The Lion and a mouse.
One day a mouse was in search of food in the forest. While searching it came near the den of a lion and smelt something very good. Guided by the smell, it went inside the den and found several pieces of meat of an animal that was eaten by the lion. The mouse ate quite a few pieces. Seeing the many pieces that are left over there, it has decided to stay on so that it can eat it in the night also. Having eaten so much meat it was fast asleep within minutes.
It has become dark and the Lion returned to its den. Since it was dark it could not see the mouse sleeping on the floor. The Lion had brought with it a piece of a lamb and ate it fully, leaving the bones aside.The Lion after sometime had slept off and started snoring loudly. The lion’s snoring woke up the mouse. The mouse ran helter-skelter and bumped on the lion’s leg. The mouse felt the fur on the leg smooth and started exploring it. As it reached the ear of the lion, the lion got disturbed and woke up with a sudden jerk that made the mouse slip down. Who is here? – the lion roared. The little mouse with a feeble voice replied, “ I am a mouse here”. How dare you disturb my sleep and where are you? – again shouted the lion. I am sorry and I am here – said the mouse. The Lion lit a lamp and searched for the mouse. It found the den very clean with no pieces of meat and bones and finally it saw a mouse in a corner of its den shivering with fear. The mouse looked pretty. The lion thought for a while. It thought that since the mouse was here its den is kept clean otherwise it would be stinking with meat pieces and bones all around. Why not allow this mouse to be here so that it keeps the den clean by eating away the bones and leftover meat – thus the lion thought about. Ok tell me why did to enter my den? – The lion continued its question.The mouse replied with folded hands: I was in search of food and the smell of the bones and meat pieces lead me to your den. I am sorry, I shall leave now, please allow me go”.Ok, if you want to stay here you can do so, but you shall not disturb my sleep.The fear of the mouse did not reduce. So it has repeated:” Please allow me go”. Seeing the mouse in that fearful condition, the lion felt sorry for it and said in a very soft tone: Oh little mouse do not get frightened. Just listen to me carefully. I hunt everyday and bring the carcass of some animal. I do not eat it fully. You are a small animal and hence you can easily eat the leftovers and be happy. If you like eating like this without searching for food, you can stay here.The mouse was surprised and with happiness it said “ Yes Mr. Lion, I shall stay in the den” One more condition: Said the lion.You must keep the den clean by eating all the leftover pieces of meat and bones. If you can not eat fully, you shall carry them away and keep the den clean. OK Mr. Lion said the mouse.OK now you sleep in that corner and I shall sleep here in the middle of the den: saying this the lion went to sleep. Both the lion and the mouse were fast asleep. The mouse has a habit of rolling freely on the floor while sleeping. So, by midnight the mouse came nearer to the lion and started feeling its warmth and went further deep into the sleep. In the sleep it started comforting itself by placing itself in the fold of the lion’s leg.The lion too felt it OK and adjusted its leg to allow the mouse to sleep. The early rays of the sun passing through the crack in the den fell on the lion’s eyes and made it wake up. As it opened its eyes, it found the mouse sleeping innocently well on its leg. The lion watched the mouse for sometime and later it woke up the mouse gently with its paw. The mouse woke up and looked straight into the face of the lion that appeared so big as it was very close. It cried loudly and tried to jump out but prevented gently by the lion.Do be frightened, you have slept on my leg and hence I woke you up: said the lion. Looking straight into the eyes of the lion the mouse broke into peels of laughter. Seeing mouse the lion too started laughing.Together the lion and the mouse lived forever….
The Tiger and the Lion.
One day a tiger felt that it was more powerful than the lion and wanted to challenge the lion. It went near the lion’s den and started shouting and making all kids of sounds. It was noon and the lion was fast asleep after a meal. The sounds created by the tiger woke up lion. Who is there? Shouted the lion.There was no reply but the shouts of the tiger increased.The lion came out of its den and stood in front of the tiger that was shouting continuously. Staring deep into the tiger’s eys the lion asked: Why are you disturbing me, you can go to any other place in the forest and shout as loudly as you can. But I never allow you to disturb me any more.The tiger looked furiously at the lion and said: Look this forest belongs to all and so is this place too. You have no right to ask me to vacate this. I shall continue to be here and shout, as I like.In the meantime an elephant that was passing by noticed the argument between the tiger and the lion and came.‘Stop quarrelling. What is the problem. Let me know,’ demanded the elephant.The lion explained the reason and the tiger stood to its stance. The elephant felt helpless to resolve their conflict.Then came Dr.Dove. It has inquired from the elephant: What is going on here? Generally I do not see a tiger and a lion together?The elephant reported the matter briefly.That’s the entire problem? Yelled Dr.Dove. The elephant was surprised at the casual attitude of Dr.Dove. Don’t you think it is not a problem at all? : The elephant asked.Yes it is very much a problem but not at all a difficult one to solve. The elephant got further perplexed with this response from Dr.Dove.Dr.Dove now took the lead and starting flying in-between the tiger and the lion.The tiger and the lion got disturbed with this.Seeing them giving a pause to their loud arguments, Dr. Pigeon proposed: Dear friends you can solve the problem.How both the tiger and the lion shouted.Very simple the tiger can continue to shout and the lion can continue to sleep: said Dr. Pigeon.You stupid Dr.Dove. You are fit only to pull out the thorns from the feet, clear dust from the eyes and treat cut injuries of the animals but not the problems like this – yelled the lion.The tiger joined the lion and said: leave us alone we shall solve our problems ourselves.No my dear friends, please listen to me.Dr. Pigeon requested the lion to follow and enter the den quickly. The lion thought for a while and then followed Dr.Dove. As the lion entered the den, Dr.Dove took out two lumps of cotton from its kit and approached the Lion.Mr. Lion please listen to me these lumps of cotton help you proof yourself from the sound pollution being made by the Tiger. Please place these lumps one each in to your ears and experience for yourself.The lion did as suggested and both the lion and Dr.Dove came out the den silently.Dr. Dove told the tiger: Mr. Tiger please shout as loudly as you can you will have no objection from the Lion.The tiger shouted loudly and the lion felt no disturbance.The lion retuned to its den greeting the Pigeon by waving its paw. The tiger got furious at this gesture and continue shouting at its best – also puzzled as to why the lion has become so calm.Seeing this confused state of the tiger Dr. Dove told: Mr. Tiger I told the tiger of your power and advised him not to quarrel with you. You are more powerful than the lion. See the lion itself has agreed to it.Tiger felt very happy and gently stroked Dr .Dove with its claw in appreciation of its help. Then Dr. Dove told: Mr. Tiger you should not stay here that too before a lion’s den. Because seeing you here other animals might feel that you are serving the lion. So I suggest that you should to that hilltop and live there.Yes, Dr. Dove I shall follow your advice and I thank you for this: saying this the tiger proceeded to the hilltop.The elephant was thrilled at this sudden change and astonishingly looked at Dr. Dove.Dr.Dove fluttered its wings and flew towards south.
The Scolding Little Bird
It was early in the morning. The Little bird woke up with the sudden increase in the volume of her mother’s voice. The little bird came out of the nest and heard her mother scolding her sister for not dusting her nest. The words of scolding appealed this little bird like a sweet music on that day. The entire day it had used these words – you stupid, dirty fellow, rascal, useless fellow, lazy creature, filthy animal, etc.The way it uses these words to scold amuses others rather than hurting them.Like a wild fire the news about the amusing way of scolding by this little bird has spread in the forest. The animals big and small, the big birds, even the big insects have planned to visit this bird and get scolded by it.On the second day came the elephant – the first animal to get the scolding from this little bird. The little bird scolded the elephant continuously for three minutes. Seeing this little bird scolding, the elephant rolled on the floor with peels of laughter. Seeing the elephant in that condition the little bird further added some unknown words to add to the abuses. This made the elephant gasp for its breath.The elephant spread the news of the amusing way of scolding by the little bird further by adding its own experience. The entire forest has been buzzing with this news and the several animals including the lions have started journeying towards this little bird’s place.Several animals waiting to see the process of scolding keenly surrounded the neem tree on which this little bird lives. Since the Lion was the king there, it has decided to get the scolding first. The mother of the little bird, brought the little bird and made it sit on a small stone. The lion approached the little bird and greeted by waving its head front and back. The little bird got annoyed and started scolding it as usual.The lion was not able to control its laughter. Seeing the struggle of the lion all the animals watching this unique scolding event started laughing. The lion’s laughter increased and ended with a big roar. That made the little bird to stop scolding and it hugged its mother saying, “I shall never scold any one from now on”All the animals scolded the lion for this and disbursed to their places
The Two Squirrels with A Big Coconut.
