THE MISCHIEVOUS CROW

There stood a big banyan tree in a small village. The travelers passing by sat in the cool shade of the big tree. A kind-hearted person had kept a large pot of water for the thirsty travelers. The travelers would drink the cool water and then proceed on their journey.

In the thick branches of the tree, lived many animals and birds. In the hot sun of the afternoon the animals rested under the tree.

In the thick branches of the tree, lived many animals and birds. In the hot sun of the afternoon the animals rested under the tree.

In this tree there also lived a crow that was mischievous and rude by nature. He would sit on the branch of the tree and play pranks with the travelers resting below. Some time he would sit on the top of a branch and caw for a long time. Its loud and harsh cawing would disturb the peaceful neighbor-hood.

One afternoon a lock of swans came and perched on the branches of the tree to rest. A traveler was fast asleep under the bunion tree but the rays of the sun, filtering through the leaves was falling on his face. One of the swans saw this and spread its wings in such a way that the traveler's face was in its shadow so as to protect him from the furious heat of the tropical sun.

The rude, crude and jealous Crow could not bear to see this sight. He immediately decided to break up this cozy arrangement. The crow was playing with a piece of brick in its beak. It lined up itself on the branch and let go of the brick piece so that it landed on the traveler's head. The traveler woke up wiped his face and saw the swan with its wings spread over him. The crow had flown away and was circling the tree.

The traveler thought that the swan was the guilty party. He picked up a big stone and threw it at the swan in anger. It hit the swan on the chest, wounding it considerably.
The Crow's prank led to the near death of a swan.

AVOID THE COMPANY OF MISCHIVEOUS PERSONS!