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Do friends always need to be equal in
size? Or in strength? What do you think?
Well, as it happens, sometimes people – and creatures - that are widely
different can be true friends. That is what this story is all about.
Once upon a time there lived a group of mice in a forest. They lived happily
and peacefully until something happened to destroy their peace. A group of
wild elephants also came to live in the same forest. Now, as a rule all
forests have creatures that are both big and small. Although they confront
one another and sometimes kill each other, nevertheless all kinds of animals
manage to coexist in the same forest. The same might have happened to the
mice and the elephants. But unfortunately there was a drought that year.
Most of the pools and ditches from which the animals drank dried up. There
was only this stream which had a little water.
As all the elephants rushed to the stream whenever they were thirsty they
did not bother to look which way they were going. In their mad rush most of
the mice got crushed under their feet and their homes were destroyed. The
leader of the mice was really worried. He was sure that if things continued
the same way very soon there would be no mice left at all! Something had to
be done to stop the elephants and soon. But what could they do? The little
mice were no match for the huge elephants. So how could they possibly make
the elephants listen to them?
At last the leader of the mice had an idea. It was rather daring but it was
the only thing to do. The leader went to see the chief of the elephants and
said that he had an urgent request.
“You?” cried the elephant chief in surprise looking at the mouse, “what can
you possibly have to say to me?”
“Sir, couldn’t you please ask the elephants to take the direct route to the
river instead of rushing there anyhow? As they rush by among the trees they
tramp on the mice and kill them. Those of us who are lucky enough to escape
are rendered homeless. I am sure they don’t intend to kill us. Probably they
are not even aware of the damage they cause. That is why I thought of
requesting you to speak to them.”
The chief of the elephants gave him a searching look. “I am sure you are
right. The elephants are not likely to gain anything by killing mice or
destroying their homes. You are far too tiny to be of any use! It is
possible that they are not even aware of it.”
“That is what I thought, sir” said the leader of the mouse.
“I shall speak to them and ask them to go by the direct route to the river”
said the chief of the elephant, “I think it was brave of you to have come to
me, little mouse.”
“Thank you and if there is anything we can ever do to help, we shall do it”
said the mouse.
The elephant burst out laughing! The mouse who looked so serious was really
too funny for words!
“Thanks for the offer” said the elephant looking amused, “though I can’t
imagine how a tiny creature like you can possibly help someone as huge as an
elephant! But it was nice of you to have said it.”
The elephant chief kept his promise. He told the elephants to be careful and
go to the river by another route without hurting the mice. The mice soon
breathed in peace and went back to their carefree life. Before long things
took an unexpected turn. This time it was the elephants who were in trouble.
A band of elephant trappers sneaked into the forest and trapped the elephant
in their huge nets. Even the elephant chief was caught unawares. He was
really upset and blamed himself bitterly for not being careful enough and
for not having warned the others. Darkness had set in and the trappers had
gone off to rest for the night. They planned to take away the elephants the
next morning.
“Isn’t there anyone who can come to our rescue?” asked the trapped
elephants.
“I can’t think of anyone” said the chief shaking his head in despair, “if
only there was someone we could turn to!”
Luckily for him the leader of the mice was passing by just then. He was
amazed to find all the elephants trapped.
“How did this happen, sir?” he asked the elephant chief.
“We were careless” said the elephant gloomily, “and now we are all caught
with no hope of being rescued.”
“Don’t worry, we’ll have you free in a trice” said the leader of the mice as
he cut the net with his sharp teeth.
“That would be wonderful” said the elephant chief, “Can you really do it?”
“Of course” said the mouse with confidence, “Wait a while. I’ll go and call
the others.”
The leader soon returned with his entire troop of mice and they attacked the
nets with vigor. They worked all night and by the time it was morning they
had freed all the elephants from the traps.
“I thank you with all my heart” said the leader of the elephants gratefully,
“I did not think that someone so small could help us out of such a dire
situation. But now I know that mere size does not matter. A friend in need
is a friend indeed!”
And everyone returned home happy.
Courtesy: Sara Nadeem |
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Sara Nadeem