ಚತುರನ ಚಾತುರ್ಯ (Chaturana Chaaturya)
by ಯಾದವ ಕವಿ (Yadava Kavi)
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This humorous folk narrative, sourced from Yadava Kavi's Kalavati Parinaya, celebrates the triumph of presence of mind and wit over brute physical danger. A clever barber named Divakeerti, cornered by a hungry tiger in a forest, uses his polished mirror and bold quick thinking to convince the tiger he is a royal 'tiger-catcher'. When a cunning fox tries to expose the trick, Divakeerti out-wits it too, turning the tiger against the fox and escaping unharmed.
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The barber Divakeerti travels through a dense forest to a royal festival, carrying a leather pouch of tools, scissors, razors, a comb and a polished glass mirror (darpana). Deep in the forest a massive, hungry tiger blocks his path. Realising he cannot run, Divakeerti stands his ground and lets out a loud, confident laugh.
Tricking the tiger
When the confused tiger pauses, the barber boldly claims he is a royal tiger-catcher searching for his tenth tiger. He holds up his mirror to the tiger's face: 'If you don't believe me, look inside my magical box, I've already locked one of your brothers inside; see how angry he is!' Seeing its own reflection for the first time, the tiger believes a beast is trapped and flees in panic.
Out-witting the fox
On the way the tiger meets a cunning fox, who laughs at its foolishness and explains the 'magician' was just a barber with a mirror. They tie their tails together and return to confront the barber. Unshaken, Divakeerti points at the fox and shouts: 'You cheating fox! I ordered two fresh tigers and you bring me only one, I'll skin you alive first!' Believing the fox has betrayed it, the terrified tiger bolts at full speed, dragging and killing the fox, while the barber walks away safely, proving wit is mightier than force.