The Rabbit, the Tiger, and a Good Deed
An adventurous rabbit who loved to travel was exploring the forest. On his way back from a trip, he heard a frightening groan. He approached cautiously to find a huge tiger trapped under a large rock. Despite his fear, the brave rabbit decided to help. He began to dig and dig under the rock until the tiger was able to free its injured paw.
The tiger thanked him gratefully and said, "You saved my life. Ask for whatever you wish as a reward." But the rabbit refused, saying, "I helped you because you were in need, not for a reward."
Later, as the rabbit was running through the forest, a cunning fox saw him and decided to make him his meal. The fox chased the rabbit until he cornered him at a dead end. Just as the fox was about to pounce on him, the rabbit cried out, "Wait! I have one last request."
The rabbit cleverly said, "My mother had a dream and sent me to ask the wise turtle for its meaning. Please, go ask her and then tell my mother the interpretation." The fox thought this was a chance to find out where the rabbit's mother lived to eat her as well, so he said arrogantly, "I am smarter than the turtle, I will interpret the dream myself!"
The rabbit began to narrate the dream, raising his voice loudly, "I saw my mother running from a lion and calling for a tiger's help, then I started shouting at the top of my lungs: 'Help! Help me, O Tiger! It is I, the rabbit!'"
The tiger, who was nearby, heard his friend the rabbit's cries and rushed to his aid. When he saw the fox trying to eat the rabbit, he pounced on him and scared him away.
The rabbit thanked the tiger for saving him. The tiger replied with a smile, "Do not thank me. A good deed is repaid with a good deed." And so, the tiger returned the favor to the rabbit who had previously saved him.
Moral Values & Lessons
- A Good Deed is Repaid with a Good Deed: Doing good for others comes back to us in the end, often when we need help the most.
- Courage in the Face of Fear: Although the rabbit was afraid of the tiger, he overcame his fear to help a creature in trouble.
- Wit and Quick Thinking: The rabbit used his mind to devise a clever plan to save himself from the fox.
- Giving Without Expecting in Return: True help comes from the heart without waiting for a reward.
Story Comprehension Questions
Simple Questions
- What did the rabbit find on his way home?
- How did the rabbit help the tiger?
- Who tried to eat the rabbit?
- What was the trick the rabbit used to call the tiger?
- What did the tiger say to the rabbit after saving him?
Critical Thinking Questions
- Why did the rabbit decide to help the tiger, even though tigers can be dangerous to rabbits?
- Was the "dream interpretation" plan clever? Why did it succeed in fooling the fox?
- How does this story show that kind actions can create strong friendships?
Connecting to Your Life
- Tell about a time you helped someone and how you felt.
- Has anyone ever helped you in a way you didn't expect?
- How can you use your intelligence to get out of a difficult situation instead of being scared?
Fun Interactive Activities
- Draw the Two Scenes: Draw two pictures: the first of the rabbit saving the tiger from the rock, and the second of the tiger saving the rabbit from the fox.
- Role-Play the "Dream Trick": You and your friends act out the scene where the rabbit tricks the fox. Have one person be the clever rabbit and another be the arrogant fox.
- "What's Your Plan?" Game: Pose a fictional problem (e.g., "How do we get the apple from the top of the tree without climbing?") and compete to find the most clever plan.