At the edge of the forest lay a big lake — Moon Lake. At night the moon's reflection shimmered in its calm water. In the soft earth of the banks, a colony of hares lived in their burrows. The smallest of them all — but the cleverest — was Mithu.
That year a terrible drought came. The big elephants' own pond dried to dust. Tormented by thirst, Gajraj the elephant king gave the order — “Come, to Moon Lake! There's still water there.” Thud… thud… thud… shaking the earth, the huge herd marched on.
All in a rush, the herd came down on the lake bank. Under their feet, so many of the hares' burrows caved in and crumbled! In terror the hares scattered this way and that. “Our homes are all gone! Where will we go now?” — cried the little baby hares.
Now you tell me — how could one tiny hare stop a whole herd of giant elephants? While all the hares wept, Mithu went quiet and thought… and thought… when suddenly his eyes lit up! He said — “Don't cry. What strength can't do, cleverness can. Tonight I'll turn King Gajraj back myself.”
Mithu sprang up onto a high rock. Chest puffed out, voice raised, he said — “Halt, King Gajraj! I am Uncle Moon's messenger. You have muddied the water of his lake — and Uncle Moon is furious!” At that, Gajraj stopped short, and behind him the herd rumbled to a halt.
Mithu led Gajraj right to the water's edge. “Look there — Uncle Moon himself!” On the water, the moon's reflection was shimmering. The moment Gajraj lowered his head, the water rippled and the reflection shook too — as if Uncle Moon were trembling with rage! Gajraj's heart gave a frightened thump.
“Forgive us, Uncle Moon! We'll never come again.” — and with that, Gajraj tiptoed away, leading his herd home. On the lake bank the hares danced for joy. That night little Mithu showed them all — however big your strength, cleverness is bigger still.