The animals gathered together to choose their leader. The tigers and the monkeys were the two powerful species and won the majority of the time. This summer the tigers were chosen as the victors. The monkeys, having enjoyed the power for several seasons were reluctant to let go off it. They were determined to make life difficult for the tiger as much as possible.

The tiger addressed all the animals.

"Thank you for choosing me as your leader. I will listen to all the animals and do what is good for the jungle." said the tiger.

"Who are your advisors?" asked the monkey

"I am naming the lion, the leopard, the fox, the hyena and ... the elephant as my advisors." responded the tiger.

Over the years the monkeys gained exclusive right to the best vegetation in the jungle. The tiger promised to restore it to all the animals if it was elected to power.

“This jungle is for everyone. All the animals are free to forage and hunt food everywhere.” declared the tiger.

“Our lands are sacred. We cannot let other animals in there.” protested the monkeys. But they knew in their heart that no matter what they do they will have to obey the law.

“Does that mean you can hunt anywhere in the jungle?” the deer asked the tiger.

“Yes that is correct. But we will not exercise this right. We will stick to our territories only.” said the tiger.

The deer was apprehensive about this new law but decided to wait and see.

A few days later the mokey’s territories were flooded with a number of other animals and birds. The tigers as promised did not wander beyond their territory for food.

When the winter began to approach, the tigers realised they were short on food. So they passed a new law.

“My advisors have told me that a drought is coming. We have to preserve our water. So I am levying a tax on water for most of the ponds and lakes. This will prevent animals from wasting water.” said the tiger.

It happened so all the ponds and lakes that were free to use were close to the hunting grounds of the lion, leopard and tiger. The fox and hyena were also supportive of this law for obvious reasons. The monkey tried to reason with the other animals but some thought that the monkey was just criticizing for the sake of it. Others did not like the monkey in the first place and refused to hear anything it had to say.

Before the peak winter the tigers and its friends filled their bellies full of food thanks to their new law. Before the other animals could realise their folly the tiger revoked the tax and let the animals drink anywhere.

One day the fox came running to the animal council with important news.

“I saw a new species in our jungle. They look like monkeys but they hunt all animals and cut all our trees.” said the fox.

All the animals were concerned about this. The tigers decided to investigate. They set out to see the new species. Like the fox said they resembled the monkeys somewhat but seemed to be much cleverer. A couple of them were carving a dead deer. The tigers roared. The newcomers looked up and ran away in fear. The tigers finished the remaining deer and returned back to the council.

“There is nothing to fear about these newcomers. They are very small in number and are easily scared. Let them live of what they can. If there is trouble we will chase them away.” said the tiger.

The carnivores tracked the newcomers and whenever the newcomers made a kill, the carnivores chased them and enjoyed the meal. They enjoyed this more than hunting on their own. Meanwhile the newcomers began to chase the monkeys from their trees and began to settle and forage there. The monkeys observed this and decided to do something. They talked to the other animals but none would listen to them. In the end they went to the tigers.

“We may not be best friends but this newcomer is dangerous. We should get rid of them immediately.” said the monkeys.

The tiger and other carnivores just laughed. Monkeys were humiliated and left.

As time passed the newcomers became stronger. They created fire and began to attack the tigers and lions when they came to steal their food.The carnivores began to grow weary of this. Before they knew, the newcomers began to expand their territories and started killing the tigers and lions that trespassed into their territories.
The animal council gathered for an emergency meeting.

“The newcomers are taking over our jungle and destroying our livelihood. We will wage a war on the newcomers and drive them away.” said the tiger. The lion, leopard, fox and hyena agreed.

The other animals were quiet. The monkeys had secretly convinced everyone to not side with the tiger.

“Let the tigers and other carnivores die. Then, we can reclaim the jungle.” reasoned the monkey. Several other animals bought this idea.

As time passed the several tigers and lions lost their lives to the newcomers. The elephants were captured and tamed. Deers were killed for meat. Monkeys were spared to some extent but they lost all the best vegetation to the newcomers. Soon they were left without food and started to scavenge the waste produced by the newcomers.

Even today the animal council gathers but they mostly lament about their greediness and how they lost the great old jungle. They try to help each other as much as they can but the newcomer has grown so powerful that they will never see the best days of their lives.



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