Panchatantra story of the Brahmin's Gift

Once there lived a pious Brahmin in a village. He used to perform religious rituals. On one occasion he was rewarded with a cow by a rich man for his service. The Brahmin started to bring the cow to his home. On the way, three rogues saw the Brahmin bringing the cow. They were lazy and wanted to cheat the Brahmin so that they could take away the cow. They hatched a plan.



The first person approached the Brahmin and said, "Are you a washerman that you're pulling a donkey." The Brahmin was annoyed at being mistaken for a washerman. He went on. A little later he was met by the second of the three. The second person asked him why being a Brahmin he needed to pull a pig. Now the Brahmin was confused but he went on. Some distance later he was met by the third person who asked him why he was pulling along a wild animal. Now the Brahmin was totally confused and also afraid. He thought that it was a devil animal which took different forms. He ran away leaving the cow behind. The three tricksters laughed at the Brahmin at having obtained the cow from the Brahmin.