A few days later the lion hid in the bushes close to the pasture and made sure that it was hidden in the bushes.
Some time later a cow came near the bushes.
“Dear Cow, I just want to have a few words with you.”
The cow was startled on hearing the strange growling and looked to run away from there.
“Do not be frightened! I do not wish to hurt you.” The lion continued in a soothing voice.
The cow looked around and saw that its other friends were nearby and knew that it was not in any danger from the lion. Besides, the cow was a little curious. “What is it?”
The lion spoke in a conspiratorial tone. “I think I have to tell you this because it is important. All your other friends are always watching you because they are jealous of you. You are the most beautiful of all the cows here. Your friends are jealous and that is the reason that they keep such a strict watch on you.”
The cow was flattered and slowly the Lion continued and it was able to plant a seed of doubt in the Cow’s mind.
The clever lion did this everyday to different cows of the pasture.
Within a very short time all the cows were always separate from each other because none of them trusted each other.
The clever lion at this time attacked one of the cows which was far away from the other cows of the pasture.
This time the lion was successful as the other cows did not come and protect this cow, because they did not trust each other.
Slowly the number of cows in the pasture fell prey to the lion because they were no longer united against a common enemy.
Adapted from the Panchatantra
No comments:
Post a Comment