So the Rabbit agreed to stay to dinner. Then the Otter said he would go out and catch the eels. The Rabbit said he would go along and see how he did it. They went out to the river bank where the Otter got on an ice-slide and coasted down into the water. He went under and soon came up with two eels in his mouth.
“By my life, that is an easy way to fish,” said the Rabbit. “Those fishermen certainly have a good time,” and then he and the Otter went into the hut and cooked the eels in corn, and had dinner. After sitting around for awhile and talking about the weather, and how mischievous the hunters and the dogs had been the Rabbit invited the Otter to take dinner with him on the next Sunday. Then the Rabbit went home.
The rest of the week he was busy making an ice-slide into his pond. He made it out of packed snow and ice and smoothed it down with a stick until it was ready for use. On Sunday the Otter came looking for a dinner of dried turnips and winter cabbages.
After talking for awhile the Rabbit said, “Now, friend Otter, I will catch you some eels,” and he led the way to his ice-slide. Getting on the slide he let go and went plump! into the cold water. Down he went and came up wet and shivering, but with no eels.
“I missed them that time,” said the Rabbit, “but wait while I try again,” and down he went on the slide and into the water. But again he caught no eels. By this time the Otter was hungry but he stopped to laugh at the Rabbit, who was a sad sight.
“Friend Rabbit,” said he, “I have eels enough at home, and I came here for turnips and cabbages. Come in and cook me what you have and I shall be content.” And so the Rabbit found out that he could not catch fish and that he need not try. But they did have a good dinner of dried turnips and cabbages.
THE LITTLE GRAY LAMB
We should be content to endure things that cannot be helped.