High on the branch of a tall, old banyan tree lived a pair of crows — black as midnight, clever, and hardworking. Each spring, they built a neat little nest out of twigs and leaves. It was their pride and joy, their home under the open sky.

But deep in a dark hole at the roots of that same tree lived a cruel black snake. Whenever the crows laid eggs, the serpent slithered up silently, its forked tongue flickering, and swallowed the eggs or the tiny hatchlings whole.

The crows wept bitterly. “How cruel fate is!” cried the mother crow. “Each year we work so hard, and yet our children are taken from us.”

The father crow, sorrowful but calm, said, “We must find a way, my dear. If we fight him, we will die. We must be wise, not fierce.”

They flew to their old friend — a clever jackal who lived by the forest’s edge. The jackal listened patiently to their tale. Then he smiled, his sharp eyes gleaming with an idea.

“My friends,” he said, “wisdom can defeat strength. Listen carefully. In the king’s palace nearby, there is a garden where the queen and her maidens bathe each morning. They leave their jewels and golden chains on the steps while they bathe. Go there. Take one of the golden chains in your beak and drop it near the snake’s hole.”

The crows were puzzled, but they trusted their wise friend. The next morning, when the queen came to bathe, the mother crow swooped down gracefully and snatched a glittering golden chain. The guards shouted, “Stop that bird! It’s flying toward the forest!”

The crow flew straight back to the banyan tree and dropped the chain near the snake’s hole. The guards followed quickly and, seeing the shining chain, began to dig around to retrieve it.

Suddenly, the snake hissed and struck at them! Startled, the guards drew their spears and killed the serpent on the spot. They took back the golden chain and left.

When the crows returned to their nest, they saw the snake’s lifeless body. Tears of relief filled their eyes. “Our children will be safe now,” said the mother crow softly.

And from that day on, the banyan tree rang with the joyful chirping of baby crows, free from fear.