Story The Fawn That Played Dead ( 16 )

 

The Fawn That Played Dead

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Long, long ago, there lived a herd of forest deer. Living in this herd was a particular deer that was wise and respected. As he was skilled in the ways of survival, he was tasked with the responsibility of teaching the tricks and strategies of survival to the young fawns.

One day, his younger sister brought her son to him and said: “Oh brother, this is my son. Could you please teach him the tricks and strategies of survival?” “Very well, you can come at this time tomorrow for your first lesson,” said the teacher to the fawn. The young deer attended classes as he was supposed to. While others skipped classes and played all day long, he was attentive in class. He was well-liked by the other young bucks and does, but he played with them only when his homework was completed. Eager to learn, he was always punctual for lessons. He was also patient with the other students, knowing that some learned faster than others. He respected his teacher for his knowledge, and was grateful to him for his willingness to share. One day, the fawn stepped into a trap in the forest and was captured. He cried out in great pain. This frightened the other fawns. They ran back to the herd and told his mother. She was terrified, and ran to her brother, the teacher. Trembling with fear, she sobbed to him:

“Oh my dear brother, have you heard the news? My little one has been caught by a hunter’s snare? How can I save my son’s life? Is he hardworking in class?” “My sister, don’t be afraid. I have no doubt he will be safe. He is hardworking and always performs his very best. He has never missed a lesson and is always attentive. Therefore, there is no need to worry or be fearful. He will not be hurt by any human being. I am confident he will return safely to you. He has learned all the tricks and strategies to deceive the hunters. So be patient. He will return!” Meanwhile, the trapped fawn was rapidly thinking of a way to save himself. “All my friends have ran away in fright. There is no one to help me. I must now use the tricks and strategies I have learned from my wise teacher.” The strategy he decided to use was the one called “playing dead.” First, he used his hooves to dig up dirt and grass, to make it seem he had tried very hard to escape.

Then he relieved his bowels and released his urine, because when a deer was caught in a trap and died in great fear, this usually occurred. Next, he covered his body with his own saliva. Lying stretched out on his side, he held his body rigidly and stiffened his legs out straight. He turned up his eyes, and let his tongue hang out from the side of his mouth. He filled his lungs with air and puffed out his belly. Finally, with his head leaning on one side, he breathed through the nostril next to the ground, not through the upper one. Lying motionless, he looked so much like a stiff corpse that flies flew around him, attracted by the awful smells. Crows stood nearby waiting to eat his flesh. Soon the sun was up and the hunter came to inspect his traps. Finding the fawn that was playing dead, he slapped the puffed up belly and found it stiff. Seeing the flies and the mess he thought: “Ah, it has already started to stiffen. This little deer must have been caught by the trap much earlier this morning. Already, the tender meat is starting to rot. I will skin and butcher the carcass right here, and carry the meat home.”

Completely believing the deer to be dead, the hunter removed it, cleaned the trap, and began spreading leaves to prepare for the butchering. Realising he was free, the fawn suddenly sprang to his feet. He ran like the wind back to the comfort and safety of his mother. The whole herd celebrated his survival. All thanks to the lessons he learned from the wise teacher.

The moral is ✏ Well-learned lessons bring great rewards

Posted by irawan

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