If Revenge is Sweeter than Honey

Once upon a time, in a big forest there lived a happy hen, happy because she laid an unusually big egg that spring. She was busy preparing a nest for her baby. She was really excited and whistling familiar tunes, she would look for twigs and old pieces of clothes human beings had carelessly thrown in the jungle. She really loved the jungle and its cleanliness but at times felt sad for Mother Nature.

One day while she was on her way home from her normal work, she ran onto a fierce looking fox.

“Hey you little chicken,” said the fox. “I am starving here.”

“Please don’t kill me,” pleaded the hapless hen. “I have to take care of my egg.”

“Egg or no egg, I am going to have you now.”

“Even if you kill me, kill me once my child is big to be able to find food on his own.”

But the greedy fox landed a heavy blow on her innocent chest. The pain was too much for her to stomach and it only increased as her enemy continued hitting her with no stint of mercy. Thus, the hen ceased to live.

But now the egg was really angry when it came to know what the fox devoured his mother. He wanted to avenge his mother’s death.

“If a son does not avenge his mother’s death, then, who would?” the egg shouted, gritting his angry teeth.

So, the quest for the enemy began. The egg went rolling and rolling, up to the fox’s den.

“Where are you rolling Mr. Egg?” questioned a honeybee on the way.

“If the son does not avenge his mother’s death, then, who would?” said the egg. “I am going to kill the fox.”

“Can I join you on the mission,” asked the bee, offering his help.

“Two is better than one. You are welcome.”

The egg and the bee continued their mission. On the way, they met a nail and cow dung who wanted to join the mission. So, the egg, the honeybee, the nail and the cow dung continued their quest.

“Where are you headed my friends?” asked an iron hammer on the way.

“If the son does not avenge his mother’s death, then, who would?” said the egg. “We are all going to kill the fox.”

The big iron hammer was interested to join the mission, so, he was permitted.

“Five is always better than four. You are welcome,” they chorused.

They walked and walked and in the afternoon, the avengers reached the fox’s den. The empty house suggested the fox was out hunting. The conspirators entered the house and carefully hid themselves in appropriated places designated by the egg. They waited in patience, which human beings are unable to do.

Then there was a lightening followed a thunder. Immediately, there was a heavy downpour. Apparently, even the foxes don’t like to wet their coats. So, the fox came rushing home. He was terribly cold.

He entered his house and was about to sit by the hearthside as the nail pricked his bottom.

“Arrgggghh!” the fox wailed in pain.

But he wanted to start the fire. And as he bent down, the bee gave him a nice sting on his forehead, which sent him reeling. Still the fox was undeterred from starting the fire. And as he blew into the hot embers, the egg exploded and threw the hot embers in the air. This time, he stood up and jumped in the air quite contrary to a peacock trying to attract the peahen.

Still trying to readjust his sight from thick cinders, the fox went out. But as he crossed the doorstep, he slipped off the cow dung and banged his head on the floor. The fox was nearly unconscious when the heavy hammer, which was hidden above the door, fell on his dying body with a great force.

That was the end of the quest and of the evil.

Let good reign supreme.

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Ngawang Phuntsho

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