the lion who wanted too much

In the heart of the African savannah, where the golden grass swayed like waves and the sun blazed high above, there lived a mighty lion named Zaru. Zaru was strong, feared by all, and known as the king of the land. But above all, Zaru was greedy—greedy not just for food, but for more of everything.

Unlike other lions who hunted only when hungry, Zaru hunted constantly. He wanted the biggest meals, the finest shade under the tallest trees, and the attention of every creature that crossed his path.

One morning, Zaru spotted a plump rabbit hopping through the grass.

"Ah, breakfast!" he roared, and with a leap, he trapped the rabbit beneath his paw.

The rabbit trembled. "Please, Your Majesty, let me go. I'm small and not worth much. Bigger prey must be nearby!"

Zaru considered. He was indeed in the mood for something bigger. "Run off, little one," he growled. "You're right—I deserve better."

The rabbit darted away, disappearing into the bushes.

Moments later, Zaru caught sight of a deer grazing near the edge of the forest. Its meat would be richer than the rabbit's, he thought. He crouched low, preparing to pounce—but just then, a wild buffalo trudged past behind the deer.

Zaru's eyes gleamed. “Now that’s a feast,” he said to himself. Abandoning the deer, he lunged toward the buffalo. But buffaloes are no easy catch. The creature saw Zaru coming and charged, horns lowered.

Zaru dodged, but not without effort. He stumbled back, panting and bruised. The deer had vanished. So had the rabbit. The buffalo was gone too.

Hungry and frustrated, Zaru limped toward a watering hole to rest. A wise old owl named Otu, perched in a nearby tree, watched him silently.

"King Zaru," Otu said, "your stomach growls, yet your greed grows louder."

Zaru glared up. "What do you know, bird? I was only being smart. Why settle for little when I can have more?"

Otu chuckled softly. "Sometimes the little you have is worth more than the bigger things you lose while chasing them."

Zaru snarled and stalked off.

That evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, Zaru came across a small family of warthogs. They were slow, perfect for his tired limbs. He crept forward, but as he prepared to strike, he heard rustling behind a thicket. Two antelope stood grazing—a bigger prize.

"Forget the warthogs," Zaru whispered. "The antelope will be a banquet."

But as he turned to chase them, the wind shifted. The antelope bolted at the scent of the lion. The warthogs, too, scattered. Once again, Zaru was left with nothing.

Days passed. Zaru grew weaker, thinner. His once-proud mane lost its shine. Prey now fled long before he got close—word had spread that the lion who once ruled wisely had become blind with greed.

One day, Zaru collapsed beneath a tree, too weak to stand. As he lay there, he heard a soft rustle. It was the same rabbit he had spared days ago.

"You look terrible," said the rabbit, cautiously approaching.

Zaru groaned. "Leave me be, little one. I chased too much... and now I have nothing."

The rabbit tilted its head. "Perhaps if you had taken what you needed, instead of everything you wanted, you'd still have something."

The lion closed his eyes. He had nothing left to say.

The rabbit disappeared into the bushes, only to return moments later with a bunch of berries and leaves. Zaru hesitated, then ate slowly.

That night, under the starlit sky, Zaru reflected on all he had lost—not just food, but the respect of the savannah. His greed had blinded him to what truly mattered.

From that day on, Zaru changed. He hunted only when hungry, and he never turned away small prey. In time, his strength returned, and so did the respect of the animals.

Otu the owl visited him again one evening. "So, King Zaru, have you found wisdom?"

Zaru nodded slowly. "Yes, old friend. I've learned that wanting too much often leaves you with nothing at all."

And so, the savannah once again flourished under Zaru’s reign—not because he was the strongest, but because he had become the wisest.