It is said that King Solomon was so wise he could speak and understand the languages of all the animals. To set an example for people, he decreed there should be peace among the beasts.

Death! Death! Death to the slayer! Death to the slayer!” Otter cried. It’s the fault of Weasel my children died. I came out of the water with their food and found that Weasel had trampled my children dead on the ground! He broke the vow of peace, agreed among the beasts. Peace is dead and death instead reigns without cease. I want justice.”

When the animals heard what Weasel had done to Otter’s children, their outcry was immediate.

“Bring Weasel to the king!” cried the other animals.

“Oh King,” said Weasel, “what Otter says is true. But my heart contains no malice when I do the things I do. I heard Woodpecker drum a call to arms. I never meant to do Otter any harm. The drums…they thrilled me to the core and I trampled her children as I marched to war.”

“Then bring Woodpecker before me,” said the king.

“Oh, King,” said Woodpecker, “be not alarmed! I sounded the drums but I meant no harm. I saw Scorpion sharpening her sting. It frightened me

so that I let the drums ring.”

“Then bring Scorpion before me,” said the king.

Into the throne room came Scorpion holding her poison sting high above her head and she said, “King, I made no offense. I sharpened my sting in my own defense. I saw Turtle climbing into her armor. So I prepared to defend myself, but I meant not to harm her.”

“Oh, King,” said Turtle, “my armor is strong. I am soft and slow so I climbed into my armor for safety but I meant no wrong.

I saw Crab with angry claws, she was charging across the ocean floors!”

Into the throne room came Crab with tears in her eyes and claws outstretched she said, “Yes, I confess. Yes I confess. It’s true what she saw. With angry claws I did charge to war after I saw the lobster swinging its great spear.”

King Solomon commanded that the lobster to be brought, and he accused it, saying:

“Why did you swing your mighty spear?” The lobster with great fear answered: “Because I saw the otter going down into the water to devour my children.”

“Well,” said King Solomon turning once again to Otter, “Otter, you’re the one who cries ‘Justice be done,’ when Otter, you’re to blame!”

“One who sows the seeds of death shall reap the same.”

Let there be justice for all and peace is sure to follow

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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Tell it to your children, and let your children tell it to their children, and their children to the next generation. (Joel 1:3)

Rachmiel Tobesman is a motivational speaker and Maggid (spiritual Storyteller). He is available for speaking engagements or storytelling, Click here to contact us

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