Once upon a time, on a peaceful farm, there lived a mother dog and her playful pups. The farm had sprawling fields, barns full of animals, and a well that provided water for everyone living there. The well was old and deep, with stone walls surrounding it to keep it safe. The mother dog loved her pups dearly and took great care of them. She taught them how to stay out of trouble and warned them about the dangers around the farm.

One day, as she sat under a shady tree, she gathered her pups around her and said, “My dear little ones, there is something very important I must tell you. You must never go near the well. It is dangerous, and you could get hurt if you go too close to it.” The pups listened attentively, nodding their heads. The mother dog’s serious tone made it clear that she meant business.

For a few days, the pups stayed away from the well, happily playing around the barn and chasing each other through the fields. But one of the pups, the most curious and adventurous of them all, couldn’t help but wonder what was so dangerous about the well. He had never seen it up close, and his curiosity kept growing. “Why shouldn’t we go near the well?” he thought. “What could be so bad about it?”

One afternoon, while the mother dog was taking a nap, the curious pup decided to sneak away and explore the well for himself. “I’m sure it’s nothing,” he told himself, as he trotted toward the well, excited about his little adventure.

When he reached the well, the pup looked around to make sure no one was watching. The stone walls of the well were tall, but there was just enough space for him to climb up and peek inside. With a little effort, he scrambled up the side of the well and cautiously looked down.

To his surprise, he saw something unusual – another dog! The pup’s eyes widened as he stared at what seemed to be a dog looking back at him from the water. The dog in the well had the same fur, the same eyes, and was doing exactly what he was doing! The pup tilted his head, and the dog in the well did the same. He wagged his tail, and the dog in the well copied him.

The pup’s initial excitement turned to confusion. “Why is this dog imitating me?” he wondered. He barked at the dog in the well, and to his frustration, the dog barked back. The pup growled, and the dog did the same. The pup’s confusion turned into anger. “How dare this dog mimic me!” he thought, feeling his temper rise.

In his fury, the pup decided to confront the dog in the well. Without thinking, he jumped into the well, ready to teach the other dog a lesson. But as soon as he splashed into the water, he realized that there was no other dog – it had only been his reflection. The pup found himself in cold, deep water, struggling to stay afloat. He paddled frantically, barking for help, but there was no one around to hear him. He splashed and barked until he became exhausted.

Just when he thought he couldn’t swim any longer, the farmer, who had been nearby, heard the commotion. He rushed to the well, saw the struggling pup, and quickly pulled him out of the water. The pup, shivering and drenched, was grateful to be rescued. The farmer dried him off and took him back to his mother.

When the mother dog saw her soaked pup, she knew exactly what had happened. “You didn’t listen to my warning, did you?” she said gently but firmly. The pup lowered his head, ashamed. “I’m sorry, Mother,” he said softly. “I thought I could handle it, but I was wrong. I saw another dog in the well and wanted to fight him, but it was just my own reflection.”

The mother dog smiled and licked her pup’s head. “You’ve learned a valuable lesson today,” she said. “It’s important to be curious and ask questions, but you must always be careful and listen to those who know better. I warned you for a reason – to keep you safe.”

The pup nodded, understanding now that his mother’s warnings weren’t just rules but came from a place of love and experience. From that day on, the pup never went near the well again and always listened carefully to his mother’s advice.

**Moral:**"Always listen to what the elders say. Question them, but do not defy them."