The Elephant and the Horse

Once, in a fertile farmland, an elephant came from the forest and a horse from the plains. Each saw the rich crops and decided to claim the land.

The elephant trumpeted, “This field is mine. My strength will guard it, for I can push down any tree or wall that blocks me.”

The horse neighed, “This field is mine. My speed will protect it, for I can chase away any intruder in an instant.”

Neither would yield. Soon, they began to fight. The elephant charged, shaking the earth. The horse darted swiftly, kicking with sharp hooves. Their struggle was fierce, and the land beneath them suffered. Maize stalks fell, sugarcane snapped, and the soil was torn.

When at last their strength was spent, they stopped to breathe. But the farmland was no longer green — it lay ruined, silent, and bare.

A farmer who had tended the field returned and looked at them sadly.
“You have both fought for what you wished to own,” he said, “but in your pride, you destroyed it. Now neither of you has land to claim.”

Ashamed, the elephant went back to the forest, and the horse to the plains. The farmer slowly replanted his crops, but it took many seasons for the land to heal.

Moral: Those who fight for power without care for what they fight over will end up with nothing.