A Lion, unable from old age and infirmities to provide himself with food by force, resolved to
do so by artifice. He returned to his den, a stately castle, and, with much creaking and groaning lay down there, and pretended to be sick, taking care that his sickness should be publicly known.
With a great cry, elephant stewards trumpeted “the great king; the great lion lord, is ill.” The
beasts expressed their sorrow, and came one by one to his castle, whereupon the Lion suddenly rose and, amid cries of “Oh my god!” devoured them.
After many of the beasts had thus disappeared, the Fox discovered the trick. “Oh my god!” he said to himself “I must make preparations to rid the land of this abomination!” and presenting himself to the Lion, stood in the entry hall of the castle, at a respectful distance, and asked him how he was.
"I am very middling," replied the Lion, "but why do you stand without? Pray enter within to talk with me."
"No, thank you," said the Fox. "I notice that there are many prints of feet entering your cave, but I see no trace of any returning."
“My god”, breathed the lion. “He realized my deception. I must rid myself of him, before he warns the others” With a great roar, the lion suddenly rose to his paws. Feeling a great rage well up, he found the strength to charge the fox.
The fox was stunned. “My god! I can’t believe he could rise so suddenly! Still, this makes a more
sound finish to my task possible.” As the lion charged, the fox scampered out of the hall, and through the iron gates of the castle. As the lion, too enraged to see the trick and the danger rushed after him, the portcullis dropped, impaling him suddenly.
He is wise who is warned by the misfortunes of others.
Wow, this was cool. Who wrote that?
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