The Arrogant Lion and His Fall

The Arrogant Lion

BY:Ubaid

Once upon a time, in the heart of a dense forest, there lived a mighty lion who was the undisputed king of all creatures. His strength was unmatched, his roar echoed across the valleys, and every animal in the forest feared him deeply. But along with his strength came an unbearable arrogance. He took immense pride in his kingdom and believed that no creature was worthy of standing beside him.

The lion ruled with cruelty and selfishness. Instead of protecting his subjects and guiding them with kindness, he often used his power to humiliate and oppress. If a deer requested his help against hunters, the lion would mock and walk away. If a rabbit cried for protection from eagles, the lion would sneer and ignore. The birds, monkeys, elephants, and even the mighty crocodiles all suffered from his indifference. His arrogance blinded him to the fact that true kingship is not about pride or fear, but about responsibility and compassion.

Over time, the forest grew weary of his tyranny. The animals whispered among themselves in hushed tones, meeting in secret to discuss their plight. They asked one another, “How long shall we bear this? A king should serve his people, not torment them. If he cannot change, perhaps we must teach him a lesson.”

At first, many were afraid. After all, he was the lion, the strongest of them all. But soon, courage grew among them. The wise old elephant said, “If we unite, even the strongest lion cannot stand against us. Alone, we are weak, but together, we are powerful.” The crocodile, sly and clever, then devised a plan. He said, “Let us use his arrogance against him. If we flatter him and invite him to a feast by the lake, he will surely come. And then, the lesson shall be taught.”

All the animals agreed. They rehearsed their roles carefully, for they knew this was their only chance.

The next morning, they approached the lion. The crocodile stepped forward respectfully and bowed.
“Your Majesty,” he said smoothly, “we, your humble subjects, have arranged a grand feast in your honor. Near the banks of the lake, a banquet of the finest foods awaits. The ducks have prepared an enchanting show, and after the feast, we shall take you on a delightful ride across the shimmering waters of the lake. It is our way of celebrating your greatness.”

The lion’s eyes sparkled with pride. No one had ever flattered him so much. His chest swelled, and he roared in delight.
“A feast for me? And a show too? Finally, you all realize the greatness of your king! Very well, I accept.”

The animals bowed again and hurried away, hiding their sly smiles. The lion, in his arrogance, never suspected their intentions.

The next day, the lion marched to the lake with a smug expression. There, the ducks performed tricks—spinning, diving, and splashing in perfect harmony. The lion clapped his paws in amusement, laughing with joy. For once, he was genuinely entertained. Then the crocodile said politely, “Your Majesty, the show is only the beginning. Please allow us to give you a ride across the lake. It will be an experience fit for a king.”

Without hesitation, the lion leapt onto the crocodile’s broad back. The crocodile slipped into the cool waters and began to swim. At first, the lion enjoyed the ride. The wind brushed his mane, and he looked proudly at his reflection in the water. But soon, the crocodile increased his speed, slicing through the water like an arrow. The lion, unaccustomed to swimming, began to wobble. He tried to cling to the crocodile’s back, but his paws slipped. With a sudden splash, the king of the jungle fell into the deep waters.

The lion roared in panic, thrashing his legs helplessly. “Help me! Save me!” he cried, his voice echoing across the lake. The ducks, monkeys, deer, and elephants all stood at the shore, watching silently. None stepped forward to help. They remembered the countless times they had begged for his aid, and he had turned them away.

The lion’s roars grew weaker as he struggled to stay afloat. “Please, I am your king!” he begged. But the animals only shook their heads.
“A true king protects his people,” said the wise elephant sadly. “You failed us, and now pride has failed you.”

Slowly, the mighty lion sank beneath the waves. His roars faded into silence, and the waters of the lake grew calm once again. The once-proud king of the forest was gone, swallowed by his own arrogance.

From that day forward, the forest lived in peace. Without the lion’s cruelty, harmony returned. The animals learned an important truth: no matter how strong or powerful one becomes, arrogance only leads to destruction.

And so, dear children, the story teaches us a timeless lesson. Pride and arrogance are dangerous companions. They blind us to kindness, push away our friends, and ultimately lead us to ruin. Instead, we must learn to be humble and grateful for the blessings we have. True greatness does not come from ruling with fear, but from serving with love.

So remember always: never let pride consume your heart, for arrogance brings downfall. Be thankful, be kind, and treat others with respect—because those who are humble live in peace, and those who are proud eventually fall.