Once upon a time, in a peaceful village, there lived an old man who had a deep bond with his cow, Kanmani. The old man had no family, and Kanmani was his only companion. He cared for her with great love and affection, treating her as if she were his own child. Every day, the old man would take Kanmani to a nearby forest to graze on fresh grass. However, as the years passed, the old man grew weak, and walking to the forest became difficult for him. Kanmani, being a wise and independent cow, would go to the forest on her own and return home safely every evening.

During one of her trips to the forest, Kanmani met another cow named Radha. They quickly became friends, and from then on, the two cows would graze together and return home at the end of each day. Kanmani and Radha enjoyed each other's company, wandering the forest peacefully.

But danger lurked in that very forest. A cunning tiger lived there, and he had been watching Kanmani closely, planning to hunt her. He was patient, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. However, Kanmani's routine of going to and from the forest with Radha made it difficult for the tiger to catch her off guard.

One day, a drama troupe came to the village. They had set up a large tent near the village square, and they carried with them many costumes, including costumes of animals for their performances. The tiger, prowling near the village outskirts, stumbled upon the troupe's tent and, to his delight, found a cow costume inside. A wicked plan formed in his mind. "If I disguise myself as a cow, I can trick Kanmani into following me deep into the forest," the tiger thought.

Early the next morning, the tiger dressed inthe cow costume and made his way to Kanmani's home. He called out to her in a trembling, pitiful voice, hoping to gain her trust.

"Who are you, and why have you come here?" Kanmani asked, confused by the unfamiliar cow standing at her doorstep.

"I'm from a nearby village," the tiger lied, trying to sound as weak and helpless as possible. "While passing through the forest, I heard a cry for help. I found a cow stuck in the wet mud, unable to free herself. She told me her name was Radha, and she begged me to find her friend Kanmani to help her. I couldn't pull her out, but I promised to come to you for help."

Kanmani's heart raced. Radha was her dear friend, and if she was in danger, there was no time to waste. Without hesitation, she followed the disguised tiger, who led her deep into the forest. As they traveled, Kanmani felt an odd sense of unease. Something didn't feel right. The path seemed different, and the cow in front of her didn't walk like Radha.

They reached the muddy area where Radha was supposedly trapped, but Radha was nowhere to be seen. Puzzled, Kanmani looked around in confusion. "Where is Radha?" she wondered.

At that moment, the tiger saw his opportunity. He quickly removed the cow costume, revealing his true form. Roaring fiercely, he lunged at Kanmani, intending to pounce on her and make her his meal.

But Kanmani, though startled, was not helpless. With a surge of adrenaline and quick reflexes, she defended herself, using her sharp horns to fight off the tiger. She pushed him back and, in the struggle, managed to knock him into the very mud he had intended to use as a trap for her. The tiger, now stuck in the mud, struggled tofree himself, just as he had pretended Radha had been.

Kanmani, however, was not only brave but also kind-hearted. Instead of leaving the tiger to his fate, she used her strength to pull him out of the mud. Once he was free, she looked him in the eye and spoke with calm wisdom. "It is wrong to deceive others and harm those who have done nothing to you. If you continue down this path of trickery and cruelty, you will only bring suffering upon yourself."

Humbled and ashamed, the tiger slunk away, defeated not just by Kanmani's strength but by her kindness. He realized the error of his ways and never troubled Kanmani or any other animals again.

Kanmani returned home safely, filled with relief and pride. She had not only saved herself but had also taught the tiger an important lesson in honesty and kindness.

Moral of the story:

1. Deception and dishonesty lead to one's downfall. Though the tiger tried to trick Kanmani, his lies ultimately trapped him instead.

2. Bravery and quick thinking can help overcome even the most dangerous situations. Kanmani's courage saved her from the tiger's trap.

3. Kindness, even toward those who wrong you, is a true sign of strength. Kanmani could have left the tiger in the mud, but her compassion allowed her to rise above the situation, showing that helping others - even your enemy - demonstrates true wisdom and character.