il of the neighbor before him;
then I can easily jump from one to the other, counting as I go.'

"The crocodile agreed to this plan, thinking it a good one. 'But how can
we count the hares?' he asked.

"'That we will decide after I have numbered the crocodiles,' the hare
suggested.

"The crocodile was satisfied, and bade the hare come to the same place
next morning to do the counting. Of course the little animal was on hand
bright and early.

"There stretched an unbroken line of crocodiles, a floating bridge to
the mainland!

"The little hare lost no time hopping across it, you may be sure. As he
reached the last crocodile and prepared to jump to shore, his heart was
so full of pride at the success of his ruse that he could not resist
crying aloud:

"'How I have fooled you big creatures! I wished for a bridge to the
mainland, and you have served my need!' Then he jumped.

"The last crocodile opened his wide jaws and closed them again with a
snap. The hare was too quick to be caught, but the monster's teeth
touched him and tore off most of his fur! As the poor thing limped away,
a crocodile called after him:

"'You see what happens when you trifle with creatures stronger than
yourself!'

"The little hare did not know much, but he felt that he was learning. He
had no heart to explore the beauties of the mainland now, but crawled
under a bush by the roadside and wished that some one would tell him how
to cure his wounds.

"After some time he heard the noise of many people on the road. He crept
out to see what was coming, and beheld a crowd of young men, carrying
burdens as if they were on a journey. They were all tall and handsome,
and wore beautiful clothes fit for princes.

"One of them spied the little hare and cried: 'Well, friend, why do you
look so sad?'

"The hare, proud of being called 'friend' by this fine gentleman, told
how he had deceived the crocodiles. The men laughed loudly, and one of
them said: 'Since you are so clever, it is strange that you do not know
the best way to cure your wounds. You should bathe in the salt sea, and
then climb a hill so that the Wind Goddess can blow upon you with her
cool breath.'

[Illustration: THE PRINCESS AND THE HARE]

"The little hare thanked the strangers for their advice, and then asked
them where they were journeying. They replied that they were eighty-one
princes, all wishing to marry the princess of that country. She was very
rich, and the responsi