The Rabbit's Judgment
10 pages · 3 min · ages 5+
Based on: Korean Folk Tale
A kind man walks in the woods. He hears a loud, sad roar. A big tiger is in a pit. The tiger cannot jump out at all. He looks very grumpy and tired. The man wants to help the tiger.
"Please help me out," the tiger says. "I will be a good friend," he says. The man finds a long, sturdy branch. He lowers it into the deep pit. The tiger climbs up the long branch. He is finally out of the hole.
The big tiger lets out a roar. "I am very hungry now," he says. He wants to eat a big snack. The man feels a little bit scared. "You promised to be nice," man says. The tiger forgets his promise very quickly.
They see a very tall pine tree. "Is it fair to eat me?" man asks. The tree looks at the hungry tiger. "Men cut my branches," the tree says. "The tiger should eat," the tree says. The tiger feels very happy and bold.
Next, they see a cold, blue stream. "Is it fair?" the man asks again. The stream splashes against the grey rocks. "Men throw trash in me," stream says. "The tiger is right," the stream says. The tiger opens his big, wide mouth.
A clever rabbit hops to the pit. "Wait, I need to see," Rabbit says. "Where did this story start?" Rabbit asks. The rabbit looks very wise and calm. He wants to hear the whole truth. The tiger points to the deep hole.
"I must see it," the rabbit says. "Jump back inside the pit," Rabbit says. The tiger wants to show the truth. He jumps down into the deep hole. "I was right here," the tiger says. The rabbit smiles at the big tiger.
"Now you are back," the rabbit says. "Keep your promises next time," Rabbit says. The man starts to walk away slowly. He is safe from the grumpy tiger. The tiger looks very sad and lonely. He knows he was not being fair.
The rabbit brings some sweet, red berries. He helps the tiger out once more. The tiger eats the yummy berry snack. "I am sorry," the big tiger says. He learns to tell the real truth. The man comes back with a smile.
The man, tiger, and rabbit are friends. They play in the green, sunny woods. The tiger is never grumpy anymore now. He always tells the truth to friends. They share many snacks and funny games. It is a very happy, sunny day.