The Cunning Hare
by Andrew Lang · from The Brown Fairy Book
Adapted Version
Once, a little hare lived with his grandmother. They were very hungry. They lived in a cold, snowy place. They had no food. It was very cold. They were very hungry.
"I will go fishing," said Little Hare. "We need food." Grandmother was worried. "You are too small," she said. "And we have no fire to cook." "I will get fish," he said. "Then I will get fire."
Little Hare went to the river. The water was cold. He put his net in the cold water. He waited all night. It was very long and cold. But he did not sleep. He waited and waited.
In the morning, he looked. He saw many fish! His net was full. He was so happy. "Look, Grandmother!" he shouted in his heart. He was so happy.
He took some fish home. "Look, Grandmother!" he said. "Now I will get fire." He went back to the river. It was very wide. He could not jump across. He was small. The river was big. He remembered some magic words. He said them quietly. He said the words.
Big fish came! They made a path across the water. Little Hare jumped on them. He crossed the river. On the other side, some children saw him. "A hare!" they said. They picked him up. They took him to their tent. "Let's play with him!" a boy said. "Let's keep him!"
Little Hare was scared. He wanted to go home. He saw a small hole in the tent. He had his net with him. He wished for a spark of fire. He wished and wished. A spark fell on his net! It started to burn. The net was on fire!
Little Hare jumped through the hole. He ran fast. The children ran after him. He jumped back onto the big fish. He crossed the river again. He was safe. He ran home to Grandmother. He gave her the burning net.
"Fire!" said Grandmother. "You are very clever, Little Hare!" They were warm and happy. They had food and fire. Cleverness helped them. They were safe and warm.
Original Story
The Cunning Hare
In a very cold country, far across the seas, where ice and snow cover
the ground for many months in the year, there lived a little hare, who,
as his father and mother were both dead, was brought up by his
grandmother. As he was too young, and she was too old, to work, they
were very poor, and often did not have enough to eat.
One day, when the little fellow was hungrier than usual, he asked his
grandmother if he might go down to the river and catch a fish for their
breakfast, as the thaw had come and the water was flowing freely again.
She laughed at him for thinking that any fish would let itself be
caught by a hare, especially such a young one; but as she had the
rheumatism very badly, and could get no food herself, she let him go.
“If he does not catch a fish he may find something else,” she said to
herself. So she told her grandson where to look for the net, and how he
was to set it across the river; but just as he was starting, feeling
himself quite a man, she called him back.
“After all, I don’t know what is the use of your going, my boy! For
even if you should catch a fish, I have no fire to cook it with.”
“Let me catch my fish, and I will soon make you a fire,” he answered
gaily, for he was young, and knew nothing about the difficulties of
fire-making.
It took him some time to haul the net through bushes and over fields,
but at length he reached a pool in the river which he had often heard
was swarming with fish, and here he set the net, as his grandmother had
directed him.
He was so excited that he hardly slept all night, and at the very first
streak of dawn he ran as fast as ever he could down to the river. His
heart beat as quickly as if he had had dogs behind him, and he hardly
dared to look, lest he should be disappointed. Would there be even one
fish? And at this thought the pangs of hunger made him feel quite sick
with fear. But he need not have been afraid; in every mesh of the net
was a fine fat fish, and of course the net itself was so heavy that he
could only lift one corner. He threw some of the fish back into the
water, and buried some more in a hole under a stone, where he would be
sure to find them. Then he rolled up the net with the rest, put it on
his back and carried it home. The weight of the load caused his back to
ache, and he was thankful to drop it outside their hut, while he rushed
in, full of joy, to tell his grandmother. “Be quick and clean them!” he
said, “and I will go to those people’s tents on the other side of the
water.”
The old woman stared at him in horror as she listened to his proposal.
Other people had tried to steal fire before, and few indeed had come
back with their lives; but as, contrary to all her expectations, he had
managed to catch such a number of fish, she thought that perhaps there
was some magic about him which she did not know of, and did not try to
hinder him.
When the fish were all taken out, he fetched the net which he had laid
out to dry, folded it up very small, and ran down to the river, hoping
that he might find a place narrow enough for him to jump over; but he
soon saw that it was too wide for even the best jumper in the world.
For a few moments he stood there, wondering what was to be done, then
there darted into his head some words of a spell which he had once
heard a wizard use, while drinking from the river. He repeated them, as
well as he could remember, and waited to see what would happen. In five
minutes such a grunting and a puffing was heard, and columns of water
rose into the air, though he could not tell what had made them. Then
round the bend of the stream came fifteen huge whales, which he ordered
to place themselves heads to tails, like stepping stones, so that he
could jump from one to the other till he landed on the opposite shore.
