A tale worth telling

Often in life, beautiful things happen to us. One such thing in my life was the Advanced Diploma in Spanish at SPPU, which I attended the past year. Here, I was introduced to several gems of Spanish art, history and literature, which deeply influenced my perspective of looking at the world around me. One of the most striking pieces of prose that I came across was a book of fables called Libro de los exemplos de Conde Lucanor y de Patronio or ‘The Tales of Count Lucanor and Patronio’. This book: a collection of dialogues between a Spanish Count and his loyal advisor, was written by a medieval knight in 14^th century Spain, drawing inspiration from Aesop’s Fables and the Panchatantra, using the plot of several fables in the latter. In the following centuries, a similar style of books found its way into India, the most famous examples being Akbar-Birbal, Tenalirama, etc.

As I was reading the book, one of the fables, adorned with beauty and metaphor, captivated my attention. Such was its charm, that I absolutely had to translate it.

Here is the tale:

“What Happened With The Tree of Falsehood”

Once, the Count spoke with his loyal advisor Patronio:

‘Patronio, I am furious with some men who have disrespected me, who are fraudsters and liars to the extent that they always slander, not just to me, but with anyone who has to parley with them. They phrase their lies such that they feign the truth, thus taking disadvantage of me, while at the same time inciting my people against me.

If I so wish, I too, can cheat them. But, as lying is sin, I have never treaded on that path. By means of your profound knowledge and understanding, I beg you to advise me the way in which I should handle these people.’

‘Respected Count Lucanor’, began Patronio, ‘In order that you do what is best and most advantageous, I would like to recount what once happened between the Truth and Falsehood.’

The Count urged him to begin the story.

‘Count Lucanor’, continued Patronio, ‘The Truth and Falsehood once began to dwell together, and, as time passed, Falsehood, which is restless, suggested to the former that they plant a tree, so that they may enjoy its fruit and its shadow in the future. The Truth, which is innocent and which agrees with little convincing, agreed to the idea.

When the tree was planted and began growing, Falsehood proposed to the Truth that they divide the parts among themselves. The Truth agreed, and Falsehood, with its tricks and schemes, convinced the Truth to choose the part below the ground, for the roots provide life to the plant. The part above the ground, being exposed to the constant danger of humans and the winds, would remain with Falsehood.

The Truth, with its innocence and simple nature, agreed to this proposition, and installed itself below the earth, with the roots that belonged to it.

Now Falsehood, having gotten rid of the Truth, placed itself above the ground with the stem, familiarizing itself with the humans and beings which roamed there. Falsehood, which is always very flattering, won the admiration of the people. Its tree began to grow with thick branches and green leaves, which provided fresh shadow; while blossoming beautiful flowers.

Seeing such a beautiful tree, many people thronged to it, enjoying its shadow and flowers, so much so that several never wanted to apart. While everyone enjoyed its shadow, Falsehood, which is appeasing and patronizing, extended its teachings, and everyone was happily ready to learn them. In such manner, Falsehood crept into their hearts: to some, it taught them to utter simple lies; to others, more subtle yet graver ‘double’ lies, and to the cunning ones, what is known as a ‘triple’ lie.’

Patronio explained, ‘Respected Count, a simple lie is when a person promises something and does not live to his word.

The double lie: when a person makes promises and guarantees, authorizing others to deal on his behalf, and meanwhile thinks of a way to swindle.

The triple lie, which is the most notorious, is when a person lies and cheats, feigning the truth.’

Ahead with the story, Patronio continued, ‘So well did Falsehood know about this and so well did it teach this to everyone who sought refuge under its tree, that all of them became deceitful and fraudulent.

Meanwhile, the Truth, which was lost beneath the earth, and which no one wanted to find, had nothing to feed itself with. It only had the roots which belonged to it, which it gnawed and gobbled up. The tree, with such grand branches and beautiful flowers, had its roots disappeared before it could bear fruit.

One day, with all its roots vanished, and when Falsehood was with all its adherents, there arose a wind and shook the tree. Now, as its roots had already been depleted, the tree of Falsehood fell, and fell such that it killed or deeply injured those who sought refuge under it, including Falsehood itself.

And then, through the gap that been created by the fallen trunk, surfaced the Truth. When it looked around, it saw the fate of the wounded who had followed the path of Falsehood.’

‘Respected Count Lucanor’, added Patronio, ‘Reflect on the fact that Falsehood always has thick branches and its flowers, which are its words and thoughts, are very flattering. There are several who seek them, in spite of the fact that these flowers never bear fruit.

Therefore, although flattery and other tricks of Falsehood would be used by your enemies, as they already have, avoid them as much as you can. Also, do not feel envy for the fortunes which are built by following the path of Falsehood, since these certainly last very little and do not end well.

Although in our times, the Truth is undermined, embrace it, and hold it in high esteem, since only on its path shall you be content, will be truly successful, and would gain the grace and the pardon of God, who garlands us with prosperity in this world, and makes us honorable.’

The Count agreed immensely with this advice, followed its learnings, and succeeded in his endeavors.

And Don Juan, the writer, impressed by this episode, adds it to this book and composes a verse that goes like this:

Say the truth, and from lies escape,
The wrath of destiny the liar will face.