In a forest lived a deer and a crow who had been friends for years. One day a jackal saw the plump young deer and thought, “If I make friends with him, one day I may get a fine meal.” So he spoke to the deer in his sweetest voice.
The deer brought his new friend home. The old crow frowned. “We know nothing about him,” he said. “Don’t trust someone just because his words are sweet.” But the jackal looked hurt, and the deer said, “Everyone was a stranger once.”
The jackal led the deer to a farmer’s field full of tender green shoots. The deer ate there happily every day, until the farmer set a snare and the deer was caught.
“Friend, help me!” cried the deer when the jackal came by. The jackal looked at the ropes. “Oh dear, these are made of leather, and today I am fasting. I cannot touch them with my teeth.” And he hid nearby, hoping the farmer would come.
When the deer did not come home, the crow searched until he found him. “This is what comes of trusting too fast,” he sighed. “Now listen. Lie still and hold your breath, as if you are not alive. When I caw, jump up and run.”
The farmer came, saw the still deer and took off the snare. “Caw!” cried the crow. The deer sprang up and raced away. The farmer flung his stick after him, but it missed the deer and struck the jackal hiding in the bushes, who limped off howling. The deer never forgot the crow’s advice.