King elephant and the hare

There were many animals in the Uluguru forest. Among them were elephants, leopards, hyenas, crocodiles, rhinoceroses, hares, tortoises, and lions. They lived and worked together happily. They also shared everything they had. One day, it rained a lot. The rain caused floods which destroyed everything in the forest. Some of the animals died because of the floods. So, the other animals were very sad. A few days later, Mr Elephant, who was the King, called a meeting of all the animals. King Elephant opened the meeting by greeting all of them.

King Elephant: Hi! Hi! Hi! My people! Animals: Hi! Hi! Hi! Our King! King Elephant: As you can see, we do not have food. We have neither shelter nor water. What shall we do? (Mr Rhinoceros was the first to respond to the question.) Mr Rhinoceros: Oh! My family and I will volunteer to dig a well in only two days. Mr Lion: Oh! My King, don't worry! My family and I will bring food. Mr Crocodile: Yes, my King! I suggest that Mr Tortoise, Mr Hare and I should prepare the farms. (The rest of the animals decided to join Lion and Rhinoceros. All the animals who attended the meeting agreed). King Elephant: Well done my friends! I agree with you. Please, take only five days to complete the work. Animals: Yes! Yes! Yes! Our King!

Then, King Elephant allowed the animals to disperse. After five days, all the animals finished their work. The King congratulated them for the hard work. However, Mr Crocodile reported that Mr Hare had refused to work.

The King became angry and called another meeting. He announced that Mr Hare must be expelled from the forest because he was an enemy of the animals. While the announcement was being made, Mr Hare was hiding at the back. So he heard the announcement and ran away very fast. He hid himself under a big tree. After the meeting, the animals started looking for Mr Hare, but they could not find him. Three months later, the planted crops were ready for harvest. There was maize, groundnuts, millet, and beans in the farm. Mr Hare liked groundnuts very much. One night, he went to steal groundnuts. Mr Hyena saw him. He ran quickly and shouted to the other animals, "Uuuuw! Uuuuw! I have seen Mr Hare stealing our groundnuts. We must catch him!"

Mr Rhinoceros insisted that Mr Hare must be caught and punished. Mr Hyena suggested that the King should be informed. All the animals agreed. When the King was informed, he immediately ordered Mr Lion to be the first to act as a watchman. Mr Lion agreed and ran quickly to the groundnuts farm. He spent days and nights, but Mr Hare did not appear. Mr Lion reported to the King that he did not see Mr Hare. Then it was Mr Leopard's turn to guard. Mr Leopard went to the farm at 8:00 p.m. He saw Mr Hare walking around the farm. Mr Leopard walked slowly towards him. Suddenly, he caught Mr Hare. He cried, "Squeak! Squeak! Squeak!" Mr Leopard said, "I have caught you at last! You refused to work in the farm, but you want to be the first to eat," Mr Hare said, "please, let me go. I did not intend to take anything from your farm. I was just passing." Mr Leopard replied, "No! No! No! Don't play your tricks. Mr Hyena saw you digging groundnuts." Mr Hare said, "Please, set me free. I will give you delicious meat." "Meat? Where is it?" Mr Leopard asked. Mr Hare was carrying a bag of meat mixed with sleeping drugs. He opened it and gave a piece to Mr Leopard. He tasted it and said, "Oh! It is so delicious. Can I have some more, please?" Mr Hare gave him some more. After five minutes, Mr Leopard felt dizzy and fell asleep. Mr Hare used the chance to carry the bags of groundnuts to his home. When Mr Leopard woke up, he realized that Mr Hare had tricked him. Early in the morning, Mr Leopard reported to the King how Mr Hare had tricked him. King Elephant called a meeting and ordered Mr Hare to be hunted. That is why the hare hides in holes in the forest.