There are a few obvious comparisons between Hazel and El-ahrairah. Both are leaders, and both use their minds to figure out solutions to serious problems. In one sense, then, they are very similar. Yet El-ahrairah is a rabbit folk hero, sometimes representing the ideal rabbit but other times embodying a rabbit's sense of mischief. For example, the story of Rowsby Woof and the Fairy Wogdog is a prime example of a time when El-ahrairah and Rabscuttle took tremendous risks simply to get a little bit of good food; certainly they could have found an easier way to eat. But El-ahrairah relishes tricking elil, and it seems that he is more satisfied with having tricked Rowsby Woof than getting the food. Woundwort also relishes dealing with elil, although usually in a much more straightforward manner. Hazel, on the other hand, does risk his life in an adventure involving a dog, though he does so only because the entire warren may lose their lives otherwise.
Through an analysis of each of the stories about El-ahrairah and a comparison between them and Hazel's actions it can be argued both that Hazel is very much like El-ahrairah and that they are very different. The important thing is to attempt to pin down each character as best as possible. Once each of them has been somewhat well defined through the use of examples it is easier to draw comparisons between the two. The story of El-Ahrairah and the Black Rabbit of Inlé, for example, shows that El-ahrairah is willing to trade his life for that of his people. It could then be argued that Hazel, several times in the novel, demonstrates the same willingness.