The Jaguar and the Little Skunk

Once upon a time, there was a jaguar named Mr. Jaguar and a skunk named Mrs. Skunk. Mrs. Skunk had a son, and Mr. Jaguar was his godfather because he had been at his baptism. This made them like family.

One day, Mr. Jaguar went out looking for food and stopped by Mrs. Skunk’s home.

“Hello, Mr. Jaguar,” Mrs. Skunk greeted him. “What brings you here today?”

“I’m looking for food, Mrs. Skunk,” Mr. Jaguar said. “I’d like to take my godson with me so he can learn how to hunt.”

Mrs. Skunk looked worried. “He’s still very small. What if something happens? Maybe he should stay here.”

But the little skunk spoke up, “Mother, I need to go with my godfather. How else will I learn?”

Mrs. Skunk sighed. “It’s a long way, and you’re still young.”

But the little skunk was determined. “I want to go! I’m going!”

So, Mr. Jaguar and his godson set off together. “We’re going to a place by the river,” Mr. Jaguar explained. “That’s where we’ll find something to eat.”

After walking for a while, they reached the river. Mr. Jaguar told his godson, “This is the spot. Now, I’m going to sharpen my claws.”

The little skunk watched as Mr. Jaguar sharpened his claws. Then Mr. Jaguar said, “Now, you keep watch while I rest. If you see a big animal with antlers, wake me up by scratching my belly. But don’t wake me for small animals.”

The little skunk nodded, “Okay, I’ll wake you for a big one.”

After some time, a deer with big antlers appeared. The little skunk gently scratched Mr. Jaguar’s belly. Mr. Jaguar woke up, jumped up, and caught the deer.

“Well done, my godson,” Mr. Jaguar said. “Now we can eat.”

They both enjoyed the food. Afterward, Mr. Jaguar said, “Let’s take some of this food back to your mother.”

They brought the leftover meat back to Mrs. Skunk. “Look, Mrs. Skunk,” Mr. Jaguar said proudly. “We brought you some food. Enjoy it!”

Mrs. Skunk was thankful. “Thank you, Mr. Jaguar,” she said, eating until she was full.

When the food was gone, Mrs. Skunk said to her son, “Well, the food is finished.”

Her son replied, “Don’t worry, Mother. I’ll go hunt for more food.”

Mrs. Skunk was concerned. “Are you sure? You’re still small. What if you get hurt?”

But the little skunk insisted, “I’m not scared, Mother. Godfather taught me how to hunt. I can do it.”

So, the little skunk set off on his own to the river. “If my godfather could do it, so can I,” he thought.

He sharpened his claws, just like Mr. Jaguar had done. Then he waited for a big animal with antlers, just as his godfather had taught him. When a deer finally appeared, the little skunk jumped on its neck. But the deer was too strong, and the skunk couldn’t hold on. The deer ran off, carrying the skunk far away before finally shaking him off. The little skunk landed on the ground, a bit sore but safe.

Back at home, Mrs. Skunk began to worry when her son didn’t return. “Where could he be?” she thought. “I hope he’s okay.”

She hurried to the river to find him, following the deer’s tracks. At last, she found her son, a little muddy and tired from his adventure. Mrs. Skunk called out in relief, “Son, you’re safe! What happened?”

The little skunk, a bit scared but smiling, looked up. “I tried, Mother! It didn’t go as planned, but I learned a lot.”

Mrs. Skunk hugged him tightly. “You’re brave, but remember, learning takes time.”

Together, they walked back home, and the little skunk told her all about his adventure.