The Brahman, the Thief, and the Ghost
Panchatantra
A poor but gentle scholar received two little calves. He fed them with great care until they grew healthy and strong.
A thief decided to steal the calves one moonless night. On the road he met a frightening-looking forest spirit who boasted that he planned to scare the scholar from his home.
“Excellent,” said the thief. “You frighten him after I lead away the calves.” The spirit disagreed. “If you make noise first, he will wake. I must go before you.”
They hid beside the house and whispered, then argued, then shouted. “Me first!” cried the thief. “No, me!” roared the spirit.
The scholar woke, lit a lamp, and heard each one accuse the other. He called his neighbors. The thief fled one way and the spirit vanished the other, leaving the calves safe.
The scholar strengthened the gate and smiled at the strange rescue. The two wrongdoers had protected the very person they meant to harm because neither could set aside selfishness long enough to cooperate.
“Those who cooperate for a wrong purpose often defeat themselves.”