The Rabbit and the Elephant

Once upon a time, there lived a little white rabbit in a hole deep in the earth. One day, the rabbit decided to go and try to meet new friends. He came upon a small pond, and saw a big figure standing in the trees.
“Hello there!” said the rabbit.
“Who me?” answered the figure.
“Yes! Come out so I may see you,” said the rabbit. The rabbit watched as the big figure walked out into the open. The rabbit’s jaw dropped as he saw the long white tusks on the giant grey animal.
“Who dares disturb me, the great Elephant?” the figure asked.
“Elephant? What is an elephant?” the rabbit replied.
“I am an elephant! And you are a meer rabbit!” the elephant said, “Now move along or I will trample you to the ground!”
The rabbit then began to look scared. He never had this in mind when deciding to make new friends. But he couldn’t let this elephant stay and bully any animals that walked by. He needed to make a decision.
“No!” the rabbit said. “Just because you are bigger and stronger than other animals, doesn’t mean that you are better.” The elephant started to become a little fearful. No one had ever talked to him like this before. “I challenge you!”
“What?” the elephant said. “You cannot challenge me!”
“Why not?” the rabbit replied. “Are you scared of a tiny little rabbit?”
“Fine. But if I win this challenge, you have to leave this land forever.”
“And if you lose?” the rabbit asked.
“If I lose, I will leave and never bother any animals again.” the elephant said.
“Deal.” the rabbit said, with a grin on his face. “The challenge will be a race. The first animal to touch the oak tree wins.” he said, while pointing in the direction of a giant tree a long ways away.
“Why do you get to choose the challenge?” the elephant inquired.
“Because I am the challenger of course. And you have already accepted my challenge.” the rabbit said. He had outsmarted the elephant.
“Fine. I could beat you in any race!” the elephant said, with a look of doubt on his face.
At sunrise the next morning, the rabbit and the elephant started the race. The rabbit yelled go and they both started sprinting towards the oak tree. The elephant was much faster than the rabbit had thought, and got a big lead. But soon, the rabbit could start to hear him huffing and puffing. They were only halfway to the tree when the elephant had run out of breath! The rabbit slipped under his legs and hopped quickly to the tree, pounding the trunk with his feet. He had won! When the rabbit turned to brag about winning the race, the elephant was no longer there. He was now sadly walking in the other direction. Away from the rabbit. Away from everything.
After the elephant had left, animals of every kind came out to congratulate the rabbit on the race. They slapped him on the back and jumped into the pond with joy. The rabbit had defeated the elephant! The elephant would no longer be around to bully the animals. He was a hero!
This story just goes to show that overconfidence can often cause you to lose your life. And even the littlest creature can make a great impact.