The Leopard and the Shepherds
Once upon a time, at the edge of an old forest where cool waters flowed, there lived a strong panther that dazzled the eye with its beauty. This proud animal, with its bright spotted fur and its gliding steps, was the most striking dweller of the forest. In the wide pastures nearby there were shepherds who grazed their sheep and whose characters were quite different from one another. The wild life in the depths of the forest and the world of people met only rarely in a calm and peaceful balance. One day the unlucky panther, while chasing its prey, fell into a deep pit dug beforehand by hunters. However hard the helpless animal struggled, it could not get out of this steep and deep pit. The next morning cruel shepherds passing by the pit at once noticed the trapped panther.
Instead of saving it, they began to beat it with the sticks in their hands and to throw heavy stones on it. Sadly, these coarse men watched the poor animal's roars full of pain with great glee. Towards evening other merciful shepherds passing by tried at once to stop this heartlessness. "Do not torment this innocent creature; it too is a creature of God," they said sharply. The merciful shepherds left a piece of meat and some water in the pit so that the unlucky animal might gather a little strength. The evil-hearted shepherds, thinking the panther would die by morning, laughed and took the road to their village. The clever panther, having rested all night and gathered strength from the food given to it, made one last effort in its rage.
Driving its sharp claws into the earth, it climbed out of the pit and at last won back its freedom. When dawn came, it moved silently towards the folds of the cruel shepherds who had done it harm. Wishing to teach them a great lesson, it scattered their flocks and drove the cruel men away in fear. But it never touched the homes and flocks of the kind-hearted shepherds who had given it food and saved its life. So the just balance of nature clearly showed the difference between good and evil. Sincere mercy shown to people and to living creatures is the strongest shield that protects a person in hard times. He who does good finds good.