In a great forest lived a lion who hunted far more than he needed. The animals were frightened, so they went to him together. “Stay in your den,” they said, “and each day one of us will come to you.” The lion agreed.
One day it was the turn of a small hare. He did not hurry. He walked slowly, thinking all the way, and arrived long after the lion’s mealtime.
“Why are you so late?” roared the lion. “Forgive me,” said the hare. “On the way another lion stopped me. He says this forest is his, and that you are not its king.”
The lion shook with anger. “Show me this other lion!” The hare led him to an old well and pointed down. “He lives in there.”
The lion looked into the well and saw a lion looking back at him, angry and ready to fight. He roared, and the roar came roaring back. Without stopping to think, he leapt at his own reflection, and that was the end of him.
The animals of the forest were safe again, all because one small hare had kept a cool head.