In the depth of an ancient forest, where trees shared secrets and rivers harmonized, two close friends dwelled—Ravi, the Clever Rabbit, and Tiku, the Wise Turtle. They were renowned for their wisdom and cleverness, which had saved them from innumerable perils.
But this time the threat was even bigger than ever.
Jackie the Fox, Lobo the Wolf, Harka the Hyena, and Juno the Jackal had been shamefully defeated earlier by Ravi and Tiku. They had fallen into a deep well, tricked by the rabbit and turtle's cunning. But this time, they had come to take their revenge.
This time, they didn't merely wish to capture Ravi and Tiku—they wished to burn their house down and steal their child!
Would the wise-cracking couple be able to defend all that they loved?
The Four Beasts' Evil Plan
Jackie the Fox, furious and embarrassed, called his co-villains together for a meeting deep within the forest.
"We were outwitted by that pesky rabbit and slow turtle," Jackie growled. "But no more tricks. This time, we hit where it hurts the most."
Lobo the Wolf flashed his pointed teeth. "You mean…?"
Jackie's eyes sparkled with malice. "Yes. We set fire to their house and claim what is most valuable to them."
Harka the Hyena cackled sadistically. "I heard the rabbit has a wee child now. That will surely destroy him!"
Juno the Jackal licked his lips. “And when they come to rescue the child, we’ll trap them forever.”
The four beasts grinned at each other, their plan set in motion.
The Attack on the Burrow
Ravi, the rabbit, had built a safe and cozy burrow at the base of a giant tree near the river. Inside, his little child, Rinku, slept peacefully, dreaming of playing in the meadows.
Tiku lived nearby, in a small cave next to the riverbank, where he could always be close to his friend.
That evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, the four villains crept toward Ravi’s burrow. Jackie and Lobo carried dry leaves, while Harka and Juno brought burning sticks.
They set the leaves on fire and threw them at the burrow’s entrance!
Thick smoke filled the air. Rinku, the little rabbit, woke up coughing and crying. Ravi, who was out gathering food, saw the smoke rising from a distance. His heart froze with fear.
“My child!” he gasped.
He rushed toward the burrow, but just as he arrived, Lobo the Wolf leaped in front of him.
“You’re too late, rabbit!” Lobo sneered.
While this was happening, Tiku realized the danger and understood that he needed to assist. He crawled very slowly towards the burrow, thinking of what to do.
The Smart Escape Plan
Ravi required a diversion. He observed that the fire had not yet spread within the burrow. He only had seconds to react.
Acting quickly, he yelled, "Hey, look! A hunter is approaching!"
The four beasts were scared. The previous time they had been tricked, they had become the target of a hunter.
"Where?" Jackie queried, craning his neck.
In a split second, Ravi jumped over the head of Lobo and sprinted toward the burrow. He pushed in through a small concealed hole.
"Rinku, my child!" Ravi spoke in a soft tone. "Quickly come with me, child!"
Little Rinku, still coughing, clung to Ravi as they crawled through a secret tunnel under the burrow—one that Ravi had dug long ago in case of danger.
But as they emerged on the other side, Juno the Jackal was waiting for them!
“Nice try, rabbit,” Juno grinned. “But you’re not going anywhere!”
Tiku’s Brilliant Trick
Just then, Tiku the Turtle arrived at the riverbank. He had been carrying something heavy on his back—a big sack full of fish guts!
He had discovered it close to the fisherman's hut that morning. Now, he was going to use it as a weapon.
"Hey, Juno!" Tiku shouted. "Catch!"
He threw the sack at Juno's face. The foul smell of rotten fish burst in the air!
"Ugh! What's this?!" Juno gagged, his eyes rubbing in disgust.
Taking advantage of the distraction, Ravi snatched Rinku and ran into the tall grass, vanishing before Juno could move.
The Final Showdown
The four monsters, now enraged, pursued Ravi, Tiku, and Rinku, determined that they would not get away from them again.
But Ravi had a surprise or two in store.
He took them to the riverbank, where Tiku was waiting in ambush.
"Now what, rabbit?" Jackie taunted. "The river is behind you. You can't escape!"
Ravi grinned. "Who said I wanted to escape?"
He whistled long and hard—and before you could say Jack Robinson, a huge crocodile rose out of the water!
It was Kando, the veteran crocodile, Tiku's friend.
"You have the audacity to disrupt the tranquility of my river?" Kando snarled, showing his sharp teeth.
Jackie, Lobo, Harka, and Juno took a few steps back in terror.
Before they could act, Kando snapped his jaws and made a lunge at them. The four monsters shrieked and fled for their lives, stumbling over one another as they disappeared into the woods.
Kando laughed. "That will teach them not to mess with my friends."
A Safe Home Once More
With the bad guys out of the way, Ravi, Tiku, and little Rinku went back to their burrow. The fire had long since died out, leaving behind only a small amount of smoke.
Tiku assisted Ravi in excavating a new, safer burrow deeper in the ground—one with additional escape tunnels and secret exits.
Little Rinku gazed up at his father and uncle Tiku. "Will they return?" he asked.
Ravi ruffled his hair. "Perhaps. But if they do, we will always be prepared."
Tiku grinned. "Because brains will always conquer brawn."
Following this encounter, Ravi and Tiku were looked up to even more in the forest, as the other animals understood that brains, and not brute force, are what win battles—while Jackie, Lobo, Harka, and Juno had to pay for their defeat.
As for Jackie, Lobo, Harka, and Juno? They never dared to attack Ravi’s family again.
And so, in the heart of the forest, wisdom and friendship once again triumphed over greed and cruelty.
