Lion in the well

From that day onwards, the animals drew lots and sent one animal every day to the lion.

One day, it was an old hare’s turn to be the victim. Much against his will, he walked slowly towards the lion’s den. On the way, he thought of a plan to kill the lion. As part of the plan, the hare arrived very late at the lion’s den on purpose.

"Why have you come so late?" roared the lion, licking his lips hungrily."Your Majesty," said the hare, "It wasn’t my fault. On my way here, I was stopped forcibly by another lion who wanted to eat me. He let me go only after I swore that I would go back to him after seeing you."

"Show me the villain and I’ll kill him," roared the lion, furious with rage that another had challenged his authority.

The hare led the lion to a well and cunningly showed him his own reflection in the water and said, "Master! There, see for yourself!"

Thinking that it was his enemy, the lion leapt into the well to fight the other lion and drowned.

The hare returned home convinced that brains are mightier than brawn.

Translated by G L Chandiramani