The Crow and the Necklace

Once upon a time, a crow and his wife built their nest on top of a big banyan tree near a river. They were very happy there.

One day, the female crow laid some eggs. But soon, a big snake that lived in a hole under the tree slithered up and ate them all. The crows were heartbroken.

“This snake is so cruel,” cried the female crow. “We must stop him! He will keep eating our eggs!”

The male crow said, “Let’s go to our friend the jackal. He’s very smart. Maybe he can help us.”

So, the crows flew to the forest to visit the jackal. When he saw them, he said, “Hello, my friends! Why do you look so upset?”

The crows told him everything. “Each time we lay eggs, the snake eats them. Please help us get rid of him.”

The jackal thought for a moment and then smiled. “I have a plan,” he said.

The next day, just as the jackal said, the queen of the nearby palace came to bathe in the river with her maids. As always, they left their clothes and jewelry on the riverbank.

The female crow flew down and grabbed the queen’s pearl necklace in her beak. At the same time, the male crow began cawing loudly to get everyone's attention.

“The crows have taken my necklace!” shouted the queen. “Guards, catch them!”

The guards quickly chased the crows. The crows led them straight to the banyan tree.

Hearing the noise, the snake came out of his hole to see what was happening. Just then, the female crow dropped the necklace near the snake.

“Watch out!” shouted a guard. “There’s a snake!”

Before the snake could escape, the guards attacked it with their spears and killed it. Then they picked up the necklace and took it back to the queen.

The crows were safe at last. They thanked the jackal for his clever idea. From then on, they lived happily and raised their little ones without fear.