kaana fii al-ghaabati asadun qawiyyun ya’kulu ḥayawaanan kulla yawminIn the forest there was a strong lion who ate an animal every day.
khaafati al-ḥayawaanaatu waqaalat lil-asadi naḥnu nursilu laka waaḥidan kulla yawminThe animals were afraid and said to the lion, "We will send you one every day."
waafaqa al-asadu wajaa’a dawru arnabin dhakiyyinThe lion agreed, and it was the turn of a clever hare.
ta’akhkhara al-arnabu ʿamdan fajaaʿa al-asadu waghaḍibaThe hare was late on purpose, so the lion grew hungry and angry.
qaala al-arnabu yaa malikii qaabaltu fii aṭ-ṭariiqi asadan aakhara yaquulu innahu al-malikuThe hare said, "My king, on the road I met another lion who says he is the king."
za’ara al-asadu ayna huwa dullanii ʿalayhiThe lion roared, "Where is he? Show me!"
akhadhahu al-arnabu ilaa bi’rin ʿamiiqatin waqaala huwa fii al-bi’riThe hare took him to a deep well and said, "He is in the well."
naẓara al-asadu fara’aa ṣuuratahu fii al-maa’i waẓannahaa asadan aakharaThe lion looked and saw his reflection in the water and thought it was another lion.
qafaza ilaa al-bi’ri liyuqaatilahu faghariqaHe jumped into the well to fight him, and he drowned.
ʿaada al-arnabu ilaa al-ghaabati waaḥtafalati al-ḥayawaanaatuThe hare went back to the forest and the animals celebrated.
al-ʿaqlu aqwaa mina al-quwwatiBrains are stronger than force.