The Story of the Lion and the Hare

” In the jungle, there lived a lion by the name of Bhasuraka. He was very powerful and used to kill the other animals indiscriminately. “One day, all the antelopes, boars, buffaloes, hares, and the rest went together to the lion and said, ‘Master, why do you persist in killing so many of us everydayso unnecessarily, when one animal would satisfy yourhunger? Please come to an underst anding with us. Fromtoday onward we promise to send to your lair, oneanimal everyday for your food, if in return you guaranteethat we shall be able to wander about unmolested in the jungle. In this way, you will have no troublemaintaining yourself and we won’t be killed soindiscriminately. They say: “As by taking medicine in small doses, A man grows strong, So too a king becomes powerful. By taxing his subjects bit by bit. A cow mus be well cared for, Before she yields milk And the creepers watered Before they give beautiful flowers, So too a ‘ king must take care of his subjects, If he wants to get the best out of them.” ‘ “When he had finished listening to this, Bhasurakasaid, ‘It’s very true, what you say, but if I don’t receiveone animal everyday, I shall eat every one of you! ‘ “The animals promised that they would keep theirword. Accordingly, everyday they drew lots, sent oneanimal to the lion and roamed in the jungle, unah aid. “One day it was the hare’s turn. Forced by the othe ranimals, he made his way to the lion, slowly and verymuch against his will. “On the way, the hare was considering how he mightkill the lion, when he came to a well. He leapt up on

the edge and saw his reflection in the water. At this, he thought to himself, ‘Now I know a way that won’tfail. I’ll deceive the lion and make him fall into the well.’ “By the time the hare reached the lion, the sun wassetting. Bhasuraka was in a fury because he had beenkept waiting; He licked his lips hungrily and said tohimself, ‘The first thing I’ll do tomorrow is kill all thoseanimals! ‘

“When h e was thinking this, the hare came slowly andstood before him. The lion flared up and began toshout at him, ‘You miserable creature! First you are toosmall and secondly you are late. Well, for this, I’m goingto kill you immediately and I’ll kill the rest of them in the jungle tomotrow morning.’

-‘Master,’ replied the hare very humbly, ‘it is not myfault nor the fault of the other animals. Please listenand I will explain.’ -‘Hurry up and tell me before I crush you! ‘ said the lion. -‘Well,’ said the hare, ‘today it fell to my lot to cometo you. Because I am small, they sent four other hareswith me. On the way, a huge lion came out of the denand cried, “Ho! You! Where are you going? Call uponyour chosen deity!” And I said, “Sir, we are all goingto our master Bhasuraka at the appointed time to fulfilour promise.” ‘And he said, “Who is this Bhasuraka? I’m the masterof the jungle! You should fulfil your promises only tome. Bhasuraka is an imposter! I shall hold four of youhares as hostages while you (meaning me) go andchallenge Bhasuraka to a trial of strength with me. Whoever turns out to be stronger, deserves to be kingof the jungle and only he shall eat all the hares! “

-‘And so,’ continued the hare, ‘ I have come to you ashe ordered me to. That is why I am late. Now, do asyou think best.’ “When he heard this, Bhasuraka said, ‘Friend, if this

is true, then take me to this pretender immediately so that I can pour out on him all my rage against youand. then I shall be quiet! ‘ -‘Master,’ said the hare, ‘it is the truth, but this lionlives in a stronghold. It’s difficult to attack some onewho is hiding in a stronghold, for they say: “A single archer, behind the wall of a castle Can fight a hundred men of the enemy.” ‘ “When he. heard this, Bhasuraka replied, ‘Friend! Hemay have hidden himself in his stronghold, but justshow him to me and I’ll kill him, for they say: “Sup press your enemies and diseases At the very beginning Or they will become strong And destroy you.” ‘ -‘That’s true,’ said the hare, ‘but I’ve seen him. He isvery strong. It would. be unwise of you to approachhim without finding out exactly what his strength is, for they say: “He who attacks an enemy, Without knowing his strength, Is sure to be destroyed, Like a moth in the fire.” ‘ -‘That’s not your concern,’ said Bhasuraka, just takeme to him! ‘ -‘Very well then,’ said the hare,, ‘come with me.’ “The hare went ahead so as to lead the lion to the well. ‘When they reached the well, the hare said to the lion, ‘My Lord! Who can withstand your power! The imposterhas seen you coming and has hidden himself in hisstronghold! ‘ And the hare pointed out the well. “The foolish lion saw his reflection in the water andimagined that it was his enemy. He roared fearfully andat once his roar was doubly re-echoed from the well: Furious at the other lion, he leapt in upon him andwas drowned. “Very pleased with himself, the hare went back to the

