grn9st07

In jungle lore a rabbit is said to be a fainthearted animal amongst many animals that live in the jungle. The rabbit is the most timid by nature. He is startled and frightened at the slightest sound and runs away as if his house is on fire. All the animals of the forest started calling the rabbit ' Mister Faintheart'. The rabbit disliked this kind of name-calling and did not know what to do to stop it.
He went up to the wise old owl who lived in the hollow of a big Banyan tree and was known throughout the animal kingdom for his wisdom. He could solve the most difficult of problems. The rabbit wanted the owl's advice.
The rabbit said to the owl, "All the animals in the forest call me ' Mr. Faintheart'. I feel hurt and I want to remove this impression that the animals of the jungle have. What should I do?"
The owl replied, " Never fear anyone."
The rabbit wondered, " How was that possible?"
The owl explained to the rabbit, " First you should mix with animals who are smaller than you. After that move around with your peers and make friends all around. And finally show respect to the elder animals as and when you meet them. If you follow these steps then no one will call you Mr. Faintheart!"

The rabbit giving up his idea of going home merrily hopped his way to the riverbank. There he saw some frogs jumping about.
The rabbit addressing the frogs said, "Hello friends! I come here often to drink water but we have never spoken to each other."
" Yes," replied one of the frogs, " It would be fun talking to you."
The rabbit made friends with the frog and was no longer afraid of them.
The rabbit looked up at the sky and said bravely to himself, " Now I am not afraid of anyone in the jungle."
At this very moment a fox came to the river to drink water. The rabbit looked at the fox and said, " Hello cunning fox, how are you? Can I help you in any way? You know, I am not afraid of anyone anymore"
Aren't you afraid of me?" asked the fox.
"No," replied the rabbit, " Now I am not afraid of anyone."

The fox seeing his authority usurped reacted with anger and pushed the rabbit into the river.

The frogs saved the rabbit with great difficulty and advised him to be circumspect in what he says and to whom!

The rabbit thanked the owl and turned away to return to his house. On the way he met a bat, hanging head down from the branch of a tree. The rabbit stopped and said, " Hello, Mr. Bat! How are you doing today?"
The surprised bat said to himself, " I can't believe this! This rabbit was always frightened of me and ran away if I only flapped my wings. He now dares to stop and talk to me?" He said to the rabbit, " I am doing fine Mr. Rabbit. How are you doing." Saying these words the bat flew away.