The Speaking Cave

Usually in a forest, the forest rule follows. The mightier preys upon the weaker and eats it. But still the animals do take some precautions for their safety. Some live in herds. Even when they go for drinking water from a pond, they go together. For relaxation also they try to choose the safest place. The birds make their nests on the branches of high trees, so that the animals could not harm them.

Likewise a fox had found a cave and used to relax in it. But during the day, it had to roam about in the forest in search of food. In the evening before re-entering its cave, it used to make sure that no other animal has entered the cave in its absence.

One day when the fox returned after its daily round and was about to enter its cave, it noticed the claw marks of a lion at the enterance of the cave. She examined the marks very carefully and found that the claw marks are of going in but not of coming out. She became suspicious that uncle lion must be sitting in the cave. It was evening. There was darkness in the cave. She could not just peep and ascertain the presence of the lion there. As the foxes are clever, she thought of a plan. She went near the gate of the cave and spoke politely, “Oh My dear cave, tell me did any one come in my absence?” There was no reply. The fox again repeated, “Oh Cave, why are you not speaking with me today? What has happened to you ? Now the Lion who was comfortably sitting inside and waiting for the prey, thought that perhaps the Cave is not speaking due to his fear. The fox again repeated the same question to the cave, Oh My dear Cave, why are not talking to me today? please speak out. The Lion could no longer control. He thought as long as the Cave will not speak, the fox will not enter the cave. So better I do the mimickery. In a very thin voice, the lion spoke, ‘No no, no body came.’

The fox understood that the uncle lion is sitting inside and impatiently waiting for her. She said, ‘Thank you, Cave. It’s good that you spoke, otherwise I would have been killed good for nothing.’ She ran away from the place as fast as she could. The Lion also realized that she is running away. He came out and said, Oh please listen to me. But by the time the fox had gone too far.