Uncalculating Zeal
Story Summary
In the Kingdom of Damnasia, a man-eating tiger terrorizes the populace, prompting the King to offer his daughter Zodroulra as a reward for the beast's slayer. Camaraladdin, seeking fame, claims the reward without confronting the tiger, instead presenting the scalp of a wealthy man, leading to his execution by the King. This culturally significant moral story illustrates the dangers of misguided ambition, suggesting that sometimes, uncalculated zeal can cost more than one anticipates, as the millionaire could have been a solution to the tiger problem.
Click to reveal the moral of the story
The moral of the story is that reckless ambition and greed can lead to unintended consequences, and sometimes it's better to leave certain matters alone rather than pursuing them with uncalculated zeal.
Historical Context
This story draws on themes common in folklore and fairy tales, particularly within Middle Eastern and South Asian traditions, where cleverness and irony often lead to unexpected outcomes. Its narrative echoes the moral lessons found in tales like those of "Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves" and elements of "The Arabian Nights," emphasizing the folly of greed and the dangers of underestimating the consequences of one's actions. The tale also reflects broader cultural values regarding honor, bravery, and the complexities of human motives, revealing how wealth and ambition can be as perilous as the beasts that threaten civilization.
Our Editors Opinion
This story serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of greed and the consequences of misguided ambition in modern life, where people often chase wealth and status without considering the broader implications of their actions. For instance, in a corporate setting, an employee might sabotage a colleague to climb the corporate ladder, only to find that their actions create a toxic work environment that ultimately harms their own career.
You May Also Like
The Fisher and the Little Fish
In this classic moral story, a Fisher catches a small fish that begs for its release, promising to grow larger for a future meal. However, the Fisher values the certainty of the small catch over the uncertain potential of a bigger one later, illustrating the lesson that it is better to appreciate what you have than to risk it for something uncertain. This easy small story with moral emphasizes the wisdom found in concise moral stories and the valuable lessons they impart.
The Ass the Cock and the Lion
In "The Ass the Cock and the Lion," a tale that embodies value-based moral stories, a Cock's loud crowing scares away a hungry Lion, instilling false confidence in the Ass. Believing he can confront the Lion, the Ass foolishly pursues him, only to be caught and killed. This short and sweet moral story teaches that misplaced bravery can lead to dangerous consequences, offering a valuable lesson in humility.
The Thieves and the Cock
In "The Thieves and the Cock," a group of thieves steals a rooster but decides to kill it, only to have the rooster plead for its life by highlighting its role in waking people for work. The thieves reject his plea, illustrating a key lesson learned from stories: those with malicious intent despise anything that promotes virtue. This humorous story serves as one of the best moral tales, reminding us that the safeguards of virtue are often hated by those who wish to do wrong.
Other names for this story
"Zeal Without Measure, The Price of Ambition, A King's Dilemma, The Tiger's True Rival, Fortune's Fatal Flaw, Sacrificing for Gold, The Cost of Greed, Kingdom's Reckoning"
Did You Know?
This story illustrates the themes of greed and the consequences of misplaced priorities, as the king's desire for wealth leads him to overlook the real danger posed by the tiger, ultimately resulting in the downfall of an opportunistic character who misjudges the situation.
Subscribe to Daily Stories
Get a new moral story in your inbox every day.