In the heart of a lush forest, Lion, Mouse, and Monkey lived together. Lion, the king of the jungle, was strong and respected by all. Mouse, tiny and nimble, was quick and clever. Monkey, agile and playful, was the entertainer, bringing joy to the forest creatures.
One day, as Monkey swung through the trees, he saw Lion basking in the sun, commanding respect from every animal that passed. Envy gnawed at Monkey. "Why should Lion get all the respect? I want that," he thought.
Later, Monkey watched Mouse squeeze into tiny holes to find hidden treats. Again, envy flared. "Mouse has such cleverness. I wish I could find treats like that," Monkey mused.
Determined to gain respect and cleverness, Monkey tried to roar like Lion. His attempts only echoed through the forest as awkward screeches, making the other animals laugh. Frustrated, Monkey attempted to squeeze into small spaces like Mouse, but he got stuck and had to be rescued by giraffe and hippo. Mouse laughed so hard when he saw monkey stuck that tears came to his eyes.
Lion and Mouse decided to approach monkey so they could find out the reason for his odd behavior. "What is going on with you Monkey?" Lion asked.
" I want to be like you and Mouse? Monkey sighed. "I want the respect Lion has and the cleverness Mouse possesses."
Mouse spoke gently, "But Monkey, you have your own special gifts. You bring joy and laughter to all of us. The forest wouldn't be the same without your playfulness."
Lion nodded. "Coveting what others have blinds you to your own worth. Each of us has a unique role in the forest."
Monkey realized his mistake. From that day on, he stopped coveting Lion’s strength and Mouse’s cleverness. Instead, he embraced his ability to entertain and make others happy.
Monkey learned the wisdom of "thou shalt not covet." By valuing his own gifts, he found peace and enriched the lives of his friends, making the forest a joyful place for all.
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