The Tiger and the Woodpecker - Panchatantra Tales | Moral Story for Kids

Once upon a time, in a big green forest, there lived a strong and proud tiger.

Tiger (yawning): “Roaaarr! I’m sooooo hungry! I could eat a whole elephant!”

He walked through the jungle sniffing for food.

Tiger (sniff sniff): “Ah-ha! I smell dinner!”

He chased down a deer, caught it, and started munching quickly—chomp chomp chomp!

Suddenly...

Tiger (choking): “Ack! What is this?! Owww! Something’s stuck in my throat!”

He coughed and growled, rolled on the ground, and even stuck his paw in his mouth—nothing worked. A bone was stuck in his throat!

Tiger (groaning): “Why me?! I’m the king of the jungle, not king of stuck bones!”

Days passed. The tiger couldn’t eat. He couldn’t drink. He just lay on the ground with his mouth wide open, looking miserable.

Just then, a little woodpecker flew by and saw the tiger lying like a rug.

Woodpecker (landing nearby): “Whoa! What happened to you, Mr. Big Teeth?”

Tiger (weakly): “There’s a... gulp... bone stuck in my throat. I’m starving! Help me!”

Woodpecker (thinking): “Hmm… Should I help a tiger? He eats creatures like me for snacks!”

Tiger (desperate): “Please! I promise I’ll share my food with you forever! Pinky… uh… claw swear!”

Woodpecker: “Alright. Open wide, tiger!”

The brave little bird flew right into the tiger’s mouth, poked around with her beak — tuk tuk tuk! — and pulled the bone out!

Tiger (sighs in relief): “Aaaaahhh! I can breathe! You saved my life!”

The next day, the tiger was back to his old self. He hunted a big fat deer and started eating happily.

Woodpecker (flying in cheerfully): “Hey friend! Remember your promise? I’m here for my share!”

Tiger (smirking): “What promise?”

Woodpecker: “The one you made with a bone in your throat!”

Tiger (laughing): “That was yesterday! I’m better now. Shoo!”

Woodpecker (angrily): “Hey! That’s not fair! I saved your life!”

Tiger (rudely): “You should be thankful I didn’t eat you for dessert!”

Woodpecker: “Oh really? Then you should be thankful I don’t peck your other eye!”

And with that, WHACK! — the woodpecker gave the tiger a sharp peck in one eye.

Tiger (yelling): “OWW! My eye!”

Woodpecker (flying away): “Next time, keep your promises, Mr. Big Mouth!”

🧠 Moral of the Story:

Every action has a consequence. If you break your promise or hurt others, you may get hurt in return. Always be honest and kind.