And if they made any inquiries the only answer they got was that the water of which he had drunk deeply had turned his hair into leaves , so that they all knew what would happen in case they became too greedy . By-and-by the great rains began again . The rivers and streams filled up , and there was no need for him to go back to the pool , near the home of his enemy , the puma , as there was a large number of places for him to choose from . So one night , when everything was still and silent , and even the chattering parrots were asleep on one leg , the monkey stole down softly from his perch , and washed off the honey and the leaves , and came out from his bath in his own proper skin . On his way to breakfast he met a rabbit , and stopped for a little talk . ' I am feeling rather dull , ' he remarked ; ' I think it would do me good to hunt a while . What do you say ? ' ` Oh , I am quite willing , ' answered the rabbit , proud of being spoken to by such a large creature . ` But the question is , what shall we hunt ? ' ` There is no credit in going after an elephant or a tiger , ' replied the monkey stroking his chin , ` they are so big they could not possibly get out of your way . It shows much more skill to be able to catch a small thing that can hide itself in a moment behind a leaf . I 'll tell you what ! Suppose I hunt butterflies , and you , serpents . ' The rabbit , who was young and without experience , was delighted with this idea , and they both set out on their various ways . The monkey quietly climbed up the nearest tree , and ate fruit most of the day , but the rabbit tired himself to death poking his nose into every heap of dried leaves he saw , hoping to find a serpent among them . Luckily for himself the serpents were all away for the afternoon , at a meeting of their own , for there is nothing a serpent likes so well for dinner as a nice plump rabbit . But , as it was , the dried leaves were all empty , and the rabbit at last fell asleep where he was . Then the monkey , who had been watching him , fell down and pulled his ears , to the rage of the rabbit , who vowed vengeance . It was not easy to catch the monkey off his guard , and the rabbit waited long before an opportunity arrived . But one day Jack-in-the-Green was sitting on a stone , wondering what he should do next , when the rabbit crept softly behind him , and gave his tail a sharp pull .
The monkey gave a shriek of pain , and darted up into a tree , but when he saw that it was only the rabbit who had dared XXXXX insult him so , he chattered so fast in his anger , and looked so fierce , that the rabbit fled into the nearest hole , and stayed there for several days , trembling with fright .
On among as behind from near of off to without