Aesop's Fables - The Lion, the Fox, and the Beasts
The Lion, the Fox, and the Beasts:
The
Lion once gave out that he was sick unto death and summoned the animals
to come and hear his last Will and Testament. So the Goat came to the
Lion’s cave, and stopped there listening for a long time. Then a Sheep
went in, and before she came out a Calf came up to receive the last
wishes of the Lord of the Beasts. But soon the Lion seemed to recover,
and came to the mouth of his cave, and saw the Fox, who had been waiting
outside for some time. ‘Why do you not come to pay your respects to
me?’ said the Lion to the Fox.
‘I beg your Majesty’s pardon,’ said
the Fox, ‘but I noticed the track of the animals that have already come
to you; and while I see many hoof-marks going in, I see none coming out.
Till the animals that have entered your cave come out again I prefer to
remain in the open air.’
It is easier to get into the enemy’s toils than out again.