The Tiger and the Persimmon

 


The Tiger and the Persimmon

Once upon a time in a small village in Korea, there was a fierce and terrifying tiger that roamed the forests and mountains. This tiger had caused much trouble for the villagers, scaring them with its growls and eating their livestock. The villagers lived in constant fear of the tiger, and they often prayed to the gods for protection.

One day, the tiger, hungry from its long wanderings, came to the village. It approached the village cautiously, sniffing the air for the scent of food. The villagers were terrified when they saw the tiger, but one old woman, who was known for her wisdom, did not panic. She had heard of a way to trick the tiger, so she decided to take matters into her own hands.

The old woman went to her house and picked up a ripe persimmon, which is a sweet, soft fruit. She had heard that the tiger had never tasted a persimmon before and was curious about its taste. With a mischievous smile, the woman walked slowly toward the tiger, holding the fruit in her hand.

When the tiger saw her approaching, it growled and said, “What are you doing here, old woman? Don’t you know I could eat you in one bite?”

The old woman, undeterred, calmly replied, “Oh, no, tiger! I don’t think you’ll want to eat me. But perhaps you’d like to try this delicious fruit instead. It’s called a persimmon, and it’s so sweet and juicy that even the bravest of tigers will fall in love with it.”

The tiger, intrigued by the promise of a new kind of food, sniffed the air and said, “What is this fruit you speak of? I have never tasted it before. Let me try it!”

The old woman handed the persimmon to the tiger, who eagerly took a bite. To his surprise, the persimmon was sweet and soft, with a delicate flavor. The tiger, savoring the taste, was delighted.

“Oh! This is the best thing I have ever tasted!” said the tiger, licking its lips. “Why did I spend all this time hunting for meat when such a sweet fruit like this exists? I will come back every day for persimmons instead of scaring people!”

The old woman smiled slyly and said, “If you want more persimmons, you must promise never to harm anyone in the village again. These fruits are not for tigers who scare and eat people.”

The tiger, in its excitement over the delicious persimmons, agreed without hesitation. "Yes, yes! I promise! I will never harm anyone again as long as I can have more of these fruits."

The tiger kept his promise and left the village. After that day, the villagers no longer feared the tiger. The old woman had tricked him into leaving them in peace with nothing more than a simple fruit.

This charming tale highlights themes of cleverness and wit overcoming brute strength, as well as the idea that sometimes the simplest solutions can bring peace. The story also illustrates the significance of the persimmon, a fruit that is often revered in Korean culture for its sweetness and health benefits.

The moral of the story is that patience, wisdom, and a kind heart can tame even the fiercest of adversaries, showing that intelligence can be more powerful than force.

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