The Sage Rat smiled, his eyes calm as he faced the cunning foxes gathered around him. They laughed loudly, but only the rat knew that this psychological battle had tipped in his favor long ago. The Encyclopedia Ball was no longer in the den. From the moment he had stepped inside, it had flown out on a critical mission: to attract larger predators—those creatures far more terrifying to foxes, like wolves and even fierce bears.
As the foxes continued their boasting, the Sage Rat began a steady countdown, his voice gentle yet firm. His whispered numbers made them look around in curiosity, though none dared question him.
10.
The rat's soft whisper carried a note of mystery, prompting some foxes to glance at each other uneasily.
9.
Several foxes tilted their heads, confused, yet growing increasingly aware of an unknown threat.
8.
Distant, heavy footsteps began to echo, making the foxes more vigilant.
7.
The Sage Rat's calm remained as the foxes grew uneasy, sensing danger.
6.
The wolf growls grew louder, and alongside them, hurried footsteps could now be heard.
5.
Fear swept over the foxes as the growling approached.
4.
Cold sweat trickled down their backs, their anxiety reaching a peak.
3.
The sounds were right outside, separated only by the den walls.
2.
The foxes were now on the edge of panic, ready to flee.
1.
As the final count dropped, thunderous growls and barks from wolves, mixed with the deep roars of bears, filled the den. The foxes scattered, terror taking over as they rushed around in chaos. The Sage Rat, calm and precise, took advantage of the confusion to slip out of his bonds with ease. Standing amidst the frenzy, he looked on, calm and collected.
When the foxes realized their predicament, they huddled around the Sage Rat, eyes wide with fear, silently pleading for help.
The rat stepped onto a high rock, raising his voice to reassure them:
"You have one chance to survive the night: follow me and do exactly as I say."
The foxes, their terror palpable, nodded quickly, each looking at the rat with a new respect and obedience. He calmly directed them toward a secret exit he had scouted earlier. As they passed by him in single file, he reminded them to move quietly, avoiding any sound that might alert the predators outside.
Through the dark night, he led the foxes step by step, guiding them to safety. The foxes, previously haughty, were now subdued, following his every instruction.
As dawn broke, the predators began to retreat. The foxes, though exhausted, had been saved. Their eyes, full of gratitude, turned to the Sage Rat. The once-proud den now lay empty, and the foxes understood that war only brought suffering and loss.
Before he left, the Sage Rat looked around and offered them one last piece of advice:
"Peace is not weakness; it is true strength. Remember this, and let last night's lesson bring lasting change."
With grateful hearts, the foxes left, each carrying his words deeply. And once again, the Sage Rat, with the Encyclopedia Ball, had succeeded in spreading his message of peace.
With renewed purpose, he set off toward other conflicts that lay waiting to be resolved.