This story happened long ago. A little tiger cub lived in the forest with his mother. He was capricious, disobedient and hurt everyone around him.
Oh, the bear cub, the rabbit and the fox cub didn't like to play with him. They didn't like that the tiger cub would take their toys and constantly argue, even when he was wrong. And most importantly ― he was terribly capricious.
As soon as his mother called him home during playtime or wouldn't let him take something he liked, the tiger cub would start stomping, shouting, waving his paws so much that poor mother would agree to everything. Besides, she got hurt by her son's strong paws.
The tigress didn't know how to deal with her child's tantrums anymore. She loved her little one very much, and she wanted him to grow up to be a good friend and a true tiger-protector.
One warm summer evening, the tiger cub and his mother sat down to dinner. The rascal started misbehaving again, pushing the plate so hard it almost fell to the floor. Mother, sighing sadly, pushed it back towards the little one.
Darling, eat at least a spoonful, I tried hard for you, ― she said gently, ― try what mum made. Don't be stubborn, be a good boy.
But the tiger cub, pushing the plate away again, shook his head and waved his paws.
I don't want to! I won't! ― he shouted. ― It's not tasty! I don't want to! I won't!
But you haven't even tried it. How can you say it's not tasty? ― mother didn't give up.
With difficulty she managed to feed her son. And the little one, licking his lips contentedly, lay down in his cot and yawned sweetly.
I don't want to sleep, I won't… ― he mumbled.
Sleep, my dear, it's time to rest, ― said the tigress.
She tucked her son in with a blanket, kissed him and, looking out the window at the starry sky, prepared to leave the room.
I wish I was completely alone. I'd play as much as I wanted and wouldn't sleep when I don't feel like it. How good it would be to be alone, ― mumbled the tiger cub as he fell asleep.
My silly one, you don't yet know what it's like to be alone, ― answered mother and closed his bedroom door.
Morning came. Barely having breakfast, the tiger cub went out for a walk in the forest clearing. Mother wouldn't let him go far from home, but he really wanted to get to the stream and listen to the birds singing.
The little one, of course, ran to the stream. His heart trembled with joy. He lay down on the fragrant clearing and listened to the music of the forest and water. Suddenly he heard an amazing song ― new, extraordinary, one he had never heard before. The tiger cub looked around but saw no one.
Who's here? Who sings so beautifully? Show yourself, sing for me again! ― cried the little animal.
Hello! I'm a nightingale, ― came a voice from above. ― I do love to sing. But you should hurry home and apologise to your mother and friends for hurting them. I know everything in the forest. I saw how you waved your paws at your mother when you were being capricious. How you took toys from your friends. It's not right to behave that way. You'll lose your friends. And you only have one mother. It's very sad and hard to live alone.
The tiger cub raised his head and saw a plain greyish-brown little bird before him.
Who are you to teach me?! ― laughed the tiger cub. ― I have bright and beautiful fur. There's nothing like it in our forest! And you have feathers that are nothing special. My roar frightens everyone, and no one dares to hurt me! And you're small, and anyone can hurt you. There's nothing beautiful about your song that's frightening. We have nothing to talk about, nightingale. Goodbye!
The nightingale shook his head.
Goodbye, tiger cub! But remember: pride leads to no good. Take care of yourself, ― said the bird and disappeared into the leaves.
Just as the tiger cub was about to head home, he saw hunters. He turned around and ran as fast as he could. And the hunters are chasing, about to catch him… The little one cried and shouted with all his might.
Little nightingale, forgive me! Help me get home to mother, help me escape!
At that very moment the little nightingale flew over and sang his beautiful song. The hunters remembered their homeland, listened to the familiar trills and decided not to bother the tiger cub.
The nightingale sat beside the little one and looked him over carefully ― to see if he was hurt. The rascal sat with his head bowed in shame.
Forgive me, little nightingale, for hurting you. Your song holds far greater power than my roar. If it weren't for you ― I'd never see my mother again, I'd be sitting in a cage now. Thank you for coming when I called. I promise I won't behave the way I did before.
The nightingale looked at the tiger cub and sighed.
What's done is done. And I couldn't have acted otherwise: it's not right to hurt those who are smaller and weaker. It's not right to take a son from his mother. Don't be afraid of anything, tiger cub. Go home, and I'll fly beside you so no one can hurt you. And if you want to find me and hear my song ― come to the stream. I'll be happy to see you.
And so the tiger cub and the nightingale became friends. The tiger cub often ran to the stream to listen to his friend's song and tell the news. And there was plenty to tell: the rascal had reformed, apologised to his friends and never hurt anyone again. Now everyone loved to play with him.
The mischievous one also apologised to his mother. He began to help her and stopped being capricious. Mother is alone, and he loves her very much. And mother loves him, and you can't hurt her.
So the beautiful song of the plain nightingale saved the tiger cub from the hunters and helped him become better. He grew up to be a kind and brave tiger ― a true friend and protector of the weak.
Whether or not to believe this story is up to you, dear readers. But often among us too we meet those who are like the tiger cub and the nightingale.
