It was a big jungle, where the hawk family lived. The hawk family consisted of Mr. Hawk, Mrs. Hawk and their three little babies. Deep inside the jungle, three lived Mr. Leo - the lion. He was mighty big and looked very ferocious. Near the tree, where the hawks lived, there was a big lake. Just near the lake, there also, lived Mr. Kingfisher. And deep down in the lake, lived Tork - the turtle.One day, While Mrs. Hawk was feeding some soft worms to her babies, she said to her husband, "Dear, we must find some friends. it is so lonely here, all along in the tree." Mr. Hawk, who was busy reading the newspaper, raised his head slowly, put down his spectacles and said, "With whom shall I make friends?" "Why, there is the kingfisher, who lives across the lake. Then there is the lion, who lives in the deep forest, and there is the turtle, who lives down in the lake, "replied Mrs. Hawk. So, the next day, Mr. Hawk put on his hat and flew to the den of Leo, the lion. Leo welcomed his guest and very soon, they became friends. Next, Mr. Hawk met Mr. Kingfisher and Tork - the turtle, and a bond of a friendship was formed between them. And Mrs. Hawk was very happy. All the friends would meet and dine together.
Tork, who was an excellent musician, played the fiddle, while Leo sang song. Mr. Hawk and Mr. Kingfisher would dance to the tune of the fiddle, while Mrs. Hawk and her three little babies looked on. One day, three hunters came to the forest. They searched the whole day for a game, but could find none. When it was evening, the three planned to return back home. But while trying to find their way. Finally, they decided to spend the night next to the lake. Now, it happened that the three hunters decided to rest under the very tree in which the hawks had their nest. "Let us stay here to night," they said, "and see what we can fine in the morning." So they made beds of leaves for themselves and lay down to sleep. But, it was interment and the hunters kept shivering in the cold. At last, the hunters got UP, gathered dry leaves and twigs and made a fire beneath the tree. Soon thick smoke rose up to the sky and awoke the hawk family. The babies began to choke with the smoke and started twittering aloud. Mr. and Mrs. Hawk tried to silence their babies knowing that if the hunters came to know of their presence, they might do harm; but it was vain. " Did you hear that?" said one of the hunters. ''That was the cry of birds! There are young ones in that nest. they will fetch a good price in the market." And so, the hunters put more wood on the fire, and the fire blazed up.
The fire became bigger and bigger, until it almost touched the hawk's nest! The little hawks began to cry louder out of fear. Seeing the danger, Mrs. Hawk said to her husband, "We must ask our friends to save us. Go to Mr. Kingfisher and tell him what danger ' we are in." Mr. Hawk immediately flew with all speed to Mr. Kingfisher's nest and told him about the trouble. "Fear not, friend," said Mr. Kingfisher, "I will help you." Not wasting another moment, the two friends flew back towards the hawk's nest. While Mr Hawk flew down to the nest to comfort his children, Mr. Kingfisher flew to the lake. Now during the time that Mr. Hawk was away, one of hunters had climbed up the tree. Just as the hunter neared the nest, Mr. Kingfisher dived into the lake and flapped his wings. As a result, the water from the lake splattered and doused the fire. Down came the hunter from the tree and the three men made another fire. This time, the fire was even bigger .But , once more, Mr.Kingfisher put it out, splashing water from the lake. Not to be outdone, the hunters made yet another fire. Mrs. Hawk noticed this and said to her husband, "Mr. Kingfisher would be I tired soon, if these wicked men keep lighting the fire again and I again. Go and ask Tork to help." So Mr. Hawk asked Mr. Kingfisher to rest, while he called on Tork, from the bank. Tork, the turtle came to the bank, with this nightcap carelessly thrown around his ears. her rubbed his eyes lazily, took a deep yawn and said, "What is the matter, dear Mr. Hawk, that you come to me at this hour of the night?" Mr. Hawk briefed Tork about the danger he was in. When Tork heard this, he pulled up his nightcap with extra energy and then dived into the water.Soon, Tork came up with a lump of damp clay and went towards the fire.
When the hunters were busy looking up at the nest of the Hawk, Tork put out the fire with the clay. The hunter saw that I the fire was out and they were very surprised. But they lit up the fire immediately.this time when Tork was putting the clay, the hunter saw him. They cried: "Why should we bother to get the young hawk? Let us kill this turtle. He will make a fine breakfast for all of us." Hearing this, Tork dived into the water. But the greedy men took of their shirts and prepared to jump into the water to catch Tork. Seeing that Tork was in great trouble, Mr. Hawk flew to Leo and told him the whole story.Leo, the lion said: "I will come at once." And the two friends started for the hawk's nest. When they come near the lake, Leo saw that the men were trying to catch Tork. Immediately, Leo let out a loud roar. When the hunters heard the roar, they cried in fear, "Now we shall all be killed." And away they ran, as fast as they could. Then Mr. Kingfisher and Tork came up, and the hawks said: "You have saved us today." And Leo, Tork and Mr. Kingfisher smiled and said, "What are friend for?"
- END -
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