The Hare and the Well of Truth

During a great drought, the animals dug a well, but the lazy Hyena refused to help. When the well was finished, the Lion declared that only those who had dug it could drink. To enforce this, every animal had to tell a true story about itself before drinking. The Elephant told of his strength, the Giraffe of his height. The Hare's turn came, and he said, "My truth is this: I am small and weak, but my mind is sharp. And yesterday, I saw the lazy Hyena stealing from the village chief's farm." This was true, and the Hare drank. The Hyena, furious and thirsty, came to the well. "What is your truth?" asked the Lion. The Hyena, who was a known thief, could not think of a single true thing to say about himself that was not shameful. Unable to tell the truth, he was denied water and slunk away in disgrace, while the Hare was celebrated for his honesty and cleverness.