Directly he got there he told the whales that he did not need them any
more, and sat down in the sand to rest.
Unluckily some children who were playing about caught sight of him, and
one of them, stealing softly up behind him, laid tight hold of his
ears. The hare, who had been watching the whales as they sailed down
the river, gave a violent start, and struggled to get away; but the boy
held on tight, and ran back home, as fast as he could go.
“Throw it in the pot,” said the old woman, as soon as he had told his
story; “put it in that basket, and as soon as the water boils in the
pot we will hang it over the fire!”
“Better kill it first,” said the old man; and the hare listened,
horribly frightened, but still looking secretly to see if there was no
hole through which he could escape, if he had a chance of doing so.
Yes, there was one, right in the top of the tent, so, shaking himself,
as if with fright, he let the end of his net unroll itself a little.
“I wish that a spark of fire would fall on my net,” whispered he; and
the next minute a great log fell forward into the midst of the tent,
causing every one to spring backwards. The sparks were scattered in
every direction, and one fell on the net, making a little blaze. In an
instant the hare had leaped through the hole, and was racing towards
the river, with men, women, and children after him. There was no time
to call back the whales, so, holding the net tight in his mouth, he
wished himself across the river. Then he jumped high into the air, and
landed safe on the other side, and after turning round to be sure that
there was no chance of anyone pursuing him, trotted happily home to his
grandmother.
“Didn’t I tell you I would bring you fire?” said he, holding up his
net, which was now burning briskly.
“But how did you cross the water?” inquired the old woman.
“Oh, I just jumped!” said he. And his grandmother asked him no more
questions, for she saw that he was wiser than she.
[“Indian Folk Tales.” Bureau of Ethnology.]
Story DNA
Moral
Resourcefulness and quick thinking can overcome seemingly impossible obstacles.
Plot Summary
A young, orphaned hare and his elderly grandmother face starvation in a cold land. Despite his grandmother's doubts, the hare successfully catches many fish but then needs fire to cook them. He cunningly uses a forgotten spell to summon whales as stepping stones to cross a wide river to a human encampment. Captured by children, he overhears their plans to cook him, but uses his net and a whispered wish to create a diversion, escaping through a hole in their tent. He then wishes himself back across the river with the burning net, bringing fire and proving his wisdom to his grandmother.
Themes
Emotional Arc
suffering to triumph
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
The story is presented as an 'Indian Folk Tale' collected by the Bureau of Ethnology, indicating its roots in Indigenous American oral traditions. The specific tribe or region is not mentioned in this version, but the themes of animal tricksters and survival are common in many such traditions.
Plot Beats (14)
- A young hare and his old grandmother are poor and hungry in a cold land.
- The hare decides to go fishing, despite his grandmother's skepticism about his ability and their lack of fire.
- He successfully catches a huge number of fish, far more than expected.
- He decides to get fire from humans across a wide river.
- He uses a forgotten spell to summon fifteen whales to form a bridge across the river.
- After crossing, he is caught by human children and taken to their tent.
- The humans plan to cook him, and he overhears their conversation.
- He secretly notices a hole in the tent roof and begins to unroll his net.
- He whispers a wish for a spark to fall on his net, causing a log to fall and scatter sparks.
- A spark ignites his net, and he leaps through the hole in the roof, escaping the humans.
- He wishes himself back across the river, holding the burning net.
- He lands safely on his side of the river and trots home.
- He presents the burning net to his grandmother, fulfilling his promise of fire.
- His grandmother, impressed by his wisdom and resourcefulness, asks no more questions.
