The Mahabharata is an epic centered around the royal family of the Kaurava and Pandava cousins, with auxiliary narratives woven into the dialogue to illustrate various viewpoints. These embedded stories often feature both human and animal characters, with animals possessing reason and emotions akin to humans. While the situations presented are lifelike, the primary focus is on the moral lessons conveyed.
In one story, the moral emphasizes that there are no permanent friends or enemies in life. The characters—a mouse, a cat, a mongoose, an owl, and a hunter—navigate shifting alliances, with the relationship between the mouse and the cat changing depending on whether they face danger or safety.
In another tale, an ascetic jackal is appointed as a minister by a king. However, the jackal's enemies cause him to be imprisoned. Though later freed by a regretful king, the jackal chooses to retire rather than return to court.
A different story involves a dog living with a sage, who becomes fearful upon seeing stronger animals. Each time the dog encounters a more powerful creature—a leopard, a tiger, an elephant, and finally a lion—the sage transforms the dog into that animal, demonstrating the constant shifting of power and fear.
