The Ram's Hard Head

The Leopard challenged all the animals to a contest of strength. "Whoever can break this hard granite stone with their head will be my second-in-command," he announced. One by one, the animals tried. The Buffalo charged it and stumbled away with a headache. The Elephant struck it and cracked his tusk. None could break the stone. Then came the Ram. He did not charge from a distance. He stood close to the stone, took a few steps back, and struck it with a mighty crack of his forehead. The stone split in two. The Leopard was amazed and, true to his word, made the Ram his chief advisor. Some time later, the Leopard was planning to attack a village. "This is foolish," said the Ram. "The men have spears and fire." The Leopard, full of pride, would not listen. "Are you a coward?" the Leopard snarled. "No," said the Ram calmly. "I simply have the wisdom to know which stones are worth breaking my head against, and which are not." The Leopard attacked the village alone and was driven back with many wounds. He learned that the Ram's true strength was not just a hard head, but the wisdom to know when to use it.