Main Story: The Pigeon, the Fox, and the Heron

A pigeon made a nest and laid an egg. A fox came and demanded the newborn chick. This happened with the next egg too. One day, a heron advised the pigeon to tell the fox to climb the tree himself. The pigeon did this. The fox, surprised, asked where the pigeon learned such a clever reply. The pigeon told him it was the heron. The fox approached the heron, who lived by the river. The fox asked the heron to show him how it could tuck its head under its wing. While the heron showed him, the fox attacked and killed it. He mocked the heron for giving good advice to others but not being smart enough to avoid his own trick.

• Lesson: People who give good advice to others should also apply that wisdom to their own lives and seek advice for their own problems.

In Film and TV

In 2021, a film producer named Pedro Alonso Pablos made an animated mini-series based on the main stories of Calila e Dimna.

See also

• Literature of Alfonso X