Fruit Of Fearlessness

Once upon a time, a hungry lioness was wandering through the savanna looking for a snack. Suddenly, a little gray rabbit came hopping along, completely oblivious!

The lioness licked her lips and smiled. "Well, look at that! A delicious lunch delivered right to me without any effort at all," she thought. She stepped out from behind a hill, ready to pounce.

But instead of running away screaming, the smart little rabbit stayed perfectly calm. He looked right at the big lioness and gave her a friendly smile.

The lioness stopped in her tracks. She was very confused. "Little rabbit," she growled softly, "why aren't you shaking with fear? Aren't you afraid of me?"

"Oh, not at all, Madam Lioness!" the rabbit cheered. "You see, I just ate a magical, delicious fruit today that fills anyone who eats it with endless happiness and bravery. If you eat it, you will never feel scared of anything ever again!"

The lioness's ears perked up. She was secretly terrified of big, stomping elephants and always wished she could be braver. "A miracle fruit that cures fear? Tell me where it is at once!" she demanded.

"Follow me!" said the rabbit with a wink.

The rabbit led the lioness to the base of a tall, rocky mountain. Way up at the very top, there was a tiny, skinny tree. The rabbit pointed his little paw. "If you can climb to the top of that mountain and scramble up that tree, the fruit is all yours!"

"Watch me!" boomed the lioness. "I won't waste a single second. Once I eat that fruit, I'll never have to hide from elephants again!"

The lioness rushed up the mountain. She scrambled, climbed, and panted all the way to the peak. Eager for her prize, she leaped right onto the branches of the tree.

But oops! The tree was far too small and weak to hold a heavy lioness.

CRACK!

The tree snapped right in half. With a loud yell, the lioness tumbled backward and went rolling, tumbling, and sliding all the way down to the bottom of the mountain in a cloud of dust.

Down below, the clever rabbit cheered, clapped his paws, and laughed, "Now that was a trick!" He turned around and hopped happily all the way home, safe and sound.