The Strong Cows AND The Lion | Be Yourself: The Tale of the Donkey’s Lesson

There was a quiet village right next to a big, thick forest. Each morning, the village cows, led by the wise and gentle Bella, would venture into the verdant depths for their daily meal. But lurking within the lush foliage was a danger – a cunning lion named Scar. With a mane the color of sun-baked earth and eyes like burning embers, Scar had taken a disturbing fancy to the village cows. Every few days, he would snatch a lone cow, leaving the villagers to mourn their loss.

Fear began to cast a long shadow over the herd. The once joyous grazing sessions were laced with nervous glances and trembling moos. One particularly gloomy morning, Bella called upon all the cows for a meeting. Beneath the shade of a towering banyan tree, Bella spoke, her voice thick with worry. “Everyone listen,” Bella mooed. “There’s a big problem in the jungle.” Scar preys on us because we are scattered, vulnerable targets. We must find a way to protect ourselves.”

A young and fiery cow named Daisy piped up, “But Bella, how can we possibly stand against the mighty Scar?”

Bella lowered her head in thought. Then, a spark of determination ignited in her eyes. “Unity,” she said, her voice resonant with her newly acquired confidence. “From this day on, we graze together. We move as a herd, a wall of horns and hooves. Scar will think twice before approaching a united front.”

The cows, inspired by Bella’s courage, adopted the plan. Day after day, they ventured into the jungle as a compact group. Their rhythmic moos and the synchronized stomp of their hooves became a powerful anthem of unity. One afternoon, as they grazed in a clearing, a low growl shattered the peaceful atmosphere. Scar emerged from the thicket, his eyes gleaming with hunger. But this time, the sight that greeted him was not a scattering herd, but a formidable bovine battalion.

With a mighty bellow, Bella led the charge. The cows, snorting and stomping, formed a tight circle, horns pointed outwards. Startled by their unexpected display of courage, Scar hesitated. The image of a united herd, a whirlwind of mooing fury, was far different from the easy prey he had anticipated. He let out a frustrated roar and slunk back into the shadows, defeated.

News of the cows’ victory spread throughout the village and the jungle. The once-scared cows became an inspiration. They learned a valuable lesson: in the face of adversity, strength lies not in individualism, but in unity.

The moral of short stories: Even the smallest creatures can find immense power by standing together. When we unite, we become a force that can overcome any challenge.

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2. Be Yourself: The Tale of the Donkey’s Lesson

Once upon a time, in a sunny village filled with colorful houses, lived a kind washerman named Ben. Ben had two loyal companions: a bouncy, brown dog named Pip and a strong, gray donkey named Duncan.

Pip, with his wagging tail and happy barks, always greeted Ben with a joyful dance whenever he saw him coming home from the market. Ben would pat Pip’s head with a smile, saying, “Hello there, my happy pup! “How was your day of house-watching?”

Duncan, on the other hand, felt a little sad sometimes. He worked very hard carrying heavy baskets of dirty clothes back and forth from the river for Ben to wash. He longed for a pat or a kind word from Ben too. “Maybe if I acted more like Pip,” Duncan thought, “Ben would notice me more.”

One warm afternoon, Ben was just returning from the market with a new basket for his clean clothes. Pip, as usual, bounced around him with happy barks. Duncan, filled with his new plan, decided to take a chance. He brayed loudly, the sound echoing through the village, and wagged his tail as hard as his big body could manage. He even tried to lift his front hooves off the ground, wobbling for a moment before landing with a thump.

Ben, instead of smiling, stopped in his tracks. His eyes widened in surprise. Duncan’s loud bray and clumsy attempt at a doggy dance looked very strange indeed. Ben had never seen a donkey act that way before! “Oh dear,” he thought worriedly. “Duncan must be sick! Maybe he’s hurt?”

Frightened for his dear donkey, Ben grabbed a stick he had been using to prop open his laundry basket. He rushed towards Duncan, waving the stick and calling out, “Duncan! What’s wrong, boy? Are you alright?”

Duncan, confused and hurt by Ben’s reaction, backed away. The loud bray he practiced with such care had only scared Ben! His large brown eyes filled with tears. He realized with a heavy heart that trying to be someone he wasn’t had made things worse.

Seeing Duncan’s sad eyes, Ben understood his mistake. He dropped the stick and rushed to Duncan’s side. “Oh, Duncan,” he said gently, “I’m so sorry! I thought you were hurt. You look perfectly fine.”

Duncan nuzzled Ben’s hand with his soft nose, a silent apology for his silly behavior. Ben patted Duncan’s back with a reassuring smile. “You’re such a good donkey, Duncan,” he said. “You’re strong and helpful; you carry all those heavy clothes for me. I should have thanked you more for all your hard work.”

From that day on, Ben made sure to show his appreciation for Duncan. He gave Duncan extra pats and scratches behind his ears. He even started offering him delicious carrots as a reward for his hard work. Pip, of course, continued to be the happy greeter, and Duncan, the strong and reliable carrier.

And you know what? Ben, Pip, and Duncan became the best of friends, each appreciated for who they were. Ben learned that everyone has their own special way of showing love and being helpful. Pip barked with joy, Duncan carried with strength, and Ben, well, Ben washed clothes with a grateful heart!

So remember, little ones, just like Ben’s loyal companions, you are special in your own way. Be proud of your talents, big or small, and don’t be afraid to shine! The world needs your unique paw prints, your happy barks, or even your strong, steady carries, just like Duncan!