The Lion and the Rabbit
He who bath sense hath strength. Where hath he strength who wanteth judgment? See how a Lion, when intoxicated with anger, was overcome by a Rabbit.
Upon a certain mountain there lived a Lion, whose name was Durganta,[1] who was perpetually sacrificing animals to his gods; so that, at length, all the different species assembled, and, in a body, represented that, as by his present mode of proceeding the forest would be cleared all at once; if it pleased his Highness, they would, each of them in his turn, provide him an animal for his daily food; and the Lion gave, his consent accordingly. So every beast delivered his stipulated provision, till at length, in coming to the Rabbit’s turn he began to meditate in this manner: “Policy should be practised by him who would save his life; and I myself shall lose mine, if I do not take care. Suppose I lead him after another Lion? Who knows how that may turn out for me? Then I will approach him slowly, as if fatigued.”
The Lion by this time began to be very hungry; so, seeing the Rabbit coming toward him, he called out in a great passion: “What is the reason thou comest so late?” “Please your Highness,” said the Rabbit “as I was coming along, I was forcibly detained by another of your species; but having given him my word that I would return immediately I came here to represent it to your Highness.” “Go quickly,” said the Lion in a rage, “and show me where this vile wretch may be found?”
Accordingly the Rabbit conducted the Lion to the brink of a deep well, where being arrived, “There,” said the Rabbit, “look down and behold him”; at the same time he pointed to the reflected image of the Lion in the water; who swelling with pride and resentment, leaped into the well, as he thought, upon his adversary, and thus put an end to his own life. I repeat, therefore: “He who hath sense, hath strength.”
[1]Hard to go near.