The Lion, the Rabbit, and the Well
In the heart of a thick Indian forest lived a fearsome lion named Leo, who was a ruthless predator. He would indiscriminately kill animals, more than he could eat. This caused a lot of distress among the animals.
One day, a meeting was convened, and a wise old rabbit named Rabi was selected to appease the lion with a strategy. He went to Leo and feigned a story about another lion trying to invade Leo’s territory.
Leo, filled with rage and ego, demanded to be taken to this audacious rival. Rabi led him to a deep, still well and pointed inside, saying the other lion lived there.
Upon peering into the well, Leo saw his own reflection and mistook it for the other lion. Blinded by anger and ego, he leapt into the well, intending to attack, and perished. Rabi returned, hailed as a hero, having used his wit to save the animals from the ruthless lion.
Vocabulary:
- Ruthless: If someone is ‘ruthless’, they do not show pity or compassion for others. In this story, Leo, the lion, is ‘ruthless’ as he kills more animals than he needs for food.
- Appease: To ‘appease’ someone means to pacify or placate them by acceding to their demands. The animals decide to ‘appease’ the lion, Leo, to save themselves.
- Feigned: If you ‘feign’ something, you pretend to be affected by a feeling, state, or injury. Rabi ‘feigns’ a story about another lion to trick Leo.
- Ego: ‘Ego’ refers to a person’s sense of self-esteem or self-importance. Leo’s ‘ego’ prevents him from thinking clearly and leads to his downfall.
- Perished: To ‘perish’ means to die, especially in a violent or sudden way. In the story, Leo ‘perishes’ when he jumps into the well.
Moral: Wisdom and wit often triumph over physical strength. It’s important to use one’s power wisely and not let ego cloud judgment, as demonstrated by Leo’s downfall. Rabi’s strategy exemplifies the power of intelligence over might.
