One day, a sly weasel was wandering through the forest when she noticed a rabbit’s burrow. It looked warm, cozy, and well protected. After watching carefully for a while, the weasel learned that the rabbit left his home early every morning.
“This burrow is perfect for me,” she thought, and began to plot.
One morning, just as usual, the rabbit went out in search of food. He spent the day happily hopping among fresh grass, filling his belly, and enjoying the sunshine. When evening fell, he returned home—only to be met with a terrible surprise. Sitting at the entrance of his burrow was a weasel, fully settled in with her belongings!
Startled, the rabbit cried out,
“My goodness! What is this? Please, Madam Weasel, leave my home at once!”
The weasel calmly replied,
“Why should I leave? This is my home now.”
Angrily, the rabbit protested,
“This burrow belongs to me! It was passed down from my grandfather, and I was the first to live here. According to our traditions, the first owner has the right. Gather your things and go!”
But the weasel refused to give in.
“I moved into an empty place,” she said. “That makes it mine.”
As their argument dragged on with no solution in sight, the rabbit and the weasel decided to seek help from the wise cat of the forest. This cat lived alone and was highly respected for dedicating his life to knowledge and reflection.
With great respect, they stood before the cat. The cat looked at them and said in a frail, elderly voice,
“My children, come closer so I can hear you better. My ears are not what they used to be.”
The rabbit and the weasel stepped closer. At that very moment, the cat—despite his age—leapt upon them with astonishing speed! In an instant, he pinned them both to the ground and ended the dispute by devouring them one by one.
Through their cunning and stubborn quarrel, the rabbit and the weasel had brought about their own end. The cat had made his judgment—but it was a decision that pleased no one at all.
Enjoy another bedtime story: Thumbling (Tom Thumb)