The Old Tiger and the Traveller Summary: Degree 1st sem English

The Old Tiger and the Traveller: About the Author

The English translation of this story comes from the distinct literary voice of Arthur William Ryder (1877–1938). A celebrated scholar, Ryder is best known for his work in translating major Sanskrit masterpieces into English, including the Bhagavad Gita, the works of Kalidasa, and the Panchatantra.

Ryder’s contribution to literature was significant because he bridged the gap between East and West, making Indian classical literature accessible to Western readers. His writing style was not merely academic; it was noted for its “felicity” (pleasing expression) and wit. He avoided dry, literal translations in favour of an idiomatic style that captured the spirit and humour of the original texts.

The Old Tiger and the Traveller: Summary

Introduction:

This story is a fable taken from the Hitopadesa, a famous collection of Sanskrit tales that use animal characters to impart moral wisdom. The narrative takes place in a “southern forest,” setting the stage for a dangerous encounter in the wild.

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The Encounter

The story opens with a traveller passing through the forest. He spots an old tiger who is holding a golden bracelet in his paw. To the traveller’s surprise, the tiger calls out to him, offering the valuable gold bracelet as a free gift. The traveller is initially hesitant and suspicious; he wonders why a deadly predator would offer a gift and questions how such a dangerous animal came to possess a piece of human jewellery in the first place.

The Deception

To overcome the traveller’s fear, the tiger constructs a convincing backstory. He confesses that in his youth, he was incredibly wicked. He admits to killing many humans and cows, a sin that led to the death of his own wife and children. However, he claims that he has now changed. He describes himself as old, toothless, and clawless—no longer a threat to anyone.

The tiger asserts that he has become religious and is now practicing charity and penance to wash away his past sins. He speaks with great humility, claiming he wants to give the bracelet to a poor or needy person as an act of virtue. He effectively uses the mask of religion to hide his predatory nature.

The traveller faces an internal conflict. He knows that tigers are dangerous, but the allure of the gold is too strong. Tempted by greed, he chooses to believe the tiger’s story. He convinces himself that the animal is telling the truth and that accepting the gift will bring him great wealth. This moment marks the traveller’s fatal mistake: he allows his greed to overpower his reason.

The Climax and Conclusion

Trusting the beast, the traveller steps forward to take the bracelet. However, the terrain is treacherous, and he steps into deep, marshy mud. He becomes instantly stuck and unable to move. Seeing his prey trapped, the tiger drops his “religious” act. He moves slowly and cautiously toward the helpless man. The story ends tragically as the tiger seizes the traveller and kills him. 

The narrative concludes with a stark warning or proverb: one should never trust things that have claws, rivers, or men with weapons.

Theme and Moral

The story explores the inevitable decline of physical power; the tiger, unable to hunt through strength, must use psychological manipulation to survive. The tiger symbolises the desperation of aging, while the traveller represents the fragility of human wisdom when faced with temptation.

The ultimate moral is that greed can be blinding. The story warns that one should never blindly trust appearances or persuasive words, especially when dealing with known enemies. It teaches that caution and reason must always be stronger than the desire for gain.

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