The Friendly Mongoose summary

“The Friendly Mongoose” is a powerful moral story that teaches the dangers of acting in anger or haste and highlights the value of trust. The chapter shows how a misunderstanding and a quick decision can destroy something precious. Through a simple village setting and emotional events, the story warns readers to think carefully before reacting, especially when strong feelings like fear or suspicion take over.

The story begins in a small village where a farmer and his wife live happily. They are a loving couple, but they have one complaint, or rather a feeling of loneliness—they do not have a child. Their house feels quiet and incomplete without the laughter of a baby. To reduce their loneliness, they keep a pet. One day they bring home a mongoose. A mongoose is a small, furry animal known for its ability to fight and kill snakes. The couple raises the mongoose with affection. They feed it, play with it, and treat it almost like a family member. Over time, the mongoose becomes extremely friendly and loyal to them. It behaves like a devoted companion and stays close to the house.

A few years later, the couple is finally blessed with a baby boy. Their happiness becomes complete. They now have both a child and a beloved pet. They love the child deeply, but they also continue to care for the mongoose. At first, everything seems ideal. The baby grows, and the mongoose often sits near him. The couple sometimes feels a little unsure about allowing the baby and mongoose to stay close, because they understand that a mongoose is still an animal. Yet because the mongoose has always been gentle, they gradually relax. The mongoose itself develops a strong bond with the baby and is protective toward him.

One day, a situation arises that changes everything. The farmer goes out to work in the fields. His wife also needs to step out for some errands, leaving the baby at home. The mongoose stays with the baby as usual. Before leaving, the woman looks at the baby sleeping peacefully and feels slightly anxious, but she tells herself that the mongoose is friendly and will not harm him. She leaves, trusting both the house and the pet.

While the mother is away, a dangerous cobra enters the house silently. It moves toward the baby’s cradle. Cobras are deadly snakes, and the baby is helpless. The mongoose notices the cobra at once. It becomes alert, aggressive, and ready to protect the child. A fierce fight takes place between the mongoose and the cobra. The cobra strikes several times, and the mongoose dodges. Finally, with speed and courage, the mongoose bites the cobra and kills it. The baby remains safe. The mongoose, having fought bravely, is tired but proud. Its mouth and paws are stained with blood from the battle.

After some time, the mother returns home. She sees the mongoose running toward her happily. The mongoose wants to show her that it has saved the baby. But the woman sees blood on its mouth and immediately becomes terrified. Without checking the baby, her mind jumps to the worst conclusion. She assumes that the mongoose has killed her child. Her fear turns into anger in a second. She does not stop to think, nor does she investigate. In blind rage, she picks up a heavy object (such as a pot or a stick) and strikes the mongoose, killing it instantly.

The mongoose dies on the spot, after being loyal and brave. The woman then rushes inside. To her shock, she finds her baby alive and sleeping peacefully. She also sees the dead cobra lying nearby. In that moment she realizes the truth: the mongoose was not the enemy; it was her child’s protector. Her hasty and cruel action has killed a faithful friend. She is overwhelmed by guilt and sorrow. She cries bitterly, wishing she could undo her mistake. When the farmer returns and hears what happened, he is equally heartbroken. Together they mourn the loss of the mongoose, understanding that their impatience and lack of trust caused a tragedy.

The lesson of the story is strong and clear. It teaches that decisions made in anger or without proper thought often lead to regret. We should not act on assumptions, especially when we love or trust someone. The mongoose’s fate reminds readers that loyalty deserves patience, and that one moment of uncontrolled emotion can destroy years of love. “The Friendly Mongoose” therefore emphasizes calm thinking, trust, and the importance of verifying facts before reacting.