Hare, Elephant and Hippo lived together in a small island. Hare wanted to play a trick on Elephant and Hippo. First he made a very strong rope.Then he went to Elephant who was standing on top of a hill.

"Good afternoon Elephant," said Hare. "Who among us is stronger?" Elephant laughed. "l am stronger than you of course," he said. "Then have a tug of war with me" said Hare.

Elephant laughed rudely. "Will you be able to lift the rope? here it is" said Hare. "Tie it around your leg. I will go into the forest. Do not pull until you hear a whistle.Then pull as hard as you can." He then decided to go and see Hippo.

"Good afternoon Hippo!" shouted Hare. "Which of us is stronger?" Hippo opened his large mouth and showed off his big white teeth. "l am stronger than you of course" he said. "Then have a tug of war with me" he requested.

Hippo laughed, "will you be able to pull the rope at all? you are very small," he said rudely. "Here is the rope, tie it around your neck. l will go into the forest. Do not pull until you hear a whistle.Then pull as hard as you can."

So Hippo tied the rope around his neck. Hare ran into the forest and hid in the bush. When Hippo and Elephant could not see him, he blew the whistle.

Elephant pulled and pulled, while Hippo pulled and pulled too. Hippo and Elephant shouted and roared and made a lot of noise asking what was happening. "what's wrong!" shouted Hippo. "What's the matter!" shouted Elephant.

After pulling for so long, naughty hare cut the rope. Hippo fell into the water. Elephant fell over and rolled down the hill kicking his legs in the air. Hare laughed and laughed and laughed until he could laugh no more.