Nagas believe that rice was introduced to Man by the rat. Back in the days when Man lived on roots and fruits, a rat accosted a Naga and made a deal with him.
“I’ll show you something that is good to eat,” said the rat, “but you will have to promise that when I die you will give me a decent burial.”
“I promise, I promise, I promise!” said the Naga. “Show me this food!”
The rat took him to a place where wild rice was growing. “Learn to cultivate it and you will never go hungry,” said the rat. “And remember your promise.”
Man began to grow rice, and his life took a turn for the better. One day, the rat that had made the deal with the man decided to test his honesty.
Seeing the man coming, it lay down in his path and pretended to be dead.
“Farewell, my friend,” said the man when he saw the seemingly lifeless body of the rat, and going up to the animal kicked it unceremoniously into a nearby river.
“So this is how you keep your promise!” spluttered the rat, swimming out of the river. “I’ll never forgive you for this! Any rice you grow I’ll eat as much of it as I can, and whatever I can’t eat I’ll contaminate with my droppings!”
And that, they say, is the reason why rice godowns are always infested with rats and why rat droppings constitute such a high percentage of the contaminants in the grain.