“Your eyes are too large and bright,” said the Leopard. “My cubs would be frightened out of their wits when you stared at them.”
The Owl hooted even louder than before and flew away to tell all the animals how he had frightened the Leopard by staring at her.
“What will you give me to take care of your cubs?” asked the Snake from the tall grass.
“I will give you a good home in my cave and plenty of food,” said the Leopard.
“Tsz! tsz! tsz!” hissed the Snake, so loudly that the Leopard jumped and was almost frightened at the noise.
“I do not want you to take care of my cubs,” said the Leopard. “If they heard you hiss like that, they would be frightened to death.”
The Snake hissed again louder than before, and slid away through the tall grass to tell all the other animals how he had startled the Leopard by hissing at her.
“What will you give me to take care of your cubs?” asked the Dog.
“I will give you a good home in my cave and plenty of food,” said the Leopard.
“Mfwa! Mfwa!” barked the Dog, wagging his tail as hard as he could, and grinning so that every one of his white teeth showed. The Leopard looked at him and was pleased.