Long ago, in a village, a Brahmin lived with his family. In his home there was a little baby, and there was also a mongoose who had grown up as part of the household. That mongoose was the family's true and faithful companion.
One day, the Brahmin's wife had to go to the market. She told her husband, 'Please keep an eye on the baby.' The Brahmin stepped out for a little while too. The baby lay sleeping peacefully in his cradle.
Just then, a black snake crept into the house and began moving toward the cradle. The mongoose saw it. Without a moment's hesitation, he leaped at the snake.
A fierce battle followed. The mongoose fought with courage and killed the snake. The baby was safe. But the mongoose's mouth and paws were stained with blood.
He ran to the doorway — just as the Brahmin's wife was returning home. She saw the mongoose. His mouth was red with blood. She did not pause for a single moment.
'He has killed my baby!' she thought. She picked up the heavy water pot and struck the mongoose. He died on the spot.
She ran inside. The baby lay sleeping calmly in the cradle. The dead snake lay nearby. In that instant, she understood everything. Tears came to her eyes.
In her rush, she had lost a faithful companion who had saved her child's life. Before acting, even for one moment — stopping to look is everything. A hand raised in haste can sometimes hurt the ones we love most.