The horse and the Fox #33
THE HORSE AND THE FOX
Madhav had a horse of the finest breed. As the years passed, the horse grew old. Now, Madhav could no longer bear the cost of looking after the old horse.
At last, one day, Madhav said to the horse, You are of no use to me now. So, you are free to go wherever you like."
The old horse said. "O Master! Don't you appreciate my services? I have served you sincerely for many years, haven't I?"
After thinking for some time, Madhav said, "If you go to the forest, catch a lion and bring him here, I will believe that you are still as strong as you were before. Only then will I give you good food to eat and take good care of you."
The horse came out of his stable and set out for the forest. When he arrived in the forest, he stood under a tree to take some rest. Meanwhile, a fox passed by. He saw the sad look on the horse's face and asked, "Dear friend, why do you appear so sad? What is your problem?"
The horse narrated the whole story to the fox. With a sad face he said, "Dear fox, how can 1 take a lion to my master's house?"
Consoling the horse, the fox said, "Friend, do not be disappointed. Don't lose heart. I will help you. I have an idea. You lie down here and pretend to be dead. When you hear my signal call, get up at once and start running very fast. Keep on running till you reach your master's house. Do not stop anywhere on the way."
The horse readily agreed. The fox then went to meet the lion. The lion was sleeping in his cave. He was very hungry. The fox said, "O King of the forest! Your food is ready!"
At once, the lion got up and roared, "Where is my food?"
The fox said, "Please follow me."
Saying this, the fox brought the lion to the tree where the horse was lying still, pretending to be dead. The fox showed the horse to the lion and said, "It is very hot here. Let us take this horse to your cave. You may then eat him in comfort."
"But, how shall we take this horse up to my cave?" wondered the lion.
The fox said, "I will bring some strong creepers. With the help of the creepers, I will tie your hind legs to the horse's tail. Thus, you can easily pull the horse right up to your cave."
The lion liked the idea. So, the fox tied the hind legs of the lion to the horse's tail. As decided, the fox gave a signal call to the horse. At once, the horse got up. With all his strength and energy, he started running fast, pulling the lion behind him. Before the lion realized what had happened, the horse reached Madhav's house and stood in the stable. The lion was half-dead. In a few moments, he breathed his last.
Madhav said to the horse, "Well done! Though you are old, you have not lost your strength and energy."
From that day onwards, Madhav gave the horse good food to eat. He took good care of the old horse. The horse felt relieved. He had nothing to worry about. He lived happily ever after.
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