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 at his heels and kept trying to catch and eat him. The hare was quick and nimble, he threw the wolf off the scent and didn't let himself be wronged.
One day the hare grew tired of running from the wolf and decided to wait for the grey one to come closer. The wolf sees: on the clearing sits a long-eared hare all alone and isn't in a hurry to run away. He creeps towards the clearing and can hardly believe his luck: "Well, would you look at that! The prey is walking straight into my mouth!"
But the hare, as soon as he spotted the wolf, says to him:
Why do you keep 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 onto 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 wager!
Why would I wager when I can just eat you? — the wolf licked his lips and began circling around the hare.
So you're afraid to lose? — the hare began to provoke the wolf.
I'm not afraid of anything, I know that 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 wager, but didn't shake paws. Not a chance! It was dangerous for the hare, and the wolf wanted to catch the long-eared one. They decided to gather the 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 on 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 escaping him!
I'm afraid of the wolf too, whenever he passes by my tree, he clicks his teeth so 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! It can't be! — 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 gone on arguing on the clearing if the bear hadn't come at the sound of their noise. He looked and couldn't understand what all the fuss was about.
What's happened, friends? — asked the bear.
Misha, the hare and the wolf made a wager, and we can't decide who's right. We need your help! — said the squirrel.
What kind of wager is this? I'll help however I can, — the bear became interested.
The hare jumped onto 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 grew 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 long-eared one and ran off at full speed into the thicket.
That's not fair, I won! — cried the wolf.
But we didn't shake paws! — the hare found an answer.
And so everything returned to its place: the hare runs away, and the wolf chases, as nature intended.
