The Rabbit's Eyes

Deep under the sea, the Dragon King ruled over a palace built of pearl and coral.One day, a sharp fisherman's hook caught in his throat, and no one could pull it free.The Dragon King groaned with pain, and every creature in the sea grew worried.

The royal doctor was an old, wise turtle, and he studied his medicine books for three long days."There is only one cure," the turtle announced. "We need the eyes of a rabbit.""Ground into medicine, a rabbit's clear eyes will draw the hook safely out," he explained.

So the old turtle swam up to the shore alone, searching for a rabbit.He found one resting under a pine tree and greeted him warmly."Friend rabbit," the turtle said, "under the sea there is a palace more beautiful than anything on land."

The rabbit had never once left the forest, and his eyes shone with wonder.He climbed onto the turtle's back, and together they sank beneath the waves.At the Dragon King's court, the turtle finally admitted the real reason for the visit.

"Your eyes are needed for the King's medicine," he said. "I am sorry, friend rabbit."But the rabbit only laughed and shook his head, not looking worried at all."What a pity you did not ask me on land! These plain eyes are only glass — my true eyes are crystal, far too precious to risk on any journey, so I always leave them safely at home on a shelf."

"Take me back to the shore, and I will fetch my real eyes for you myself."Delighted, the turtle rushed him back to the beach — and the moment his feet touched the sand, the rabbit sprang away into the forest, laughing, his own clear eyes still safely in his head.