The Hares and the Frogs (Aesop)

The hares all lived in constant fear
Of dangers present, far and near.

This burden heavy on them weighed,
And for relief they often prayed.

Then as the months and years passed by,
They often thought they’d rather die.

In death, their suff’ring might be brief.
Thus suicide could bring relief.

As courage they most surely lacked,
They made this most distressing pact:

They marched in sadness, with a frown
Off to the pond where they would drown.

The frogs who lived there, in the mud,
Did hear their steps – each thump and thud.

In terror were the frogs then led,
And from the bank they quickly fled.

Adieu to lily pad they bid,
And underneath the water hid.

The hares this exodus did view
Which taught them something rather new.

An elder hare did then observe,
“These frogs have lost all of their nerve.

I didn’t think that it could be,
But they’re more cowardly than we.

Perhaps a lesson does this give –
Good hares, let’s choose this day to live!”

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Although your life may seem a curse,
Another fellow has it worse.

(Index references: Oxford-Gibbs 248, Perry 138)