Tiger ruled the jungle. He had sharp fangs, long claws, and smooth golden fur. When he roared, everyone trembled with fear.
"Get out of my way!" Tiger roared.
Birds, monkeys, and other small animals scattered. But Water Buffalo was bigger than Tiger.
"Don't tell me what to do." Water Buffalo walked right by and dipped into the lake.
"Hmph!" Tiger slashed a tree. "How can I make him listen to me?"
A week later Tiger was roaming through the jungle. In one area all the trees were gone.
Suddenly Tiger saw a new animal. It walked on two legs and cut down weeds.
"Pull the plow!" it commanded another animal.
Tiger gasped. "That's Water Buffalo! Why is he listening to that weak-looking animal?"
The strange animal walked away.
Tiger hurried over to Water Buffalo. "What's going on? Who is that?"
"That's a human," Water Buffalo said. "He's farming the land."
Tiger blinked. "Why do you listen to him? He's smaller than you. Plus he doesn't have claws or fangs."
"That's true. But he has something more powerful," Water Buffalo said. "He has wisdom."
Tiger rubbed his chin. "I need wisdom. Then everyone would listen to me."
Tiger hurried after the human. "Hey!"
The human spun around and trembled with fear.
Tiger snarled. "Give me some wisdom!"
The human gulped. "Okay. But I, um . . ." A sly grin slowly formed on his face. "I left it at home."
Tiger snarled again. "Go and get it."
"Yes, sir!" The human started to walk away but then stopped. He bit his lip. "You might eat my water buffalo while I'm away. Perhaps I can tie you to that tree?"
Tiger sighed. "Fine. Just get me that wisdom."
"Of course." The human grabbed a rope. He wrapped it around Tiger and the tree.
"I'll be right back." The human walked away, whistling.
The blazing sun heated up the rope.
After an hour Tiger groaned. "That man tricked me." He tried to break free, but the rope was strong.
For hours he struggled. The hot rope tightly rubbed against Tiger's fur, growing hotter. Smoke rose, and the smell of burning fur filled Tiger's nose.
"Roar!" Finally Tiger broke free and darted to the lake. Then he saw his reflection. His fur was burnt!
"I have stripes!" Tiger frowned. "But I did get some wisdom after all. Now I know not to trust humans!"