In a beautiful forest lived four good friends: a Deer, a Crow, a Mouse, and a Tortoise. They spent their days playing and sharing everything.

One morning, the Deer went to graze but did not return by evening. The Crow, the Mouse, and the Tortoise grew worried.

"I will fly high and look for him!" said the Crow. He soared into the sky and soon spotted the Deer caught in a hunter's net.

"Oh no!" he cawed, flying back to tell his friends.

"Don't worry!" chirped the Mouse. "I have sharp teeth! I will go and gnaw through the net to free our friend."

The Mouse rushed toward the net, with the Crow guiding from above. The Tortoise, slow but determined, followed behind.

The Mouse began to nibble the ropes — nibble, nibble, nibble! Just as the Deer was nearly free, the hunter returned!

"Run, Deer, run!" the Crow cawed loudly.

The Deer leaped into the forest. The Crow flew high into the trees. The Mouse hid in a hole.

But the poor Tortoise had just arrived and was too slow to hide. The hunter grabbed him.

"Ah! I lost the Deer, but I got this Tortoise!"

The friends made a new plan. The Deer lay on the path pretending to be injured. The Crow fluttered and pecked beside him.

Seeing an easy catch, the hunter dropped the Tortoise and ran after the Deer. The Deer sprang up and ran away!

The Mouse dashed to the Tortoise. "Quick, friend! Hide!"

The Tortoise slowly crawled into the bushes.

The hunter came back, tired and angry. But both animals were gone!

All four friends met again, happy and safe.