Long ago, a very rare deer lived high in the mountains of Japan. It had white horns and a five –colored coat. No one knew of its existence. One day, a weary traveler fell into a nearby river. He called out pitifully for help. The deer responded and offered its rare white antler to the man. The man grasped the antlers and the deer pulled him to safety. The man was so grateful that he declared he was ever in the debt of the deer.

The deer then requested him never to reveal his existence or his secret hiding place.

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The man promised, and went on his way. Some time later the queen of the deer. The king offered a huge reward of gold, diamonds, emeralds and rubies to any one who could grant the queen her desire.

The man heard about it and promised to lead the king’s huntsmen to deer’s lair.

A crow tried to warn deer of the approaching huntsmen, it bit his ear, but too late!

“Who told you of my secret?’’ the deer asked the king.

The king told him, calling the man “noble’’.

“Noble indeed, sir. I saved this man from drowning and now he has betrayed me, a fine way to return evil for good.’’

The king was moved. “A fine way indeed noble animal, go free and he will pay the price of his betrayal. He is more than an animal than you are’’.

From that time on no deer were hunted or killed in that land.

Goodness and kindness reap their own rewards.

• Animals killing or hunting is crime. Love the animals and pet some animals and birds.
• Some animal moms lay eggs. The young ones come out of the eggs when hatch.
• Some animals give birth to their young ones. Animal moms who give birth to their young also them this means that the young one drinks its mother’s milk.
• A kangaroo mother looks after its Joey for many months after it is born. The Joey is very tiny and stays in its mother’s pouch where it drinks her, milk.
• When it becomes a little bigger, it comes out to play around. If it feels scared or tired, it hops back into the pouch!
• When crocodile babies hatch, the mother gathers them in her mouth and carries them to a nearby pond.

The little ones are too small to find their own way. They also have to be protected from enemies on the way.