My Encounter
I have chosen to discuss Mongoose, because this animal is mysterious to me. I have only seen this animal twice in my life: once in 2000 in the campus of Madras Christian College, and the other time was in Trivandrum, India in 2007.
Wisdom of Natives
Natives believe the mongoose teaches us to use speed of defense, to lack fear when defending yourself, apprehend wrongdoers, and to protect your family.
Modern Wisdom
Researchers have found that the mongoose lives in a highly structured social setting. A mongoose could go up the social structure, but generally, once the place is fixed, it rarely changes. Also, mongooses assign babysitters for their young. Most of the time, the young are guarded by the non-dominant mongooses. Mongoose are also always on guard and can be attacked by land or air borne animals. This being the case, they will not attack for the thrill of attacking, but will attack if they are being attacked first.
Global Folktales
The Mongoose and the Brahmin
Mongoose’s role: The mongoose protects the family, knows its role and baby sits.
The Four Friends
Mongoose’s role- Demonstrates there are ways to stand up for the truth and escape other’s angry wrath for being found out as a fraud. It’s ok to have an escape plan.
The Golden Mongoose
Mongoose’s role- Though I like the theme of this story, I am unsure why a mongoose had been chosen to symbolize greed and anger through turning into solid gold. If anyone has any ideas about this, please share below.
Sayings Associated
In Malayalam, there is a saying: Keeiryum pambum pole aanu. This means “They are like the mongoose and snake.” The mongoose doesn’t like snakes. It is known for killing poisonous snakes (as in the story above, the Mongoose and the Brahmin). It is said that the mongoose and snake don’t like each other, they are always fighting. So, if two people go on fighting, they are always quarrelling whenever they can or just to pass time, they are referred to as keeriyum (mongoose) and pambum (snake).
Personal Reflections
I saw the mongoose in India on two occasions when I was part of a larger group: a class of 25 and the other as part of a family in India. In both situations, I was integrating into a group, learning my place, how I fit in and affected others in that group.
I also believe the mongoose came to me to show me that it is ok to defend myself and stick up for myself: gain self confidence. However, the mongoose is selective in defending itself- since it will only do it if there is a true sense of danger, I think the mongoose is trying to teach me to reduce my defensiveness as I am overly sensitive to criticism and am told by others that I am too defensive. I also like the teaching of the mongoose from the story above, “The Four Friends.” The mongoose in this story told me that if you are the only one standing up for truth and justice, it can be scary and dangerous. Also, this story clearly shows that when this is the case, it takes not only bravery to overcome falsehood, but a thoughtful plan, including a viable escape plan, to keep yourself safe, also. Just because you’re standing up for someone doesn’t mean you have to get hurt too.
Part 11 in Series: Kerala 2007