I awoke feeling alarmed about movement near me. As soon as I opened my eyes, I was startled because I saw the mole heading toward his house. At that moment, I sighed in relief, then I said: You frightened me; I thought you were… The mole stopped, saying after interrupting my speech: The fox? Before I could answer with anything, he spoke again saying: There’s a rabbit looking for you.
At that time, I opened my mouth asking in wonder: A rabbit! The mole answered me: That’s what he told me. How strange, a rabbit looking for me. Perhaps this rabbit is mad. Let what may be. It’s truly a rabbit. Then my heart beat violently. Woe to me, it must be him. My mind was weakened once, where I spoke about him before many, saying that he is… At this moment, I was shocked and almost collapsed.
His voice rang in my ears then as he spoke saying: Welcome. At that time, the mole raised his head saying: It’s him. Then the dog interrupted me saying: The rabbit. Then he approached me and continued his speech saying: This is exactly what I said about me in front of many. I retreated feeling horror. My feet could hardly bear me.
At that time, I stammered saying: No… no, my dear, I… I am a rabbit. He bared his fangs, and oh woe to me from his fangs. Then he pounced on me, saying: I promised everyone I would let them hear the sound of your screams. At that moment, I gasped when his fangs pierced my ear like daggers. Then I let out a strong scream that echoed throughout the forest.
The moral of the story: You must be careful when speaking about your enemy, whether this enemy is strong or weak. You must be cautious in your style of fighting him, and you must be ready for what may happen to you from this enemy. Pay attention to everything you say, and let your words be proportionate and don’t exaggerate in them.
Story from Arabic literature by the author: Talal Hassan