In the heart of a lush green forest, a massive banyan tree served as a cozy home for a family of crows. A mother and father crow lived there happily with their three little chicks.
However, a dark shadow loomed beneath the tree. A large, hungry black cobra lived in a hole at the base of the trunk. One afternoon, while the parent crows were away searching for food, the cobra slithered up and snatched the little chicks. When the parents returned, they found their nest empty and cried out in grief. The cobra, having satisfied its hunger, retreated back into the darkness below.
Time passed, and the crows managed to lay new eggs. But the wicked cobra was patient. It struck again, destroying the eggs before they could hatch. The crow parents were heartbroken and felt helpless. Seeing their distress, a wise fox who lived nearby approached them. After hearing their tragic story, the fox smiled and said, "Do not lose hope. We shall outsmart this serpent."
The fox devised a daring plan. He instructed the crows to find something shiny and valuable that would attract humans. The next day, the crows flew toward the nearby royal palace gardens. There, they spotted a golden necklace lying near a fountain where a guard had momentarily left it. The mother crow swooped down, grabbed the necklace in her beak, and took flight.
"Stop that thief!" shouted the guards. They began chasing the crows with sticks and nets. The crows flew as fast as their wings could carry them, heading straight toward the banyan tree. Just as the guards were closing in, the mother crow dropped the golden necklace directly into the cobra's hole.
Curious about the glittering object, the cobra slithered out of the hole to investigate. At that exact moment, the angry guards arrived. Seeing the snake emerging from the hole with the stolen gold, they believed the snake was the culprit or was guarding the loot. In the ensuing commotion, the guards managed to drive the cobra away and eliminate the threat forever.
The crows were finally safe. They realized that the fox's wisdom had saved their lives and their future family. They thanked the fox profusely, and from that day on, the banyan tree was a peaceful home once again.
Moral
Intelligence and a well-thought-out plan can overcome even the most dangerous enemies.
