The Hare and the Well of the Animals

During a great drought, all the animals of the plains agreed to dig a well. Everyone worked hard—the Elephant, the Giraffe, the Zebra—all except the lazy Hyena, who claimed he was too important to dig. When the well was full of water, the animals made a rule that the Hyena was not allowed to drink. The Hyena, dying of thirst, went to the clever Hare for help. The Hare told him, "I will help you, but you must do exactly as I say." The Hare tied a rope around the Hyena and told him to play dead. He then dragged the "dead" Hyena to the well. "My friend has died of thirst because of your cruel rule!" the Hare cried to the other animals. "According to custom, we must wash his body before burial." The other animals, feeling a bit guilty, agreed. They lowered the Hyena's body into the well to wash him. Once he was in the water, the Hyena drank and drank until his belly was full. The Hare then pulled him up, and the two ran off, having used the other animals' adherence to social customs to overcome their rule.