The Cobra And The Crows: High up in a grand tree, a pair of crows faced a heartbreaking problem. Every time the female crow laid and hatched her eggs, a massive, wicked black cobra would slither up the trunk from its hollow below and eat their newborns. The crows were devastated but far too small to fight off such a deadly predator.
The Cobra And The Crows
The crows were desperate. They flew to a nearby banyan tree to seek the advice of their friend, a wise and clever jackal. They poured their hearts out, explaining the tragic cycle.
“Friend, it has become impossible to live here,” they pleaded. “We can’t fight a monster like that. Please, tell us how we can protect our children from this wicked snake.”
The jackal listened carefully and offered a comforting smile. “Do not give up just yet,” he advised. “Even the most powerful and terrifying enemies can be defeated if you use your wits instead of your fists.”
Eager for a solution, the crows begged him to explain.
“Here is the plan,” the jackal began. “Fly to the capital city not far from here. Look for the home of someone who is incredibly wealthy but terribly careless. Find something highly valuable left out in the open. When the royal servants are looking right at you, swoop down and steal it.”
He paused to make sure they were listening closely. “This next part is crucial: you must fly away slowly. Make sure the guards can keep up with you. Lead them back to your tree. Drop the treasure into the hollow where the cobra lives. When the servants arrive to get it back, they will take care of the snake for you.”
The crows agreed it was a brilliant plan and took off for the city immediately.
As they circled above the capital, the female crow spotted exactly what they needed. A group of wealthy royal women were swimming in a luxurious lake. They had carelessly left their glittering gold and pearl necklaces on the bank. The royal guards stood by and did nothing.
Without hesitation, the female crow swooped down, snatched the largest, heaviest pearl necklace in her beak, and took off.
The guards panicked. Shouting in alarm, they grabbed heavy sticks and stones and chased after the brazen bird. The jackal had instructed the crow to fly at a slow, steady pace. She made sure the furious guards were always right on her tail.
When she reached her tree, she dropped the sparkling necklace straight into the cobra’s dark hollow. She then fluttered up to a high branch to watch the show.
The loud shouts and stomping feet of the arriving guards woke the sleeping cobra. The snake was furious at the disturbance. It slithered out of its hole. The massive snake flared its hood and hissed aggressively at the men.
The guards, seeing a deadly cobra standing between them and the queen’s stolen necklace, didn’t hesitate. They unleashed a flurry of heavy sticks and stones, quickly overpowering and killing the wicked snake before snatching the necklace back.
With their greatest enemy finally gone, the crows lived in peace and raised their children without fear.
The Moral: Brains can defeat brawn. A clever strategy and sharp wit can overcome even the most dangerous and powerful of enemies.
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