The king of the animals, the lion, announced a contest. He had a pot of water boiled and said:
— Whoever drinks this water will receive many rewards, – he set the condition.
The animals came one after another, but no matter how brave they were, none had the courage to drink the boiling water.
Finally, the rabbit came, picked up the pot that was sitting on the red-hot coals, and said:
— I really love to drink it hot, – as he looked around.
— Well then, go ahead and drink, – the animals replied, taken aback.
The rabbit walked around the line of animals standing in rows and said:
— Look, my friends, here is the hot water. See it with your own eyes! – and he showed it to each of them.
By the time the rabbit had walked from the beginning to the end of the line, the water in the pot had cooled down. At that moment, the rabbit lifted the water to his head and gulped it down. The startled animals opened their mouths and closed their eyes.
And the deceived lion king rewarded the rabbit generously, saying:
— Here is a true hero! – praising him.