M0026: Leo et Vulpes Territa

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M0025 - M0026 + English - M0027

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26. Leo et Vulpes Territa. Vulpes, cum numquam leonem vidisset, postquam olim forte in eum incidit, primo quidem intuitu ita perterrefacta est ut parum abfuerit quin periret. Rursus autem eodem obviam reperto, tunc etiam, sed non ut antea, timuit. Tertio demum ipsum conspicata, audax ita fuit ut, accedens, cum eo colloqueretur. Quae terribilia sunt, consuetudo blandiora reddit.

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Click here for a SLIDESHOW of all the Griset images.

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M0026 = Perry010. Source: De Furia 7. This is Perry 10. Compare the story of the people and the camel, #144.

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26. The Lion and the Frightened Fox. The fox, who had never seen a lion, when she first encountered him by chance, at the first sight was so thoroughly terrified that she all but perished on the spot. The second time, however, that she ran into him, she was frightened again, but not so much as before. Finally, the third time that she saw him, she was so bold as to come up and hold a conversation with him. Things which are terrifying are rendered more agreeable by familiarity.

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M0025: Leo Senex et Vulpes

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M0024 - M0025 + English - M0026

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25. Leo Senex et Vulpes. Leo, defectus annis, recubabat in spelunca sua et aegrum simulabat. Visitatum regem complures venerunt bestiae, quas protinus devoravit. Accessit etiam vulpes, sed cauta ante speluncam procul stabat, salutans regem. “Cur non intras?” interrogavit leo. Vulpes respondit, “Quod video vestigia intrantium multa, at nulla exeuntium.”

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Click here for a SLIDESHOW of all the colored Steinhowel images. You can see the artist has even drawn in some of those tell-tale animal tracks!

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M0025 = Perry142. Source: Gildersleeve 7. This is Perry 142. For an animal who foolishly approaches the lion not once but twice, see the story of the “heartless” donkey, #236.

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25. The Old Lion and the Fox. A lion, worn out with age, lay in his cave and pretended to be sick. Many animals came to visit their king, whom he immediately devoured. The fox also came, but stood cautiously in fromt of the cave, greeting the king. "Why don't you come in?" asked the lion. The fox replied, "Because I see many tracks of those going in, but no tracks of those coming out."

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M0024: Leo Senex, Gemens

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M0023 - M0024 - English - M0025

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24. Leo Senex, Gemens. Leo, gravatus aetate et febribus, iacebat, spiritum trahens extremum. Supervenit aper spumans dentibus, veterem iram effundens. Taurus cornibus corpus eius undique confodit. Asinus pedibus suis eum attrivit. Et dixit vix spirans cum gemitu, “Heu! Cum esset virtus, erat honor; fuit et timor, immo et opinio mea terruit plures. Deficientibus autem viribus, deficit honor.”

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Click here for a SLIDESHOW of all the Rabier images; as you can see, it is from an edition of La Fontaine in French.

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M0024 = Perry481. Source: Sheppey 40. This is Perry 481. For other stories about the old age of the animals, see the old horse in #275 or the old dog in #377. In other versions of this fable a special emphasis is put on the disgrace of being attacked by a donkey, who is a far less dignified opponent than the boar or the bull.

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24. The Old Lion who Groaned. A lion, weighed down by old age and fevers, lay on the ground, drawing his last breath. A boar came upon him, foaming at the mouth and venting his long-standing anger with his tusks. A bull used his horns to pierce the lion's body all over. The donkey pounded the lion with his hooves. And scarcely able to breathe, the lion said with a groan, "Alas! When there was strength, there was honor, and there was also fear; my reputation alone was enough to terrify most animals. Now that my strength is going, all honor is gone also."

