The Hare and the Old Tiger

It was a dense forest. Many animals lived there happily together.

A river flowed through that forest. All the animals depended on this river or water.  

During one summer the forest faced a severe drought. The water level in the river reached its bottom.

“ The river may dry up in a few days” the animals thought. 

“What is to be done?” Then an old tiger came out with an idea. “Let us pray to the god of rain and plead for rains.” He continued, “Everyday one animal should stand alone on the river bank and pray to the god.”

All the other animals agreed and everyday one animal went to the river of a prayer.

But the animal that went for a prayer never came back. 

The animals again assembled to find out the reason. “Rains haven’t come. Moreover many animals  have disappeared. Let’s find out the cause. Those who are brave come with me” said a lion.  

Then a rabbit came forward and said, “I’ll find it out.” The next day the rabbit hid himself behind a bush and observed. 

Meanwhile a deer came there as it was his turn to pray to the god of rain. The deer closed his eyes and stood there silently till the evening. 

The rabbit grew impatient. It was getting dark. Then the old tiger appeared from the bushes and moved slowly towards the deer. The old tiger caught the deer by his neck and dragged him into the cave. 

The rabbit immediately ran into the other animals and disclosed everything.

All the animals summoned the old tiger. The old tiger admitted his crooked plan and assured them that he would not do it again.