Once it happened that a lion, a hyaena and a hare set out on a journey
together.
The way was long, and they suffered much from hunger. Till one day, when
they were as yet far distant from the end of the journey, they were so
sorely pressed by hunger that they gave up all hope of getting any
further. Then they took counsel together and said, "Now we shall all
die, and not one of us will escape. It were better that we eat one of
our number, so that the other two may get the strength to proceed."
[Illustration: The lion, the hyaena and the hare]
So they all agreed that this must be done, but they could not agree as
to who should be eaten and who should be saved. At last it was decided
that the youngest amongst them should be eaten by the other two.
Then said the lion to the hare, "Now tell us your age, that we may
know."
The hare replied, "Am I not the smallest and weakest here? It would not
be fitting for me to speak before the great ones. You, my masters, tell
your ages first, and then I will speak."