Panchatantra

01 Jan 0001

Bird and Monkey

A watercolor scene depicting a group of similarly-sized, light brown monkeys with dark eyes, looking frustrated and cold in a rain-soaked mountain environment.  Several shiny, red Gunja fruits are scattered near them. A small yellow bird with detailed feathers is positioned slightly off to the side, looking worried, with its wings slightly spread as if to gesture towards a dark cave mouth in the background.  The color scheme emphasizes the cold greys and blues of the rain and mist, contrasted by the warmth of the red Gunja fruits and the yellow of the bird.  All characters should be consistently rendered in style.

01 Jan 0001

Bird Pair and Sea

Watercolor illustration depicting a vibrant beach scene with powerful, expressive ocean waves.  A family of Tittibha birds (small, consistently colored) are centrally positioned, their expressions conveying fear, worry, and hope. In the upper section of the painting, subtly integrate Lord Vishnu (large, regal, in calming blues) overseeing the scene, and King Garuda (large, detailed, golden and majestic) subtly present above the chaos of the ocean. The other birds (swans, cranes, peacocks – easily distinguishable) should be subtly included within the background scene, smaller in scale than the Tittibha birds.

01 Jan 0001

Bird with Two Heads

Watercolor painting of Bharunda, a two-headed bird (heads are a consistent olive green and a deep, rich brown), with one head sadly looking at a poisonous purple-black fruit it just ate near a realistically painted sparkling lake. The other head displays a look of concern and regret. The color palette is muted, with cool blues and greens for the lake reflecting the bird’s sorrow. Use a loose, expressive watercolor style with visible brushstrokes.

01 Jan 0001

Brahmani and Mongoose

Watercolor painting of a Brahmin family scene.  The central focus is on the Brahmin mother, in a flowing blue sari, her face etched with grief and regret, looking down at a small, injured mongoose. The mongoose, a rich brown, lies near a dead snake.  The baby, light skinned and safe, is tucked in a basket nearby. The background suggests a simple home interior, emphasizing the intimacy and emotional intensity of the scene. The color palette uses cool blues and greens to convey sadness, contrasting with the warm browns of the mongoose. The style should emphasize the emotional depth through subtle washes of color and soft lines.

01 Jan 0001

Brahmin and Cobra

Watercolor painting of a single scene: Haridatta, a kind-faced older man with brown clothing, kneeling before a large anthill, gently offering a bowl of milk to a cobra with a detailed, slightly injured hood. The cobra is a vibrant green, and the anthill is textured and earthy. In the background, a wilting, sun-baked field, rendered in muted browns and yellows, suggests Haridatta’s struggling farm. Use warm, earthy watercolor tones.  The style should be slightly illustrative and detailed.

01 Jan 0001

Brahmin and Crooks

Watercolor illustration: Mitra Sharma, a Brahmin with light brown skin and a white dhoti, struggling to carry a large, white goat through a rainy street. Three sly figures, dressed in dark, muted colors, surround him. Each sneaky person has a distinct expression of hunger and amusement, subtly suggested by their eyes and body language. The goat is realistically depicted, rendered with soft, varied washes of white and light brown. Background details are minimal, emphasizing the central figures and the dramatic weather.

01 Jan 0001

Brahmin, Thief and Demon

Watercolor painting of a serene scene depicting a thin, kind Brahmin, Drona (light brown robes, long hair and nails), praying amidst his two large, brown cows in a simple, rustic setting at twilight. A shadowy, horned demon (dark purple, menacing features) and a small, shifty-looking thief (dark green, ragged clothes) are hidden in the background, arguing amongst themselves. The overall mood should be peaceful yet slightly ominous, reflecting the impending conflict.

01 Jan 0001

Brahmin's Dream

Watercolor painting depicting Swabhavakripna waking up from his dream. His face displays disappointment, painted in soft blues and greys. Next to him, the broken clay pot is visible with spilled porridge.  In a semi-transparent overlay above him, fainter watercolors illustrate scenes from his dream: a rich, bustling landscape with happy animals (goats, cows, buffaloes, horses) and a large house, all rendered in warmer colors, showcasing the wealth and family he dreamt of. Soma Sharma, a small, brightly colored figure, is clearly seen amongst the animals, creating a sense of happy chaos. The scene should depict the stark contrast between the reality of poverty and the fleeting richness of the dream.

01 Jan 0001

Bug and Poor Flea

Watercolor painting of a fluffy white king’s bed, a tiny white flea (Mandavisarpini) with delicate, translucent watercolor wings, and a larger, darker-colored bug with menacingly sharp mandibles. The king is subtly implied by a large, slightly rumpled section of the white bedsheets. The overall color palette should be soft and muted, mostly whites and creams with accents of soft grey and dark brown, reflecting the muted tone of the story.  Mandavisarpini is positioned near the king’s form, appearing small and delicate, while the bug is slightly further away, looking toward Mandavisarpini with a sly expression.

01 Jan 0001

Cave that Talked

A single watercolor painting depicting Kharanakhara, a large, ochre-colored lion, with a dark mane and tail, peeking out from a dark, damp cave.  His expression is slightly anxious.  Outside, a smaller, clever-looking jackal, a light reddish-brown, with sharp features, is shown just outside the cave entrance, looking at the lion with a mixture of suspicion and relief, having just heard the lion’s roar. The background is a wash of cool blues and purples for the twilight sky and darker greens for the jungle foliage.  The lion and jackal’s size and color palette should remain consistent.