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M0023: Leo Senex, Vulpes, et Lupus

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M0022 - M0023 - English - M0024

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23. Leo Senex, Vulpes, et Lupus. Leo, cum consenuisset, aegrotabat, iacens in antro. Accesserunt autem visitatura regem, praeter vulpem, cetera animalia. Lupus igitur, capta occasione, accusabat apud leonem vulpem quasi nihili facientem suum omnium dominum et propterea neque ad visitationem profectam. Interim affuit et vulpes et ultima audivit lupi verba. Leo igitur contra eam infremuit sed, defensionis tempore petito, vulpes “Quis,” inquit, “eorum qui convenerunt tantum profuit quantum ego, quae in omnem partem circuivi et medicamentum pro te a medico quaesivi et didici?” Cum autem leo statim ut medicamentum diceret imperasset, illa inquit, “Lupo vivente excoriato, ipsius calidam pellem indueris.” Lupo statim mortuo iacente, vulpes ridens ait, “Sic non oportet dominum ad malevolentiam movere, sed ad benevolentiam.”

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Click here for a SLIDESHOW of all the McLoughlin images.

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M0023 = Perry258. Source: Eton Aesop 70. This is Perry 258. Compare the story of the donkey and the goat, where the goat is unexpectedly made into medicine, #320.

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The Old Lion, The Fox, and The Wolf. The lion, having grown old, became sick and was lying in his cave. The other animals came to visit the king, but not the fox. The wolf, therefore, seizing the opportunity, in the lion's presence accused the fox for treating her master, the lord of all the animals, as if he were of no importance and thus not having come to visit him. In the meantime the fox also showed up and heard the wolf's closing words. The lion accordingly grew angry at the fox but the fox, begging time to speak in her defense, said, "Who among those who have gathered here have been as useful as I have been? I have traveled everywhere and sought a cure for you from a doctor, which I have learned." And when the lion immediately ordered the fox to tell him the cure, the fox said, "A wolf needs to be flayed alive, and you should put on his skin while it's still warm." Without delay, the wolf was killed and as the corpse was lying there, the fox laughed and said, "And thus it is better not to prompt your master's ill will but rather this good will."

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M0022: Leo, Vulpes, et Simius

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M0021 - M0022 - M0023

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22. Leo, Vulpes, et Simius. Leo, animalium imperio potitus, ea animalia quae honore caudae carerent exsulare e finibus regni sui iusserat. Vulpes pavefacta iam vasa colligebat, ire in exilium parans. Cui cum diceret simius, ad regis imperata iam solum vertens, edictum ad illam non pertinere, quae tantum caudae haberet ut superforet, “Verum dicis,” inquit illa, “et recte admones. Sed quo scio an me leo vel primam numerare velit inter illa quae cauda carent?” Qui vita sub tyranno agenda contigit, insons licet sit, saepe ut nocens plectitur.

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Image Source: Wild Animals.

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M0022 (not in Perry). Source: Faernus 97 (adapted into prose). This fable is not in Perry’s catalog, although it shares a core motif with the traditional story of the fox’s tail and the tail-less monkey, see #114. Compare also the fable about the tyranny of the eagle, #547.

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22. Lion, Fox, and Monkey. The Lion, having gained power over the animals, had ordered that those animals who lacked the dignity of a tail would go into exile beyond the boundaries of his kingdom. The fox, terrified, gathered up her possessions, preparing to go into exile. The monkey, already leaving the country in obedience to the royal decree, said that the edict did not apply to her, since she had such a great tail, and then some, but the fox replied, "You speak truly, and your advice is good. But how do I know whether or not the lion would decide to number me first of all among those who lack a tail?" He whose life must be lived under a tyrant, even if innocent, often suffers punishment as if guilty.

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M0021: Leo Rex et Simius

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M0020 - M0021 - M0022

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21. Leo Rex et Simius. Cum se ferarum regem fecisset, leo bonam famam consequi voluit, more regum. Prioribus suis fatis ferocibus renuntians, mutavit consuetudinem; sine sanguine cibum sumere iuravit. Postea de hac re coepit habere paenitentiam et, dum mutare non posset naturam, coepit aliquos ducere in secreto ut falleret et quaerere si os feteret. Et illos qui dicebant fetet et putet, ac illos qui dicebant non putet aut tacebant, omnes dilaniabat. Postea simium interrogabat si putidum haberet os. Ille cinnamomum dixit et quasi deorum altaria. Leo erubuit laudatorem ut illi tunc parceret. Sed postea languere se simulavit. Et continuo venerunt medici et suadent sumere cibum levem, qui tolleret fastidium pro digestione. At leo, ut regibus omnia licent, “Ignota est mihi caro simii; eam probare vellem.”

