During Hungry season, Tortoise tied a long rope to a bag and set off to look for food, towing the bag behind him. He had not gone far, in fact not half as far as he had intended going, when he found some fruit and put it in his bag.
On his way home he paused to rest. Hare came up behind him and said:
“Hello, Tortoise. This is a fine day for me, I’ve just found a bag of food.” Tortoise was silent for a while, and then said:
“I think you have my bag, Hare.”
Hare said he did not. They went to a judge in a nearby town, and as Hare was carrying the bag the Judge said it was his.
The next day tortoise stole Hare’s tail when Hare was asleep. Hare had a long tail in those days. Tortoise met Hare later on and said:
“Hello, Hare I found a tail today.”Hare looked at it.
“I seem to recognize it,” He looked behind him. He hopped around in circles trying to get a better look, and then came to a Conclusion.
“I think you have my tail, Tortoise.”
“I don’t think so,” Tortoise said. You didn’t find it, I did.”
They went to the judge, and as Tortoise was carrying the tail the judge said it was his. That is how Hare lost his tail, and whenever he goes to Tortoise to ask for it back, Tortoise withdraws inside his house and pretends he is not at home.
Whosoever cheats will be likewise cheated.