The Crows and the Black Serpent

On a massive banyan tree, a pair of crows lived happily. However, in a hollow at the base of the same tree, lived a large and cruel black serpent. Every time the female crow laid eggs, the serpent would slither up the tree and eat them. The crow couple was devastated by the loss of their offspring. They were furious with the snake, but they knew they weren't strong enough to fight it physically.

One day, the male crow went to his friend, a clever jackal, to seek advice. The crow said, 'Friend, that serpent doesn't let our children live. How can we defeat such a powerful enemy?' The jackal thought for a moment and shared a plan. He said, 'Intelligence is mightier than physical strength. Tomorrow morning, go to the palace gardens where the queen and her maids come to bathe. The queen will leave her precious gold necklace on the bank. Pick one up and drop it into the serpent's hollow.'

The next morning, the crow did exactly as instructed. While the queen was bathing, the crow swooped down, picked up her gold necklace, and flew away. The palace guards shouted and chased the crow. The crow dropped the necklace right into the serpent's hole and perched on a nearby branch. When the guards arrived, they saw the necklace inside the hollow. As they tried to retrieve it with a spear, the angry black serpent came out. Seeing the dangerous snake, the guards killed it to protect themselves. They took the necklace and returned to the palace. Thus, using their wits, the crows got rid of their mighty enemy and lived happily ever after.