The Clever Rabbit and the Tiger – A Moral Story About Wit and Courage

Rumi, a clever little rabbit, once lived in a peaceful forest between snow-capped mountains and crystal-clear rivers. Rumi wasn't the fastest or strongest animal in the forest, but he had a sharp mind and a brave heart. Rumi was the only animal who could find a solution to any problem, even though his pink nose and soft white fur made him seem innocent.

One sunny morning, the forest woke up to terrible news. From the mountains came the ferocious tiger Sheru. He roared so loudly that the trees trembled at the sight of his enormous height, burning eyes and sharp claws. "Every day, one animal must come to me willingly, or I will hunt you all down!" the hungry Sheru declared.

The animals were terrified. Under the old banyan tree, they gathered for an emergency meeting. Even the bear had joined the deer, monkeys, squirrels and other animals. They knew nothing about how to stop the tiger. “We will take turns to go after Sheru,” said the wise owl sadly. “This is the only way to stop him from attacking us all.”

The forest stopped talking. They had no choice but to leave, and no one wanted to go.

Days passed, and each day one animal sacrificed itself to Sheru. The forest grew darker and quieter. Finally, it was the turn of the rabbit named Rumi. When he came forward, the animals began to cry, but Rumi was not afraid. Don't worry, he said with a smile. I have a trick.

The next morning, Rumi set out for the tiger's cave—but he didn't go straight. Instead, he took his time eating sweet tripartites and talking to the birds. By the time he reached the cave, the sun was beginning to set.

Sheru was angry. "Why so late, rabbit?" he growled, stamping his paw on the ground.

Rumi bowed his head humbly. "Oh, mighty Sheru, I apologize for the delay. However, on the way here, something terrible happened.

Sheru narrowed his eyes, “What happened?”

Rumi took a deep breath and said, “Look, I wasn’t the only rabbit today. The animals sent the five of us, thinking you might be extra hungry. But, on the way here, another tiger stopped us! Sheru stood up, wagging his tail. “Another tiger? Who dares to trespass in my forest?”

“Yes!” Rumi said, trembling. He claimed to be the real king of this forest and was bigger than you. He suggested that we take the rabbits to his cave. Sheru roared louder than before. “Take me to this fake! I’ll tell him who the real king is!” Rumi beckoned. “Follow me.”

He led Sheru to a deep, dark well hidden in the middle of the forest. The still water perfectly reflected the twilight sky. Rumi stopped and pointed, "Oh my God, the tiger is inside. He is protecting his territory." Sheru peered into the well and noticed his own reflection. It seemed as if a huge tiger was looking back at him in the picture. The reflection responded to Sheru's roar. The reflection was roaring too. "Silly beast!" Sheru shouted. "Come out and fight!"

The enraged tiger jumped into the well without a second thought to face his "enemy." Water splashed high into the air—and then silence. The forest slowly breathed a sigh of relief. Rumi looked over the edge and then turned back with a sly smile. Sheru fell into the well, a victim of his own pride and anger. When Rumi returned to the forest, the animals could not believe their eyes. "You are alive!" they cried.

"And Sheru is gone," Rumi announced. "We are safe now."

The trees shook with joy. The birds sang louder, the monkeys danced from branch to branch, and the forest came alive again.

From that day on, Rumi was honored as the bravest and most intelligent animal in the land. To honor his bravery and quick thinking, the animals built a small stone statue near the well. And so, the forest lived in peace again, thanks to a small rabbit who dared to defeat a mighty tiger.

The END