In a certain forest lived a mighty elephant, king of a herd, Toothy by
name. On a certain occasion there was a long drought, so that pools,
tanks, swamps, and lakes were dried up. Then the elephants sent out
exploring parties in search of water. A young one discovered an
extensive lake surrounded with trees, and teeming with water-fowl. It
went by the name of the Moon-lake. The elephants, delighted at the
prospect of having an inexhaustible supply of water, marched off to
the spot, and found their most sanguine hopes realized. Round about
the lake, in the sandy soil, were innumerable hare warrens; and as the
herd of elephants trampled on the ground, the hares were severely
injured, their homes broken down, their heads, legs, and backs crushed
beneath the ponderous feet of the monsters of the forest. As soon as
the herd had withdrawn, the hares assembled, some halting, some
dripping with blood, some bearing the corpses of their cherished
infants, some with piteous tales of ruination in their houses, all
with tears streaming from their eyes, and wailing forth, "Alas, we are
lost! The elephant-herd will return, for there is no water elsewhere,
and that will be the death of all of us."
But the wise and prudent Longear volunteered to drive the herd away;
and he succeeded in this manner: Longear went to the elephants, and
having singled out their king, he addressed him as follows:--
"Ha, ha! bad elephant! what brings you with such thoughtless frivolity
to this strange lake? Back with you at once!"
When the king of the elephants heard this, he asked in astonishment,
"Pray, who are you?"
"I," replied Longear,--"I am Vidschajadatta by name; the hare who
resides in the Moon. Now am I sent by his Excellency the Moon as an
ambassador to you. I speak to you in the name of the Moon."
"Ahem! Hare," said the elephant, somewhat staggered; "and what message
have you brought me from his Excellency the Moon?"
"You have this day injured several hares. Are you not aware that they
are the subjects of me? If you value your life, venture not near the
lake again. Break my command, and I shall withdraw my beams from you
at night, and your bodies will be consumed with perpetual sun."
The elephant, after a short meditation, said, "Friend! it is true that
I have acted against the rights of the excellent Majesty of the Moon.
I should wish to make an apology; how can I do so?"