Page:The jade story book; stories from the Orient (IA jadestorybooksto00cous).pdf/133

Rh Hare to supply the royal table, and as he walked slowly along to keep his appointment he said to himself, "If I have to die I will take my time, and will go to my death as leisurely as possible."

Now that day the Lion was very hungry, and he became very angry at being kept waiting for his meal, so when he saw the Hare walking along as though he had all day to spare he roared at him, "How dare you so delay your coming?"

"Sire," replied the Hare, "It is not my fault that I am late. On the way here I was detained by another lion, who made me promise to return to him when I shall have told your Majesty that he awaits you."

Of course, such insolence on the part of another lion made this one more angry than before, as the old Hare had intended it should, and he exclaimed in a rage, "Show me instantly where this impertinent villain of a lion lives."

Then the Hare led the way until he came to a deep well, when he stopped and said, "Now, my Lord, come here and see him."

So the Lion approached, and saw his own