The Prince and The Bear

Once there lived a young prince. The prince was very fond of hunting. He was strong and fearless, and often went for hunting alone in the forest.

One day the prince left for hunting early in the morning. Summers were at the peak, and soon blazing sun came through. The prince roamed hard in search of prey, but he had a hard luck that day. He roamed empty handed, thirsty and tired. Finally he got off his horse to rest under a tree.

While he was quenching his thirst, he was  suddenly alarmed to see a tiger approaching towards him. He was overcome by anxiety and nervousness.  He immediately got on feet and fled to climb another tree nearby. In haste he forgot his arrow bow.

He climbed the tree quickly as he could. When he reached towards the top, he saw a big mama bear sitting on a sturdy branch of tree. The prince was frozen. He saw merciless death on both sides. He hesitated climbing up further and hesitated in moving down!

Just then the mama bear who had been enjoying fresh honey from a bee comb  said, "Prince, I live in this forest. It is my home. You have come to my home and so you are my guest. I shall not harm you. Seat your self comfortably here. Let the tiger go its way, then you can get down and go".

The prince got his breadth back. Trusting the bear, he climbed up further, though filled with hesitation and fear. He sat on a branch and saw the tiger eying him up.

The prince saw the comfy mama bear seated in the thick foliage. She was enjoying fresh honey from a bee comb. Sometimes, the viscous honey dripped down - it glistened in the radiance of setting sun. Soon the night fell.

The prince was very tired and fell asleep on the branch of tree. The mamma bear was kind and humane. She extended her arm to support the prince in his sleep.

When the prince was asleep, the tiger gave a low intensity roar, calling the bear. The bear peeped down and moved his snout quizzingly. The tiger said, "Look mama bear, all humans are our enemies. Don't you know how they kill us for fun? Even this prince came here for hunting. I am starving and wan to kill this prince for my meal. Do not protect him. I plead you to throw him down".

But the mamma bear was too loyal and too greatful towards her guest. She refused saying, "No, I shall never throw him down to be torn by you. He is my guest and I care for him".

The tiger shrugged in disgust. He was hunger and could not get much sleep that night.

The next day when the prince woke up, he saw the mamma bear sleeping calmly. He was pleased to see that she supported him on the high branch during night.

When the tiger saw the prince watching him in anguish, he said, "Prince, you should never trust a beast. This bear is very cunning and is showing false sympathy towards you. He desires to prey upon you for himself and his family. Once I leave, he shall kill you! If you want your way to be clear, throw him to me now. I shall leave after that and then you can go home too".

The prince was carried away by the tiger's words. He believed him and without a word attempted to push off the mamma bear from the nearby branch. However, the mamma bear was alert. She quickly leapt to the other branch and saved herself.

The mamma bear was hurt by the prince's behavior. She felt cheated and cried in anger, "Your deceitful human, I saved you from this tiger and you attempted to sacrifice me for your own good! I curse you ! Your are immoral and shall suffer for what you have done". While she said this, tears dropped from her eyes.

The mamma bear turned his back and took sheltered on another far off tree. The day passed by and nothing happened. The prince kept watching sitting on the branch. He became weak due to hunger and thirst. During the late hours of night, the prince fell down from the branch with a loud thud. The tiger who had been vigilant, woke and found it was the prince who had fallen down. He was very hungry and torn him off for his food.

The story ends here.

Moral: When you do good to others, the good shall come to you. Also be kind to animals, love them and care for them. Nature has a reason for ever creation, do not attempt to destroy it.