The Thirsty Hare (Aesop)

A hare hopped down a dusty trail,
With weariness he dragged his tail.

But more, his thirst did plague the hare –
No water found he anywhere.

And then good fortune his way fell –
Aside the road, there was a well.

Despite his luck, he found a flaw –
There was no means to water draw.

Not thinking very much at all,
Into the well he chose to fall.

Then in that water dark and chill
He cooled his brow and drank his fill.

And after having all his fun,
He stopped to think what he had done.

In desperation he did shout,
“Please, someone stop and let me out!”

A fox did happen by the site
And heard the hare scream out in fright.

As she peered down the hole to see,
The hare did plead; “oh, please save me.”

The hare, his story did relate
And what led to his sorry state.

Then after hearing of his plight
The fox just said; “It serves you right.

Before you dove to quench your thirst,
You should have thought about it first.”

Then after having had her say,
She gave a wave and walked away.

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For consequences, give a thought,
To not within a trap be caught.

Aesop index references: Oxford-Gibbs 444, Perry 408