The Greedy Vulture

Deep in the heart of a vast, sun-scorched savanna, there lived a vulture named Vigo. Unlike other vultures, who were content with their share of food, Vigo was never satisfied. He was greedy, always wanting more, and never thought about saving for the future.

One day, after a long drought, the animals of the savanna struggled to find food. The rivers had dried up, the grass had turned to dust, and prey was scarce. The vultures, who usually fed on leftovers from lions and cheetahs, found little to eat.

But Vigo had a plan. He had discovered a hidden cave where a leopard had stored its recent kill—a large antelope. The leopard had eaten only a small portion and left the rest for later. When Vigo saw the meat, his eyes gleamed with greed.

"This is all mine!" he thought. "Why should I share? I’ll take it all now and feast like a king!"

Ignoring the warnings of the other vultures, who reminded him that food was scarce and they should all share, Vigo swooped down and began tearing into the meat. He ate and ate, stuffing himself until he could barely move. The other vultures watched in dismay as he wasted most of the meat, scattering it around and letting it rot in the sun.

The Consequences of Greed

Days passed, and the drought worsened. The other animals grew weaker, and no new kills were made. The vultures searched desperately for food, but there was none to be found.

Vigo, who had gorged himself earlier, now felt the pangs of hunger again. He returned to the cave, hoping to find more meat, but the remains of the antelope had spoiled. Flies buzzed around the rotting flesh, and the stench was unbearable.

"No! This can’t be!" Vigo cried. "I should have saved some!"

He flew to the other vultures, hoping they would share what little they had. But they turned him away.

"You took everything for yourself," said an older vulture. "You wasted what could have fed all of us for days. Now we have nothing, and neither do you."

Vigo hung his head in shame. His greed had left him with nothing, and now he had to suffer the consequences.

The Lesson Learned

As the days went by, Vigo grew weaker. He realized his mistake too late. He had been so focused on taking as much as he could that he had forgotten the importance of sharing and saving for the future.

One evening, as the sun set over the dry savanna, a wise old tortoise saw Vigo sitting alone, weak and miserable.

"Why do you suffer, Vigo?" the tortoise asked.

"Because I was greedy," Vigo admitted. "I took too much and left nothing for later. Now I have nothing at all."

The tortoise nodded slowly. "Greed is like drinking saltwater—the more you take, the thirstier you become. But those who share and save wisely never go without."

Vigo understood at last. When the rains finally returned and food became plentiful again, he changed his ways. He no longer hoarded food for himself but shared with the other vultures. He learned to take only what he needed, ensuring there would always be enough for tomorrow.

Moral of the Story

"Taking too much leaves nothing for later." Greed may bring temporary satisfaction, but it often leads to long-term suffering. Those who think only of themselves end up with nothing, while those who share and plan wisely ensure a better future for all.

The End.