The Hunter and the Horseman

Whistling, the hunter walked home along the road with a hare across his shoulders. He had caught it in his own snare, and it was a fine fat one.

Along came a man on a tall horse. He pulled up and looked down at the hare. "What a beauty!" he said. "I might buy that from you. Hand it up, and let me feel the weight of it."

The hunter handed it up. The horseman weighed it in one hand. Then he dug in his heels, and away he went!

"Hey!" shouted the hunter. "Stop!" He ran as if he were sure to catch him. He ran and he ran. But the horse ran faster, and it grew smaller and smaller down the road.

The hunter stopped, red in the face, with his hands on his knees. He hated to say it. He took a big breath and cupped his hands round his mouth.

"Get along with you!" he shouted. "I have decided to make you a present of that hare!"