The rhinoceros agreed, and down came the rabbit with such a thump that the creature’s back was broken, and he died. But the rabbit was not hurt, and he ran and he ran until he came to the king’s palace. There he hid under the king’s golden throne. By and by in came the king with his courtiers. All the grandees were standing around the throne in their gorgeous robes glittering with rubies and diamonds when they were startled by a sudden sneeze.
“God bless you!” exclaimed the courtiers.
“Who has the bad manners to sneeze in my royal presence?” cried the king.
Each man looked at his neighbor and wondered who did it. “Off with his head!” shouted the king.
Another sneeze came. This time every one was alert and on the watch, and they noticed that the sound came from beneath the king’s golden throne. So they reached under and dragged out the rabbit, who was so scared he looked more dead than alive.
“All right,” said the king, “off with his head!”
The executioner ran to get his sword. But the rabbit, in spite of his fright, had his wits about him, and he sat up on his hind legs, put his two forepaws together, and said respectfully: “O great king, first hear what I have to say. If you will spare my life I will give you a dead rhinoceros. Let twenty men go with me to bring the body to your palace.”
The king and his courtiers laughed loud and long. However, just to see what would come of it, the king ordered twenty men to go with the rabbit. They were guided by the rabbit to the spot where the rhinoceros lay dead, and with great exertion they dragged the body to the palace. Every one was very glad, because the horn of a rhinoceros is good for curing many diseases. The court physician ground the horn into powder, and made out of it a most wonderful medicine, and the king was so pleased that he gave the rabbit a horse to ride on and a handsome new coat.
The rabbit put on his new coat, mounted the horse, and rode off. Presently, who should he meet but his friend, the monkey. “Hello!” said the monkey, “where did you get all that finery?”
“This horse and this coat were given to me by the king,” replied the rabbit.