The lion and the ass, having formed a partnership, had gone out to hunt. Having come to a cave where there were wild goats, the lion posted himself at the entrance to watch for their coming out, and the ass, having gone inside, began to leap about among them and to bray to make them flee. When the lion had taken the greater part of them, the ass came out and asked him whether he had not fought bravely and driven the goats out. "Know well," replied the lion, "that you would have frightened even me, if I had not known you were an ass."
Those who boast before those who know them justly lay themselves open to mockery.Moral
Nº 269The Ass, the Cock, and the LionA cock was feeding one day in the company of an ass. As a lion was making for the ass, the cock let out a cry, and the lion (for they say he is…Read the fable →
Nº 59The Man and the Lion Travelling TogetherA lion was once travelling with a man. They were vying with each other in boasting, when on the road they came upon a stone slab showing a man…Read the fable →
Nº 187The Dog That Chased a Lion and the FoxA hunting dog, on seeing a lion, had set off in pursuit of it. But the lion turned round and began to roar. Then the dog took fright and turned back.…Read the fable →One fable, every Sunday, in your inbox.