In a great forest there lived a lion named Mandamati. Proud and cruel by nature, he did not hunt only to satisfy his hunger. Whenever he saw a deer, he killed it without mercy. He could not bear to see even a single deer alive.

All the creatures of the forest were filled with fear and sorrow. The deer, the wild boars, the buffaloes, the wild oxen, the hares, and the other beasts gathered together. With bowed heads and bent knees, they approached the lord of the forest and humbly said:

"My lord, enough of this. Why do you destroy the creatures of the forest without cause? Such needless slaughter is cruel. It brings neither honour in this world nor good in the world to come." "It is said that, for the sake of one birth, fools commit such sins that they suffer for a thousand births thereafter."

Then they said, "My lord, one who eats only what is needed each day remains strong, just as medicine restores health when taken in the proper measure. But one who destroys everything at once, like a man who slaughters a goat for a single meal, enjoys himself only for a moment.

"A wise king cares for his people as a gardener tends his young plants, nurturing them until they bear fruit. He draws wealth from his people as one milks a cow at the proper time, or waters a flowering vine so that it may blossom again. Though a lamp consumes oil, it gives light in return. In the same way, when a righteous king receives wealth from his people, he repays them with protection and justice.

"Protect us, therefore, O lord, and both you and your people shall prosper together. For all the wealth of a kingdom—its gold, grain, and treasures—comes from its people."

Hearing these words, the lion Mandamati replied, “What you have said is true.” The animals then said, “In that case, let us make this agreement. Each day, in turn, one among us—whether old, afflicted, or weary of life—shall come to your dwelling at midday to serve as your meal. Thus you will never lack food, and our race will not be utterly destroyed.”

The lion answered, “So be it. But remember this: if, on any day, no animal comes at the appointed time, I shall destroy every one of you.” The animals accepted his condition and returned to their homes. From that day onward, they moved about the forest without fear. Each day, when the hour of noon arrived, the animal whose turn had come would go of its own accord to the lion's abode.

In due course, the turn fell to a little hare. The other animals said to him, “Today it is your turn. Go to the lion.” The hare thought, “How may this wicked lion be slain? Nothing is impossible for one who has wisdom. What can the intelligent not do? What can the hard-working not get?”

He thought, "I will kill the lion himself.” With this purpose in mind, he set out at an exceedingly slow pace, deliberately delaying his journey. He reached the lion's dwelling only when the day was drawing to its close and the sun was sinking toward the horizon.

Meanwhile, the lion, tormented by hunger as the agreed hour passed, grew furious. Licking his lips in rage, he thought, “Tomorrow I shall destroy every animal without exception.” Just then, the little hare approached at his unhurried pace. Bowing respectfully before the lion, he stood in silence.

Seeing that the hare had arrived so late, that he was so small, and that he had come alone, the lion blazed with anger. "You wretch!" he roared. "First, you are scarcely enough to satisfy my hunger; and then you dare to come so late! For this offence I shall kill you at once, and tomorrow I shall destroy your entire race."

The little hare bowed respectfully and replied, "My lord, the fault is neither mine nor that of the other animals. If you will permit me, I shall explain what happened."

The lion said, "Speak quickly, before hunger consumes me."

The hare said, "Maharaja, knowing that today was my appointed turn, the animals sent me, the smallest among them, together with five other hares. But on our way, a mighty lion emerged from a great cavern in the earth and confronted us.

"Where are you going?" he demanded. "Remember your God, for your death is at hand." I replied, "We are going, in accordance with our agreement, to offer ourselves as food to our king, the lion Mandamati."

At this, he said, "This forest belongs to me. The animals should have made their agreement with me alone. That Mandamati is nothing but a thief who has seized another's kingdom. Go at once and bring him here. Whichever of us proves the stronger shall be king, and all the deer shall belong to him."

"My lord," continued the hare, "he commanded me to come and summon you. That is why I have arrived so late. Now you must decide what is to be done." Hearing this, Mandamati said, "Friend, take me to that thief of a lion at once. I shall vent my wrath upon him and put an end to his arrogance."

The hare replied, "My lord, what you say is true. Warriors indeed contend for their land and their honour. But that lion has taken shelter within a fortress. It was from there that he came out to stop us before withdrawing again. An enemy protected by a fortress is exceedingly difficult to overcome.

One archer on a fort wall can fight a hundred. That is why wise men in niti-shastra praise a fort. In olden days, Indra himself made a fort with Vishwakarma's help for fear of Hiranyakashipu. Whoever has a fort becomes victorious."

The lion replied, "Take me to that thief, even if he hides within a fortress. I shall kill him. He who fails to destroy an enemy or a disease while it is still in its beginning, however powerful he may be, is himself destroyed when it has grown strong."

The hare said, "Yes, my lord, but I have seen how powerful he is. It is not wise to confront an enemy without first weighing his strength against your own. Just as a moth rushes into a flame only to perish, and an elephant with broken tusks returns from battle in disgrace, so too does one who acts without discernment invite ruin."

The lion replied, "Why should that concern you? Simply show me where that rogue is hiding in his fortress."

"As you command, my lord," said the hare. He went ahead, leading the lion to a deep well. Then he said, "My lord, who could endure the radiance of your majesty? The moment that thief caught sight of you from afar, he fled into his fortress. Come, I shall show him to you."

The lion stepped forward and looked where the hare pointed. The hare directed his gaze into the well. The foolish lion looked into the water at the bottom of the well and saw his own reflection. Mistaking it for the rival lion, he let out a mighty roar. The echo rose from the depths of the well, seeming even louder than his own. Hearing it, he thought, "Indeed, this fellow is stronger than I." Blinded by rage, he sprang forward to attack his supposed enemy. Instead, he plunged into the well, where he perished.

The little hare rejoiced at the success of his plan. He returned to the forest and brought glad tidings to the animals. They all praised his wisdom, and from that day onward they lived in peace and safety.

Therefore it is said:

Yasya buddhir balam tasya, nirbuddhes tu kuto balam? - He who possesses wisdom possesses strength; what strength has the foolish?

Thus a mighty and arrogant lion was brought to his end by a little hare.

When the story had ended, Damanaka said, "That is why I say: he who possesses intelligence possesses strength."

Karataka replied, "That was merely a fortunate chance. Although the hare succeeded, one who is weak should not provoke one who is stronger."

Damanaka said, "Whether a man is strong or weak, he must first resolve to act. It is said: Fortune favours the man who exerts himself. 'It is all fate,' say the faint-hearted. Overcome fate through your own courageous effort. And if, after striving with all your strength, success still does not come, where is the fault?

And again: The gods themselves come to the aid of those who are ever industrious.

It is also said: When a man exerts himself, the gods hasten to assist him, just as Vishnu, bearing his discus and mace, came to protect Kaushika's sacrifice.

And further: An arrow, once rightly discharged, does not fail of its mark; thus Vishnu, in the guise of Kaushika, won the king's daughter.

Karataka said, "How did that happen? Indeed, even the learned accomplish their aims only through proper effort."

Then Damanaka began to tell this story: