The Eagle, the Cat and the Wild Boar
Once upon a time, in an ancient oak tree at the edge of a green forest where cool waters flowed, three different families lived. A magnificent eagle had built a nest on the highest branch of the tree and was raising her sweet young with tenderness. In the deep hollow of the trunk lived a cunning cat, and among the roots at the bottom a lovely wild sow was lodging. At first these neighbours got on with one another in harmony and shared their peaceful days with joy. But the jealous and selfish cat wanted to own the whole space of this beautiful tree by herself. Plotting a treacherous plan, she first climbed with silent steps to the top of the tree, beside the innocent eagle.
"Do you not see that the sow below is digging up the soil? She will bring the tree down and hunt your young!" she said, and frightened the eagle. The terrified mother eagle did not dare to leave her nest and began to keep watch constantly. A short while later the cat went down to the foot of the tree and managed to approach the anxious wild sow. "The eagle above is waiting for you to go out so that she can snatch your young; do not leave your den!" she said. These words of mischief from the ill-natured cat cast a deep fear into the poor sow's heart. Both neighbours, believing that disaster was drawing near, shut themselves up in their homes in fear.
As the days passed the eagle grew weak because she could not hunt, and the sow could not even step outside for fear. Both mothers went on waiting in their homes in helplessness in order to protect their young. The poor animals, unable to bear the fear and hunger any longer, soon lost their strength and died. The sly cat, without spending any effort at all, watched with pleasure as her wicked plan reached its aim. So the cunning cat went on living, using all the remaining resources of the tree by herself. Believing the lies of slanderers and troublemakers without question leads to great disasters that cannot be undone. One does not go down a well on a liar's rope.