【明報專訊】This is an old Japanese tale. Long ago, there was a cunning hare. One day it wanted to cross a river. The river was extremely wide and the hare was unable to cross it. Suddenly, it saw a crocodile swimming happily in the river. The hare immediately came up with an idea.

"Hey, Mr Crocodile," the hare spoke in a humble manner. "I've long heard of your noble name."

"What are you up to? You know I could rip you in half easily." The crocodile didn't attack the hare because of its good words.

"Well, I came here expressly to see how wonderful the crocodile clan (宗族) is," the hare continued with its flattery. "I really mean it. Indeed."

The crocodile was exalted and asked, "Oh thanks for your politeness. What do you want to see? We could offer you a wrestling performance, perhaps."

"That's brilliant. But I want to know the number of your clan, I guess it'd be great if you guys could line up and face the other side of the river." The hare asked, smiling mischievously (淘氣地).

"That's easy. Please wait a minute. We could do that quickly." The crocodile replied.

Something astonishing happened. Hundreds of thousands of crocodiles appeared and finished lining up in less than five minutes.

"Oh, that's stunning. Thank you so much guys! You're so muscular!" The rabbit couldn't believe what it saw, and covered its face with its hands. "Oh god, they're so stupid!" It walked on their backs and danced excitedly.

The crocodiles felt great and used all their strength to hold the hare. The hare successfully reached the other side of the river, and laughed in a sudden.

"Hahahahahaha... Oh man, you guys are so dumb! I just took advantage of you all to cross the river," the rabbit said. "You really think you're strong? Oh, may be. But you're stupid. That makes you guys vulnerable (脆弱)!"

The crocodiles were irritated and they quickly moved towards the hare. There was no way to escape.

"Help! Help!" The rabbit cried.

"Die little hare!" The crocodiles roared.

"Take it easy! I was just kidding! Please!" The hare begged.

The crocodiles couldn't wait to tear the hare apart. They crowded around the hare and ripped off its skin. The rabbit died tragically.

■Food for thought

Should we trust someone so easily? Be honest when you say something. Think carefully whether you're telling a lie or the truth.

■Glossary

cunning (adj) 狡猾的

expressly (adv) 特意地

flattery (n) 奉承

wrestling (n) 摔跤

[Smarties' Power English 第224期]