A Lion, unable from old age and infirmities to provide himself with food by force, resolved to do so by trickery. He returned to his den, and lying down there, pretended to be sick, taking care that his sickness should be publicly known.

The animals expressed their sorrow, and came one by one to his den, where the Lion devoured them.

After many of the beasts had thus disappeared, the Fox discovered the trick and presenting himself to the Lion, stood on the outside of the cave, at a respectful distance, and asked him how he was.

“I am not so well,” 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.”

Moral: He is wise who is warned by the misfortunes of others.

A Man and a Lion traveled together through the forest. They soon began to boast of their respective superiority to each other in strength and prowess.

As they were disputing, they passed a statue carved in stone, which represented “a Lion strangled by a Man.”

The traveler pointed to it and said: “See there! How strong we are, and how we are stronger even the king of beasts.”

The Lion replied: “This statue was made by one of you men. If we Lions knew how to erect statues, you would see the Man placed under the paw of the Lion.”

Moral: One story is good, until another is told.

The Donkey and the Fox, having entered into partnership together for their mutual protection, went out into the forest to hunt. They had not gone far when they met a Lion.

The Fox, seeing the imminent danger, approached the Lion and promised to arrange the capture of the Donkey if the Lion would pledge his word not to harm the Fox.

The Fox went back to the Donkey and, assuring him that he would not be hurt, the Fox led the Donkey to a deep pit and arranged that he should fall into it.

The Lion, seeing that the Donkey was secured, immediately grabbed the Fox, and attacked the Donkey at his leisure.

Moral: Don’t give up your friends to someone stronger than you to save yourself.

The beasts of the field and forest had a Lion as their king. He was neither wrathful, cruel, nor tyrannical, but was as just and gentle as a king could be.

During his reign he made a royal proclamation for a general assembly of all the birds and beasts, and drew up conditions for a universal league, in which the Wolf and the Lamb, the Panther and the Goat, the Tiger and the Stag, the Dog and the Hare, should live together in perfect peace and unity.

The Hare said, “Oh, how I have longed to see this day, in which the weak shall take their place with impunity by the side of the strong.” And after the Hare said this, he ran for his life.

Moral: It takes more than the ruler’s decree for the subjects to obey.

ONCE WHEN a Lion was asleep a little Mouse began running up and down upon him. This soon wakened the Lion, who placed his huge paw upon him, and opened his big jaws to swallow the mouse.”Pardon, O King,” cried the little Mouse: “forgive me this time, I shall never forget it: who knows but what I may be able to do you a turn some of these days?”

The Lion thought this idea of the Mouse being able to help him so funny, that he lifted up his paw and let him go.

Some time after, the Lion was caught in a trap. The hunters who caught him wanted to carry him alive to the King. So they the Lion to a tree while they went in search of a waggon to carry him on.

Just then the little Mouse happened to pass by, and seeing the sad plight which the Lion was in, went up to him and soon gnawed away the ropes that bound the King of the Animals.

“Was I not right?” said the little Mouse.

Moral: Little friends may prove great friends.