As he approached a small, glistening lake, his sharp eyes spotted a Mouse Deer drinking peacefully by the water's edge. The tiger's mouth watered at the sight.
"Ah, finally! A meal just for me," he murmured, a sly grin spreading across his face.
Lowering his body to the ground, the tiger moved stealthily, his powerful muscles tensed. Step by step, he crept forward, ducking, crawling, and holding his breath, making sure not to make a sound. Then, with a swift leap—
"Gotcha!" the tiger roared triumphantly, his claws gripping the tiny creature as his sharp teeth sank into the Mouse Deer’s leg.
Mouse Deer let out a startled squeak. Terror gripped him, but he knew panicking wouldn’t help. His small body trembled, yet his mind raced. He had to escape! He frantically looked around for anything that could give him an advantage.
Then—an idea struck him!
Mouse Deer took a deep breath and spoke in a calm yet serious tone, "Hey Tiger, I know you're hungry and want to eat me. But if you do, the king will be furious!"
Tiger frowned, his ears twitching in confusion. "Why would the king care? He knows I eat meat. I eat animals like you!" he growled.
Mouse Deer nodded, pretending to agree. "Yes, of course! But you see, I am not just any animal—I have a special duty. I am the guardian of the king's most prized possession: his royal cake."
Tiger blinked. "Royal cake?"
Mouse Deer pointed toward a large, black lump near the lake. It certainly didn’t look appetizing—it was dark, rough, and oddly shaped. Tiger wrinkled his nose in doubt.
Seeing Tiger's hesitation, Mouse Deer quickly added, "I know it doesn't look like much, but don't be fooled! This is no ordinary cake. It's the king's favorite, meant only for him and his family. It’s so delicious that after eating just one piece, you won’t feel hungry for an entire month!"
Tiger’s mouth began to water at the thought. His hunger made him desperate. "That sounds amazing! Can I have a taste?" he asked eagerly.
Mouse Deer gasped dramatically, shaking his head. "Oh no, no, no! I could never allow that. The king would punish me severely! The last time I even so much as tasted it, he was furious. If anything happens to that cake again, I won’t just be scolded—I’ll be executed!"
Tiger licked his lips, his stomach growling louder. "Well… it’s your choice, Mouse Deer. Either I eat you, or I eat the cake. Decide quickly!"
Mouse Deer sighed, pretending to be reluctant. Then he shrugged. "Fine, fine. You win, Tiger. You can have the cake. But at least give me a head start to run away before the king finds out! That way, I won’t get into trouble."
Tiger, too impatient to argue, nodded. "Alright, alright… Now, go!"
Mouse Deer dashed away as fast as his little legs could carry him. But he didn’t go too far—he hid behind the bushes, peeking out to watch Tiger eagerly take a bite of the so-called "royal cake."
The moment Tiger chewed, his face twisted in disgust. He spat it out immediately.
"Phooey! This isn’t cake—it’s… it’s buffalo dung! Ugh!!" Tiger roared in rage, his fur bristling. He turned to search for Mouse Deer, his eyes burning with fury. "You tricked me! You little rascal! When I find you, you're finished!"
But Mouse Deer was already far, far away, laughing gleefully. "Better luck next time, Tiger!" he called out before disappearing into the jungle.
Tiger growled in frustration, his stomach still empty. He swore that the next time he met Mouse Deer, things would be different.
But Mouse Deer, clever as always, would be ready.
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