The Crow and the Cobra

 

Deep within a lush forest, a happy pair of crows made their home in the branches of a banyan tree. Their lives were peaceful, save for one terrifying large black cobra that lived in a hollow at the foot of the very same tree.

Every time the crows laid their eggs, the cobra would slither up the trunk and eat the eggs. 

The crows knew they were physically no match for the venomous snake and were grief-stricken and felt helpless.

Desperate for a solution, they turned to a trusted friend - a wise old jackal.

The jackal patiently listened to the crows and smiled. 

"Do not be afraid," the jackal said calmly. "Strength is not the only way to win. You cannot use your own strength here, but you can borrow the strength of another to solve your problem."

The jackal then told the crows what to do.

The next morning, the crow took flight and headed toward the nearby royal palace. 

Down by the riverbank, the queen and her ladies-in-waiting were bathing in the cool waters. 

Before stepping into the river, they had left their expensive jewelry on the banks, under the watchful eyes of the royal guards.

With perfect timing, the crow swooped down, scooped up a heavy, shimmering gold necklace belonging to the queen, and flew off.

"Stop that thief!" The guards shouted running after the crow.

The crow deliberately flew slowly, making sure he stayed well within sight of the royal guards. 

The royal guards tracked the crow as it flew straight back to the banyan tree.

As the guards came to the banyan tree, the crow hovered over the hollow at the base of the tree and dropped the glittering gold necklace right inside.

The guards rushed to the tree and peered into the dark hollow to retrieve the queen's necklace. 

But as they looked closer, they saw the black cobra coiled tightly around the gold. 

Fearing for their lives and to protect the royal treasure, the guards immediately killed the cobra with their spears.

The guards safely recovered the necklace and returned to the palace. 

From that day forward, the crows lived in peace with their nest safe from any threats.