THE LION AND THE WELL

Many years ago in the Animal kingdom, there was famine in the land. The Lion became uncontrollable and started killing animals that come his way. This caused panic in the land, the other animals felt insecured. The Elephant called an emergency meeting, all animals were invited except Mr. Lion.

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The Elephant stepped out to address the animals. He coughed and spoke solemnly.

“I welcome you all to this emergency meeting. We know there is a big famine in the land which has turned the Lion into a killing machine. If we don’t control him soon, we will all die.”

The animals grumbled. They look confused and scared. It was evident that they missed Tortoise, he always have something to say in situations like this. He was banned from the kingdom for a month for his numerous mischiefs. An idea crossed the Hare’s mind which made him smile. He stepped up to address them. He was small so he climbed a tree.

“My fellow citizen of the Animal kingdom, I have this idea that will work for us all if we can be attentive and adhere.”

The animals sat down so they could pay attention to him. He was happy they could respond positively to him. He cleared his throat and continued.

“I have two ideas. First, we know whenever Lion eats heavily, it takes him two to three days to feed again. I suggest, we have a meeting with him.”

The animals got more confused. The Beaver shouted:

“He will eat us all in the meeting, why should we risk our lives cheaply like that?”

“Mr. Beaver, please be calm. I will explain.” The Hare replied.

“In the meeting, we will suggest to him that we will be sending animals to him once a week. This will buy us time till the famine is over.” He continued.

Finally, it was a good idea to them all. They all applauded him. The Beaver was still confused. He slammed his tail on the ground, it got their attention. He grinned as he stepped out. All the animals fixed their eyes on him.

“I know Hare has spoken well and I support him but I need to ask this fair question. How do we select who to send to Lion?”

The Hare came down from the tree and put his arm around the Beaver.

“My friend, I love that question. Let us start with the aged, they have nothing to lose.”

He walked among them and convinced them to go with his idea. His words and charisma got them hooked and convinced. The Elephant declared that they meet with Lion immediately. They all marched to his cave and called him out. His sight scared them except the Elephant.

He greeted him and told him their plans. After so much negotiations, he agreed. He insisted that the animal sent to him must enter his cave as early as possible so he could eat and plan till the next meal. They all agreed and left.

Two Months Later

The famine was still over the land, all the aged animals have been sent to Lion. The animals started panicking again. In the next two days, an animal must be sent to him.

“Who will sacrifice himself for the cause of the land?” That was the question on their minds. An emergency meeting was called again. All the animals attended including the Tortoise. He was back from his ban. The Elephant stepped out to address them again.

“We have successfully bought ourselves time with Lion but the time has come to make a major decision again. Let us have a minute silence for our heroes; the aged animals that have sacrificed their lives for the cause of the land.”

The animals stood in silence for a minute then the Elephant continued his speech.

“Thank you all. Who is ready to sacrifice his life for the cause of the land?”

The Elephant looked around, everyone was silent. The Beaver moved towards the Hare and pushed him out with all his strength.

“You are the one that brought the idea in the first place, tell us what to do or you are going into that cave.”

The Hare brushed off the dirt on his body, an idea struck his mind again.

”Since the aged are gone, I believe the next category of animal that should be sacrificed are the mischievous animals like the Tortoise.” He pointed his finger to him.

The whole animal looked at the Tortoise, they wanted him gone for all the bad things he has done to most of them. He looked at them before stepping out to speak.

”It is no longer news that I am mischievous but I need you all to reason with me. If you sacrifice me this week, who is the next mischievous animal that will be sent?”

He pointed to the Elephant, he looked around and stepped back then pointed to the Giraffe, he stepped back too.

“If you all step back, who will be sacrificed next week?” He screamed on top of his lungs.

Confusion was set in the camp again. The Hare felt he has lost and quickly came up with another idea.

”Dear Tortoise, I know you are smart but I challenge you to a race. Anyone that lose, will be sacrificed. This is final.”

The other animals agreed. The Elephant instructed them to appear the next day for the race.

”Go home now and prepare. Tomorrow, you race.”

The Squirrel ran towards the Hare as the animals dispersed to their homes. He reminded him of how cunny Tortoise was but he kicked his advice out.

