In a peaceful farm, a hunting dog named Kabilan and a bright rooster named Ruby were the best of friends. They shared everything and spent their days exploring the farm together. One sunny morning, they decided to go on a great adventure to see the world beyond their fences.
As they trekked through a dense forest, the sun began to set, casting long, dark shadows. They realized they were far from home and needed a safe place to rest for the night. Luckily, they found a massive, ancient banyan tree. Ruby found a sturdy, high branch to roost on, while Kabilan found a cozy, hollow space at the base of the trunk to stay warm and hidden.
At dawn, Ruby let out a loud, proud crow to greet the sun. This sound reached the ears of a hungry fox lurking nearby. 'What a wonderful breakfast awaits me!' the fox thought, creeping toward the tree.
Seeing Ruby high up, the fox put on a fake, friendly smile. "Oh, magnificent bird!" the fox called out sweetly. "We are so honored to have such a beautiful guest in our forest. Please, come down from that branch so we can become great friends and share stories."
Ruby was no fool. He saw the hunger in the fox's eyes despite the sweet words. He knew he had to act quickly to protect himself and his friend. "Oh, kind sir," Ruby replied calmly, "I would love to join you, but these feathers are too heavy for a direct descent. However, there is a much easier way for you to reach me. If you walk around to the back of the tree, there is a low-hanging branch that acts like a staircase!"
The fox, blinded by greed, hurried to the back of the tree. As soon as the fox turned its back to find the 'staircase,' Kabilan, who had been watching the whole scene quietly, jumped out from his hiding spot. With a loud bark and a swift movement, Kabilan chased the startled fox away.
Ruby felt a wave of relief. "You saved me, Kabilan!" he chirped. Kabilan replied, "And your quick thinking kept us both safe."
With a new sense of teamwork and wisdom, the two friends continued their journey, knowing that true friends are more valuable than any flattering words.
Moral
Do not trust those who use flattery to hide their true intentions.
