The Fisherman

One sunny afternoon, a little lamb skipped along the dusty path near her village, her creamy-white wool bouncing like the softest, most colorful fluff anyone has ever seen, way fluffier and prettier than any doll anyone has ever dreamed of! She was a very adorable lamb, full of giggles, and loved by everybody in the village. She loved to explore her village and the nearby forest with her friends. They were so many friends that the lamb never got afraid, even when they were in the forest.

As she walked, she remembered how one day they were caught up by darkness after failing to notice the sun was about to set. It’s a very dark forest at the center, where it’s hard to tell when nightfall comes. No one had a watch that day. By the time they noticed it was getting dark, they were far down the mountain near the center of the valley, where the dark blue mountain they’d seen far on the other side, hours before, started to tower before them. They were a few steps from crossing to the other side and it was pitch dark.

They hurried back, but it was too late. It was already dusk.

While rushing back, they could hear the voices of hyenas cackling. They could hear their laughter too, but the little lamb had been told that when hyenas laugh, it means they’ve caught a meal and are inviting their friends to celebrate. A sheep is one of their favorite foods. But with so many friends around, the little lamb didn’t get scared.

This particular sunny afternoon, she skipped along the dusty path near her village alone, her creamy-white wool bouncing like the softest, most colorful fluff ever. Suddenly, a cunning wolf stepped out from behind a huge tree, his big, with a shiny smile gleaming like a new coin. His gray fur showed, but he stood tall like a man, wearing a colorful hat and holding a basket full of candy-red, yellow, and green treats that sparkled in the sun.

“Hello, little one!” he said, his voice smooth and sweet.

“I’m a traveler, and I have extra candy. Want some? It’s free!”

The lamb’s big, innocent eyes widened. Free candy sounded like fun! She stepped closer, reaching out with her tiny hoof, but a weird shiver ran down her back. The wolf’s smile stretched too wide, and his eyes gleamed like those of a sneaky cat.

Just then, bushes rustled, and out bounded her big brother, a clever young goat with alert eyes. “Stop!” he whispered, pulling her back. The wolf’s smile twitched, and for a moment, his face changed. His teeth grew sharp, his claws stretched out, and his hat flapped like bat wings. The lamb gasped as he growled, “You can’t get away from this!” Then, with a puff of smoke, he vanished, leaving the candy basket behind. The goat hugged her tight with his sturdy legs. “That wasn’t just a wolf,” he said, sounding scared.

Then, the lamb realized she had been cornered by the wolf, like a fisherman uses a tricky bait to catch fish.