The Crows and the Cobra

A crow and his mate built their nest high in a tree. Below the same tree lived a cobra in a hollow. Whenever the crows laid eggs, the cobra climbed up and ate them.

The mother crow wept, and the father crow wanted to fight, but the cobra was too strong. They went to a wise jackal and asked for help.

The jackal said, "Do not fight strength with weakness. Use the strength of one power against another. Fly to the palace, take something precious, and drop it near the cobra's hole."

The crows flew to the palace garden, where the queen had removed her necklace while bathing. One crow picked it up and flew slowly so the guards could follow. Then he dropped it into the cobra's hollow.

The guards reached the tree, saw the necklace inside the hole, and dug it out. When the cobra emerged, they killed it. The crows were safe and raised their young in peace.