BED BUG AND THE
LOUSE
In the royal palace, right on the scalp of the crown prince,
there lived a louse. The prince was very healthy and young and he always had
the best of food. Need not say that the happy louse feasted on his blood daily.
But it took great care not to irritate the prince too much and especially
during the time when he was sleeping soundly. Thus the louse thrived on royal
blood without arousing royal ire and thus keeping itself safe.
Now one day, a bed bug walked into the royal suite and
accosted the louse. The bug had lost its last abode and was looking for
somewhere to live. He asked the permission of the louse to share the royal
suite. The louse knew about the crafty nature of the bug and at first refused.
Then he thought of its loneliness in the vast royal palace and felt that some
companionship would make life more lively and happy. The louse finally agreed
to the proposal of the bug and let it live on the royal cot.
Before giving the permission, the louse had warned the bug to
be very careful about feeding on royal blood. He shall not in any case awaken
the sleeping prince. The bug agreed to all conditions but he had no intention
to obey them.
Thus the two friends started living happily in the royal
palace. The food was great. The companionship was a roaring success. The prince
remained oblivious of the bug and the louse.
As days went by, the bug became more casual, he would not
suffer pangs of hunger for a moment. He would feed on the royal patron, whether
he is sitting, sleeping or chatting. The louse could feel the impending danger.
It implored the bug to be careful. Otherwise both of them would be in trouble
and death looked near. But the bug scolded the louse for its cowardice and
remained smug and conceited.
One day when the prince was about to sleep, the bug slipped
out of the bedding and gave a whacking bite on the royal bum. Angered beyond
measure, the prince yelled for his attendants and they rushed inside fearing
the worst. The prince told them something had bitten him. They started a
vigilant search for the culprit. The bed bug quietly slipped under the cot and
was saved. But it was the end of the story for the louse, because the courtiers
could easily spot him near the head of the prince and before it could escape,
it was caught and trampled upon.
Keep off the wicked. Otherwise they would lead
to your downfall.