The Jade Story Book/Chapter 14
THE LION AND THE HARE
In a large forest there lived a Lion who was very fierce. Such terror did he inspire among the other animals of the jungle, and so many of them did he kill for his daily food, that they held a public meeting to see what could be done about it.
After much parleying they drew up a respectful petition to the Lion in these words:
"Your Majesty, why do you thus create havoc among us? If it please you, we will ourselves furnish you daily with a beast for your Majesty's meal."
This petition they duly presented to the Lion, who said: "If this arrangement is more agreeable to you, I will be satisfied." So, from that time a beast was allotted to him each day, they casting lots among themselves to see who should be selected.
Thus it became the turn of a wily old Hare to supply the royal table, and as he walked slowly along to keep his appointment he said to himself, "If I have to die I will take my time, and will go to my death as leisurely as possible."
Now that day the Lion was very hungry, and he became very angry at being kept waiting for his meal, so when he saw the Hare walking along as though he had all day to spare he roared at him, "How dare you so delay your coming?"
"Sire," replied the Hare, "It is not my fault that I am late. On the way here I was detained by another lion, who made me promise to return to him when I shall have told your Majesty that he awaits you."
Of course, such insolence on the part of another lion made this one more angry than before, as the old Hare had intended it should, and he exclaimed in a rage, "Show me instantly where this impertinent villain of a lion lives."
Then the Hare led the way until he came to a deep well, when he stopped and said, "Now, my Lord, come here and see him."
So the Lion approached, and saw his own reflection in the water. Thinking that he was looking at the other lion, he flung himself furiously upon his own image, and so was drowned. You may be sure the old Hare lost no time in spreading the news of their enemy's end to his friends of the jungle.