The Sparrow and the Hare

On a crisp autumn morning, when the leaves painted the forest in shades of gold and crimson, a young hare was bounding joyfully through the woodland paths. He loved these early hours when the dew still sparkled on the grass and the air was fresh and cool.

The hare was particularly energetic this day, leaping over fallen logs and darting between the trees with remarkable speed. His powerful hind legs carried him effortlessly across the forest floor as he searched for the sweetest clover and the most tender young shoots.

High above in the branches of an old oak tree, a sparrow watched the hare’s energetic display. The little bird had always been somewhat envious of the hare’s speed and grace. While the sparrow could fly, which was certainly an advantage, he had always admired how effortlessly the hare could cover great distances on the ground.

“Show off,” muttered the sparrow to himself, ruffling his brown feathers with irritation. “Always hopping about, thinking he’s so fast and clever.”

As the hare bounded through the forest, he failed to notice a cleverly concealed trap that hunters had set along one of the well-worn animal paths. It was a snare made of strong rope, hidden beneath a layer of fallen leaves and positioned perfectly to catch unwary animals.

In his exuberant leaping, the hare landed directly in the trap. The noose tightened around his hind leg with a sharp snap, and suddenly the graceful creature found himself caught fast, unable to move more than a few inches in any direction.

“Help! Help!” cried the hare, his voice filled with panic and pain. “I’m trapped! Someone please help me!”

The sparrow, hearing the commotion below, flew down to see what had happened. When he saw the hare struggling desperately in the snare, instead of feeling compassion, the sparrow began to laugh.

“Ha! Ha! Ha!” chirped the sparrow mockingly. “Look at the mighty runner now! Where is all that speed you’re so proud of? You can’t even move a foot without that rope holding you back!”

The hare looked up at the sparrow with pleading eyes. “Please, friend Sparrow, this is no time for jokes. I’m in serious danger. The hunters will return soon, and if I can’t escape, they’ll surely take me. Can’t you help me somehow?”

But the sparrow only laughed harder. “Help you? Why should I help someone who’s always showing off? You thought you were so much better than the rest of us with your jumping and hopping. Now look where your pride has gotten you!”

The hare struggled against the rope, but it only tightened more with each movement. “I never meant to show off,” he said desperately. “I was just enjoying the morning and the freedom to run. Please, I’m begging you!”

“Freedom to run?” the sparrow cackled. “Well, you don’t have much freedom now, do you? Let’s see you hop your way out of this predicament!”

The sparrow continued to mock the trapped hare, dancing from branch to branch above him, making jokes about his situation. He felt a cruel satisfaction in seeing the once-swift creature rendered helpless.

However, the sparrow’s harsh laughter had not gone unnoticed. A large hawk, hunting in the area, heard the commotion and spotted the small bird perched on the branch. Hawks were natural predators of sparrows, and this one had been searching for breakfast.

Silent as a shadow, the hawk swooped down with incredible speed. The sparrow, so focused on mocking the hare, never saw the danger approaching until it was too late.

With a powerful grip, the hawk caught the sparrow in his sharp talons. The little bird’s mocking laughter turned into desperate cries for help.

“Help! Help!” screamed the sparrow. “Someone save me!”

The hare, still trapped in his snare, looked up at the sparrow now caught in the hawk’s grasp. Despite how cruelly the sparrow had treated him, the hare felt no satisfaction in seeing his tormentor in danger.

“Oh, Sparrow,” called the hare sadly, “now you know how it feels to be helpless and afraid. I wish I could help you as I wished you had helped me.”

The hawk, hearing the exchange, paused for a moment. “Little sparrow,” said the hawk, “you spent your time laughing at another’s misfortune instead of offering aid. Perhaps this will teach you about compassion.”

But the hawk, being wiser than both of them and having heard the hare’s kind words despite his cruel treatment, decided to offer a lesson rather than exact revenge.

“I will spare you, Sparrow,” said the hawk, “but only if you help free this hare from his trap. Your small size and nimble beak can untie what his struggles cannot.”

Grateful for the chance to live and ashamed of his earlier behavior, the sparrow quickly agreed. The hawk released him, and the little bird immediately flew down to work at the knots of the snare with his sharp beak.

It took time and patience, but eventually the sparrow managed to loosen the rope enough for the hare to escape. Both animals were grateful to be free and alive.

“Thank you, Sparrow,” said the hare sincerely. “You saved my life.”

“And I’m sorry for mocking you,” replied the sparrow, his head hanging in shame. “I learned today that misfortune can strike anyone, and we should help each other rather than laugh at others’ troubles.”

From that day forward, the sparrow and the hare became friends, and the sparrow never again mocked another creature’s misfortune.

Moral: Those who laugh at others’ misfortunes may soon find themselves in need of the very compassion they failed to show. It is better to offer help than mockery, for we all may face troubles in our turn.