The Animals’ Fear
In a beautiful forest, the forest animals lived happily and peacefully, until one day an evil lion came. This lion was very ferocious and preyed on the forest animals until they were on the verge of extinction.
The animals of the forest were very afraid of that strong lion, so they decided to meet to find a solution to their problem.
The Council of Animals
The gazelle said: We must put an end to the brutality of that cruel lion, for if he continues like this, we will all disappear and the forest will become empty.
Everyone kept silent because they did not have an ideal solution. Some suggested leaving the forest and looking for another one, and some wanted to fight the lion, but no one dared to do so.
The Clever Rabbit’s Plan
Among them was a clever rabbit who said: “No problem, I have a solution. Send someone to the lion to tell him that the animals are about to perish from the forest, so let him rest, and we will send him his meal every day to his den.”
No one dared to go to the lion’s den, let alone speak to him. But the brave rabbit decided to go to the lion and tell him what had happened.
Meeting the Lion
The rabbit walked toward the lion’s den, and when he entered, the lion roared loudly: Who is trying to disturb me?
The rabbit replied: I am the servant of the forest, my lord, and I have come to you about an important matter.
The lion said: And what is this matter?
The rabbit said: The number of animals in the forest has decreased greatly, and if the animals disappear, you will not find anything to eat, my strong master.
The lion said: So what is the solution then?
The rabbit said: “Do not tire yourself chasing animals, sir. We will bring your food to your den every day.”
The lion agreed with the little rabbit’s idea to protect animals from extinction.
Drawing Lots
The rabbit went to tell the animals the news. Everyone was happy and scared at the same time, but who would go to the lion first? The rabbit suggested drawing lots, and the animal whose name came up would be the lion’s food.
The animals drew lots, and the rabbit’s name came up. Very nervous, the rabbit walked toward the lion’s den. On the way, the clever rabbit devised a plan to get rid of the evil lion forever.
The Trick
The rabbit went late to the lion’s den. The lion was very angry, and when he saw the small rabbit alone, he shouted loudly: “These animals have tricked me. They sent me a very small and thin rabbit. I will eat them all today.”
The rabbit entered the lion’s den looking scared and said: “My lord lion, something terrifying and strange has happened to me!”
The lion said: What is it? Is it a trick so that I will eat you all?
The rabbit said: No, my strong master. We were five rabbits, and suddenly another fierce lion appeared. We told him that we were the food of the king of the jungle, but he laughed loudly and said there is no lion other than him who deserves to be the king of the jungle.
The lion said: “Go on, rabbit.”
The rabbit said: Then the strong lion took the other rabbits and left me, the thin rabbit, to tell you this message. He said that you must leave the forest before he kills you, and that I must return to him because he wants to eat me.
The Well
The lion became very angry and said: Take me to that arrogant lion so he may know who the real king of the jungle is.
The clever rabbit led the lion to a deep well. There, the lion saw his reflection and the rabbit’s reflection in the water. The rabbit said: “That, my lord, is the lion, and this is my brother. The rest may have been eaten.”
The lion leaned over the well, challenging his reflection. The echo of his voice returned as if the other lion was answering him. Without thinking, he jumped into the well and realized too late that the rabbit had tricked him.
Peace Returns
The rabbit ran away quickly out of fear. The lion died, and the rabbit returned to the animals with the good news. All the animals of the forest lived in peace again.
The Moral of the Lion and Rabbit Story
Wisdom and intelligence overcome strength and arrogance at any time and in any place.