The Clever Hare and the Proud Lion

Once in a forest, there lived a proud and powerful lion. He didn’t hunt just when he was hungry — he killed animals for fun. Every day, some creature would fall victim to his cruelty.

The other animals were very worried.

“If the lion keeps killing like this,” said the bear, “soon no one will be left!”

“He doesn’t even eat what he kills,” said a small hare.

“We must do something,” said the monkey.

So, all the animals gathered and went to speak with the lion.

“O King of the Jungle,” they said, “we are afraid. If you keep hunting every day, all of us will be gone. We have a request: instead of hunting, please let one animal come to you each day as your meal. That way, you won’t need to hunt, and we can live in peace.”

The lion thought for a moment and agreed. “Very well,” he said. “But don’t be late — or else!”

From that day on, the animals took turns. Every day, one of them would go to the lion.

One day, it was the hare’s turn. The little hare didn’t want to die. He thought and thought — and came up with a clever plan.

On his way to the lion’s den, he stopped by an old well in the forest. It was deep and filled with water. The hare waited near the well till evening, then slowly made his way to the lion.

The lion was starving and furious. “You’re so small — and so late! I’ll eat you and every other animal for this!”

The hare bowed low and said, “Please forgive me, Your Majesty. I didn’t mean to be late. Four of us were coming, but on the way, another lion stopped us and said he was the true king of the forest. He ate the other three hares. I barely escaped to tell you.”

The lion roared with rage. “Another lion? In my forest? Take me to him now!”

The hare led the lion to the well and pointed down. “He’s inside, hiding there,” he said.

The lion peered into the well and saw his own reflection in the water. He thought it was the other lion and let out a mighty roar. The echo came back.

The lion got even angrier. “How dare he roar back at me!”

Without thinking, the lion jumped into the well to fight. But there was no other lion — only water. The proud lion drowned.

From that day on, the animals lived peacefully, all thanks to the clever little hare.