Korean Tale
The Ungrateful Tiger
A lovely tale about gratitude which surely everyone can take to heart. A fairy tale from the animal kingdom about being grateful, justice and an extraordinary wit that helps save a defenceless human being.
Once upon a time, there was a little fuzzy lamb who liked to wander around and explore the world. One day, he wandered all of the way into a deep forest filled with tasty grass. He felt very happy there, and so he didn’t even notice that he’d strayed from the path.
When he realized that he was lost and couldn’t find his way back to the meadow, he got scared and began running wildly back and forth. His frightened bleating was so loud that a hungry wolf heard it. “Iayaiyai!” he cried in fear. “Grumble, grumble,” said the wolf’s tummy.
He went to the little lamb and when he saw him, he decided instantly to eat him for dinner. He licked his big wolf lips. But the lamb started pleading with the wolf: “Wolfie, please, don’t eat me now that I’m so small. What kind of dinner would I even be? Just a few bites. You won’t even know that there’s anything in your belly at all. Wait until I grow up, I will make a much better dinner for you then.”
“Well, I suppose you’re right,” said the wolf. “I will wait until you grow up and become plump and big and juicy, and I will eat you then,” said the wolf and he let the lamb go with his stomach grumbling.
Time went by, and the little lamb grew into a big, strong ram that wasn’t scared of anything. One day, he again met the wolf who’d spared his life.
“Well, ram, have you forgotten about your promise?” asked the wolf with a grrr.
“I haven’t forgotten at all,” said the ram, “but now I’m too muscly and firm. It would only hurt your teeth and it wouldn’t be a good meal for you…