Once upon a time, on the vast African savanna, lived two rather different animals: a cunning hare and a big elephant. Admired for his strength and enormity, the elephant was the biggest and strongest animal on the planet. Conversely, the hare was little and fast; he was more recognized for his cleverness and cunning than for raw might. The elephant and the hare were far from buddies even if they lived next to one other. Believing that power was the only thing that counted, the elephant constantly teased the hare for his modest size.
The animals of the savanna were ravenous for food one day after a protracted dry season. The waterholes had dried up and the rich grass had shrived. Seeking food, the animals had to travel great distances. With his enormous legs and immense power, the elephant had no problem locating food. The hare, being much smaller, nonetheless found it challenging to cover great distances. He understood he had to come up with a survival strategy as he became emaciated and frail.
The hare stumbled into a large, well-hidden patch of tasty, green veggies one morning while he was hopping over the parched grass. It was ideal for a banquet. The hare understood, nevertheless, that the elephant would eat all the food in no time and leave nothing for the other animals should he find this area. The hare chose to keep the discovery under wraps and figure out how to eat the veggies free from elephant intervention.
After much contemplation, the hare developed a brilliant scheme at last. He knew the elephant would never turn down a challenge and enjoyed to brag about his strength. The hare hopped over to the drinking hole of the elephant and yelled out to him.
The hare spoke loudly, confident, “Good day, mighty elephant!” “I have come to contest you to a strength test!”
The brazenness of the hare startled and delighted the elephant. “You, a small hare, question me, the strongest creature in the land?” The elephant trumpeted, belly laughs abound. “Very good, little one. What difficulties exist?
Knowing his scheme was about to come off, the hare smirked. “We shall have a tug-of- war,” the hare said. “You will be the winner if you can carry me over the grassland. But should I be able to drag you, I shall be called the strongest!
At the idea of such a competition, the elephant laughed. “This will be over in no time,” he reasoned with himself. “I will demonstrate this hare what actual strength is.”
Hurrying away, the hare asked the elephant to wait beside the watering well while he got ready. Rather of getting ready for the tug-of- war, the hare headed toward the edge of the savanna where the magnificent baobab trees were. There he discovered a long, robust vine and wrapped one end around the trunk of a large baobab tree. Then holding the other end of the vine, the hare rushed back to the drinking hole.
The hare gave the elephant the vine’s end when he got back. “Here is the vine,” the hare remarked. “You have to pull with all your force when I signal!”
Certain he would easily win the challenge, the elephant carried the vine in his trunk. The elephant enquired, “Ready, little hare?”
“Ready!” the hare said, then hurried back to the baobab tree.
From a distance, the hare cried out, “Pull, mighty elephant, pull!”
The elephant stiffened himself and started to pull with great force. But he discovered he was straining against the relentless baobab tree rather than dragging the hare. The vine objected more the harder he pulled. The elephant squatted and strained, but the vine moved only one inch. He found it incomprehensible—how could a little hare be so robust?
The hare was seated coolly beside the baobab tree, grinning as he watched the elephant’s fruitless attempts. The hare figured the elephant would soon enough wear herself out, and that precisely occurred. Exhausted and perplexed, the elephant, after a protracted fight, at last released the vine.
Panting and wheezing, the elephant cried out, “Hare! You are indeed powerful! It is unbelievable that you have outperformed me in this event!
Acting to be equally fatigued, the hare hopped back to the drinking hole. “It was a tough challenge, mighty elephant,” the hare remarked, stifling his grin. As you can see, however, I have won. Maybe now you will realize that strength and size are not everything.
Too weary to disagree, the elephant nodded in accord. Little hare, you are correct. I admire you for your tremendous strength today.
The elephant never teased the hare once again starting that day. He had discovered a useful lesson: cunning and understanding have equal force with physical might. Conversely, the hare kept going to the hidden vegetable patch, savoring his food in peace knowing that his ingenuity had once again spared him.
And so, the legend of the elephant and the hare spread throughout the savanna, teaching all the animals—including the tiniest among them—that even with a keen intellect and a creative strategy they might accomplish great things.
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