Chapter :

One day, in a small village, there lived a kind farmer named John and his loving wife, Mary. They were overjoyed when they were blessed with a baby boy they named Jack. To keep little Jack company and protect him, they decided to get a pet mongoose, whom they named Max.

"Mary, I think Max will be a good friend for Jack and keep him safe," John said with a smile.

Mary nodded, "I hope so, John. Max seems very gentle and smart."

A few months later, John and Mary had to go to the market, leaving Jack at home. Max, the mongoose, stayed with Jack. Mary was nervous about leaving her baby alone, but John reassured her.

"John, I'm worried about leaving Jack alone. What if something happens?" Mary asked anxiously.

"Don't worry, Mary. Max will look after him while we're away," John said confidently.

Mary hesitated but eventually agreed. "Alright, John. I trust Max."

While they were away, little Jack was peacefully sleeping in his crib. Max, the mongoose, was watching over him. Suddenly, a dangerous snake slithered into the house, heading straight for Jack. Max sprang into action, fighting the snake bravely. After a fierce struggle, Max managed to kill the snake, saving Jack.

Just then, Mary returned home earlier than John. She saw Max at the door, his mouth stained with blood. She gasped in horror and immediately thought the worst.

"Oh no! Max, what have you done?" she cried, rushing towards him. In a fit of rage, she grabbed a heavy box and threw it at Max. The mongoose collapsed, injured.

Mary ran inside to check on her son and was surprised to find Jack safe and sound, sleeping peacefully. Nearby, she saw the dead snake. Realizing her mistake, tears filled her eyes.

"Oh, Max, I'm so sorry," she whispered, rushing back outside to check on the mongoose. But it was too late. Max had breathed his last.

John arrived home soon after and found Mary crying over Max.

"What happened, Mary?" he asked, worried.

Through her tears, Mary explained everything. "I thought Max had hurt Jack, but he was actually protecting him from a snake. I made a terrible mistake."

John knelt beside Mary and gently placed a hand on her shoulder. "Max was a true hero. We will never forget him."

They buried Max in their garden, marking his grave with a small stone. From that day on, they told everyone the story of Max, the brave mongoose who sacrificed his life to save their son.