The Lion and the Clever Mousedeer
Once upon a time, in a dense forest, there lived a mighty lion. He was known for his strength and ferocity, with sharp claws and teeth that could slice through anything. The other animals in the forest were terrified of him, as he would spend his days hunting and sleeping, instilling fear in their hearts.One fateful day, the lion felt a rumbling in his stomach. He summoned his trusted assistant, Mr. Porcupine, and ordered him to fetch a goat for his meal. Mr. Porcupine sought the help of Mr. Tiger to fulfill the lion's request. Determined to please the king of the forest, Mr. Tiger set off on his hunt.News of Mr. Tiger's mission quickly spread among the animals in the forest. They knew that if Mr. Tiger failed to find a goat, the lion would be furious. In fear, they hid themselves deep within the forest, making it impossible for Mr. Tiger to find any prey. Desperate and anxious, Mr. Tiger stumbled upon Mr. Mousedeer.Curious, Mr. Mousedeer asked, "Where are all the other animals hiding?""They are hiding in the forest," replied Mr. Tiger."Why do you need to know?" questioned Mr. Mousedeer."The king of the forest is hungry," explained Mr. Tiger.Understanding the dire situation, Mr. Mousedeer agreed to help. He led Mr. Tiger to the hiding place of the other animals. Reluctantly, they decided to draw lots to determine who would go and face the lion. Unfortunately, Mr. Mousedeer was chosen, and his friends felt sorry for him, knowing the danger he would face.Accompanied by Mr. Tiger, Mr. Mousedeer made his way to the lion's cave. As he stood before the mighty lion, Mr. Mousedeer spoke, "Oh, King of the forest, I have brought a message for you from your brother."Confused, the lion asked, "Brother? I don't have a brother.""But he has forbidden all the other animals from coming to see you," replied Mr. Mousedeer.Enraged, the lion roared, "Ho, ho, ho! We shall see about that. Take me to see him immediately!"Mr. Mousedeer led the lion into the forest, pointing towards a deep hole that had been dug by a hunter. The lion, blinded by his anger, leaped into the hole but soon realized he was trapped. As the other animals emerged from their hiding places, they danced joyfully around the hole, celebrating their freedom.In the end, the cleverness of Mr. Mousedeer had outwitted the mighty lion, teaching him a valuable lesson about humility and the importance of treating others with kindness and respect. And so, the forest lived in peace once again, with the lion humbled and the animals no longer living in fear.This timeless tale reminds us that intelligence and wit can triumph over brute strength, and that even the mightiest can be brought down by their own arrogance.