The Jackal and the Hare's Tug-of-War

The Jackal, who was strong but not very bright, was boasting that he could beat anyone in a tug-of-war. The Hare, who was small but clever, overheard him and decided to teach him a lesson. "I accept your challenge," said the Hare. The Jackal laughed. The Hare produced a very long rope. He gave one end to the Jackal and said, "You stand on this side of the great anthill. I will go to the other side, and when I give the signal, we will pull." The Jackal agreed. But the Hare did not go to the other side. Instead, he went down to the river where the Hippopotamus was sleeping. He woke him up and said, "Mighty Hippo, the Jackal is boasting that he is stronger than you. He has challenged you to a tug-of-war." The Hippopotamus was insulted and angry. The Hare gave him the other end of the rope. The Hare then hid and shouted the signal. The Jackal pulled with all his might, but the rope would not move. "That Hare is surprisingly strong!" he thought. The Hippopotamus, feeling a weak tug, pulled back effortlessly, dragging the Jackal through the dirt and bushes. The Jackal, bruised and humiliated, finally let go of the rope and ran away, convinced that the Hare was the strongest animal in the world.