The Deer’s Lesson

In a dense forest filled with towering trees lived a mother deer and her young fawn. The fawn was still very small, barely able to stand on its own, when the mother began teaching it the ways of the forest. She knew she might not live long enough to see her child fully grown. Hunters roamed the forest constantly, carrying guns and traps, always seeking deer. On top of that, predators like lions, leopards, and other wild animals added constant danger. The mother would leap into action at the slightest noise, always keeping her young one close, unable to venture too far from its side.

The fawn would shrink and tremble whenever danger appeared, but it was not yet strong enough to run after its mother or escape on its own. The mother taught it to hide among tall plants and bushes and leap to safety when threatened. She patiently shared all the skills her child would need to survive, from running swiftly to staying unseen.

The mother eagerly awaited the day when her fawn would be strong enough to wander further through the forest, walk along the riverbank, and explore the world with her. Gradually, the fawn grew and began following its mother further into the forest. They would spend hours under the open sky, basking in the sun or grazing by the river. The mother had taught her child all the tricks to survive—how to leap, hide in tall grass, and remain calm during danger. Each skill was a lesson in survival, handed down with love and care.

One day, the mother said to her child, “Little one, I don’t know how long I will be with you. One day, you will find your own path, and your safety will not be my responsibility. But before that, misfortune could separate us.” The fawn listened attentively. Its mother continued, “Whenever danger approaches, your heart will sense it. Pay attention to that feeling. Keep your ears alert, and when you run, choose wide, open spaces rather than narrow paths. Never stop on high hills, because you will be exposed and easy to spot. Always stay with your own kind. Avoid friendship with those stronger than you, or you will face harm.”

The mother also warned, “You are delicate, beautiful, and weak. Humans, dogs, wolves, and even lions can be your enemies. Protect yourself and your movements, stay among those like you, and never trust the more powerful. Friendship with them brings danger.”

Time passed, and one day the mother left with other deer for a distant part of the forest. The fawn felt anxious but was now grown enough to graze and fend for itself. For a few days, it obeyed its mother’s advice, avoiding the company of others. But soon, curiosity and loneliness got the better of it. The fawn wandered under the trees and found three young lion cubs playing in a sunlit patch of dried grass.

However, the fawn soon remembered its mother’s warning. Lions were powerful predators, and even the young cubs could one day become a deadly threat. Its lesson in caution was about to be tested. Suddenly, the lioness mother appeared, angered by the fawn’s audacity. She pounced, striking it fiercely with her paw. The fawn was thrown several feet and severely wounded. Despite the pain, it remembered its mother’s teachings, summoning all its strength to run far from danger. It found safety and eventually rested, recalling the words: “Stay with your own kind, and never trust those stronger than you, or you will face harm.”

Over time, the fawn’s wounds healed. The lesson remained etched in its mind forever. From that day on, it never repeated the mistake of befriending stronger predators. It followed its mother’s advice, stayed cautious, and survived in the forest with wisdom and care, carrying forward the teachings that ensured its life and safety.