And so today was poor Sulka’s day to die. Although he had long ago accepted his fate, it still took all his courage to face Numskull. Every step brought him closer and closer to his death. Every breath was so shallow that he felt as if he were already dying. Numskull would have him for supper! He couldn’t imagine a fate worse than this.
A few more paces, and Numskull was towering over him. “You’re late!” he roared. “You are also much too small for a meal. There should be at least four of you to satisfy my hunger.”
Sulka shrank away from the raging lion, his eyes squeezed shut.
“For this I am going to go back to hunting,” said Numskull, “and I am going to start with rabbits!”
The thought of his children being hunted frightened Sulka even more than being torn from limb to limb by this bloodthirsty beast. Then, suddenly, Sulka saw a way out. With Numskull already getting ready to pounce on him, he worked out a plan that he hoped would save his life.
“O great King!” said Sulka, bowing to the lion. “Please forgive me. Please allow me to explain.” Sulka did not dare look up, but he felt Numskull’s hesitation. “We knew very well that a single rabbit would be too little for a meal for Your Highness, so they sent five of us.”
“Five,” Numskull repeated. “I see only one. Where are the others?”
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