A Hare was fleeing from a Huntsman, running for his life as fast as he could. Seeing some bushes in a field, she hid amidst them.

But a Herdsmen had seen her creep into the thicket. “By the Gods of heaven, Herdsman, please do not betray me,” begged the Hare. “I have never hurt this field of yours, so do not tell the Huntsman where I am!”

“Don’t be afraid,” the Herdsman replied, “stay hidden and do not worry.”

The Huntsman came running up, huffing and puffing and said to the Herdsman, “Has a Hare come this way?”

“She did come, but went off that way to the left,” answered the Herdsman, while winking and nodding to the right towards the bushes where the Hare lay hidden.

The Huntsman in his hurry did not understand him, and ran off to the left, out of sight.

Then said the Herdsman to the Hare, “Aren’t you glad that I concealed you?”

“Well,” said the Hare, “I am most grateful to your tongue for helping me and owe it my most sincere thanks, but I wish you may lose your treacherous eyes!”

Many are kind in words, but faithless at heart.