437 -മണ്ടച്ചാരായ ഒരു കടുവ -A Foolish Tiger -Malayalam Stories
n this hilarious and clever folktale, we meet a tiger who is as foolish as he is fierce. One day, frightened by the way a father warned his son about “the tiger,” the confused animal hid inside a shed in the village — not knowing that he was the very creature they were talking about!Soon, four thieves arrived after a big robbery, carrying a huge treasure that was too heavy for them. In the darkness, they mistook the trembling tiger for a bullock. They loaded the treasure on his back, tied it tightly, and led him through the forest. On the way, they realized the horrible mistake — it was a tiger, not a bullock! Terrified, they ran for their lives.The poor tiger, shocked and burdened with the treasure, ran into the forest and got stuck between two trees. A kind shepherd rescued him, freed him from the ropes, and took the treasure home. Soon, the shepherd and his family became prosperous and happy.But the foolish tiger returned, suspecting the shepherd had tricked him. He took the shepherd away to kill him. At that moment, the shepherd’s wife — sharp, quick, and fearless — used her wit to outsmart the tiger and save her husband.This story reminds us that strength may frighten, but cleverness always wins — and even the fiercest creature can be fooled by human intelligence.