Once upon a time, a wolf and a hare lived in the forest. Day after day, the hare had no peace: the wolf was always on his heels, trying to catch and eat him. The hare was fast and clever, throwing the wolf off his trail and never letting himself be caught.
One day, the hare got tired of running from the wolf and decided to wait for the gray beast to come closer. The wolf sees: a long-eared hare sitting alone in a clearing, not hurrying to run away. He creeps toward the clearing and can hardly believe his luck: "Well, well! Dinner is walking right into my mouth!"
But as soon as the hare spotted the wolf, he said 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 gray wolf was offended and jumped into the clearing, — Got you!
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 began circling around the hare.
So you're afraid to lose? — the hare began to taunt the wolf.
I'm not afraid of anything, I know I'm good! Let's do this: if I'm right, I eat you. If you...
If I'm right, you won't chase me anymore!
Deal!
They made a bet, but didn't shake paws. Of course not! It was dangerous for the hare, and the wolf wanted to grab him. They decided to call 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, and he gives us no peace! — the young hares chattered over each other, — He chases one of us, then another! There's no escape from him!
I'm afraid of the wolf too. Every time he passes by my tree, he snaps his teeth so hard 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 the wolf is good and kind, — came the sly 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 in the clearing if a bear hadn't come at the sound of their noise. He looked around 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 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 telling the bear how the wolf chases him through the forest and gives him no peace.
The wolf sat to the side, unable to understand why they suddenly decided he was evil. And there was nothing to say: the hare was telling the bear the truth. The gray wolf grew sad.
I understand your problem now. Hare, you think the wolf is evil because he bothers you. But the wolf isn't really evil. He has a job — he's the forest's caretaker. Without him, life here would be difficult.
So I'm not evil at all? — the wolf was surprised and stopped being sad right away.
Not evil, not evil at all. But 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, showing all his sharp teeth, — Now, hare, I'll eat you!
Catch me first! — cried the hare and ran off at full speed into the thicket.
That's not fair, I won! — cried the wolf.
We didn't shake paws! — the hare found an excuse.
And so everything returned to the way it was: the hare runs, and the wolf chases, just as nature intended.