01 Jan 0001

Cobra and Crows

Watercolor painting of a vibrant banyan tree with a cozy crow’s nest high in its branches. A large, dark-colored cobra emerges from a hole in the tree trunk.  In the foreground, a clever jackal, distinguished by its unique coloring and posture, observes the scene.  Two crows, consistent in size, shape and color, are depicted—one holding a glittering gold necklace, the other looking on anxiously.  The background shows a glimpse of a city with a shimmering lake, hinting at the location where the necklace was retrieved. Focus on rich, contrasting watercolors and a sense of narrative unfolding.

01 Jan 0001

Crafty Crane and Craftier Crab

Watercolor illustration: A dramatic close-up of the heron and crab in a struggle. The heron, same consistent color and shape as previous prompt, is depicted with its neck being tightly gripped by the red crab’s claws (consistent color and shape throughout). The heron’s face shows panic, and the crab’s expression is determined.  The background is blurred, suggesting the lake shore and implying a sense of urgency.

Once upon a time, near a big lake full of yummy fish, lived a very old heron. He was so old, he couldn’t catch fish anymore! He got very, very hungry.

01 Jan 0001

Crows and Owls

Watercolor illustration of a dramatic moment:  An owl, large and imposing in dark browns and grays, sits on a throne constructed from 108 stylized roots, looking disappointed.  Surrounding him are various smaller birds, some flying away, others looking dejected. A crow, small but bold in stark black, stands to the side, slightly away from the action, conveying regret. The color palette uses muted greens and blues for the background and brighter colors for the birds, but maintains a somber overall tone.  The style is detailed and expressive, focusing on conveying emotion through the birds’ postures and expressions.

01 Jan 0001

Cunning Hare and Witless Lion

Watercolor illustration of a scared little hare leading a large, furious, orange-brown lion toward a deep well. The well is dark and mysterious. The lion is larger than the hare, emphasizing their size difference. Use vibrant greens and browns for the jungle environment.

Once upon a time, a big, mean lion named Bhasuraka ruled the jungle. He was very scary and killed lots of animals!

One day, all the animals went to Bhasuraka and said, “Please, Mr. Lion! You kill too many of us. Just one animal a day is enough for you to eat. Let’s make a deal: we’ll give you one animal each day, and you won’t hunt anymore.”

01 Jan 0001

Cunning Mediator

Watercolor painting of two small, round birds, Pip and Pop, Pip is blue and Pop is yellow. Pip is perched on a branch high in a lush green jungle tree, while Pop is in a small hole at the base of the tree. A brown bunny, Floppy, is peeking out of Pop’s hole. In the background, a slightly blurry image of a wise-looking grey cat sitting near a flowing river, holding a long blade of grass. The overall style should be whimsical and slightly melancholic, reflecting the story’s ending.  Focus on vibrant jungle colors and soft watercolor textures.

01 Jan 0001

Dog Who Went Abroad

Watercolor painting focusing on Chitranga, a small brown dog with expressive eyes, surrounded by a circle of other similarly colored dogs of similar size and shape.  The scene is dominated by a palette of warm browns, ochres, and muted greens, conveying a sense of home and belonging.   A faint suggestion of a distant house, with a hint of brighter colors depicting food, is barely visible in the background, emphasizing the emotional connection between Chitranga and his fellow dogs over the lure of plentiful food.

01 Jan 0001

Donkey and Washerman

A watercolor painting of a sad scene: A dead donkey lies in a field, the tiger skin discarded nearby. Shuddapatta stands over it, looking down with remorse. The farmers are visible in the background, their figures less prominent, suggesting the aftermath of the chase. The overall color palette is subdued, with browns, greys, and muted greens dominating.  The focus should be on the donkey’s lifeless form and Shuddapatta’s grief, emphasizing the story’s moral.

01 Jan 0001

Dove and Hunter

Watercolor illustration: A vibrant jungle setting with a majestic tree in the center.  A mean-looking hunter (dark, earthy tones) is shown under the tree, shivering, next to a cage containing a dove (soft pink). Another dove (same pink, similar shape) is approaching the hunter, offering burning leaves.  The background shows a stormy sky with rain. The doves have gentle, compassionate expressions, while the hunter shows remorse.  Use soft, blending watercolor techniques for a dreamlike quality.

01 Jan 0001

Elephant and Sparrow

Watercolor painting of a jungle scene. A sad mama sparrow, depicted in muted browns and grays, sits near a broken nest with cracked eggs.  A large, grumpy elephant, rendered in deep gray and brown, is partially submerged in a muddy hole. A bright red woodpecker, a buzzing blue fly, and a green frog with large, wise eyes are gathered near the sparrow, looking at her with concern. The overall mood is one of sadness turning to hope. The background is a lush watercolor wash of greens and browns, suggesting a jungle environment.  The scale of the characters is consistent, with the elephant significantly larger than the other animals, which are similar in size to each other.

01 Jan 0001

Elephants and Hares

Watercolor painting of a dramatic moment: The elephant king, a larger grey elephant consistent in shape and size,  bows deeply before the lake, his reflection mirroring his humbled posture.  Smaller brown bunnies, consistent in size and shape, watch from a nearby burrow, appearing relieved and safe.  The lake’s surface is tranquil, reflecting a bright, full moon. The background shows the partially dried-up original pond and the lush green jungle.   Use contrasting color temperatures; cool blues and silvers for the water and moon, and warm earthy tones for the jungle and elephants. The overall mood should convey relief and the power of cleverness.