The other replied, "He is now in the lake, hearing the complaints of
the maimed hares."
"If that be the case," said the elephant, humbly, "bring me to my
lord, that I may tender him my submission."
So the hare conducted the king of the elephants to the edge of the
lake, and showed him the reflection of the moon in the water, saying,
"There stands our lord in the midst of the water, plunged in
meditation; reverence him with devotion, and then depart with speed."
Thereupon the elephant poked his proboscis into the water, and
muttered a fervent prayer. By so doing he set the water in agitation,
so that the reflection of the moon was all of a quiver.
"Look!" exclaimed the hare; "his Majesty is trembling with rage at
you!"
"Why is his supreme Excellency enraged with me?" asked the elephant.
"Because you have set the water in motion. Worship him, and then be
off!"
The elephant let his ears droop, bowed his great head to the earth,
and after having expressed in suitable terms his regret for having
annoyed the Moon, and the hare dwelling in it, he vowed never to
trouble the Moon-lake again. Then he departed, and the hares have ever
since lived there unmolested.