The foolish donkey

　　The king of Ramgarh forest was an old lion named Shershah. Being very week， he could not kill any prey. So， he was almost starving.

　　He thought， “How long can I live without food？ I must do something to get an animal easily for food every day.”

　　Thinking so， the lion sent for a jackal and said， “Mr. Jackal！ You know very well that I hold you in high esteem. I haven't ever thought of making you my prey， because for me， you are the wisest animal in my kingdom. I appoint you as my Prime Minister.”

　　Clever and cunning as the jackal was， he did not believe what the lion had said. Even then he spoke politely， “Your Majesty！ It is a big favour to me. I am a humble servant of yours. I shall serve you whole- heartedly， Sir.”

　　The lion was very happy to hear the words of the jackal and he said， “Very good indeed； you will look after my affairs from today. You need not to be told that I am the king of the forest. It does not look good that I go preying in order to satisfy my hunger. So， you shall bring an animal to me for my food every day. I am sure that you can easily perform this duty.”

　　“Rest assured sir. I shall try my best to do the needful.” Saying so， the jackal went away to look for and animal for the lion.

　　Suddenly， the jackal saw a donkey who was quite hale and hearty. He went up to him and said， “Friend， where have you been hiding so long？ I am tired of looking for you.”“Why？ I was only here around. What for were you looking for me？” asked the donkey in wonder.

　　“I have brought good news for you. Your luck is very bright indeed，” said the jackal in a flattering tone.

　　“How after all？” asked the donkey.

　　“The king of the forest has decided to appoint you his Prime Minister. He has sent me for you. I have come as a special messenger to take you to the lion. Be kind enough to come with me in order to assume your office，” replied the jackal.

　　Hearing about the lion， the donkey got frightened and said， “My God！ I fear the king likes anything. Secondly， I'm not capable of being his Prime Minister.”

　　“How can you be your own judge， sir？ We know how capable you are. Your words show your sense of humanity， which is a great virtue indeed. It is these quality that have impressed the lion and earned this high office for you，” agreed the jackal.

　　The simple donkey was taken in by the oily words of jackal and he got ready to accompany him.

　　After going a short distance， the donkey stopped short as the lion's den was just at hand now. The jackal went to the lion's den and said， “I have bought a donkey， sir. But it is hesitating to near you.”

　　“Never mind； I like such people as are shy and simple. I must go to receive him.” So saying， the lion come out of the den.

　　The lion had been hungry for many days. So， seeing a fat donkey， he could not help springing at it. But the donkey was already on the alert. So， it succeeded in saving himself.

　　The loss of the prey enraged the old lion and he said to the jackal， “Your trick was miserably failed， I'm awfully hungry. Go at once and bring the donkey back otherwise you will be killed.”

　　“Don't be angry； Your Majesty. I shall try to bring the donkey back.”

　　Saying so， the jackal went to the donkey and said， “What a strange fellow！ Why did you run away？”

　　“I got frightened， friend. I thought that the lion was going to eat me up. So I took to my heels，” replied the donkey.

　　“A donkey is a donkey after all. Had the lion wanted to kill you， could you have run away？ He was coming to you to talk about some important matter. He never wanted it to be heard by any one else. But you did not stay there even for a minute.” Argued the jackal.

　　The jackal further said， “You have put me in an awkward position. The lion is very angry with me. So， you must come with me and beg the King's pardon.

　　The foolish donkey was again taken in by the jackal's flattery. So， it set out for the lion's den.

　　Both of them arrived there. The lion's appetite had increased a lot. But he did not act in hurry this time. He smiled and said， “Hello friend！ I welcome you with open arms. Why did you run away in fear？ I have appointed you as my Prime Minister. Come， I have to discuss some important but secret matter with you.”

　　The donkey drew near the lion who killed him in no time. The lion praised the jackal for his cleverness and success.

　　The clever jackal now said to the lion， “Your Majesty！ No doubt you are very hungry. Still I request you to have a bath in the near by river before you eat up the donkey.”

　　“You are perfectly right. I am going for a bath. You must look after the dead donkey.” Saying so， the lion left for the river.

　　The jackal was very hungry too. He looked at the dead donkey again and again and thought， “Had I not brought back the donkey through my cunning， the old lion would have had no food. He had almost lost it because of his hasty attack. So， the best part of the donkey's flesh should be mine.”

　　Thinking so， the jackal tore the donkey's head and ate up its brain. When the lion returned after bath， he saw the torn head of the donkey and asked the jackal， “Who has torn the donkey's head？”

　　“Sir， I am pained to hear this. It means that you don't believe me at all. Nobody came here and nobody touched the donkey either. I have been on strict watch since you left，” replied the jackal. Believing the jackal the jackal， the lion advanced to the donkey. But its brain was missing. So， he roared， “Mr. Jackal！ Where is the brain？”

　　“Your Majesty！ Had this donkey any brain， would he have come here for second time？” replied the jackal smilingly. The lion was convinced and he started eating the donkey's flesh.

　　Moral - A fool never uses his / her brain.

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