The Deer and His Friends

The Deer and His Friends

Once, on an island where thick forests moved beneath warm winds, a terrible drought began. One season passed without rain. Then another. Then a third. Small streams dried up. Puddles vanished. The earth cracked in the heat, and animals had to travel farther every day to find water. In the middle of the forest, between large rocks, one little natural basin still held clear water. Deer knew about it. Every morning he quietly followed the path, drank, and returned to the forest. One day he met Crow. She was tired. Dust dulled her feathers, and even her voice sounded weaker than usual. “Friend Deer,” she said, “you look well. Have you found water?” Deer could have kept the secret. There was not much water, and more animals were becoming thirsty each day. Instead he said, “I have. Come with me. If we drink only what we need and take care of the place, there can be enough for more than one.” He showed her the path. The next day Deer and Crow met Woodpecker. “Where do you two go every morning? I have searched half the forest without finding a drop.” “Then come with us,” said Deer. Now there were three. A day later they found Turtle slowly crossing dry ground. “Water...” was almost all she could say. “Do not worry,” Crow told her. “We know the way.” They traveled at different speeds. Crow and Woodpecker flew overhead, Deer walked beside Turtle, and Turtle continued stubbornly until at last everyone reached the rocky basin and drank. Several days later Jackal joined them. “I hear you know where water still remains,” he said sweetly. “Will you show me?” Deer did not refuse. “Everyone needs water. But protect the place and do not spoil it.” So five animals began meeting at the basin. Trouble came one morning when a hunter noticed tracks beside the water. Realizing Deer often used the path, he set a strong loop across it and went away. Deer arrived as usual. He stepped forward. The rope tightened around his leg. He pulled once, then stopped. “Stay calm,” he told himself. “Panic will only tangle it more.” Crow and Woodpecker soon arrived, followed by Turtle. “We will not leave you,” Crow promised. Jackal came last. He walked around the trap and secretly thought, “If Deer cannot escape, perhaps I will benefit somehow.” Turtle examined the rope. “It is thick. I will chew through it, but it may take all night.” Woodpecker turned to Jackal. “You have strong teeth. Help her.” Jackal backed away. “I cannot. My teeth hurt today.” Crow tilted her head. “Yesterday you cracked hard fruit with them.” “Yesterday was yesterday,” Jackal muttered, lying beneath a bush. The friends understood that he simply did not want to help. Turtle began alone. Chew. Rest. Chew again. Night came. Crow stayed near Deer so he would not be alone. Woodpecker watched the path. Turtle kept working. At dawn only a little rope remained. “The hunter may return soon,” said Woodpecker. “Fly ahead and watch,” Crow suggested. Woodpecker flew to the edge of the forest. Soon he saw the hunter preparing to come back with a packet of rice. Woodpecker began tapping loudly on a dry trunk above the path. Knock-knock-knock! The hunter paused. “What is making that noise so early?” By the time he continued, Woodpecker had already flown back. “He is coming.” Turtle chewed with all her remaining strength. Jackal was still under the bush. “Help now, at least,” Deer asked. Jackal looked away. Crow made another plan. “When the hunter arrives, I will distract him. Deer, do not pull until Turtle tells you.” The hunter appeared and hung his packet of rice on a branch. Crow immediately landed on it and began pecking at the knot. “Hey!” the hunter cried, running toward his breakfast. Crow flew away. He returned to the trap. Crow landed on the packet again. “What now?” he exclaimed, hurrying back. Woodpecker circled overhead, tapping branches. Crow called from the other side. The hunter kept looking in the wrong direction. “Done!” Turtle finally whispered. The rope was almost through. “Now, Deer!” Deer pulled once. The weakened loop snapped. “Run!” cried Crow. Deer bounded into the forest. Turtle hid among the roots. Crow and Woodpecker flew upward. The hunter could only stare. Jackal, who had been waiting beneath the bush, suddenly realized he was alone. The hunter stamped angrily in his direction, and Jackal fled so quickly that dry leaves spun behind him. Far from the trap, the friends met again. Deer bowed to Turtle. “You worked all night for me.” “I did what I could,” she replied. “Woodpecker gave us time,” added Crow. “And Crow distracted the hunter,” said Woodpecker. Deer smiled. “Then each of you saved me in a different way.” “That is why friends do not need to be alike,” Turtle said. “One has wings, another a sharp beak, another patience. What matters is whether you use what you have when someone needs help.” Jackal saw them from a distance afterward, but for a long time he was too ashamed to approach. He finally understood that friendship is not simply sharing water when it is convenient. Friendship begins when you do not turn away from someone else's trouble. Deer and his true friends continued sharing the little basin through the drought. And each drank only what was needed, because they had learned that small help becomes great when many friends offer it together.

May this story leave a little light in your heart ✨