The Clever Little Bird

In a quiet forest nestled between green hills and whispering rivers, there lived a small bird named Tiko. Tiko was no larger than a pinecone, with soft gray feathers, a streak of gold on his wings, and the brightest eyes anyone had ever seen.

While other birds were stronger, faster, or more colorful, everyone agreed on one thing: Tiko was clever — perhaps the cleverest creature in the forest.

Tiko lived alone in a cozy little nest built in the crook of a tall sycamore tree. His days were filled with puzzles, riddles, and clever tricks he would play on his friends — never to be mean, but always to bring a laugh or teach a lesson.

But one day, something happened that would put Tiko’s cleverness to the ultimate test.

The Arrival of the Falcon

One crisp morning, a shadow passed over the forest. Birds stopped chirping. Squirrels froze. Even the wind seemed to hush. It was a falcon — large, fierce, and with sharp talons that glinted like knives.

The falcon circled above before landing on the tallest tree and announcing in a booming voice, “I am Fero, the Falcon! From today forward, I rule this forest. Anyone who disobeys me will feel the power of my claws.”

The animals were terrified. Fero was too fast to escape, too strong to fight, and too proud to reason with.

He took the juiciest fruits, the warmest nests, and made others do his bidding. No one dared challenge him.

No one… except Tiko.

A Plan is Hatched

That evening, Tiko gathered his forest friends — the squirrel, the fox, the turtle, and a few brave birds.

“We can’t beat Fero with strength,” said Tiko. “But maybe we don’t need to.”

“What do you mean?” asked the squirrel.

“I mean we beat him at his own game — with a challenge,” Tiko said, eyes gleaming.

The animals leaned in.

The Challenge

The next morning, Tiko flew up and boldly perched on a branch near Fero.

“Oh mighty Falcon,” he called. “You are fast, strong, and loud — but are you clever?”

Fero narrowed his eyes. “What are you getting at, little bird?”

“I challenge you to a contest,” said Tiko. “If I win, you leave this forest and never return. If you win, I will serve you forever.”

Fero laughed. “You? Challenge me? You’re hardly a mouthful. But very well. What’s the challenge?”

Tiko smiled. “A race. From here to the old oak tree and back — but with a twist.”

Fero smirked. “I am the fastest flier in a hundred skies. No trick can save you.”

“We’ll see,” said Tiko.

The Race of Wits

All the animals gathered to watch.

Tiko fluttered to the starting point. Fero stretched his wings proudly.

“The rules are simple,” said Tiko. “We both must carry a small bundle — to make it fair. And we must touch the trunk of the old oak tree with our beaks before returning.”

The fox handed them each a small pouch tied with vines. They felt about the same in weight.

Fero snorted. “Ready to lose, little bird?”

Tiko only winked.

The signal was given.

Fero took off like a bolt of lightning. He soared through the air, laughing as he saw Tiko flying slowly far behind him.

But when Fero reached the old oak tree, something odd happened. He opened his beak to tap the tree — but the pouch was caught between his beak and he couldn’t touch the trunk.

He fumbled, trying to untie it with his claws, but the vines were knotted tightly.

By the time he managed to tear the pouch loose and touch the tree, he turned around — and to his shock, Tiko was already halfway back!

Fero flapped furiously, speeding back with all his strength.

But it was too late.

Tiko tapped the starting tree with his beak and landed gracefully, greeted by cheers.

The Clever Trick

“How… how did you beat me?” Fero demanded, panting.

Tiko smiled and held up his pouch — it had a loop that fit neatly over his head, hanging from his neck, leaving his beak free.

“I made sure my pouch wouldn’t stop me from touching the tree,” Tiko said. “It wasn’t about flying faster. It was about thinking ahead.”

Fero glared, but he knew he had lost.

“A deal is a deal,” Tiko said calmly. “Now leave our forest.”

And with a final screech of frustration, Fero flew off into the sky, never to return.