A WOUND

Hundreds of years ago, a woodcutter lived in a village near the forest with his family. He was a good man. His name was Abdullah. Woodcutting and selling it in the market was his source of income. Abdullah daily got up early in the morning. After taking breakfast, he left his home for the forest for woodcutting. One day, he was sitting under a shady and taking some rest. Meanwhile, a thirsty and hungry lion cub came here. He saw at some distance that his mother was lying dead near a cave. He took pity on him and provided him with some food and water. After eating the food and drinking the water, the lion cub started licking his hands and feet with love. The next day, as per the routine, the wood was sitting and taking his lunch under a shady tree. The lion cub appeared from the cave and started loving him. He again offered him some food and water. On the third day, the woodcutter brought with him some fresh milk and meat. After eating the meat and drinking milk, the lion cub was very happy. The woodcutter daily provided him with some food. One day, a big piece of the back leg of a cow was found, which was killed by someone lion or other meat eater animals. Abdullah cut it into ten small pieces with his axe. Every day he gave one piece to the lion baby. The lion cub was growing up gradually. At seven months old, he started doing some hunting activities, but he was not yet able to hunt. On the other hand, his food need was increasing day by day. Abdullah was worried that how he would arrange so much food for him.

There was a lake near the cave of the lion cub. One day, the woodcutter saw that the lion cub was trying to hut the birds from the edge of the lake, but he failed to do so. However, he succeeded to find out a dead duck. It was enough for him. He caught it in his jaw and took it into the cave. After some time, he came out of the cave and started licking his mouth with his tongue. His belly seemed full.

Near the lake, there was also a small pond. The water in the pond was less and very clear. A lot of fish were in this pond. The age of the lion cube was more than two years. He started hunting fish from the pond. Abdullah was pleased about the young lion's this success. Now his growth had also enhanced than before.

At last, the lion cub had become a full young lion, and his age was more than three years. He acted upon orders of the woodcutter. The lion remained near him in the forest throughout the whole day. One day at about 1200 hours, suddenly, some forest dogs attacked the woodcutter. He called the lion for help. He rushed to him.  The woodcutter used his improvised arms for protection. On the other side, the young lion attacked with full power at the dogs. They could not face his attack and ran away into the forest. They both were happy over the victory.  

The friendship between them had become very strong. In the time of evening, when the woodcutter came back to his village, the young lion also came along with him to his see-off. On reaching near the village, the woodcutter scrolled his hand with love on the head of the young lion and asked him to go back. He obeyed his order and returned to the forest. 

One day, early morning, he did not come to welcome his friend Abdullah. He searched him here and there but could not find him. He was worried about his friend. Before returning home, he climbed into a big tree and started calling to him. But he again also failed to find out about him. At last, he came down from the tree and started preparing to return home with an unhappy feeling. When he took the first step toward the village, he heard a lion roar from a long way. He braked his next step and started waiting. After a few minutes, he was in front of Abdullah with a female lion. The lion saw the female lion and started to love his friend Abdullah.

One day, the woodcutter invited the lion to dinner. Both friends reached home. The woodcutter asked his wife to help him in the preparation of dinner. She refused to help him and started shouting at him that “you are an idle man because you have a friendship with animals”. The lion heard all patiently and did not show embarrassment. He dined in a happy mood. After dinner, he thanked his friend and came back into the forest. 

The next day, when Abdullah reached into the forest, the lion asked him to hit his head with an axe. But he refused. The lion insisted on doing so and threatened him that if he did not hit him, he would finish his friendship with him. At last, the woodcutter hit his head with an axe. On hitting, bleeding started from the head of the lion. The lion ran away into the forest.

After a few days, the lion asked his friend to check my head wound. He checked and told him that his head injury has healed. The lion said that the wound had been given by your wife at my heart not yet healed. And you cannot see it and cannot also imagine the pain of this wound.

This story gives us the following morals.

• Control your tongue. It is a very sharp sword. Its unnecessary use is an irreparable loss for yourself and others. So use it very carefully.

• Do not mistreat the animals, do love them.

• Give respect to the friends of your life partner if you love your life partner.

• Guests are a blessing of Allah, do not consider them a burden.

• Your attitude toward others shows your character. 

• All types of pain can go off with medicine and with time, but the pain of insult has no medicine. So do not insult others.