The Deer, the Hedgehog and the Wild Boar
Once upon a time, in the depths of an ancient forest where abundant springs whispered, three different friends lived. A deer proud of its magnificent horns, a tough wild boar with sharp teeth and a tiny hedgehog shared this shady land. While the deer boasted of its grace and its speed, the wild boar bragged at every chance about its never ending strength. The wise hedgehog, who lived quietly on his own, watched their arrogance in silence and waited for the right time to come. While the autumn winds scattered the leaves, a great argument flared up in the middle of the forest about who was superior. Holding his head up with pride, the deer claimed that he was the most magnificent being of this rich forest.
Foaming with rage, the wild boar put forward his destructive power that could tear out even the thickest tree roots. As the tension between the two kept rising, the lovable hedgehog stepped in and proposed a clever race. The hedgehog suggested declaring whoever first crossed the narrow path covered with dense bushes the most talented of the forest. The rivals accepted this offer with scornful looks and at once set off towards the finish line. The deer made his move with his splendid horns but got caught in tangled knots of branches and stayed helplessly motionless. The wild boar, trying to split the bushes with his enormous body, got entangled in hard and thorny vines.
Grandeur and brute force were of no use at all to the two huge creatures in this difficult maze. The little hedgehog, on the other hand, slipped through the narrow gaps under the bushes with his curled body and moved on easily. While the rivals struggled in despair, their tiny friend had long since reached the finish point. The hedgehog greeted the deer and the boar, who came out of the bushes in shame, and smiled with a sweet smile. The boastful giant creatures understood that brute force and outward appearance alone were not enough to overcome every obstacle. From that day on, the animals set their pride aside and always respected the wisdom of the humble hedgehog. Mind and caution are always superior to raw force and empty boasting. However tall the tree grows, it never reaches the sky.