Once upon a time there lived a little hare called Barnaby. One morning he woke up and saw a ray of sunshine dancing on the windowsill. Barnaby was delighted, because he had a very important job to do.
He wanted to finish the clay cottage he had started modelling the evening before, but he had not finished it and fell asleep.
In the morning he had plenty of energy. He ate his porridge and toast and hurried off with a spring in his step to the building site.
At first everything went well: Barnaby made the windows and the door, and then he set to work on the roof. The roof simply would not behave. It kept caving in or tilting off to one side.
Barnaby fiddled with the roof for a long time, but nothing came of it. So he lost his temper and kicked his little cottage.
Yes, our hare had one failing: he did not like it when something went wrong. Then he would get worked up. He stamped his paws, smashed everything in sight, burst into tears and ran away as far as he could from the unfinished job.
Suddenly, out of nowhere, a gnome appeared. He looked just like the gnomes Barnaby's mother had read about in his storybooks.
Hello, Barnaby! I am a gnome. I can see that you are upset, and it is stopping you from finishing your lovely cottage.
Yes, I feel terrible, and I have no energy left for it! replied the little hare.
I know how to help you, but you will need to find something first, said the gnome.
I agree! said the hare, cheering up.
There is a wicked wizard in this world who collects strength. He leaves everyone else with helplessness, anger and aggression. Whenever someone gets cross, the wizard takes their strength and hides it far, far away in a chest. I am giving you a magic compass, which will lead you to that little chest and keep you from losing your way, explained the gnome.
Thank you so much! I will do my best to find the chest! shouted Barnaby, and he set off at once.
The journey was very hard and led through a dense wood, where wild animals lived who frightened the little hare. But he kept going all the same, because he knew that the chest of strength was waiting for him.
After a day and a night, Barnaby found the little chest in which his strength was kept. When he opened it, his face glowed with light, and his strength came flooding back.
The journey home seemed short to Barnaby, because he had his strength with him, and it helped him get through every difficulty.
As soon as the little hare got home, he rushed to finish his cottage. This time the work went smoothly. The cottage turned out very lovely indeed!
Now Barnaby knew that he could keep his strength if he always stayed composed and calm.
