The Two Woodcutters and the Tree
Arjun and Veer were more than just woodcutters - they were inseparable. They worked together, ate together, and even rested under the same tree after a long day's labor. The villagers admired their bond, often telling their children, *"Find a friend like Arjun and Veer."*
Every morning, they ventured deep into the forest, cutting the tallest and strongest trees. Their wood was the finest in the village, and they took great pride in their work.
One summer day, the heat was unbearable, the air heavy with humidity. Despite the scorching sun, they set off as usual, their axes slung over their shoulders. As they moved deeper into the jungle, they suddenly froze. A rustling sound came from the undergrowth, followed by the low growl of a tiger.
A massive beast emerged from the shadows, its golden eyes locked onto them. Fear shot through their veins. Without thinking, they ran - darting between trees, jumping over fallen branches, their breath coming in ragged gasps.
Then, in the distance, they spotted a tree - huge, thick, and covered in thorns. With no time to think, they scrambled up, wincing as the thorns pricked their skin. The tiger lunged, but the sharp thorns tore into its flesh. It roared in pain, circling the tree, frustrated and bleeding.
High above, clinging to the branches, Arjun and Veer caught their breath. The night passed slowly, the jungle alive with strange sounds. But the tree held them safe.
When morning arrived, the jungle was still. The tiger was gone. Carefully, they climbed down, their muscles aching from the long night. Arjun turned to look at the tree - the very thing that had saved their lives. Its bark was rough, its trunk wide and strong.
"What a tree," Veer murmured, running a hand over its surface. "The biggest we've ever seen."
Arjun nodded. "Imagine the wood we could take home."
And so, without another thought, they lifted their axes and began to chop. The same tree that had given them safety now fell to the ground under the weight of their blows.
As they carried the wood back to the village, they didn't look back.
But the forest remembers.
And so do the tigers.
