Once, there was a rich man who lived in a city. He was very wealthy and led a luxurious life. He always bragged about his wealth to his friends and neighbors. He was very unkind to his servant. He treated him so badly that he fell ill.

“I’ll run away someday and never come back again,” the servant thought. He began making plans. One day, when his master left for work, he ran away. He reached a forest outside the city.

Wandering in the forest for some food and water, he found a cave. It was empty, so he decided to hide in it. “I am free now. Master can never find me here,” he thought gladly and went to sleep.

He was woken up by the howling of a tiger. He stood up and saw a pair of blazing eyes coming towards him. He got scared. He neither had the strength to scream nor to run away. The tiger came close to him limping and said, “A thorn is stuck in my paw. If you remove it, I’ll be grateful to you.” The servant gently took out the thorn and they became good friends.

A few days later, the master’s men came to that forest looking for the servant. They caught him and took him to the master. “Put him before a hungry tiger,” the master ordered.

On the day of punishment, people from all over the city came to see the fight. When the tiger was about to attack the servant, he recognized him. The servant realized that he was the same tiger whom he had saved once. Everyone was amazed to see their friendship. The master forgave the servant and let him go.

Moral: Kindness is always rewarded.