The Clever Rabbit and the Foolish Lion - Indian

In a big, warm forest with tall, green trees, lived a little rabbit named Shashaka. He had very long ears and a fluffy white tail that wiggled when he hopped. The sunbeams danced on the leaves and made everything bright and happy. But there was a big, big problem in the happy forest. A grumpy lion with a loud roar wanted to eat all the little animals! The lion was very strong, but Shashaka the rabbit was very clever. This is the story of The Clever Rabbit and the Foolish Lion, and how a small idea saved everyone.

All the animals made a plan with the lion. Every day, one animal would go to the lion's den so he would not hunt them. One day, it was the little rabbit's turn. Was Shashaka scared? No, no, no! He had a clever plan. He hopped very slowly to the lion's den. Hop, hop, hop. The sun was high in the big blue sky when he got there. The lion roared, 'You are late! And you are so small!' The little rabbit wiggled his nose and said, 'It wasn't my fault. A bigger, stronger lion stopped me. He said he was the real king of the forest!'.

The foolish lion got so angry! ROAR! He demanded that the little rabbit show him where this other lion was. The clever rabbit led the lion to a deep, dark well filled with quiet water. Shashaka pointed his little paw down into the well. 'He lives in there!' he whispered. The lion peeked over the edge and saw his own big, furry face in the water! He thought it was the other lion. He let out a giant ROAR, and the lion in the well roared back. It was just his echo! Without thinking, he leaped into the well to fight. SPLASH! He fell deep into the water and was gone for good.

All the animals in the forest cheered! Hip, hip, hooray! They were safe and happy again, all because a little rabbit was very smart. This story has been told for many, many years to show everyone that you do not have to be the biggest or the strongest to solve a problem. Even today, it reminds us that a clever idea is the most powerful thing of all.