The Cobra and the Crow

High up in the branches of a massive, ancient banyan tree lived a pair of Crows. They had built a cozy nest of twigs and soft grass. They were very happy, except for one terrible problem.

At the base of the tree, in a deep, dark hollow, lived a black Cobra. He was a grumpy and greedy snake. Whenever the Crows flew away to search for food, the Cobra would slither up the rough bark of the tree. Hiss… Hiss… He would reach the nest and, finding it unguarded, would gobble up the Crows’ eggs!

When the Crows returned and found their nest empty, they would cry bitterly. “Caw! Caw! Our babies are gone!” This happened year after year. The Crows were heartbroken. “We cannot fight him,” said the Father Crow. “He is too strong and venomous.” “But we must do something,” wept the Mother Crow. “We cannot let him win.”

They decided to visit their wise friend, the Fox, who lived in a burrow nearby. The Fox listened to their sad story. “Do not worry,” said the keen Fox. “Intelligence is greater than physical strength. You cannot fight the Cobra, but you can outsmart him.” The Fox whispered a clever plan into the Father Crow’s ear.

The next morning, the Crows flew to the riverbank. Every day, the Princess of the kingdom came there to bathe. She would leave her jewelry and silk robes on the shore, guarded by her soldiers.

The Mother Crow spotted the Princess’s favorite necklace—a dazzling chain of gold and pearls—shimmering in the sun. With a swift dive, she swooped down. Swoosh! She picked up the necklace in her beak.

“Stop! Thief!” shouted the guards. “Catch that bird!” The Mother Crow flew slowly, making sure the guards could follow her. The Father Crow flew behind, cawing loudly to attract attention.

She led the shouting guards straight to the banyan tree. When she reached the Cobra’s hollow, she hovered for a moment and then dropped the golden necklace right into the hole. Clink!

The guards arrived at the foot of the tree. “The necklace is in that hole!” said the captain. “Get it out!” He poked a long stick into the hollow to fish out the jewelry.

The Cobra, who was sleeping inside, was rudely awakened. He felt the stick poking him. Furious, he hissed loudly and raised his hood, slithering out to attack the intruder. HISS!

The guards stepped back in fear, but then seeing it was just a snake, the captain shouted, “It’s a Cobra! Be careful! Catch it before it bites!” The skilled guards used their sticks and a cloth sack. They expertly caught the angry Cobra and tied him up safely in the sack. “We will take this snake far away to the deep jungle where it cannot hurt anyone,” said the captain. Then he retrieved the necklace and marched back to the palace.

The Crows watched from the high branches, cawing in delight. The wicked Cobra was taken far, far away, never to return. They lived happily in their tree, and raised many little chicks in peace.

Moral of the Story: With patience and cleverness, even the strongest enemy can be defeated.

Moral of the Story: Intelligence is greater than physical strength.