THE HARES, oppressed by their own exceeding timidity and weary of the perpetual alarm to which they were exposed, with one accord determined to put an end to themselves and their troubles by jumping from a lofty precipice into a deep lake below. As they scampered off in large numbers to carry out their resolve, the Frogs lying on the banks of the lake heard the noise of their feet and rushed helter-skelter to the deep water for safety. On seeing the rapid disappearance of the Frogs, one of the Hares cried out to his companions: “Stay, my friends, do not do as you intended; for you now see that there are creatures who are still more timid than ourselves.”
野ウサギたちは、自分たちのあまりの臆病さにうんざりし、いつもびくびくしていなければならないことにつかれはてて、高い崖から下の深い湖に飛びこんで、自分たちの命も苦しみも終わりにしようと、みんなで決めた。その決心を実行しようと、大勢でかけだしていくと、湖の岸にいたカエルたちがその足音を聞きつけ、身を守ろうと、あわてふためいて深い水の中へ飛びこんだ。カエルたちがあっという間に姿を消したのを見て、一匹の野ウサギが仲間たちに叫んだ。「待て、みんな、思っていたことをするのはやめよう。見てのとおり、われわれよりももっと臆病な生き物がいるのだから」