In a forest there were two squirrels living happily in the coconut plantation. One day the entire coconut plantation was disturbed by the powerful gale winds. These winds have swept the ay coconuts fully and in minutes the ground was helter-skelter with baby coconuts. The squirrels felt happy at once but soon realized that all the baby nuts have fallen along with the flowering bunches and for the coconut trees to flower again and for these flowers to become nuts would take quite a time.What to do? They ate the coconuts and fell asleep. After three days it becomes really difficult to eat only the fallen baby coconuts as they taste differently. Along with the baby coconuts some grown up coconuts too had fallen down. They are several in numbers some are very good and ready to consumption.The squirrels tried to peel out the husk of a coconut in vain and they got tired. Seeing them in that condition Dr. Dove approached them and inquired about their problem.Ok, do not worry I can help you solve the problem. All that I want you both to do is to peel out the husk at the back of the nut so that you can drink the water and work further.
The squirrels got encouraged with this advice and did as advised. Soon they found a tender place in the nut that needs to be pierced to access the water. Then Dr. Dove held the coconut tightly and pierced it with its beak. The water spilled out. The squirrels in turn drank the water and felt refreshed.Now you should start removing the remaining husk around the nut so that I can help you break it – said Dr. Dove.We cannot break the nut as its shell is very hard: said one of the squirrels. Do not worry I have an idea for that too.Soon the squirrels resumed their work and with in an hour they are about to peel out the husk fully. Then Dr. Dove asked them to retain the husk at one end in tact. They did the same way and jumped on the nut and rolled it all around.Now we shall bring you a rope and we shall tie it to this nut at its end that has still got some husk. I have an idea: yelled a squirrel.What is it? inquired Dr. Dove.There is a money plant that crept on the neem tree nearby it has got several rope like branches. I can cut one of it and bring it over here.Soon the squirrels brought a long rope like branch of a money plant and removed its leaves.The squirrels themselves tied the coconut to the rope like branch of money plant and waited for further instructions.Perching on the nearby banyan tree Dr. Dove thought for a while, flew down and picked up the other end of the trimmed money plant branch with its beak and alighted on the same branch. Come up and join me : said Dr. DoveSoon the squirrels joined Dr. Dove on the branch of the banyan tree. Now lets slowly lift the coconut up. They lifted the coconut up.Now lets through it down all at once by holding on to this end of the rope.As the squirrels are getting ready Dr. Dove told them to wait and listen.We must through it down in such a way that it falls exactly on the stone beneath so that it breaks.In the first attempt they failed. The nut got untied. They tied the nut again and tried again.The second attempt was a great success. The nut got broken.Now you can go down and feast on….Saying this Dr. Dove flew away.Thank you Dr. Dove you have helped us to learn the trick of breaking these hard coconuts and eat. You have also helped us to survive. Thank you so much: Shouted back the squirrels in joy.
The Crocodile
There was once a baby crocodile. He had a beautiful shiny tail and all the other crocodiles were horrible to him because they were jealous of him.One day the little baby crocodile counted all his beautiful shiny scales and there were a thousand. A lot more than he thought. So he counted all the other crocodiles and there were twenty and that was including the grown up crocodiles. He decided that he had many scales and could spare forty from his tummy so he wished for forty of his scales to be on his pillow by morning, but there weren’t any. Even three weeks later there weren’t any. Then one day a magic crocodile granted him a wish. He wished for forty of his scales to be on his pillow when he woke up in the morning.He woke up and there were forty beautiful shiny scales on his pillow. So he gave all twenty crocodiles, including his parents two scales each.From then on everybody was kind to the little baby crocodile who had given away forty of his beautiful shiny scales.
