The Hare's Antlers (Aesop)

A stag upon a hilltop stood.
He was the prince of all the wood.

With antlers glorious and grand,
No finer creature could there stand.

In jealousy a hare did cry
To Jupiter, the god on high –

That he great horns should also wear
So he might look so strong and fair.

And with sharp horns upon his head,
His enemies would run with dread.

But Jupiter, the god of Greek,
Informed the hare he was too weak.

With pleading voice, the hare did cry;
“I know I can, and beg to try.”

So warned, the hare had been well told,
He could not bear the heavy load;

The god, his wish did then bestow,
And on his head the horns did grow.

Fine branching horns both tall and wide –
The lowly hare did beam with pride.

And under the oppressive weight,
He showed to all his prize so great.

And then along the road did pass
A flock of sheep to find green grass.

The shepherds saw this little beast,
And thought to make of it a feast.

The hare did sense their appetite
And turned to scurry far from sight.

But with the burden on his head
He now did feel a sense of dread.

He could not run, or jump, or hop,
Or their most cruel intentions stop.

And so to those great antlers win,
The hare paid dearly, with his skin.

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Beware, the dream you wish achieve
May be the one you do receive.