In a certain forest there was a bright clearing where animals gathered every day. They chatted with one another, argued about things, and even put on proper concerts. Usually there was quite a din, but today only two voices could be heard.
What do you know? You live in the lap of luxury!
The Hare protested indignantly.
As if your life is difficult!
The Wolf snapped back.
Nobody in our forest bothers you, you just munch carrots and pinch cabbages from the gardens.
Oh, what are you on about! And you just run about the forest and have tea parties with the fox. Whilst I…
Stop arguing.
Suddenly a voice rang out in the forest. The Wise Owl had emerged onto the clearing.
I can help you settle who has the harder life. I'll swap your tails for a day, and you'll each live the other's life.
And then the Owl waved her wing—and a short grey tail grew on the Wolf. She waved a second time—and a long grey tail grew on the Hare. And so it was agreed.
The Hare hopped through the forest quite pleased with himself, showing off to the local cuckoos. But his happiness didn't last long. The Hare decided to pinch some cabbages in the village, but it didn't work out. The moment his tail flashed in the bushes—gunshots rang out! The hunters chased the poor bunny for ages, and he barely escaped with his life. He thought hard—then went to the clearing to wait for the Wolf.
Things didn't go smoothly for the Wolf either. At first he was delighted, racing through the forest unnoticed, nobody paying him any mind. But in his excitement the forest creature wandered onto someone else's clearing.
And there sat the fox.
Oh, what a lovely little hare.
She smiled cunningly.
What are you on about, have you gone blind?
The grey hunter protested.
I'm a Wolf.
What wolf? Tiny tail, greyish—definitely a little hare.
I think so too.
A bear emerged from the bushes. And they reached out with their clawed paws towards the poor Wolf. And he too had to run away. They met on the clearing—the exhausted Wolf and the breathless Hare, with his tail between his legs.
Forgive me, Grey One.
The Hare pleaded.
Your life is hard, I was wrong.
No, you forgive me. How do you manage to run from everyone, to keep up with everything? You were right, yours is harder.
And don't argue any more.
Once again the Wise Owl emerged onto the clearing.
Life is difficult for everyone, it only seems easy from the outside. And until you've lived a day in someone else's shoes, don't judge anyone!
