A Gardener rented a garden with a destructive Hare. The Landlord came with friends and Dogs to catch the Hare. In trying they destroyed the garden. Ooops.
Be careful what you ask for; people helping can cause more grief than the original problem.
JBR Collection
A simple sort of Country Fellow, who rented a cottage and small garden on the outskirts of a park belonging to a great Squire, was much annoyed at the havoc which a certain Hare made with his choice and delicate young vegetables. So off went the Man, one morning, to complain to the Squire. “This Hare,” said he, “laughs at all snares. He has a charm which keeps off all the sticks and stones that I throw at him. In plain truth, I believe he is no Hare at all, but a wizard in disguise.” “Nay, were he the father of all wizards,” replied the Squire, who was a great hunter, “my Dogs will make short work with him. We’ll come to-morrow, and sec about it.” The next morning came the Squire with his pack of Hounds, and a score of friends, huntsmen and others. The Gardener was at breakfast, and felt bound to ask them to partake. They praised the fare, which rapidly diminished, and joked so freely with the Gardener’s daughter, a simple, modest girl, that her father was obliged to interfere. “Now then, let us beat for the Hare,” cried the Squire; and the huntsmen blew their horns with deafening noise, and the Dogs flew here and there in search of the Hare, who was soon started from under a big cabbage where he had gone for shelter. Across the garden ran the Hare, and after him went the Dogs. Alas for the beds, the frames, the flowers! Through the hedge went the Hare, and over the beds and through the hedge after him went the Squire, the friends, the huntsmen, horses and all. A wreck indeed did the place look, when they were gone. “Ah!” cried the Countryman, “fool that I was to go to the great for help! Here is more damage done in half an hour than all the Hares in the province would have made in a year!”