Characters
The Cunning Hare ★ protagonist
Small, young
Attire: None (animal)
Resourceful, clever
Image Prompt & Upload
An anthropomorphic hare with sleek brown fur, large intelligent amber eyes, and tall alert ears stands confidently. He wears a tailored green velvet vest over a white linen shirt, brown knee-length trousers, and sturdy leather boots. A small leather satchel is slung across his chest. He holds a polished brass pocket watch in one paw, a sly, knowing smile on his whiskered face. His posture is upright and poised, one foot slightly forward as if about to dash off. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Hare's Grandmother ◆ supporting
Old, suffering from rheumatism
Attire: None (animal)
Worried, cautious
Image Prompt & Upload
An elderly female hare with soft, silver-grey fur and gentle, wise eyes. She wears a faded blue floral apron over a simple cream-colored dress, and a knitted shawl draped over her shoulders. Her posture is slightly stooped but kind, with a warm, welcoming smile. She holds a wooden spoon in one paw, as if just finishing stirring a pot. Her long ears droop softly with age, and her whiskers are neatly groomed. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Boy ○ minor
Not specified
Attire: Inuit child's clothing appropriate for cold climate
Playful, opportunistic
Image Prompt & Upload
A young boy around ten years old with short, messy brown hair and a neutral expression. He is wearing a plain gray t-shirt and simple blue jeans. He stands straight with his arms relaxed at his sides, looking directly forward. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Old Woman ⚔ antagonist
Not specified
Attire: Inuit woman's clothing appropriate for cold climate
Practical, decisive
Image Prompt & Upload
An extremely elderly woman with a hunched posture, sharp cheekbones, and a cunning, unsettling smile. Her wild, tangled grey hair frames a face with deep wrinkles and piercing, dark eyes. She wears tattered, dark robes with frayed edges and a heavy, hooded cloak. Her bony fingers are slightly curled as if preparing to cast a spell. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Old Man ○ minor
Not specified
Attire: Inuit man's clothing appropriate for cold climate
Cautious
Image Prompt & Upload
An elderly man with a long, flowing white beard and deep wrinkles around his kind, twinkling eyes. He wears a tattered, earth-toned robe with a hood, leaning on a gnarled wooden staff. His posture is slightly stooped with age, a gentle smile on his face as he stands on a forest path dappled with sunlight. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Whales ◆ supporting
Fifteen huge whales
Attire: None (animal)
Obedient
Image Prompt & Upload
Two majestic whales, one large and one smaller, swimming side by side through deep blue water. The larger whale has ancient, wise eyes and a calm, gentle expression, its dark blue skin adorned with faint, glowing bioluminescent patterns. The smaller whale looks up at it with playful curiosity. Both have smooth, powerful bodies and graceful fins. Simple gradient background suggesting ocean depths, full body visible head to toe, two figures, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Locations
Hare's Hut
A poor hut, suggesting sparseness and age, where the hare lives with his grandmother.
Mood: desolate
Hare returns with fish and later with fire.
Image Prompt & Upload
Dusk settles over a small, weathered wooden hut nestled in a clearing of tall, whispering grasses. The crooked chimney releases a thin thread of smoke into the lavender sky. The hut's walls are made of rough, uneven planks, patched in places with dried moss and clay. A single round window glows with a warm, amber light from within, casting a soft rectangle onto the overgrown path. A few stubborn wildflowers grow near the doorstep. The atmosphere is quiet, sparse, and ancient, with a sense of humble resilience. Soft, fading sunlight highlights the thatched roof and the textures of the aged wood. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration
River Pool
A pool in a river, described as swarming with fish after the thaw.
Mood: hopeful
Hare catches many fish in his net.
Image Prompt & Upload
Early morning light filters through the misty air of a spring forest, illuminating a deep, circular pool in a rushing river. The thaw has turned the water crystal clear and emerald green, swarming with hundreds of silver and speckled trout, their scales flashing as they swirl in a mesmerizing, living vortex. Mossy, snow-dusted rocks line the banks, and the dark water reflects the trunks of towering birch and pine trees. Sunbeams pierce the canopy, creating dappled patterns on the surface and highlighting the vibrant activity below. A sense of renewal and teeming life fills the serene, chilly atmosphere. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
Riverbank (opposite shore)
Sandy area on the far side of the river, where children are playing near the tents.
Mood: dangerous
Hare is captured by a child.
Image Prompt & Upload
A serene sandy riverbank on the far shore of a gently flowing river under a late afternoon sky. The warm golden light of the setting sun casts long shadows and highlights the fine grains of the pale sand. Several simple, colorful canvas tents are pitched on the bank, their fabrics glowing softly. The river is calm, reflecting the orange and pink hues of the sky. Lush green grass and reeds line the water's edge, with a dense, dark forest rising on the distant horizon. The atmosphere is peaceful and tranquil. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
People's Tent
A tent where people live, containing a pot, basket, and fire.
Mood: threatening
Hare escapes through a hole in the tent after setting his net on fire.
Image Prompt & Upload
At twilight, a large, weathered canvas tent sits in a grassy clearing at the edge of an ancient forest. The tent's fabric glows warmly from within, illuminated by the flickering orange light of a small campfire visible through the tied-back entrance flap. Inside, a cast-iron pot hangs over the flames, and a woven reed basket rests on the packed earth floor. Soft, dusky blue light of the fading day contrasts with the fire's golden hues. The surrounding tall grass is dappled with the first stars' reflections, and the air feels still and quiet. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
