One day, big and beautiful deer was wandering in the jungle. He was looking for food. He wanted to eat something different from what he ate everyday. While wandering, he came to the outskirt of the jungle. There he saw a fruit laden tree. He had never tasted such fruits before. So he cautiously ate one. The fruit was very sweet and luscious. The deer started coming to that fruit tree everyday. He gave up eating all other plants that grew in the jungle. He would eat only the fruits of that particular tree.
A hunter lived in the nearby village. He used to go to the forest everyday and passed by that tree. One day, as he saw the footmarks of the deer. He was glad to see the footmarks and stood watching them. After sometime, he saw the deer enjoying the tasty fruits of the tree. The hunter made up his mind to catch the deer. “He is so big and beautiful. He will fetch me a lot of money”. He thought.
The hunter came back to the tree next morning and hid himself among the branches of a nearby tree. He intended to kill the deer with his bow and arrow.
After about an hour, the deer arrived. He was a very clever and cautious deer. He saw human footprints on the wet soil. Therefore, he did not go near the fruit tree. Instead, he stood watching for any sign of the human being. He spoke to the fruit tree, “My dear talking tree, why didn’t you welcome me today? Why are you not dropping your fruits for me today? Are you angry with me? Have I offended you by my misconduct?”
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Hearing the deer speak, the hunter plucked some fruits from the fruit tree and threw them towards the deer. The deer was now sure that a hunter was lying in wait for him. He said to the tree, “It appears that you are not in a mood to talk with me today.
Therefore, you have thrown the fruits without welcoming me. I cannot accept the fruits without welcoming me. I cannot accept the fruits, as you are annoyed. I will come back only when you are in a pleasant mood”. So saying, he hid himself behind the tall bush that grew nearby.
The hunter was quite disappointed. He aimed an arrow at the deer. However, the arrow missed him. The deer ran swiftly and disappeared into the thick forest. He had outwitted the hunter.