The Hare Who Paid a Debt with a Trick

The Hare owed the Crocodile a bag of maize. The Crocodile waited for him at the river crossing. The Hare knew the Crocodile would eat him if he got too close. So, the Hare filled a bag with heavy, round stones, with only a thin layer of maize on top. He went to the riverbank and called out, "Friend Crocodile! I have your payment, but this bag is too heavy to bring across!" The Crocodile, eager for his payment, replied, "Don't worry, just throw it over to me!" The Hare, pretending to struggle, swung the heavy bag and threw it with all his might. The bag flew through the air and landed directly on the Crocodile's head, knocking him out cold. The Hare then crossed the river safely. He had paid his debt, but in a way that also punished the creditor for his predatory intentions.