One day a mighty elephant passed by a pack of jackals. The jackals, looking at him from the bushes, said to each other: “Look! Here comes a whole mountain of meat. If we could somehow destroy him, we could feast for a whole month, and even invite our neighbors.”
- And what? - said the most cunning of them. - You can try!
And he went after the elephant. Approaching him, the jackal began a conversation in a flattering voice:
- Hello, Your Majesty!
- Hello! - answered the good-natured elephant, and asked: - Who are you?
- I was a jackal. I was sent to you. We are all looking forward to seeing you in the clearing. The council of animals of our forest unanimously elected you king. You are the strongest and the smartest! Today will be a big holiday, let's go quickly!
The elephant raised his trunk high and trumpeted:
- Oh-ho-ho! I am the strongest! I'm the smartest! I was elected king!
And, turning to the jackal, he said:
- Lead me, my friend! I'm ready!
And the proud elephant, obsessed with the desire to rule, followed the jackal. The jackal led him along a narrow path through the swamp, and the elephant immediately got stuck in it.
- My friend, the jackal! - said the elephant. - What should I do now? I'm in a swamp!
And the vile jackal, laughing, answered:
- Grab your majesty by my tail and try to get out, since you believed my words.
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru