The Crow's Devious Plot

In a bustling village nestled between rolling hills and a tranquil river, there lived a pig named Pigglet and a crow named Cawley. Pigglet was known for his innocence and straightforwardness, while Cawley was renowned for his cunning and wisdom. The two had been friends since childhood, but their friendship was soon to be tested in a most unusual way.

One sunny afternoon, Pigglet discovered a chest of glittering gold coins nestled in the roots of an ancient oak tree. Overjoyed, he decided to share his discovery with Cawley, hoping his friend would be as excited as he was.

"Look what I found, Cawley!" Pigglet exclaimed, his eyes sparkling with excitement. "Gold coins! Imagine what we could do with all this wealth!"

Cawley's eyes widened in admiration. "Indeed, Pigglet, this is a treasure beyond compare. But how shall we divide it?"

Pigglet, without a moment's hesitation, replied, "Let's split it evenly. Half for me, half for you."

Cawley pondered the offer for a moment, then nodded. "Agreed. But first, let's hide the chest until we can divide the coins without the villagers finding out."

They agreed to meet the following morning at the same oak tree, and with that, Pigglet hurried home to rest.

That night, Cawley was unable to sleep. He lay in his nest, pondering the treasure and how he might gain more than his fair share. He devised a cunning plan that would not only ensure he got more gold but also prove his wisdom to Pigglet and the village.

The next morning, Pigglet arrived at the oak tree and found Cawley waiting, a look of mischief in his eyes.

"Cawley, I've come to claim my share of the gold," Pigglet said, opening the chest with a grin.

Cawley nodded and reached inside. "Let's see how many coins there are," he said, but instead of counting them, he whispered to himself, "I know the pig will want to count each coin, so I'll use this to my advantage."

He quickly placed a large rock in the chest, then closed it with a satisfying clink. "Here you are, Pigglet. Half of the treasure."

Pigglet, eager to divide the coins, began to count them out onto the ground. Cawley, feigning surprise, exclaimed, "Wait, Pigglet! You're missing one!"

Pigglet looked puzzled. "I can't be. I counted them all. There are twenty coins in my pile."

Cawley's eyes gleamed with triumph. "But I remember seeing a rock inside the chest. Look again!"

Pigglet, realizing his mistake, groaned. "Oh, Cawley, I'm so sorry. I should have checked the chest more carefully."

Cawley chuckled softly. "It's not the end, Pigglet. You see, by not counting each coin, you've left me a clue. I placed the rock inside as a test of your trust. And now, with the rock, you've shown your own wisdom, for you've recognized your mistake and acknowledged it."

Pigglet's eyes widened. "You were testing me? But why?"

Cawley's expression softened. "To see if you could recognize when I was deceitful. You did, Pigglet. You recognized the rock and admitted your mistake. That is true wisdom."

The two friends sat silently for a moment, reflecting on the events of the day. Then Pigglet spoke, "Cawley, I see now. I thought you were being clever, but you've shown me a different kind of wisdom—one that values honesty and trust over wealth."

Cawley nodded, his eyes twinkling. "Indeed, Pigglet. True wisdom lies not in what we have, but in how we act and the choices we make."

From that day on, Pigglet and Cawley's friendship grew even stronger. They shared their gold with the village, and Pigglet learned to value the wisdom of his friend, who had proven to be far more than just a cunning bird.