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Click here for a SLIDESHOW of all the colored Steinhowel images. I like the way that the lion is attended by a human doctor!

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M0021 = Perry514. Source: Steinhowel 3.20 (shortened). This is Perry 514. Cinnamon was an extremely valuable and exotic commodity both in the ancient Greco-Roman world and in medieval Europe, brought all the way from the “Spice Islands” of Indonesia. Compare the hypocrisy of the fox and the cat, #392.

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21. The Lion-King and the Monkey. When the lion made himself king of the beasts, he wanted to acquire a good reputation, as is the custom of kings. He renounced his ferocious destiny of before and changed his habits; he vowed to consume food without blood. Afterwards, he began to regret this thing and, since he could not change his nature, he began to lead certain creatures away in secret, as a trick, and to ask if his breath smelled bad. And those who said that it stank and smelled bad, and also those who said that it did not speak or who were silent, he tore them all to pieces. Then he asked the monkey if he had bad breath. The monkey said that his breath resembled cinnamon, like the altars of the gods. The lion was put to shame by this flatterer, so much so that he spared him. But later he pretended to be sick. The doctors came right away and advised him to consume some light food which his troubled stomach would be able to digest. And since all things are permitted to kings, the lion said, "I've never tried monkey flesh; I'd like to give that a try."

M0020: Leo Rex et Regia Eius

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M0019 - M0020 - English - M0021

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20. Leo Rex et Regia Eius. Rex leo quondam animo instituit singulas quibus imperitabat ferarum gentes recensere; ergo clientes subditosque cuiusque generis ad se legatos mittere iussit. Epistola sigillo regio munita circumfertur: Regem mense integro clientes excepturum in aula; magnum apparari convivium. Hac munificentia princeps suis suam indicabat potentiam. In regiam eos vocat. Quae regia? Ossuarium, cuius fetor nauseam provocat! Ursus nares reclusit. Displicuit; rex offensus ursum fastidiosum ad Plutonis regna detrusit. Huic asperitati applausit simia; iram, ungues, speluncam regis putidam adulatoriis laudibus extulit. Verum, insulsa adulatio male accepta, poenas dedit. Rex ille leoninae gentis Caligulae consimilis fuit! Vulpi vicinae ait, “Quid olfacis? Dic, nec simula.” Illa vero, “Excusatam me habeas, quippe quae rheumate oppressam carentemque olfactu.” Ita vulpes se expedit.

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Click here for a SLIDESHOW of all the Griset images. Notice how the bear is holding his nose, just like it says in the story!

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M0020 (not in Perry). Source: La Fontaine 7.7 (translated into Latin prose by Fenelon; shortened). This fable is not in Perry’s catalog, although it is very similar to the story of the lion’s bad breath, #21. Pluto was the god of the Roman underworld; see #900. Caligula was a Roman emperor (12 CE - 41 CE) notorious for his outrageous cruelty and capriciousness.

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20. The Lion-King and his Court. The Lion-King once decided to count each of the species of beasts over whom he ruled; accordingly, he ordered that his clients and subordinates of every species send their ambassadors to him. A letter circulated bearing the king's seal: The king was to receive his clients in the royal hall for a whole month; a great feast was to be offered. By means of this munificence the prince displayed his power to his followers. He calls them into the court. What court? A charnel house whose stink would make you sick to your stomach! The bear held his nose. This caused offense and displeased the king, who had the fastidious bear thrust down into the realms of Pluto. The monkey applauded this severity, slavishly singing the praises of the king's wrath, his claws, and his stinking cave. But the king indeed punished the monkey also because he was irritated by such bungling flattery. The king was like a Caligula of the lion race! He said to the nearby fox, "What do you smell? Tell me; don't prevaricate." She replied, "You'll have to excuse me; the fact is that I've got a cold and have lost my sense of smell." Thus the fox wiggled her way out of danger.