”I am the fastest animal in the world, how can that slimy bastard beat me?” He boasted.

The Tortoise went home. For the first time, he was troubled. He got home and couldn’t sleep till something crossed his mind that made him smile. He rushed to the Monkey’s house. The Monkey was reluctant to attend to him due to previous bad encounters. He had to beg him for the last favor before he sold him the sleeping herbs. He bought carrots and scented herbs on his way home. He cooked them before he slept off. Meanwhile, Squirrel visited Hare in his house, he met him sleeping.

”Why are you not preparing my friend?” He asked.

”Why should I? I am the fastest and smartest animal.” He boasted.

”On my way to market, I saw the Tortoise buying……”.

“I don’t want to hear anything about Tortoise in this house, please go so I can rest.” He cut in. The Squirrel left immediately.

The next day, Tortoise was the first to reach the racing course. He was calm as the other animals arrived. When the Hare got there, he walked in majestically like a King. He joined the Tortoise.

”Hello my friend. May the best man win.” Tortoise stretched his hand to him but he ignored.

As soon as the race started, the Hare took off to the second course. He looked back and saw the Tortoise struggling to catch up.

”Let me humiliate this stupid animal.” He thought.

He entered the nearby bush to rest. While he rested, he smelt food nearby. He traced the smell to a heap of well-scented carrots. He took his time to eat, it was the most delicious meal he has had before. The Tortoise saw him from afar and increased his pace. His plan was working perfectly.

When Hare was through, he went back to the race course and saw the tortoise ahead of him. He laughed and ran. As he approached the last course, he felt heavy and sleepy. He checked back and saw that Tortoise was not close enough. He entered the nearby bush to rest his sleepy eyes.

He woke up to the loud cheers of the animals and ran as fast as he could but the Tortoise have won already. He broke down in tears. The Squirrel felt bad for his best friend. He was later sacrificed to the Lion for the weekly’s meal.

Few days after, Lion was so hungry. He was already used to the usual fat meal, the Hare was too small for his large appetite. He left his cave and hunted for more animals. This caused panic attack in the land again. While he was hunting, the Elephant tried to remind him of the deal. It led to fight between them, the Lion ran off leaving the elephant wounded.

He ran to Monkey and almost stepped on Tortoise. He was bleeding profusely and needed herbs. The Tortoise hurried after him. He got there when Monkey was applying the healing balm on his body.

”You almost stepped on me Elephant. What is chasing you?” He asked.

”The Lion has gone mad, we need to do something before he kills us all. I tried to stop him but he was stronger than I am. He said if we don’t send a big meal to him by week end, he will hunt us all.” Elephant replied.

The Tortoise scratched his bald head and thought for a while.

”If I bring an idea to get rid of the Lion forever, will all the animals forgive me for my cunny ways?”

The Elephant thought about his proposal, he had no choice than to adhere. He looked at the Monkey, he nodded.

”Go on. We have a deal but if the plan fails, you will be banned forever.”

The next day, the animals gathered to dig a well. It was the Tortoise’s idea but they had no option. The Beaver worked endlessly to make sure water come out of the well. The animals were pleased with themselves, they all did well.

It was time for the next plan, the Tortoise asked them to rub clay all over his body. He was dirty enough. The animals hid around the well and waited for the Tortoise plan.

The tortoise ran towards the Lion’s cave. He was fearless. The Lion pounced on him and leaned back.

“Why did you come here dirty? I don’t eat dirty food.” He roared.

”It wasn’t my fault, I was on my way here when another Lion came from a pit and tried to eat me. I ran as fast as I could.”

”Another Lion in my kingdom? Where is he? I will feed on him for trespassing. Take me there right away.” He ordered.

The Tortoise led the Lion there, he was so angry. The Tortoise pointed to the well, the Lion ran towards the edge and looked down. He saw his image there and thought it was another Lion. He roared fiercely and the roar echoed back to him. He was so angry, he dived inside the well. All the animals came out happy, they watched their common enemy drowned.

The animals rejoiced and forgave Tortoise. The Beaver was also appointed the Construction master of the kingdom.