"The Lion and the Donkey"

In the heart of the Great Green Jungle, where the trees stood tall and the rivers sang through the valleys, lived Leo, the lion—strong, proud, and feared by all. His roar echoed across the jungle, and animals would bow or run when he passed. He was the king, and he never let anyone forget it.

Not far from Leo’s den lived a donkey named Doro. Doro was gentle, kind, and often mocked for being slow and simple. The monkeys laughed at his long ears, the hyenas teased his clumsy walk, and even the parrots mimicked his braying voice. But Doro never got angry. He worked hard, helped others, and always greeted everyone with a smile.

One hot afternoon, as Leo was resting under the shade of a large fig tree, he overheard a group of animals talking.

“I saw Doro helping the porcupine family carry food across the stream,” said a meerkat.

“And he helped the tortoise dig a new hole to stay cool in the heat!” added a squirrel.

Leo frowned. “Why do they speak of a donkey like he’s a hero? I am their king!” he thought. His pride was hurt.

Determined to remind everyone of his greatness, Leo decided to challenge Doro in front of the entire jungle.

The next morning, he sent word to all the animals:

“Tomorrow at sunrise, there will be a test of wisdom and strength between Leo the Lion and Doro the Donkey. All are welcome to watch.”

The jungle buzzed with excitement. “The king versus a donkey? This will be over in minutes!” many laughed.

But Doro, upon receiving the message, didn’t laugh. He simply nodded and said, “If the king wants to learn, I will gladly teach.”

When the sun rose the next day, a huge crowd gathered near the riverbank. Leo stood tall, his mane glowing in the golden light. Doro arrived calmly, carrying a small bag on his back.

Leo roared, “Doro! Today we prove who deserves respect in this jungle. First test: strength! Let’s see who can move this large boulder across the field.”

The boulder was massive. Leo stepped forward, dug his claws into the ground, and with a mighty growl, pushed the rock slowly but surely until it reached the other side. The animals cheered.

Now it was Doro’s turn. He walked to the rock, opened his bag, and pulled out a wooden lever and some rope. He tied the rope around the rock, placed the lever under it, and gently pushed. Using balance and technique, he moved the rock with surprising ease. The crowd gasped.

Leo’s eyes widened. “What trickery is this?”

Doro smiled. “It’s not always about power, Your Majesty. Sometimes, it's about how you use your mind.”

Leo growled, annoyed. “Second test! Wisdom! We will each answer a riddle. If you fail, you leave this jungle!”

The owl, known as the jungle’s wisest, stepped forward with a riddle:

“What is stronger than the lion, quieter than the snake, faster than the cheetah, and seen by all, but touched by none?”

Leo paced, muttering to himself. He thought of storms, shadows, wind—but none felt right. Minutes passed. Finally, Leo gave up.

Doro, still smiling, answered softly, “It’s time.”

The owl nodded. “Correct.”

The crowd murmured in amazement.

Leo’s face turned red with fury. “This is foolish! I am the king! How can a donkey defeat me?”

Doro stepped forward, looked at Leo, and said gently, “You are strong, Leo. You are brave. But even kings must learn. I do not wish to rule, only to serve. But never mistake kindness for weakness, and never judge by appearances alone.”

For a moment, the jungle was silent.

Then, slowly, the animals began to clap their paws, hooves, and wings. They cheered not just for Doro’s cleverness, but for his grace, humility, and patience.

Leo looked around, feeling something new—respect that wasn’t forced by fear. He sighed, lowered his head, and said, “You have taught me today, Doro. Perhaps the jungle needs more wisdom than roar.”

From that day on, Leo ruled with more patience, and Doro became his advisor. The lion and the donkey—once so different—worked together for the good of all. And the jungle was never the same again.