'"Good morning," said she, bowing politely to the donkey, who
lifted her head in surprise. "Excuse my interrupting you, but I
have come on very important business."

'"Indeed," answered the donkey, "it is most kind of you to take
the trouble. May I inquire what the business is?"

'"Certainly," replied the hare. "It is my friend the lion who has
heard so much of your charms and good qualities that he has sent
me to beg that you will give him your paw in marriage. He regrets
deeply that he is unable to make the request in person, but he
has been ill and is too weak to move."

'"Poor fellow! How sad!" said the donkey. "But you must tell him
that I feel honoured by his proposal, and will gladly consent to
be Queen of the Beasts."

'"Will you not come and tell him so yourself?" asked the hare.

'Side by side they went down the road which led to the lion's
house. It took a long while, for the donkey was so fat with
eating she could only walk very slowly, and the hare, who could
have run the distance in about five minutes, was obliged to creep
along till she almost dropped with fatigue at not being able to
go at her own pace. When at last they arrived the lion was
sitting up at the entrance, looking very pale and thin. The
donkey suddenly grew shy and hung her head, but the lion put on
his best manners and invited both his visitors to come in and
make themselves comfortable.