The story
A deer and a crow were old friends. One day a jackal came along and said, “Let me be your friend too.” The crow warned, “We do not know him yet.” But the deer liked the jackal’s sweet words.
The jackal led the deer to a farmer’s field full of crops. The deer ate happily every day — until he was caught in the farmer’s trap.
“Help me!” cried the deer. The jackal only waited nearby, hoping to eat the deer once the farmer came.
But the crow flew down with a plan. “Lie still, as if you are asleep,” he whispered. When the farmer loosened the trap, the crow cawed and the deer sprang up and ran away. Now he knew who his true friend was.
Moral of the Story
A true friend is proved in times of trouble, not by sweet words.
More stories on Friendship & TeamworkMore stories on HumilityStories for this age
कहानी — हिरण, कौआ और सियार
एक हिरण और एक कौआ पुराने दोस्त थे। एक दिन एक सियार आया और बोला, “मुझे भी अपना दोस्त बना लो।” कौए ने चेतावनी दी, “हम इसे अभी ठीक से नहीं जानते।” पर हिरण को सियार की मीठी बातें अच्छी लगीं।
सियार हिरण को एक किसान के खेत में ले गया, जो फ़सल से भरा था। हिरण रोज़ मज़े से वहाँ चरता रहा — जब तक कि वह किसान के फंदे में नहीं फँस गया।
“मुझे बचाओ!” हिरण चिल्लाया। पर सियार बस पास बैठकर इंतज़ार करता रहा। वह सोच रहा था कि किसान आएगा, तो उसे भी हिरण का मांस खाने को मिलेगा।
पर कौआ एक तरकीब लेकर नीचे उड़ आया। “ऐसे चुपचाप लेट जाओ, जैसे सो रहे हो,” उसने धीरे से कहा। जैसे ही किसान ने फंदा ढीला किया, कौआ काँव-काँव करने लगा, और हिरण उछलकर भाग निकला। अब उसे पता चल गया था कि उसका सच्चा दोस्त कौन है।
कहानी की सीख
सच्चे दोस्त की पहचान मुसीबत में होती है, मीठी बातों से नहीं।
What Children Can Learn
- True friendship
- Listening to trusted friends
- Seeing through flattery
Emotional & social lesson
Friends who help us when things go wrong are the ones to keep close.
Key vocabulary
- flattery
- too much praise, often to get something
- trap
- a device for catching animals
- true friend
- someone who helps you when you need it
Think & Answer
- Why did the crow not trust the jackal?
- What did the jackal do when the deer was trapped?
- How can you tell a true friend?
Parent–child activity
Make a “friendship badge” and write one thing a true friend does on it.
Parent / Teacher Discussion
Useful when children are dealing with a new friend who is unkind.
Try a Learning Activity
Read the story → answer the questions → practise on the Life Skills island and work towards a 🏅 Gold Medal.
FAQ
What is the moral of “The Deer, the Crow and the Jackal”?
A true friend is proved in times of trouble, not by sweet words.
What age is “The Deer, the Crow and the Jackal” suitable for?
It suits children of about 5–10 years, read aloud or read together.