`` If you will bring me that donkey I will tear it in two , '' cried the lion savagely , and the hare laughed and nodded and went on her errand . ` This time the donkey was much further than before , and it took longer to find her . At last the hare caught sight of four hoofs in the air , and ran towards them . The donkey was lying on a soft cool bed of moss near a stream , rolling herself backwards and forwards from pleasure . ' `` Good morning , '' said the hare politely , and the donkey got slowly on to her legs , and looked to see who her visitor could be . ' `` Oh , it is you , is it ? '' she exclaimed . `` Come and have a chat . What news have you got ? '' ' `` I must n't stay , '' answered the hare ; `` but I promised the lion to beg you to pay him a visit , as he is not well enough to call on you . '' ' `` Well , I do n't know , '' replied the donkey gloomily , `` the last time we went he scratched me very badly , and really I was quite afraid . '' ' `` He was only trying to kiss you , '' said the hare , `` and you bit him , and of course that made him cross . '' ' `` If I were sure of that , '' hesitated the donkey . ' `` Oh , you may be quite sure , '' laughed the hare . `` I have a large acquaintance among lions . But let us be quick , '' and rather unwillingly the donkey set out . ` The lion saw them coming and hid himself behind a large tree . As the donkey went past , followed by the hare , he sprang out , and with one blow of his paw stretched the poor foolish creature dead before him . ' `` Take this meat and skin it and roast it , '' he said to the hare ; `` but my appetite is not so good as it was , and the only part I want for myself is the heart . The rest you can either eat yourself or give away to your friends . '' '
`` Thank you , '' replied the hare , balancing the donkey on her back as well as she was able , and though the legs trailed along the ground she managed XXXXX drag it to an open space some distance off , where she made a fire and roasted it .
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