When the Hare was still little, he often frolicked on the shore of the blue lake. He loved him very much.
Many animals and birds went to the lake to drink water. One day the Little Bunny went to play on the shore. On the very shore of the lake there grew a huge shady tree. Its thick branches were reflected in the clear water.
But then people came and cut down the tree to hollow out a long narrow boat - a pirogue.
All that was left of the tree was a large smooth stump. Large golden drops of resin appeared on it.
The little hare looked at the stump and decided to sit on it. As soon as he sat down comfortably, thick resin glued him tightly to the stump.
Soon the Little Hare wanted to run through the forest, and he was about to jump to the ground. But that was not the case! No matter how hard the poor thing tried to break away from the stump, nothing worked. He just moved his ears helplessly. The long-eared one was very scared. I thought with fear that he would have to die on this stump. But the Little Hare was not stupid and began to think about how he could get out of trouble. He closed his eyes so that the birds that came to drink would not disturb him. The little hare thought and thought...
At this time, an Elephant came out of the forest. He walked slowly towards the lake. The elephant was very thirsty. It was very hot.
Hearing the sound of heavy steps, the Little Hare opened his eyes and saw the Elephant. "That's who will save me!" — the Little Hare thought to himself. And he shouted loudly:
- Hey, Elephant, don’t you dare drink water! This is my water! But the Elephant seemed to have heard nothing. He began to draw water with his trunk.
“Don’t you see why I’m sitting here?” — the Little Bunny continued to shout. - I protect the water. No one drinks it without my permission. Do you hear? Leave now!
But the Elephant, not paying attention to the screaming Hare, greedily drank and drank.
- Oh, you don’t listen! - the long-eared man made noise. “Then I’ll tear off your trunk and break off your fangs!”
- Ho-ho-ho! Ho-ho-ho! - the Elephant laughed, having finally quenched his thirst, and began to pour water from his trunk.
- I'll tear off the trunk! “I’ll break off my fangs!” the Little Hare stubbornly insisted.
“What are you talking about?” the Elephant snorted good-naturedly. “I have and will continue to drink water from the lake.” The lake is the master of the water, and we are old friends.
“Well, Elephant, then you didn’t understand anything!” exclaimed the Little Hare. “If you take one more sip, I’ll trample you,” he threatened.
Looking contemptuously at the Little Hare, the Elephant muttered:
- What a braggart! What a chatterbox! After all, all I have to do is step on it - and what’s left?!
The Elephant approached the stump, grabbed the Little Hare tightly with its strong trunk, lifted it and threw it into the grass.
- Get out of my sight! Hurry up!” the Elephant grinned. - Don’t talk nonsense in the future!
The happy little hare rushed headlong into the forest. Only the Elephant saw him!
But on the smooth stump there remained the tip of the Hare’s tail and a piece of fur, firmly stuck to the tree.
Since then, all hares have short tails. And the back always has white fur. This white fur grew in place of the bald patch of the cunning Little Hare, saved by the mighty Elephant.
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru