Why Rabbit Runs Fast

During a terrible drought, the animals must work together to find water. But when Rabbit tries to take the easy way out, he discovers that some lessons can follow you for a very, very long time.

**The voices, accents, and character portrayals used in this podcast are intended solely for storytelling, humor, and creative expression. 

They are not meant to represent, imitate, stereotype, or mock any specific culture, ethnicity, nationality, community, or individual. 

Any similarities are unintentional, and all characters are fictionalized interpretations created in the spirit of entertainment.**

Transcript

SPEAKER_01 0:00

Why Rabbit Runs Fast Once upon a very thirsty time, there was a great drought across the land. The rivers dried up, the rain was scarce, and all the animals were suffering. So the animals came together. Big wild cow called them from far and wide. The water is gone, he said, and we must come up with a plan. The animals gathered close. Monkey jumped up first. We should climb the tallest trees and look for water. Goat shook his head. No no no. We should follow the old path. Water used to run there.

SPEAKER_02 0:52

Turtle spoke slowly.

SPEAKER_01 0:55

We could wait for rain. Wait cried the others. Rabbit flicked his long ears. Waiting sounds easy, he said. Wild Cow stomped his foot. No, we need water now. There was a pause. Then Tiger stepped forward. We could dig, he said. A well. The animals looked at one another. A deep well, said Wild Cow. A deep, deep, deep well. So they began to dig. Claw by claw, hoof by hoof. Deep, deep, deep. But soon, monkey stopped. My hand's hit. Goat stopped. The dirt is too hard. Turtle blinked. We need tools. Rabbit nodded quickly. Yes, yes, tools sound important. Tiger growled softly. We need a hoe. The animals grew quiet. We have no money, said Goat. What do we do? asked Monkey. There was a long silence. Then slowly, dear spoke. We each could give a little, she said. A small piece. Everyone leaned in. Our ears, she said gently. Monkey gasped.

SPEAKER_02 2:59

My ears?

SPEAKER_01 3:01

Goat looked down. Well, mine are already small. Elephant huffed. Well mine are not. And from the back, a small animal squeaked.

SPEAKER_04 3:15

Hey, someone's stopping on my ears already.

SPEAKER_01 3:23

Rabbit's ears stood tall. Very tall. He touched them quickly, both of them. Oh no, Rabbit said. Not my ears. Wild cow spoke firmly. We all give, then we all drink. The animals nodded. One by one they agreed. Even Rabbit. Fine, Rabbit said, but just a tiny piece. So they gave what they could, and with the money they bought a hoe. They returned to the ground and they dug. Deep, deep, deep. Deep, deep, deep. Until drip, drip water. Clear, cool water filled the well. The animals cheered. They drank. They were saved. But then Monkey looked around. Where is Rabbit? Goat squinted. Rabbit didn't dig much. Tiger growled low. Rabbit did not give. Wild cow spoke. Then Rabbit will not drink. Now Rabbit was very thirsty. Very, very thirsty. He crept to the well at night. Just a sip, he whispered. But the others were watching.

SPEAKER_00 5:24

Rabbit Illili Illily.

SPEAKER_01 5:30

Rabbit ran. He ran fast. Too fast shouted Monkey. Catch him cried Goat. But Rabbit ran faster. Faster than all of them. And from that day on, Rabbit had to run faster than every animal just to steal a drink and not get caught. And that is why Rabbit runs fast. The end.