#The Sharks and the Hare#

^w^ The Kojiki, the oldest Japanese history book, offers the story of a white hare that tried to outwit the sharks around the Island of Keta.

^w^ When the sharks discovered the deception, they punished the hare by stripping off its fur.

^w^ A passing traveler, accompanying his brother to seek the hand of a goddess, took pity on the hare and offered help to heal the wounds.

^w^ In gratitude, the hare prophesied that the helpful traveler, not his brother, would win the hand of the goddess, and so it happened.