1. A rabbit heard a loud sound under a tree and thought the earth was breaking, causing it to flee in a panic. 2. The rabbit spread rumors to other animals, causing many of them to flee as well out of fear that the earth was breaking. 3. When the lion heard the rumors, it investigated and discovered that the loud sound was actually just a fruit falling on dry leaves, not the earth breaking. The lion explained to the other animals they should always investigate claims rather than spread rumors.

1. 1
A Jataka Story

2. 2
One day, a rabbit was
resting under a tree.

3. 3
Suddenly a hard fruit fell off the tree
and struck his head.

4. 4
The fruit rolled over dry palm leaves making
some sounds. The rabbit thought the Earth
was going to break. He started to run.

5. 5
He met a second rabbit and asked him to run
because he believed the Earth was going to break.

6. 6
Soon many rabbits were running.
A deer also joined the rabbits
in the running.

7. 7
When a pig heard
that the Earth was breaking,
he too decided to save himself.

8. 8
Very soon, many other animals
were fleeing through the jungle.

9. 9
When a lion heard that the Earth was
breaking, he thought it was impossible.

10. 10
The lion roared from
the top of a hill.

11. 11
All the animals stopped.
They told the lion
the Earth was breaking.

12. 12
When the lion asked who had
seen the breaking, many animals
singled out their friends.

13. 13
Finally the rabbit was brought
to the lion. He told the lion what
happened under the tree
where he was resting.

14. 14
The rabbit told about the loud sound he
had heard. The lion thought that it could
not be due to the Earth breaking.

15. 15
The lion decided to bring the
rabbit to the spot to investigate.

16. 16
And so the lion went off
with the rabbit.

17. 17
On reaching the place, the lion
asked the rabbit to point out the
place where the rabbit had heard
the loud sound.

18. 18
Upon investigation, the elephant found
out that it was a hard fruit falling on to dry
leaves that caused the sounds.
Bilva Fruit

19. 19
Returning to the waiting animals, the
lion explained everything. He told all
the animals to always check things
out and not merely listen to rumors.

20. 20
The End Moral Lessons to Learn
1 We must always think. Do not be superstitious.
2 Knowledge is Power. Investigate to find out things.
3 Train the mind not to panic but to remain calm.
4 Do not spread rumors and cause alarm and trouble.
5 Do not follow fools. Think out things wisely.
With Metta,
Bro. Oh Teik Bin