THE RABBIT ON THE MOON

THE RABBIT ON THE MOON

All the animals were very proud of themselves. Each one thought that he was the only useful animal on the earth and that he was the one closest of God.

But who would decide which animal was the most useful? And, how? The elephant is used for riding, the camel is useful in the desert, the dog is a faithful guard, the cow gives milk and the donkey carries loads on his back. Therefore each and every animal is useful in his own way.

To put an end to the argument, God decided to put the animals to test. He disguised Himself as a poor man and appeared on the earth. First, God went to the lion. He said, "O king of the forest, I am starving, I have not had food for many days. Please give me something to eat." The lion roared, "Huh... Go away from here I do not get enough to feed myself. How can I give you any food?"

God then went to the elephant and said "I am very hungry. Please give me something to eat." THe elephant trumpeted angrily and said, "Oh! Go away from here. I do not get enough food to eat. What can I give you to eat?"

Next, God went to the camel and said, "Dear camel, please give me something to eat. God will bless you!" THe camel said angrily, "Hey, who are you? Where have you come from? Can't you find some food yourself? I wander here and there in search of food. What can I give you? Go away......"

A little disappointed, God went to the cow and said, "O cow, please give me some milk. I am very hungry." The cow mooed furiously and said " Go away from here.... I do not get enough milk to feed my calf. How can you expect me to give you some?"

At last, God went to the rabbit. The rabbit was eating a carrot. God said, "Dear rabbit, I am hungry. Please give me something to eat." The rabbit stopped eating the carrot and gave it to God. God said, "But this small carrot will not satisfy my hunger."

The rabbit said kindly, "Please wait awhile." The rabbit began to collect some dry twigs. He then rubbed two stones and lit a fire. He said to God, "I have nothing to offer you except myself. You may roast me in this fire and eat me. This will satisfy your hunger." Having said this, the poor little rabbit jumped into the fire.

God was astonished to see this. He could not believe what the rabbit had just done. But God took care to see that no harm was done to the rabbit. At once, He took out the rabbit from the fire. Showing his true form, God said to the rabbit, "Though you are tiny, you are the most useful animal on the earth. Therefore, I will give you the place closest to me so that the whole world can see you."

Thereafter, God gave the rabbit a place on the moon. Since that day, the whole world sees the image of the rabbit on the moon.

That is the reason why the moon is also known as Shashank, the one on whose lap a rabbit sits.