Baron

Baron told everyone he had crossed seven deserts alone, defeated storms with a walking stick and once taught the moon to follow him. The two travellers behind him knew the truth: he had never gone farther than the next village. Still, they climbed onto the striped beast and let him lead.

At the first deep river, Baron’s stories ran out. He quietly admitted, ‘I don’t know the way.’ No one laughed. The tiger stepped into the water, the others held one another steady, and even the little cub found a safe crossing.

On the opposite bank, Baron began another tale. This time he said, ‘We crossed the river together.’ Oddly enough, it was the first story people truly wanted to hear twice.