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M0019: Leo et Acies Eius

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M0018 - M0019 - M0020

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19. Leo et Acies Eius. Leo, rex quadrupedum, adversus volucres pugnaturus, suorum acies instruebat. Interrogatus autem ab urso quid ei asini inertia aut leporis timiditas ad victoriam conferre possent, quos ibi inter ceteros milites adesse cernebat, respondit, “Asinus tubae suae clangore milites ad pugnam concitabit; lepus vero ob pedum celeritatem tabellarii fungetur officio.” Fabula significat neminem adeo contemptibilem qui aliqua re nobis prodesse non possit.

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Click here for a SLIDESHOW of all the Billinghurst images. Just as the fable tells us, even the donkey and the rabbit have their place in the lion's retinue! For some addition images, see Aesop's Books.

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M0019 (not in Perry). Source: Abstemius 95. This fable is not in Perry’s catalog; Perry omitted most of Abstemius’s fables. For a story where the donkey is not so well received in the lion’s court, see #232.

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The Lion and His Battle Array. The lion, king of the beasts, about to go to war with the birds, arranged his followers in a battle array. When asked by the bear how the sluggishness of the donkey or the timidity of the rabbit could bring victory, when he saw them in the midst of the other soldiers, the lion answered: "The donkey will rouse the soldiers to fight with the blaring noise of his trumpet, while the rabbit will carry out the duties of a courier because of the swiftness of his feet." The fable shows that no one is so contemptible that he cannot benefit us in some way or other.

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M0018: Leo et Catus

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M0017 - M0018 - English - M0019

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18. Leo et Catus. Contigit quod animalia invitata sunt a leone ad magnum prandium. Fuit invitatus catus. Quaerebat leo quid libentius comederet, volens singulis satisfacere. Et ait catus, “Rattos et mures.” Cogitavit leo, “Nisi omnes haberent de hoc ferculo, esset villania.” Tandem facit venire ferculum generale de rattis, et catus optime comedit. Alii murmuraverunt, dicentes, “Fi, fi! Quid apponitur nobis?” Et totum prandium propter hoc maculatum est. Sic plerique faciunt magnum convivium; tandem sunt ibi quidam cati et nihil placet eis nisi habeant immundam ebrietatem, et gratia illorum omnes tam volentes quam nolentes retinentur usque ad noctem ut omnes possint inebriare.

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Image Source: Cat eating mouse.

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M0018 = Perry602. Source: Odo, Fable 35. This is Perry 602. For another story about incompatible dining preferences, see the story of the fox and the stork, #469.

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18. The Lion and the Cat. It happened that the animals were invited by the lion to a great feast, including the cat. The lion asked what they would be pleased to eat, wanting to satisfy each one. And the cat said, "Rats and mice." The lion thought, "Unless they all partake of this dish, it would be bad manners." At last the lion brought forth a dish of rats for all the animals, and the cat ate contentedly. The other animals grumbled, saying, "Fi, fi! What dish is he serving us?" And thus the whole feast was spoiled. Thus it happens that people often prepare a great feast; but there are certain cat types and nothing pleases them unless they have a nasty drunken feast, and on account of them everyone, like it or not, are kept until nightfall at the feast with the result that they all get drunk.

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M0017: Leo Epulum Faciens

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M0016 - M0017 + English - M0018

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17. Leo Epulum Faciens. Leo epulum opipare apparateque ceteris brutis animalibus exhibebat, in quo gallinae, turdi et huiusmodi avium carnes, partim assae, partim elixae erant. Hoc cani, feli, et ceteris animalibus carnivoris gratum admodum erat. Cetera autem, quaecumque herbis hordeoque vescuntur, huiusmodi convivium ut insipidum damnabant. Fabula indicat quam difficile sit variae vulgi voluntati satisfacere.

