The story
A hunter scattered rice on the ground and spread a net over it. A flock of doves flew down to eat, even though their king, Chitragriva, warned them to be careful.
The net fell and trapped them all. The doves flapped in panic. “Stop!” said the king. “If we all fly up together, at the same moment, we can lift the net.”
On the count of three they rose together, carrying the net high into the sky, while the hunter could only watch.
They flew to the king’s friend, a mouse named Hiranyaka, who gnawed through the net. Chitragriva asked him to free his flock first and himself last.
Moral of the Story
Together we are stronger — and a good leader thinks of others first.
More stories on Friendship & TeamworkStories for this age
कहानी — कबूतरों के राजा और शिकारी का जाल
एक शिकारी ने ज़मीन पर चावल के दाने बिखेरे और उनके ऊपर जाल बिछा दिया। कबूतरों का एक झुंड दाने खाने नीचे उतर आया, हालाँकि उनके राजा चित्रग्रीव ने उन्हें सावधान रहने को कहा था।
जाल गिरा और सारे कबूतर उसमें फँस गए। कबूतर घबराकर पंख फड़फड़ाने लगे। “रुको!” राजा ने कहा। “अगर हम सब एक साथ, एक ही पल में ऊपर उड़ें, तो जाल को उठा सकते हैं।”
तीन गिनते ही वे सब एक साथ उड़े और जाल को लेकर आसमान में ऊँचे चले गए। शिकारी बस देखता ही रह गया।
वे उड़कर राजा के दोस्त, हिरण्यक नाम के चूहे के पास पहुँचे। चूहे ने जाल कुतर डाला। चित्रग्रीव ने उससे कहा कि पहले उनके साथियों को छुड़ाए और उन्हें सबसे आख़िर में।
कहानी की सीख
मिलकर हम ज़्यादा ताक़तवर होते हैं — और अच्छा नेता पहले दूसरों के बारे में सोचता है।
What Children Can Learn
- Teamwork
- Good leadership
- Friendship
Emotional & social lesson
When everyone works together, big problems become smaller.
Key vocabulary
- flock
- a group of birds
- net
- a trap made of knotted rope
- leader
- someone who guides a group
Think & Answer
- How did the doves escape the hunter?
- Why did the king want to be freed last?
- When does your family work as a team?
Parent–child activity
Lift a light blanket together on a count of three — can one person lift it alone as easily?
Parent / Teacher Discussion
This is the opening story of the Hitopadesha’s first book, on gaining friends.
Try a Learning Activity
Read the story → answer the questions → practise on the Life Skills island and work towards a 🏅 Gold Medal.
FAQ
What is the moral of “The Dove King and the Hunter’s Net”?
Together we are stronger — and a good leader thinks of others first.
What age is “The Dove King and the Hunter’s Net” suitable for?
It suits children of about 4–10 years, read aloud or read together.