The Wise Rooster and the Cunning Fox

Once upon a time, in a lush and vibrant village nestled between green hills and shimmering rivers, there lived a small but wise rooster named Babu. Babu was no ordinary rooster. His feathers were a pure, gleaming white, his comb was a vibrant shade of red, and his crow was melodious, echoing across the village each morning like the sweetest of tunes. He woke the entire village with his powerful morning call, and every villager, young and old, loved him dearly. The children especially gathered around his coop every morning, eager to hear his crow and watch him strut around proudly.

However, as is often the case, admiration can give way to envy, especially when one’s talents stand out. Not far from the village, in a dense, shadowy forest, lived a sly fox named Chambeli. Chambeli was known far and wide for her cunning ways and sharp mind. She was an expert hunter, feared and respected in the forest for her ability to track and catch prey. But for the last few days, she had struggled to find food. The forest had grown quiet, and her belly was empty. She roamed the woods looking for anything to satisfy her hunger, but nothing seemed to work. Then, one day, she heard Babu’s familiar crow echoing from the direction of the village. Instantly, her mouth watered at the thought.

“What a delicious breakfast that plump, white rooster would make!” she thought to herself, a mischievous grin spreading across her face.

Determined to catch Babu, she devised a clever plan. The next morning, just as the first rays of the sun began to peek over the hills, Chambeli tiptoed through the forest, her steps light and calculated. She crept closer and closer to the village, staying hidden behind the bushes and trees. She finally reached the outskirts of the village, where Babu’s coop stood. Just as Babu was about to crow, Chambeli could feel her excitement rising. She carefully concealed herself behind a large bush, waiting for the right moment.

But Babu, being the wise rooster that he was, sensed something unusual. He raised his head high and looked around, his sharp eyes scanning the surroundings. Just as he was about to make his morning call, he noticed the movement in the shrubbery.

“Who's there? Come out!” Babu called loudly, his voice strong and commanding.

Chambeli stepped out from behind the bushes, a sly smile playing on her lips. “Oh, dear Babu! I am a great admirer of yours. Every day, I come to hear your beautiful call. There is something truly spiritual in your voice,” she said, pretending to be sincere.

Babu narrowed his eyes, looking at the fox with suspicion. “Really? A forest fox suddenly interested in a rooster’s crow?”

Chambeli, trying to appear sincere, lowered her head and pretended to shed a tear. “I have changed, Babu. I no longer hunt other animals. I survive on grains, chickpeas, and vegetables now. I want to be your friend.”

Babu chuckled, his beak clicking. “A friendship? With a fox?”

“Yes!” Chambeli replied quickly. “And to prove my sincerity, I have entered your name in a grand competition. The king of the forest, the mighty lion, has announced a contest for the most beautiful call. The winner will be honored as a special guest of the jungle!”

Babu’s curiosity was piqued, but his wisdom made him cautious. He bent his head slightly, as if considering the offer. “Where is this competition being held?” he asked carefully.

Chambeli’s eyes gleamed with excitement. “Come with me. I will take you there.”

Babu thought for a moment, then nodded. “Alright. But on one condition. You must stand behind that tree while I clean my feathers. Once I’m ready, I’ll come with you.”

Chambeli eagerly agreed, her tail twitching with excitement. As soon as she hid behind the tree, Babu quickly raised his head and called out to a pigeon perched nearby.

“Friend! Go and alert the villagers. The fox is here!” he instructed the pigeon.

The pigeon, understanding the urgency of the situation, flapped its wings and soared across the village, calling out loudly, “Fox! Fox has come!”

The villagers, who had long trusted Babu, rushed out of their homes with sticks and tools in hand, ready to defend their village. Chambeli heard the noise and froze in place. Her heart raced as she realized that she had been tricked. She turned to run, but Babu crowed loudly with triumph.

“Now is the time to run, Miss Chambeli!” he called, his voice booming across the village.

Panicking, Chambeli darted into the forest, her tail between her legs, disappearing among the thick trees. The villagers cheered in victory as they saw the fox retreat. They gathered around Babu, praising his quick thinking and wisdom.

“If you hadn’t been so clever, that cunning fox would have taken you away!” the villagers said.

Babu smiled, puffing out his chest. “There’s a lesson here, my friends,” he said, his voice calm but firm. “Not every compliment is sincere, and not every smile hides a pure heart. Patience, wisdom, and a calm mind will always prevail over deceit.”

The children clapped and cheered, their eyes filled with admiration for Babu. Once again, the little rooster had saved the day, and he became the hero of the village.


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Moral of the Story: This story teaches us that intelligence and presence of mind are far more powerful than physical strength. Sometimes, the most dangerous enemies come disguised as friends. Flattery and praise should always be met with caution, and we must learn to trust our instincts and use wisdom to navigate tricky situations. Babu showed that patience, calm thinking, and wisdom can outsmart even the craftiest of foes.