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Image Source: Peaceable Kingdom, Edward Hicks.

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M0017 (not in Perry). Source: Abstemius 117. This fable is not in Perry’s catalog; Perry omitted most of Abstemius’s fables. For another fable about a mismatched feast, see the fable of the bees and the beetles, #694.

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17. The Lion Hosting a Feast. The lion presented to the rest of the dumb beasts an abundant, elaborate feast, at which the meat of chickens, thrushes and other such birds, was served, some of it roasted, and some of it stewed. This was quite pleasing to the dog, the cat and to the other carnivorous animals. The other animals, however, those who feed on grasses and grains, cursed a feast of this type as being insipid. The fable shows how difficult it is to satisfy the varied wishes of the crowd.

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M0016: Leo, Vacca, Capra, et Ovis

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M0015 - M0016 + English - M0017

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16. Leo, Vacca, Capra, et Ovis. Societatem aliquando iunxerant leo, vacca, capra, et ovis. Cervum permagnum cum cepissent, leo praedam divisit in quattuor partes aequales. Tum ita locutus est, “Prima pars mea est, quia sum leo; secundam mihi tribuetis, quia sum fortissimus; tertiam mihi sumo propter egregium laborem meum; quartam qui tetigerit, iram meam excitabit.” Sic totam praedam solus retinuit.

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Click here for a SLIDESHOW of all the colored Steinhowel images. Notice the very red blood!

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M0016 = Perry339. Source: Heidelberg 8. This is Perry 339. For another version of the “lion’s share,” see #31. See also the hypocrisy of the ruler of the wolf pack, #93.

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16. Lion, Cow, She-Goat, and Sheep. A lion, cow, she-goat, and sheep once formed a union. When they had caught a very large stag, the lion divided the prize into four equal parts. Then he spoke as follows: The first part is mine because I am a lion; you will award the second part to me because I am the strongest; I take the third part for myself on account of my exceedingly hard work; who might touch the fourth part will arouse my wrath." Thus the lion alone took the whole prize.

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M0015: Leo et Pastor

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M0014 - M0015 + English - M0016

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15. Leo et Pastor. Leo, errans, spinam calcavit et illico ad pastorem, cauda blandiens, venit, cui ait, “Non perturberis. Auxilium a te imploro; non indigeo esca.” Sublatum hominis posuit in gremio pedem. Pastor spinam exemit pede. Redit in silvas leo. Post autem, pastor falso incusatur crimine et ludis proximis emissis bestiis proiicitur. Passim dum discurrunt ferae, eum agnovit leo, qui fuerat medicatus. Sublatum rursus pastori ponit in gremio pedem. Hoc rex ut cognovit, leoni iussit parci et mansuetum pastorem dimitti parentibus. Bene gerenti numquam poterunt adversariorum praevalere supplicia.

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Click here for a SLIDESHOW of all the colored Steinhowel images. Notice how this image shows both stages of the story in a single fragm: in the foreground, you can see the shepherd removing the thorn from the lion's paw and then, in the background, you can see the lion and the man encountered one another in the arena, where there is a wild elephant, too!

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M0015 = Perry563. Source: Ademar 35. This is Perry 563. The most famous version of this story is found in Aulus Gellius, Attic Nights 5.14, where the shepherd is named Androcles (Androclus in Latin). For a similar story about a snake and his human friend, see #626. See also the fable of the panther and the villagers, #138.

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15. The Lion and the Shepherd. As the lion was wandering about, he stepped on a thorn, so he went to a shepherd, wagging his tail, and said to him, "Don't worry! I am asking you for help; I am not in need of food." The lion raised his paw and put it in the man's lap; the shepherd then pulled the thorn out of the paw. The lion went back again into the woods. Afterwards, however, the shepherd was wrongly accused of a crime and was thrown to the beasts let loose into the stadium at the next public games. As the animals ran here and there, the lion recognized the shepherd as the man who had healed him. He once again lifted up his paw and put it in the shepherd's lap. The king understood what was happening and ordered that the lion be spaerd, and that the gentle shepherd be sent back home to his family. His enemies' torments could not overcome the man who acted kindly.

