The Sea Turtle and the Hare
Once upon a time, at the bottom of the deep blue sea, there was a magnificent sea palace.
The sea king who lived in this palace ruled the entire sea. One day, he grew very ill.
Oh my... What will happen to my beautiful sea palace if I should die?
None of the medicines he was given could cure his illness.
His courtiers and servants were deeply concerned.
We pray for your recovery day and night, your Majesty!
What good will that do? Find a remedy that will cure me at once!
Oh…ouch! I barely even have the strength to yell anymore…(cough).
While everyone expressed their concern over the sea king’s health, Minister Carp stepped forward.
Your Majesty! I have an idea.
What? An idea? Let’s hear it!
In the world above the sea, there exists a very clever creature called the hare.
I have heard that its liver can cure thousands of ailments.
A hare? What is that? How does it look?
Bring in the painters!
Yes, sir.
The painters came and created an image of a hare based on the carp’s description.
The Sea King took a good look and said:
Ahhh…I saw this creature once. It was grinding herbs in a large mortar on the moon!
Very well – who will volunteer to go and fetch me the hare’s liver?
When the king asked this, all the courtiers fell silent and no one stepped up.
Sire, the human world above is fraught with peril…
Peril!?? You are willing to let your king die to protect your miserable skins!
Of course not, Sire! That’s not what I meant…
The courtiers felt embarrassed but still no one came forward.
Your Majesty! Let me go up into the human world!
Sea Turtle! Would you really do this for me?
I would. I have a strong, hard shell. It will protect me from any danger.
Hmm..
And so, the Sea Turtle was assigned the task of procuring the hare’s liver,
and was sent on a journey to the human world above the sea.
The Sea Turtle was stunned by all of the beauty he saw in the human world.
It was filled with things he had never seen before.
Wow! Look at those clouds…and the trees…I had no idea how marvelous the world above could be!
The Sea Turtle went down to the pond in search of a hare.
Have you seen an animal that looks like this?
Of course, that’s a hare. It should come here in about an hour to wash its face.
Thank you, I will wait.
Oh…I am so very unhappy…
What!? How could you possibly be sad when you live in such a beautiful place?
A beautiful place? Hmph! You know nothing, Sea Turtle!
Danger surrounds us on all sides, here. There are tigers, and wolves, and worst of all…humans! (Sob)
The Sea Turtle listened with growing interest and surprise to the Deer.
As he waited for the hare to arrive, the Sea Turtle drifted off to sleep… Meanwhile, the hare appeared.
Oh…you must be the hare! Aren’t you?
Well, yes…and who are you?
I did it! I finally found you!!! Ha ha ha!
The Sea Turtle tried all the tricks he could think of to get the hare to follow him down to the sea palace.
But the hare vas very clever, and was not easily deceived.
The sea king has heard tales of your great wisdom and resourcefulness.
He has sent me to bring you to his palace.
Nobody appreciates my talents up here. Why would they need me under the sea?
Here on earth, powerful beasts like the tiger rule all.
The sea is peaceful and calm. One as clever as you can achieve great things there!
The sea turtle remembered the deer’s stories of hardship and fear
and tried to use them to his advantage.
But aren’t there enough clever creatures in the sea? Why do they want me?
Don’t you want to leave the struggles of this harsh world behind?
Come into the embrace of the sea, and let your ambitions and talents take flight!
Would I really be honored and prosperous in the sea?
I give you my word! Come with me!
Finally the hare was convinced and followed the Sea Turtle.
Oh, the sea is so beautiful!!
The Sea Turtle smirked slyly as he watched the hare’s delight at seeing the sea.
Little did she know what fate awaited her there…
Forgive me my friend, but you are about to be sacrificed to the sea king!
What!? No! What’s going on!?
Forward!
Yes, sir!!
But my friend, Sea Turtle…What is this?
Dropping his respectful attitude, the Sea Turtle led his captive to the sea king.
Amazing! You are a hero! Congratulations!
You deserve a rich reward for this great deed.
I am honored, Sire.
Wait! What!? What’s happening?
I am very ill, and your liver will help me regain my strength.
My liver!!!! No!
You are a worthless creature. I do you great honor by letting you die for me!
When you are dead, I shall place you in an amber coffin lined with golden silk, and bury you among the coral.
It was only then that the Hare fully realized how she had been tricked.
I was a fool to trust you! You have betrayed me, and now I will die in the sea!
Enough! Cut open that hare’s belly and bring me her liver!
Yes, sir.
Wait!! Hold on!!!
The hare was terrified, but she refused to give up so easily.
I have heard that you can escape a tiger cave alive, if only you remain alert.
I must think of something now! I must think... Got it!
Get me that liver, now!
Your Majesty!
Yes?
I will indeed be honored to give up my liver to cure you. Of course, I will.
Well, well, I am glad to hear it.
Only…I don’t have it with me right now. I don't have it.
What do you mean?
Well…
You see, every 15 days, we hares have to remove our livers.
We hang them in the sun to dry for a week, store it in a jar in the pure mountain air,
and then take it back beneath the full moon.
At the moment, my liver is deep in the mountains.
I don't have it on me right now. It's not here.
That’s a ridiculous lie! No animal can take out its liver and put it back again!
She’s trying to trick us so we would let her go!
Oh, is that so? You are the one who tricked me, Sea Turtle!
If only you had told me the truth about what you needed,
I would have been happy to fetch my liver from the mountains for the sea king.
It’s your fault that the sea king has to suffer for another day!
The hare sounded so convincing, that no one could tell who was telling the truth.
Your Majesty! I do not believe a single word of this story!
Give the order and we will cut open this lying hare!
No, Your Majesty! What if she’s telling the truth? If we kill her now, all will be lost.
Finally, the sea king reached a decision.
We have nothing to lose by giving the hare a chance to prove her tale.
Sea Turtle, you will take her back to bring her liver from the mountains.
Phew.
The hare couldn’t believe her luck. The sea king believed her!
That was close!
When she reached land, she danced for joy.
This is all very well, but we must go get your liver. There isn’t much time.
Trusting the hare’s words, the Sea Turtle began to grow anxious.
The hare wasn’t in a hurry to take him to the liver.
You foolish creature! What kind of animal can remove its liver and put it back again and stay alive!?
You lied to me and tried to sacrifice me. Can you blame me for deceiving you in return? Bye!
With that, the hare hopped off into the mountains leaving the Sea Turtle behind.
Oh no! What’ll I do? How can I return to the sea empty-handed?
As the Sea Turtle lamented his foolishness, a wizard appeared out of thin air.
Do not despair. Your devotion to the sea king has touched me.
Take this medicine to him and he will be saved.
Thank you! Our sea king will live and so will I! Hurray!
The Turtle returned to the sea and saved the sea king’s life, and the hare escaped saving herself.
So who won the match between the loyal Sea Turtle and the clever Hare? What do you think?