Once upon a time there lived a wolf and a hare in the forest. Day after day — the hare had no peace: the wolf was on his heels and always trying to catch him and eat him. The hare was quick and clever, he threw the wolf off the scent and didn't let himself be caught.
One day the hare got tired of running from the wolf and decided to wait for the grey one to come closer. The wolf sees: a long-eared hare sitting alone in the clearing and not in a hurry to run away. He creeps up to the clearing and can't believe his luck: "Well, would you look at that! Dinner is walking straight into my mouth!"
But the hare, as soon as he spotted the wolf, says to him:
Why are you chasing me? I'm already tired of running!
What do you mean why? — the wolf was surprised, — To eat you, of course!
So you're evil! — answered the hare.
Why am I evil? I'm just hungry, — the grey one was offended and jumped into the clearing, — Got you!
And I'm telling you, you're evil! Everyone in the forest knows that. Don't believe me — let's make a bet!
Why would I bet when I can just eat you? — the wolf licked his lips and started circling around the hare.
So you're afraid to lose? — the hare started to provoke the wolf.
I'm not afraid of anything, I know I'm good! Let's do this: if I'm right, then I eat you. If you...
If I'm right, then you won't chase me anymore!
Deal!
They made a bet, but didn't shake paws on it. Of course not! It was dangerous for the hare, and that's exactly what the wolf wanted — to catch the hare. They decided to gather a forest council and ask the animals what they thought: was the wolf good or evil? The hare brought all his friends: young hares, squirrels, hedgehogs. But the wolf had no friends in the forest, only one fox. The animals sat in the forest clearing and argued:
We've known the wolf for a long time, he gives us no peace! — the young hares chattered over each other, — He chases one, then another! There's no escape from him!
I'm afraid of the wolf too, whenever he passes by my tree, he clicks his teeth so loud that my fur stands on end! — the squirrel joined her friends.
I can't say anything bad about the wolf, he's never done me any harm, — said the hedgehog.
But I know that the wolf is good and kind, — came the cunning voice of the fox.
You're lying! That can't be true! It can't! — the hares chattered.
The wolf always helps me hunt, — continued the red trickster.
Hunt us! — the hares chattered again.
The wolf is a good friend and companion, — added the fox.
I don't believe it! — cried the squirrel.
I don't know… — puffed the hedgehog.
The animals would have argued on the clearing forever, if the bear hadn't come to their noise. He looked and couldn't understand what everyone was so upset about.
What's happened, friends? — asked the bear.
Misha, the hare and the wolf made a bet, and we can't decide who's right. We need your help! — said the squirrel.
What kind of bet is this? I'll help however I can, — the bear was interested.
The hare jumped on a stump and began to tell the bear how the wolf chases him through the forest and gives him no peace.
The wolf sat to the side and couldn't understand why they suddenly decided he was evil. And there was nothing to say: the hare was telling the bear the truth. The grey one became sad.
I understand what your trouble is. Hare, you think the wolf is evil because he bothers you. But really the wolf isn't evil, that's just his job — he's the forest's keeper. Without him it would be hard to live here.
So I'm not evil at all? — the wolf was surprised and stopped being sad right away.
Not evil, not evil, only you shouldn't chase the hares so often. Then they won't think you're evil.
So I won! — the wolf smiled at the hare and showed all his sharp teeth, — Now, hare, I'll eat you!
Catch me first! — cried the hare and ran off into the thick forest as fast as he could.
That's not fair, I won! — cried the wolf.
But we didn't shake paws on it! — the hare found an answer.
And so everything returned to its place: the hare runs away, and the wolf chases, as nature intended.