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M0014: Leo in Stabulum Ingressus

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M0013 - M0014 + English - M0015

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14. Leo in Stabulum Ingressus. Leo in agricolae stabulum ingressus erat, quem cum agricola comprehendere vellet, stabuli portam continuo clausit. Belua ita inclusa, cum egredi ullo modo nequiret, primum quidem pecudes discerpsit, ac deinde ad boves quoque sternendos se convertit. Tunc sibi agricola metuens, ianuam subito reseravit. Ita, leone digresso, cum mulier gementem virum vidisset, “Tibi quidem digna,” ait, “evenere. Quonam enim consilio eum hic claudere voluisti, quem procul etiam formidare oportebat?”

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Image Source: Growling Lion.

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M0014 = Perry144. Source: De Furia 93. This is Perry 144. Compare the fable of the wolf in the sheepfold, #366, or the man who let a fox into the henhouse, #367.

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14. The Lion who Entered into the Stable. A lion entered a farmer's stable. When the farmer sought to catch him, he quickly closed the door of the stable. The beast, thus shut in, when he could not in any way get out, first tore the sheep to pieces, and then he directed his efforts to laying low the cattle as well. Then the farmer, fearing for himself, immediately unlocked the gate. Then, whent he lion had gone away, the wife saw her husband weeping and said, "It's turned out as you deserved. For what reason did you want to shut him in, since he is someone you should fear even at a distance?"

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M0013: Leo et Homo, Concertantes

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M0012 - M0013 + English - M0014

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13. Leo et Homo, Concertantes. Homo et leo inter se concertabant quis eorum esset superior et, cum venissent ut quaererent huius altercationis testimonium ad monumentum ubi erat pictura quomodo ab homine leo suffocaretur, ostendit leoni homo testimonium in pictura. Cui leo sic ait, “Hoc ab homine pictum est. Nam si leo pingere posset, pinxisset quomodo leo suffocasset hominem. Veni mecum et dabo tibi verum testimonium.” Deduxit leo hominem ad amphitheatrum, et ostendit illi veram fidem quomodo homo a leone suffocatur et dixit homini, “Hoc testimonium non est color, sed opus in veritate factum.”

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Click here for a SLIDESHOW of all the Bewick images.

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M0013 = Perry284. Source: Romulus Florentinus 3.37. This is Perry 284. Compare the story of the monkey boasting to the fox, #112.

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13. The Lion and the Man, Debating. A man and a lion debated one another which of them was mightier. When to seek evidence for their dispute they came to a monument with a painting which showed how a lion was being strangled by a man, the man pointed out to the lion the proof in the painting. To this the lion said, "This was painted by a man. For if a lion could paint, he would have painted how a lion strangled the man. Come with me, and I will show you real proof." The lion led the man to an amphitheater, and he showed him true credence how a man is strangled by a lion, and he said to the man: "This evidence is not outward show, but a work done in truth."

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M0012: Leo Amatorius et Silvanus

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M0011 - M0012 + English - M0013

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12. Leo Amatorius et Silvanus. Leo silvani cuiusdam filiam perdite amavit et patrem virginis sollicitabat ut illi virgo in matrimonium daretur. Respondebat silvanus filiam esse tenellam et delicatulam virginem et numquam hamatos eius ungues dentesque passuram. Passus est igitur leo dentes et ungues evelli ut virgine frueretur. Quod cum vidisset pater, fustibus leoni involabat et longius imbellem abigebat. Fabula indicat vesaniam inutilis amoris, propter quem pretiosissima perdimus et captivitatem patimur.

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Click here for a SLIDESHOW of all the Crane images. In this illustration, we can see why the poor lion has fallen in love: Cupid has struck him with one of love's arrows!