jungle and told. the other animals what had happened. They showered him with praise and all lived happilyever after. -“And so,” continued Damanaka, “that’s why I said: It’s the clever man who is powerful. Now, if you thinkfit, I shall use my cleverness to create dissnsion betweenthe lion and Saajivaka.” -“If you can,” said Karataka, “then do it. And may God protect you. ” One day, shortly afterwards, seeing Pingalaka sittingapart from Sanjivaka, Damanaka bowed and stood beforehim. -“My friend! ” said Pingaiaka. “Where have you beenhiding for so long?” -“I didn’t come,” said Damanaka, “because you wouldn’thave anything to do with me. But I have come now,, of my own accord, to talk with you because I see theimpending destruction of all your administration andmy heart is heavy with grief.” When he heard Damanaka speaking so intently, Pingalaka asked him, “What are you trying to say tome? Out with it!” -“Master,” replied Damanaka, “Sanjivaka hates you! This very ox that you consider to be your friend, is in. reality your enemy. He told me in confidence, ‘Damanaka, I have got to know all about Pingalaka’sstrength and weaknesses. I am going to kill him andbecome king of the animals. Then I shall appoint youas my minister.’ ” When Pingalaka heard this, he was flabbergasted, asif a thundrbolt had struck him, and he could not speak. Damanaka saw this and thought to himself, “Pingalakacertainly has too much confidence in Sanjivaka. Undoubtedly this will lead to Pingalaka’s destruction. They say: ‘When a king submits himself entirely To one adviser, That man becomes haughty and mad for power:

He will try to be independent And as this desire grows.in his heart, In the end he will secretly plan the king’s death.’ ” After some time, Pingalaka recovered himself and said, “What shall I do? Sanjivaka has become as dear to meas my own life. I cannot believe that he could betrayme.” :“Master,” replied Damanaka, “being a servant is alwayspainful. Only the weak, the ones with no initiative, fahhfully. serve the king for ever.” -‘-“All the same,” said Pingalaka, “still my mind is notpois oned against him.” -“Your Majesty,” said Damanaka, “you are.making agreat mistake. And in any case, what particular virtuedo you see in Sanjivaka? He is a fellow without qualities! h..n d if you think that he is a heavy animal and willhelp you kill your nemies, you are mistaken. He is amere grass-eater and all your enemies are carnivorous. And so, the best thing you can do is accuse him ofsome offence and kill him.” -“To find fault with someone after openly singing hispraises,” said Pingalaka, “will be like breaking an oath. Besides, I have given my word, as you advised me to, that he would be safe. How then can I kill him withmy own hands? Sanjivaka is a real friend to me, I haveno reason whatever to be angry with him, for: ‘It is not good to cut down even a poisonous tree, If it has been planted by one’s own hands.’ And, ‘First it is foolish to love, But if love one must, That love should be allowed to grow.’ And again, ‘It is shameful to raise someone up And afterwards to cause his downfall.’ -“And so, even if Sanjivaka has turned traitor to me, I shall not lift my hand against him.” -“Your Majesty,” replied Damanaka, “to take pity on

an enemy is against the royal code. And if you followthis non-violent creed, where will the others get meatfrom? If they forsake you, you too will die. When youare in the company of Sanjivaka, you don’t even thinkof going out hunting, because: ‘ In the company of the wicked, The good follow the wrong path, And so the wise shun the company of wicked men.’ And, ‘Refrain from entertaining a man Whose character is unknown. The bug was at fault But instead they killed the flea.’ ” -“How was that?” asked Pingalaka. And Damanaka told:

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What is the moral of THE STORY OF THE LION AND THE HARE?

The moral is: To value wisdom and make thoughtful decisions. This story teaches us that every action has consequences, and we must think carefully about the impact of our choices on ourselves and others.

What collection does THE STORY OF THE LION AND THE HARE belong to?

THE STORY OF THE LION AND THE HARE is from the Hitopadesha Collection, an ancient Sanskrit text. The Hitopadesha is a timeless collection of stories that teaches important life lessons through didactic stories about friendship and wisdom.

What age group is THE STORY OF THE LION AND THE HARE suitable for?

THE STORY OF THE LION AND THE HARE is best suited for Ages 8-12. Younger children will enjoy hearing it read aloud for its engaging narrative, while older children can read it independently and explore the deeper meanings and moral lessons embedded in the story.