In a lush, green forest lived a little rabbit named Chutti. Chutti was very energetic and loved exploring, but because he had never encountered the larger animals of the forest, he lived with a tiny, constant worry that something scary might be lurking around the corner.
One sunny afternoon, Chutti went to a meadow to find some sweet clover. Suddenly, he saw a massive, dark shadow moving behind the bushes. It was a large tiger! In that instant, Chutti's heart raced like a drum. His legs trembled uncontrollably, and without a single thought, he bolted back to his burrow and hid deep inside.
That night, Chutti couldn't sleep. He felt ashamed of himself. 'I thought I was a brave explorer,' he sighed, 'but I ran away just from a shadow! I am such a coward.'
The next day, Chutti tried to be brave and went out again. However, as he was hopping along, he heard a loud rustle in the leaves nearby. The sound of something heavy approaching sent a wave of terror through him, and once again, he raced home, panting heavily.
His wise Grandfather Rabbit noticed him and asked, 'Chutti, why are you running so breathlessly? What happened?'
Chutti tearfully explained everything. Grandfather Rabbit patted him gently and said, 'Chutti, do not be ashamed of fear. Fear is like a natural alarm bell that your body rings to keep you safe. The fact that you ran when you felt danger shows you are smart and quick.'
Chutti looked up, confused. 'Does that mean I should just stand still and not be afraid of the tiger next time?'
'Not exactly,' Grandfather replied with a smile. 'When fear hits you, you must use your mind. If the danger is real, like a predator, then running to safety is the right choice. But if the fear is just a loud noise or a strange shadow, stay calm, listen closely, and figure out what it really is. Use your brain to guide your courage.'
The following day, Chutti returned to the meadow. Suddenly, a loud crackle came from the bushes. Chutti felt the familiar sting of fear, but instead of running immediately, he stopped and remembered Grandfather's words. He stood very still and perked up his long ears. He listened carefully. It wasn't a tiger; it was just a heavy branch falling due to the wind. Chutti smiled and continued his clover hunt. He had learned the most important lesson: know when to run and when to be brave.
Moral
When fear arises, do not panic; instead, think clearly to decide if it is a real danger or just a misunderstanding.
