Watership down opens with a narrated prologue establishing the Lapine culture and mythology, describing the creation of the world and its animals by the sun god "Lord frith," including the rabbits' leader, Prince "EL-ahrairah." All the animals are friendly, and eat grass, but with the rabbits soon multiply and overwhelm the other animals. When Frith warns El-ahairah to control his people, the prince scoffs at his warning; in retaliation, Frith gives each animal a gift, turning them into predators that hunt down and kill the rabbits. However, Frith also gifts the rabbits, with speed and cunning; all creatures seek to kill El-ahriariah and his descendants, but the rabbits may survive by their wits and their quickness.