(From an original Manuscript in English, by Mr. John Priestley, in
Sir G. Grey’s Library.)
The Moon, on one occasion, sent the Hare to the earth to inform Men
that as she (the Moon) died away and rose again, so mankind should die
and rise again. Instead, however, of delivering this message as given,
the Hare, either out of forgetfulness or malice, told mankind that as
the Moon rose and died away, so Man should die and rise no more. The
Hare, having returned to the Moon, was questioned as to the message
delivered, and the Moon, having heard the true state of the case,
became so enraged with him that she took up a hatchet to split his
head; falling short, however, of that, the hatchet fell upon the upper
lip of the Hare, and cut it severely. Hence it is that we see the
“Hare-lip.” The Hare, being duly incensed at having received such
treatment, raised his claws, and scratched the Moon’s face; and the
dark parts which we now see on the surface of the Moon are the scars
which she received on that occasion.