Too Much Sponging Leads to Discomfort A Panchatantra Tale

# Too Much Sponging Leads to Discomfort - A Panchatantra Tale

Once upon a time, in a grand palace nestled in an ancient kingdom, there was a perfectly splendid bedroom with a bed so inviting that it seemed like it had been plucked from the dreams of a weary traveler.

*Image Prompt:* [seed:12345678] "An opulent ancient kingdom with grand palaces amidst lush landscapes under a golden sun."

Snug within the velvety folds of the mattress and veiled by the purest of white sheets was a little louse named Mandavisarpana. Mandavisarpana was not your ordinary louse, for she was secretive and clever, managing each day to stay hidden when the royal attendants made the bed.

*Image Prompt:* [seed:12345678] "Mandavisarpana the louse, clever and tiny, hidden among luxurious white bed sheets and velvety mattress folds."

Each night, when the king, the ruler of the vast lands, lay down to rest his noble head, Mandavisarpana would sneak out and nimbly feast on the tiniest drop of his blood. She was careful, though; her bites were gentle, never once disturbing the deep slumber of the king. Over time with this royal diet, she grew robust and well, living a life of contentment under the luxurious protection of royal linens.

*Image Prompt:* [seed:12345678] "A king in regal attire resting peacefully in his grand bed while Mandavisarpana the louse sneaks a gentle bite at his feet."

But one unpredictable day, change arrived in the form of a wandering bug named Dunduka. As fate would have it, Dunduka stumbled upon the royal bedchamber and was immediately taken by the lavishness that lay before him.

*Image Prompt:* [seed:12345678] "Dunduka the wandering bug, wide-eyed with awe at the marvel of the royal bedchamber's opulence."

The sight of the spotless bed sheets, the scent of sweet-smelling linen, and the pillows, vibrant as the garden in spring—oh, how it filled him with delight!

In his ecstasy, he met Mandavisarpana. "Why are you here?" she exclaimed, her tiny voice steeped in concern. Dunduka responded with manners and grace, citing wisdom of welcome and hospitality owed to a guest.

*Image Prompt:* [seed:12345678] "Mandavisarpana the louse meeting Dunduka the bug amidst the inviting comfort of the royal bed, surrounded by sweet-smelling linen and vibrant pillows."

He spoke of the sweet blood he yearned to taste, the king's blood—purified and rich from feasts of delectable dishes, meats of the finest game, and the fruits of royal orchards.

*Image Prompt:* [seed:12345678] "Dunduka the bug dreaming of feasting on the king's refined and rich blood amidst a backdrop of royal feasts and orchards."

Moved by Dunduka's entreaty and recalling sage advice about forgiving those who seek pardon, Mandavisarpana relented. She allowed him to stay with one strict condition: he must only bite at the proper time and place, which for her was the king's feet—all to prevent waking the mighty king from his peaceful rest.

Dunduka agreed with an oath, but when night fell and the king lay resting, he could not contain his greed. Forgetting his promise, he bit the king sharply on the hip, awakened the king with the sharp pain.

*Image Prompt:* [seed:12345678] "A startled king awakening abruptly in the dim moonlight after being bitten sharply on the hip by the greedy Dunduka."

The lesson that ensues is as old as time: true nature is not easily swayed, much like water's cool touch or fire's unfailing heat. The king, feeling the bite akin to a needle's prick, called for his attendants to find the culprit.

*Image Prompt:* [seed:12345678] "The king, noble and disturbed, commanding his attendants to search for the culprit of the needle-like bite, under the watchful moon."

The shrewd bug, Dunduka, quickly hid in a crevice of the bed, eluding the frantic search. Our little louse, unsuspecting and betrayed, met her end instead—crushed under the thorough search of the attendants.

And so, the story of Mandavisarpana teaches us the importance of judicious trust and the perils of greed. Sometimes, the comfort we hold dear may be disrupted by those who come into our lives, and promises made must be kept, or all may be lost.

*Character Description Prompt:* [seed:12345678] "Character montage: Mandavisarpana the clever louse with a secretive demeanor and Dunduka the greedy bug with a mischievous twinkle in his eye."

*Cover Page Prompt:* [seed:12345678] "Cover of 'Too Much Sponging Leads to Discomfort' with an intricate frame of the grand palace and the main characters, Mandavisarpana and Dunduka, against the backdrop of the inviting royal bed."

*Main Scene Prompt:* [seed:12345678] "The luxurious bedroom with white linen sheets and plush pillows, setting the stage for the tale of Mandavisarpana and Dunduka."