The Little Frog and the Big Buffalo
One day a Little Frog happens to see a buffalo on its way to the pond and is stopped by it. The little frog got surprised.What are you doing by jumping like this? Yelled the big buffalo at the little frog This is how I walk responded the frog with a surprise
You have got four legs like any other animal and why can’t you just walk? Buffalo again yelled with the same anger.Now the little frog understood the confusion the big buffalo had and it turned upside down and asked:Look my dear big buffalo how my legs are made. I do have four legs but the hind ones are differently made hence I can’t walk and I can only jump to cover distances.Oh I am sorry – pleaded the big buffalo I am really sorry for showing my anger at you without knowing the reason. I shall be your friend from now on wards and I shall carry you now to wherever you want to go. Please let me know where do you want to go – requested the buffaloThe little frog felt very happy with the sudden change in the behavior of the big buffalo. I need to got to the pond near that banyan tree but I do not know how to climb on to your back – said the little frogDo not worry I shall sit down so that with one leap you can jump on to my back – suggested the big buffaloThe frog did as suggested but the smooth skin of the buffalo made its efforts futile. Both the big buffalo and the little frog were disappointed but continued their efforts. At one point the frog could jump on to the back of the buffalo but as the big buffalo started standing up it had slipped down. As their struggle continued they saw Dr.Dove coming towards them. What’s the matter why are you here asked Dr.Dove by alighting on the branch of a neem tree near them.I made a promise to carry this small frog on my back to the pond near that banyan tree but it has become difficult for this small frog to reach my back. You want to carry the frog on your back. Isn’t it? Asked Dr.Dove.Yes told the buffaloThen I have suggestion to you. You both come along with me lead Dr.Dove towards the pond. All three reached the pond.Dear small frog you first jump into the water – said Dr.Dove The small frog jumped into the water and looked up by turning back towards the buffalo and Dr.Dove.
Now dear Buffalo you walk into the water and sit down in such a way that your back is just touching the surface of the water level in the pond – said Dr.Dove.
The big buffalo did as suggested.The little frog understood what is to be done. Immediately it jumped onto the back of the buffalo with ease and settled down there.Soon the buffalo too understood and came slowly out of the water with the little frog on its back. The little frog and the big buffalo were happy and thanked Dr.Dove.Now tell me where shall I take you – asked the big buffaloNot to the pond again but back to my home in the woods in the north pointed the little frog. Seeing their happiness Dr.Dove flew away.
HURRY UP CAT
Smoke drifted from the barbecue, covering everyone in its path. Still, it sure smelled good at the Lawrence family picnic. Their cat, JC, did not agree. For her, it meant gasping for air. At first the gray mist was only a small cloud. Then it grew into coal-colored piles, like dirty foam on the seashore. JC’s eyes stretched wide as the moon. She jumped around like a rabbit. Her whiskers twitched nervously. Except she wasn’t a rabbit looking for an escape route. She was an old “scared-cat” cat. And her “Meows” were not sounds of happiness. She searched nervously for an escape route. Where was her master? JC needed to hide from the smell. Her heart pounded wildly. Claws dug into the soft earth. Her tail flicked, back and forth. Back and forth, like windshield wipers. Smoke from the barbecue continued to mess up her nose. Smells from hotdogs and steak were wonderful for humans. Not for a cat. Oh no, not at all. She left the scene quickly. Otherwise, stinky, dirty smoke would cover her gray and white fur. Then make her smell like a rat pack. JC was a friendly seventeen-year old cat. And her patience with all ages was well known. They loved to pat her lovely fur coat. And speak to her in a soothing voice. Not right now, though. Instead, it was ‘hurry-up-and-escape’ time. Her paws padded nervously around the yard. She crossed the street to Victoria Park. A car hurried, by with tires looking like rolling pizzas. JC’s fur shot up in fear. She did not wish to be part of the pizza dough. Her feet retreated to the backyard, even if ghost-smoke was still there.
