Vageesh Express

Fable of the Month

The Foolish Mr. Fat Fox

- Varsha Das

The fox was delighted. He had not realized that his encounter with the lion was actually a boon in disguise...

There was a beautiful golden cave in the Himalayas. It was big and bright. In that cave lived the king of the jungle, a robust golden skinned lion. All animals had great regard for him. He lived a comfortable life. That had also made him a bit lazy. He loved his easy-going life.

One day the lion overslept. He woke up a little after noon. He realized that he was hungry. He never ate stale food. He would have to go out and find some food. He came out of his cave. The day was bright and beautiful. He yawned, stretched his legs and body to shake off laziness and looked around for a prey. He spotted a big bison near the lake. Taking slow and steady steps he moved in his direction.

The bison saw the king of the jungle approaching him. He did not run for his life. The lion killed him and had his fill. He drank cool water from the lake and started walking towards the cave for a siesta. A foolish fox by mistake crossed his path. He thought that the king would be furious at his stupid act and might kill him right away. So, even before the lion could notice him the fox fell at his feet and said, "My Lord, I have come from the forest very far from here, only because I want to serve you. You are the great king of the jungle."

"Well, since you have taken the trouble of coming So far I don't mind keeping you as my attendant," said the lion. "You can stay with me in my golden cave and eat whatever I kill for myself. You will have an easy life because you will not have to fend for food."

The fox was delighted. He had not realized that his encounter with the lion was actually a boon in disguise. Day after day he kept eating the meat of the animals killed by the lion. He enjoyed the luxury of the golden cave. He did not have to work for anything. Gradually, he put on weight and became Mr. Fat Fox!

One day, the lion woke up a little late in the morning. He saw the fat fox basking in the sun. The fox was hungry but he had no courage to mention that to the lion. Putting it cleverly he said, "Good morning, My Lord. What can I offer you for a meal today?" The lion laughed, "So, you are very hungry, aren't you? Well, I have an idea. Why don't you go to the top of the mountain and choose the animal you would like to eat today?"

The fox liked the proposal. He quickly climbed to the top and spotted a big horse that he really wanted to eat that day. With the same speed he returned to the cave and told the lion, "My Lord, I want to eat that black horse. Please show your greatness."

The lion came out of the cave. He yawned, stretched his legs and body and spotted the horse. Taking two steps forward and one step backward he leaped on the horse and killed him. He ate to his heart's content and left the rest for the fox. The fat fox also ate till his belly was full and bloated!

This became their daily routine. The fox would spot the animal and then request the lion to show his greatness. The lion then would kill the animal, eat as much as he wanted to, and leave the rest for the fox.

The fat fox became fatter! He looked like a barrel. But when he saw his reflection in the lake he thought he resembled the lion! Only the mane was missing! He felt so proud of this resemblance that he actually thought he could do all that the lion did!

As the fox came closer to the golden cave a question arose in his mind, "Why should I eat the animal killed by the lion? I can also kill. I am going to ask him to eat the animal killed by me. I am in no way smaller than him."

The lion was leisurely combing his mane when the fox entered the cave. He cleared his throat and said, "After living with you for so long, I have also become as strong as you. Let us change our roles from tomorrow."

"What do you mean?" asked the lion. "Well, let me elaborate the fox proudly swung his bushy tail and continued, "Tomorrow you will go on the mountain top and spot the animal you would like to eat. I will wait for you in the cave. You will come to me and say 'I want to eat such and such animal. Please show your greatness.' Then I shall go and kill that animal. I shall eat the meat first and you will eat whatever would be left behind by me."

The lion got worried about the arrogance and stupidity of the fox. He spoke with a lot of concern, "Have you forgotten that you are a fox and I am a lion? You can be easily killed by others."

"But now I am as strong as you. I saw my reflection in the lake. I look so much like you!" said the foolish fox. The lion once again tried to dissuade him, "You may resemble me in outward appearance, but you should know that you are basically a fox. You are not as strong as me!" "How dare you call me weak!" the fox retorted. "I can do all that you can do. Why should I depend on you for my food?"

The lion pitied the arrogant fox. He tried his best to make him realize the risk involved in exchanging the roles but the fox failed to understand that. The lion finally agreed to the new arrangement. Next morning the fox woke up early. The lion was still sleeping. The fox was so excited about his new role that he pulled the lion's tale and woke him up. He asked the lion to go to the mountain top and spot the animal he would like to eat. He even suggested that he could kill an elephant to begin with!! The lion, for the last time tried to dissuade him, "A fox has never ever killed an elephant. Why don't you understand this?"

"You have been killing elephants. Why can't I? What makes you think that you are better than me?" said the foolish fox. He nearly pushed the lion out of the cave to spot an elephant!

The lion went to the top of the mountain. He spotted an elephant and returned to the cave. The fox was lying in bed. His posture was similar to that of the lion! The lion finally said what the fox was yearning to hear, "I want to eat that elephant. Please show your greatness."

The fox sprang from the lion's bed. He came out of the golden cave. He yawned and stretched his legs and body, exactly as the lion did. Then he walked towards the elephant. He took two steps forward, one step backward and leapt on the elephant's head to kill him. The elephant shook his head in fury. The fox fell near his feet. The elephant looked at the animal lying at his feet, lifted one leg and crushed his head as if it was a lump of clay!

The elephant made a loud joyous sound and walked away. The lion saw the fox's 'greatness' squashed. He thought - Arrogance made him blind. He invited death on himself. I wish he had listened to me! And two tears rolled out of his eyes.

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