THE HARE AND THE HEDGEHOG
TIME: one fine morning.
PLACE: the farmer's cabbage field.
THE HARE.
THE HEDGEHOG.
THE HEDGEHOG'S WIFE.
[The HEDGEHOG and his WIFE are walking in the field.]
HEDGEHOG. These cabbages are growing well.
WIFE. They are very fine indeed.
HEDGEHOG. We can feed on them all summer.
WIFE. Yes, if the hares will let us.
HEDGEHOG. Oh, there is enough for all of us, hares, hedgehogs, and farmer.
WIFE. Yes, if the hares will think that, too.
HEDGEHOG. Well, we will let them alone as we have always done.
WIFE. But they will not let us alone. Yesterday they called at me while I was eating here.
HEDGEHOG. What did they say to you?
WIFE. Oh, such things as "Short-legs," and "Duck-legs."
HEDGEHOG. Here comes one of them now!
WIFE. He is one who called at me. I'll hide till he goes by.
[She hides among the cabbages. The HARE enters.]
HEDGEHOG. Good-morning, sir.
HARE. Why do you speak to me?
HEDGEHOG. I always speak to neighbors, sir.
HARE. Speak to your own kind, then. I think myself too good for hedgehogs.
HEDGEHOG. Now that is strange.
HARE. There is nothing strange about it. Look at your silly little legs!
HEDGEHOG. They are quite as good as yours, sir.
HARE. As good as mine! Hear him! You can only walk with those legs, sir.
HEDGEHOG. I'll run a race with you this day.
HARE. Hear him! Hear him! Ha, ha!
HEDGEHOG. You may run in that furrow. I will run in this. We will see who gets to the field fence first.
HARE. Are you crazy?
HEDGEHOG. Come, come, let's begin the race!
HARE. Ha, ha! Well, I'll run with you. You ought to know just how silly your little duck-legs are.
HEDGEHOG. Let us go to this end of the furrow to begin.
HAKE. I will run to the brook and back while you are getting there.
HEDGEHOG. As you please.
(The Hare runs off.)
Wife, wife, did you hear?
WIFE. I heard. Are you crazy?
HEDGEHOG. Go to the other end of this furrow, wife.
WIFE. And why should I do that?
HEDGEHOG. The hare will run in the other furrow. When he comes to your end, put up your head and say, "I am already here."
WIFE. Ha, ha! He will think that I am you.
HEDGEHOG. Exactly.
WIFE. Ha, ha, ha! I go, Mr. Hedgehog! I go! You may be short on legs, my dear, but you are long on brains.
[She runs to other end of furrow. Mr. Hedgehog goes to his end.]
[The HARE enters.]
HARE. Well, are you ready?
HEDGEHOG. I am ready.
HARE. One, two, three, go!
[The Hare runs swiftly. The Hedgehog sits. The Hare reaches the other end of his furrow. The Wife puts up her head.]
WIFE. I am already here.
HARE. What is this?
WIFE. I am already here.
HARE. We will try again! Are you ready?
WIFE. I am ready.
HARE. One, two, three, go!
[The Hare runs swiftly. The Wife sits. The Hare reaches the other end of his furrow. Mr. Hedgehog puts up his head.]
HEDGEHOG. I am already here.
HARE. I cannot understand this.
HEDGEHOG. I am already here.
HARE. We will try again! Are you ready?
HEDGEHOG. I am ready.
HARE. One, two, three, go!
[The Hare runs swiftly. Mr. Hedgehog sits. The Hare reaches the other end of his furrow. Mrs. Hedgehog puts up her head.]
WIFE. I am already here.
HARE. I cannot believe it!
WIFE. I am already here.
HARE. We will try again! Do you hear? We will try again.
WIFE. I am ready.
HARE. One, two, three, go!
[The Hare runs swiftly. The Wife sits. The Hare reaches the other end of his furrow. Mr. Hedgehog puts up his head.]
HEDGEHOG. I am already here.
HARE. This is very, very strange!
HEDGEHOG. Shall we run again?
HARE. No, no! The race is yours, Neighbor Hedgehog. And will you please to call some day? I should be glad to see you.
HEDGEHOG. I shall be glad to come.
[The Hare goes off wondering.]
WIFE (running to meet Mr. Hedgehog). You may be short on legs, my dear, but you are very, very long on brains.