Why the Tiger and the Stag Fear Each Other

Once upon a time, there was a proud stag with long, branching antlers. One day, he thought, "I'm tired of wandering around. I want to build my own house." So, he searched high and low, in valleys, by streams, and under trees, until he found the perfect spot. It wasn't too high or too low, not too close to the stream, and not too far from the trees. "This is the place!" he said, and began clearing the land.

In the same land, there lived a large tiger with sharp teeth and fierce eyes. The tiger also decided, "I’m tired of not having a home. I’ll build my own house." He too searched everywhere until he found the same perfect spot. "This place is already partly cleared," the tiger thought, and started working.

The next morning, the stag returned and saw the land more cleared than before. "Someone is helping me!" he thought, and continued building the foundation. That night, the tiger came back and noticed the foundation laid. "Someone is helping me too!" he said, and worked all night building the walls and a little window.

When the stag returned the next morning, he was surprised to see the walls and window completed. "My helper is doing great work!" he said, and added the roof. By nightfall, the house was finished, and the stag slept peacefully inside.

But that night, the tiger came back. He saw the roof and muttered, "Wow, my helper works fast!" Then, to his shock, he found the stag asleep in the corner. "Who are you, and what are you doing in my house?" growled the tiger.

The stag woke up and said, "Your house? This is my house!"

They argued all night about who built the house. In the end, they agreed to share it.

The next night, the tiger told the stag, "I’m going hunting. Get the water and wood ready for the fire." The stag did as asked, but when the tiger returned, he brought a stag for dinner. Feeling uneasy, the stag didn't eat and couldn't sleep that night.

The next day, the stag went hunting and told the tiger to prepare water and wood. When the stag returned, he brought back a large tiger. The tiger lost his appetite and spent the night wide awake, afraid.

Neither the tiger nor the stag could sleep that night, both scared the other might attack. Suddenly, the stag's horns bumped the roof, making a loud noise. The tiger, thinking the stag was about to strike, dashed out of the house. At the same time, the stag thought the tiger was attacking and ran in the opposite direction.

They ran and ran, scared of each other, and never returned to the house.

And so, the house with the grass roof waited and waited. But since no one returned, it eventually crumbled and fell to the ground.