The Lion and the Clever Rabbit

In a great forest lived a powerful lion who hunted whenever he pleased. The animals trembled because no creature was safe. One day, the animals gathered and made a proposal: "O King of the forest, if you stop hunting randomly, we will send one animal to you each day as your meal."

The lion agreed. For many days, one animal went each morning, and the rest of the forest lived in uneasy peace. Then the turn came to a small rabbit. The rabbit knew that running away would only bring danger to everyone, so he began thinking quietly.

He reached the lion very late. The hungry lion roared, "Why are you late?" The rabbit bowed and said, "My lord, I was coming with five other rabbits, but another lion stopped us. He claimed he was the true king of this forest and kept the others."

The lion burned with anger. "Show me this enemy." The rabbit led him to a deep well and said, "He lives inside." The lion looked down and saw his own reflection in the water. Mistaking it for another lion, he roared. The echo roared back.

In fury, the lion leapt into the well to attack his reflection and drowned. The rabbit returned to the animals, and the forest was free.