The Four Friends: A Panchatantra Story of True Friendship and Courage

The Four Friends and The Hunter

Deep in the heart of a lush, green jungle, there lived three inseparable friends: a graceful deer, a wise crow, and a swift mouse. Their bond was strong, and they spent their days together, sharing everything from their meals to their deepest thoughts. One sunny afternoon, a slow-moving turtle approached them with a hopeful look in his eyes. "I have watched your beautiful friendship from afar," he said softly. "I am all alone and would be honored if you would allow me to join your company."

An Unlikely Friendship is Formed

The three friends welcomed the turtle warmly. "You are most welcome to join us," said the crow, who was always the most cautious. "But our jungle has its dangers. Hunters often roam these paths. While the deer can run, the mouse can hide, and I can fly away, how will you escape if a hunter appears?" The turtle replied, "That is precisely why I seek your friendship. I know that alone I am vulnerable, but together, we can look out for one another."

A Sudden Danger Appears

The words had barely left the turtle's mouth when the rustling of leaves announced an unwelcome visitor. A hunter, with a large net slung over his shoulder, stepped into the clearing. Instantly, the friends scattered. The deer bounded away into the thicket, the crow took to the sky, and the mouse scurried into a nearby hole. The turtle, with his slow pace, tried desperately to crawl to safety, but it was too late.

A Friend in Peril

The hunter swiftly captured the turtle in his net and tied it securely. Disappointed at losing the prize deer, he consoled himself with the thought of a turtle feast. From their safe vantage points, the deer, crow, and mouse watched in horror as their new friend was taken. Their hearts were heavy with worry, but they refused to abandon him. They quickly regrouped to devise a plan to save their trapped companion.

A Clever Plan to the Rescue

The crow, with his sharp eyes, volunteered for reconnaissance. He flew high above the trees and soon spotted the hunter making his way towards a riverbank. A brilliant and daring plan began to form. They knew they had to act quickly and work together, using each of their unique abilities to create the perfect diversion.

The Perfect Distraction

As instructed by the crow, the deer sprinted ahead of the hunter, taking a path that would intercept him. She then lay down on the path, perfectly still, pretending to be dead. From a distance, the hunter saw the motionless deer and his eyes lit up with greed. "What luck!" he thought to himself. "Now I shall have a grand feast and a beautiful skin to sell!" In his excitement, he dropped the heavy net carrying the turtle and rushed towards his new prize.

A Daring Escape

This was the moment the mouse had been waiting for. As the hunter ran towards the deer, the tiny but determined mouse darted to the net and began gnawing at the ropes with his sharp teeth. In no time, he had chewed through the bindings, freeing the turtle. The turtle wasted no time and immediately crawled into the deep waters of the nearby river, disappearing from sight.

The Baffled Hunter

The hunter reached the spot where the deer lay, but as he bent down to grab her, she sprang to her feet and vanished into the jungle in a flash. Stunned and confused, the hunter stood motionless for a moment. Dejected, he turned back to retrieve the turtle, only to find the net in shreds and his captive gone. He looked around in disbelief, thinking he must be dreaming. The gnawed net was the only proof that this bewildering event was real. Frightened by what he could only assume was a miracle, the hunter fled the jungle, never to return.

The four friends, reunited and safe, celebrated their victory. Their bond, forged in loyalty and strengthened by courage, was now unbreakable, and they lived together happily ever after.

Moral: True friends will always stand by you in times of trouble.
By working together and using your unique strengths, you can overcome any obstacle. Unity is strength.