If only she had extra legs she could run faster. She choked and gagged her way into the neighbor’s yard. Her silent feet padded around a child’s wagon. Then jumped over a rusting bicycle, that lay like a trap in her path. Her paws didn’t mind splashing through sneaky puddles. Of course, Yap-Yap Ace was waiting next door. A mouth full of dog’s teeth came rushing towards her. JC was too old for this kind of excitement. It was time to climb the nearest tree. Branches dug like fingers into her soft fur. As she watched from her branch perch, she spotted Bushy Red. The noisy squirrel rushed across her porch below. Why wasn’t the squirrel bothered by the smoky smell? Where’s bushy red going? she wondered.Curiosity made her brave. JC crept backwards down the tree. Finally she turned and jumped the last few feet. At that moment the front door opened. And her master stood with a bowl full of her favorite food, crunchy Meow Mix.JC rubbed against his legs and gave a sad, “Meow.” She was not hungry right now. Her “MEEOOW!” was much louder the second time. She didn’t wish to stand around in that smelly smoke. “GET OUT OF MY WAY!” she screeched in cat language. Her tail swept back and forth. “HURRY UP!” she yowled.If her master wanted to join his friends at the barbecue, then let him. How could he not know his cat was having a panic attack? JC looked up with a pitiful look. Now her master understood and stepped aside. About time, she thought.Her claws scrambled noisily under his legs. Then, across the kitchen floor, tail swishing up the stairs. She leaped two at a time, bumping her nose twice. She jumped onto the bed and settled on the windowsill. JC sniffed the air hoping the cloud of smelly smoke did not follow. Ah, the air was nice and fresh in the room. From her window perch she could see people having their picnic fun below. The fog-like mist continued to float around. Children wrestled and hollered. Gabbing adults continued to fill their mouths with hot dogs, hamburgers and other munchies. A short distance from the window, Bushy-red was in his tree. Cat and squirrel stared at each other a few moments. Then JC yawned, turned and plopped herself into the middle of the waterbed. Her paws found a very comfortable spot. Instantly she became a ball of curled up fur. Ah, peace at last. No more unfriendly smells. No children or adults to bother her. No nosey squirrel, and no ghostly mist, only sleepy time for an old cat.
The Little Bird Who was Afraid to Fly
Once upon a time there was a little bird named Birdie and she was afraid to fly. She would hide all day and all night in the bushes, mostly because there were these big bully crows that would land on the ground in front of Birdie they would scare her and tease her by squawking “you can’t flyyyy your afraid to flyyyy” and the little bird would be soooo scared she would hide in the dark underbrush of these bushes.
One wonderful sunny day a very funny little squirrel named Quirk scurried by and saw the little bird and he asked her “what’s your name and why are you hiding in these bushes”. The little bird replied “My name is Birdie and I am hiding because I’m afraid to fly and those big bully crows tease me” so the squirrel said “would you like to go sit in the tree” the little bird said “yes very much!” so the squirrel sat down and said “hop on my back and I will take you up the tree.”
So he did, and everyday since then the squirrel would come by the bushes and the little bird would hop on his back and he would take her up the tree and Birdie would sit on the branch all day long. Quirk would spend the day scurrying and playing around the branches and up and down all the trees in the forest. Birdie would just watch wishing she could play too. Then when it began to get dark the squirrel would bring the little bird back down the tree and would leave her in the dark shelter of the bushes so she could go to bed.
On this particular day the little bird said “Quirk would you stay here on this branch with me so we can laugh and play and be friends forever.” The squirrel happily said “yes, I would like that!” so that is exactly what they did they laughed and played, they had been having so much fun. Then the crows noticed the little bird was in the tree and they swooped down and started teasing the little bird squawking, “you can’t flyyyy your afraid to flyyyy you can’t flyyyyy”.
Well the little bird was so upset that she started flapping her wings and frantically saying “I can too fly, I’m not afraid to fly, I can fly if I wanted to fly, I can Fly If I want too!!!” Quirk couldn’t believe his eyes he was stunned looking at the little bird he exclaimed “Birdie you’re flying, you’re flying!”…the little bird had flapped her wings so hard that she had begun to fly “I’m flying?” she said “I am flying!” she was so happy she flew looped deedoos then up and down and in and out of all the branches. Then she saw it, the tallest tree in all the forest and she flapped her wings as hard as she could and flew all the way to the tippy top of that tallest tree and she sat there so proud and so brave. Birdie wasn’t afraid of flying anymore and she was never bothered by those big bully crows ever again.
Everyday the squirrel would scurry up the tallest tree in all the forest to meet the little bird and they would laugh and play throughout the whole forest, in and out of all the branches, and up and down all the trees having so much fun, Quirk and Birdie remained best friends forever.
The End
Good Night Little Ones
