The Brave Hunter and The Red Fox
In a time long, long ago, in the heart of the deep, lush Khinder forest, lived a young, brave hunter called Taren. Taren belonged to the Pasnai tribe known for their courage, hunting skills and deep respect for nature. He was tall, sturdy and had eyes as bright as the full moon on a summer night.
His father was the tribe's chief and Taren was destined to take his place. Honing his hunting skills, he was known to honor every animal he lay his hand on, a principle of his tribe.
One day, Taren saw an unusual red fox in the forest. This fox was different, it had a shiny crimson fur and eyes that sparkled like sapphires. Taren approached the fox slowly, afraid he might scare it away. A sense of fascination and intrigue urged him to get to know this peculiar creature closer. So, he started following the fox every day, observing its habits, diet, and routine from afar.
To his surprise, he noticed that the fox spoke in rudimentary human language. This fox, called Nari, was a magical hybrid creature whose ancestor was a legend in the stories of his tribe's folklore. Taren knew then, this was not a regular fox.
Taren and Nari became friends. Through Nari, Taren learned many hidden secrets of the forest. He became a better tracker, a better hunter, and a compassionate leader. However, he kept this friendship from his tribe as he was well-aware about his tribesmen's probable reaction upon finding about his strange alliance.
One fateful day, a deadly disease struck the Pasnai tribe. The wise elders, having interpreted the signs, concluded that the disease was a curse from the forest spirit who was angered due to the overhunting of creatures in the forest.
Seeing his tribe suffer, Taren turned towards Nari for help. Nari led him to a rare magical herb hidden deep in the forest which had the power to cure the tribe. Risking his life, Taren followed Nari, had a deadly encounter with a Jungle Troll, survived it, and managed to get the herbs back to the tribe. He was unsure if the fox’s information was reliable or not but he was desperate to save his people.
To his relief, the herb worked miraculously. The tribe was healed and their strength was returned. Taren was hailed as a hero, but he knew in his heart, it was Nari who was the true hero here.
Driven by guilt, he admitted his alliance with the red fox to the tribe. The tribe, shaken by disbelief, doubted the story initially. But seeing Taren’s honesty and the miracle he had brought, they believed him. They agreed to honor the pact with Nari and every creature in the forest, a new principle was added to their tribe. They learnt that every creature in the forest is to be respected, not feared or hunted for sport.
Their story became a legend in the forest and the surrounding tribes. Nari was treated as an ally and treated with reverence by the tribe as well as the forest inhabitants. Taren became one of the greatest chiefs of the Pasnai tribe, guiding them towards a kinder, more respectful relationship with nature. Their bond reinforced the notion that harmony, understanding and mutual respect are the pillars on which peace must rest.
This ancient tale is told and retold to send an evocative message which resonates even today – every life, however small or big, has a purpose and it is our duty to respect and cherish it.