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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books 100 Moral Stories THE THREE COWS There was a green and fresh pasture, in which three cows lived, a white cow, a black cow and a reddish-brown one. The cows were kind to each other. They were nice to each other. They used to graze in the meadow together. and they used to sleep near each other. Till it happened one day, the reddish-brown colored lion of the forest happened to pass that way. The lion was unhappy. It was hungry, and was looking for a prey.

On catching sight of the cows it became glad, but couldn't attack them, because they were together. So, the lion sat in a corner and waited till the cows would separate from each other. The cows were together and wouldn’t part away from each other, because they knew that if they were together, no predator could attack them. The lion lay in ambush nearby for two or three days. But the cows continued to remain together, and wouldn’t separate from each other. The lion became unhappy.

A plan occurred to it. It went towards the cows, greeted them and said: “How are you my friends?” Are you fine? I have been remembering you for a long time, but because I am too busy, I can’t come to you and ask about your health.

Today I said to myself: “Anyhow I should come and see you from near and visit you.” The reddish-brown cow said: “Sir, your coming has really pleased us and brightened our pasture.” The lion said: “I have always remembered you, and have even ordered a better pasture made ready for you.” Reddish-brown cow said: “Sir, you have really obliged us and we are very thankful to you.” Both the white and the black cows were troubled by what their friend, the reddish-brown cow said, and were grieved at its thoughtlessness.

They feared lest it should be deceived. They said to each other: Which forest has not got a better pasture? Why does the reddish-brown cow believe what the lion says? Doesn’t it know that lions seek other animals only to prey on them? The reddish-brown cow became more and more a close friend of the lion each day. The black cow and the white cow advised it as much as they could, but with no avail.

One day the lion said to the reddish-brown cow: “You know that the color of our bodies is dark and that the color of the body of the white cow is light, and you also know that the light color is the opposite of the dark color.