The Ungrateful Lion

A long time ago, deep in the heart of the forest, there lived a lion named Bakari. He was the strongest, fiercest, and most feared creature in the jungle. Every animal trembled at the sound of his roar, and no one dared to challenge him. But one fateful day, Bakari’s pride was wounded in the most unexpected way- he fell into a deep ditch.

It was during the dry season, and the once lush jungle had become hot and barren. The watering holes had shrunk, and food was becoming scarce. Bakari, too proud to admit his hunger, had been wandering in search of something to eat when he lost his footing and tumbled into a deep, dry pit.

The mighty lion roared for help, but who would dare approach a hungry lion in a ditch? The antelope passed by and quickly ran away. The warthog saw him and snorted in fear. Even the birds in the trees avoided looking down.

But then came Kima, the monkey. Kima was small but full of heart. He heard the lion’s cries and stopped. He knew that helping the lion could be dangerous, but he couldn’t ignore someone in need.

“Bakari, is that you?” Kima called down.

“Yes! I have fallen into this ditch. Help me out, and I will be forever grateful,” the lion promised.

Kima scratched his head. There was no tree branch long enough, no vine strong enough. Then he had an idea. He unwound his long, bushy tail and lowered it into the ditch. “Grab hold, Bakari, and I will pull you up.”

Bakari, desperate to escape, grabbed onto the monkey’s tail, and with great effort, Kima pulled with all his might. Inch by inch, Bakari climbed out until, at last, he stood on solid ground.

Kima breathed a sigh of relief, expecting a word of thanks. But instead, Bakari licked his lips and growled, “Hmm… A monkey for lunch? How convenient!”

Kima’s heart pounded. “What? Bakari, I just saved your life!”

Bakari smirked. “And for that, I am grateful. But I am also very hungry. And a meal is a meal.”

Just as Bakari pounced toward Kima, a slow but firm voice interrupted.

“Wait.”

It was Mzee Kobe, the wise old tortoise. He had been watching from nearby, and he shuffled forward with a knowing look in his eyes.

“What is this I hear? That Kima helped you out of the ditch, and now you want to eat him?”

Bakari sneered. “I have the right to do whatever I please.”

Mzee Kobe shook his head. “I find this hard to believe. How can a small monkey with a tiny tail pull out a great lion like you? Surely this is not true.”

Kima’s eyes lit up with hope. “But it is true, Mzee Kobe! He fell in, and I helped him out.”

The tortoise frowned in doubt. “I don’t believe such a thing is possible. If this really happened, let me see for myself. Bakari, show me exactly how you fell into the ditch.”

Bakari, eager to prove his strength, huffed. “Fine. Watch closely, old one.” He walked to the edge of the ditch and leaped in, just as he had done before.

Mzee Kobe turned to Kima and smiled. “Now, let’s go.”

Kima’s mouth dropped open. “But- but- ”

“Go,” Mzee Kobe repeated.

Bakari roared from the ditch. “Wait! Help me out!”

Mzee Kobe shook his head. “Oh no, Bakari. You showed me how it happened, just as I asked. Now you will stay there until someone else is foolish enough to trust you.”

Kima and Mzee Kobe walked away, leaving Bakari alone in the ditch, roaring for help that would never come.

And so, from that day, the animals of the jungle learned a valuable lesson: An ungrateful heart leads to ruin, and wisdom will always outsmart cruelty.