The Tiger with a Golden Bangle

The Tiger's Golden Bangle
Once upon a time there was a thick forest.
Which was the home for many wild animals.
People from the nearby villages,
had to pass through this forest to reach the other villages.
One day, a rich merchant was passing through this forest .
He was wearing, a solid gold bangle on his wrist.
A Tiger, was hiding in the tall grass,by the path.
The merchant, did not notice him.
As the merchant came near enough,
the Tiger bounced and killed him.
After feasting on the merchants flesh,
the Tiger did not know what to do with the gold bangle.
So, the Tiger kept it with him.
Years passed on, after this incident.....
And the Tiger grew old and weak.
He could, no longer chase a prey.
He started thinking of some way, to get his food .
He remembered the gold bangle, he had.
He thought....
I have heard that human beings are very fond of gold.
I must test and confirm this.
Maybe,
I can use some passers-by and kill them.
This way, I will have enough to eat and
survive the rest of the days of my life.
So,
the Tiger took the gold bangle and
sat by the path, that ran across the forest.
The Tiger stayed there for a long time
but nobody passed by.
After a long time,
a clever but poor man named Gopal,
came walking down the forest path.
As he walked on,
he heard a voice from the tall grass by the path.
My dear man,
Will you stop for a while and listen to me?
Gopal,looked around....
but could see no one near the trees or bushes.
Then his eyes were blinded by a flash in the grass.
He stealthily walked,a step nearer.
To his surprise, a Tiger came out from the tall grass.
Gopal was scared and he stepped back .
But the Tiger said :
My friend, don't get scared of me.
Come here, and take this gold bangle from me.
Do you think, that I am a fool ?
You are a wild animal, a Tiger.
How can I come near you and lose my life?
My friend, all that you say is true.
Because, everyone knows that Tigers are ferocious animals .
But, look at my state now,
I have become old and
my paws have lost their sharp nails.
I have killed many people and animals in my life.
And I repent, for my sins now.
So, I have given up my violent nature
and as a repentance I want to give this golden bangle,
to a human being.
You are lucky, to have come down this forest path today.
If the Tiger has given up his violent nature,
then there seems to be no danger in approaching him.
Moreover, I am a poor man,
the gold bangle which the tiger is offering,
will fetch me a lot of money and
I can live happily.
Gopal's mind was filled with greed
and he lost his ability to think.
So he went near the Tiger.
The wicked Tiger waited till Gopal came near
and then pounced at him.
Gopal died instantly.
And the Tiger had a good feast for that day.
These human beings are really fools.
They become greedy on seeing a small gold bangle
and lose their ability to think.
This person has proved that to me.
Hereafter, I will use the same trick on
all passers-by and kill them.
Ha! Ha! Ha!
In this way, he began to lead a happy life.
The moral of the story is .....
My dear children, never ever become a slave to greediness.
Be happy with what you have.
Shall we move on to the next story?