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M0012 = Perry140. Source: Barlow’s Aesop 109. This is Perry 140. For another misbegotten love match, see the story of the mouse and the lion, #209.

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The Lion in Love and the Forester. The lion fell desperately in love with the daughter of a certain forester, and he asked the father of the girl that he would give her to the lion as his bride. The forester replied that his daughter was a very tender and most delicate girl who would never be able to bear the lion's hooked claws and teeth. The lion therefore underwent the extraction of his teeth and claws in order to get the girl. When his father saw the lion had done this, he attacked the lion beating him with a cudgel and driving the defenseless creature far away. The story shows the insanity of pointless love, on account of which we suffer bondage and lose the things most dear to us.

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M0011: Leo et Iaculator

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M0010 - M0011 + English - M0012

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11. Leo et Iaculator. Quidam, iaculandi peritus, in montem venatum profectus est. Animalia, ubi eum conspexerunt, quaelibet sibi fuga consuluere. Leo solus eum in pugnam provocavit. Tunc venator, iaculum emittens et leonem feriens, “Nuntium meum hunc accipe,” inquit, “et qualis sit vide; haud mora ipse quoque ad te veniam.” Vulneratus leo in fugam protinus se coniecit. Quem cum vulpes ut animum sumeret et resisteret hortaretur, “Nequaquam,” ait, “me decipies, amica; si enim tam acerbum nuntium habet, cum ipse venerit, haud sane potero sustinere.”

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Click here for a SLIDESHOW of all the Weir images. If you look closely, you can see the arrow sticking in the poor lion!

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M0011 = Perry340. Source: De Furia 323. This is Perry 340. For another story about the human archer, see #154.

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11. The Lion and the Dart-Thrower. A skilled dart-thrower went hunting in the mountains. The animals, when they saw him, decided to make escape any way they could. The lion alone challenged the man to a fight. Then the hunter hurled a dart and wounded the lion. "Receive this messenger of mine," he said, "and see what sort he is; without delay I myself will come to you." The wounded lion immediately dashed away. When the fox urged him to take courage and stand up to the man, the lion said, "No way! You're trying to trick me, my friend; for if he has such a sharp messenger, I surely won't be able to withstand him when he himself comes."

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M0010: Leonis Filius et Homo

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M0009 - M0010 + English - M0011

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10. Leonis Filius et Homo. Leo filio praecipiebat ne cum homine depugnaret, sed dicta eius filii animum non tangebant. Cum adolevisset, progreditur videtque in agro boves et rogat num homines sint; illi se homines esse negant, sed iugum ab homine impositum portare dicunt. Tum equum conspicatur et rogat num homo sit. “Minime,” inquit; “ego equus, sed homini servio.” Paulo post, quendam cernit in silva, ligna cuneis findentem. “Homo videris esse,” inquit; “pugnabis igitur mecum.” “Maxime,” inquit ille; “sed, quaeso te, distrahe prius hanc arborem.” Leo mox ungulas arboris fissurae incutit et dimovit ut cuneus excideret, et sic captus est. Omnibus vero viribus adhibitis, pedes de ligno retraxit ac ad suum patrem pedibus cruentis reversus est, et ait, “Mi pater, si paruissem monitis tuis, ungulas non amisissem.”

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Click here for a SLIDESHOW of all the images in Bewick's Select Fables.

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M0010 = Perry706. Source: Camerarius 453 (shortened). This is Perry 706. To find out how the oxen became the slaves of man, see #282; for the story of the horse’s subjugation, see #269. See also the story of the monkey who got into trouble with a tree trunk, #122. Read a Fabula Facilis version of this fable.

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10. The Lion's Son and the Man. The lion taught his son not to fight with man, but his words did not reach his son's heart. When he grew up, the lion's son goes forth and sees cattle in the field and he asks if they are men, but they say that they bear the yoke that the man puts on them. Then he sees a horse and asks if he is a man. Hardly, says he; I am a horse, but I serve the man. A little later, he sees someone in woods, splitting logs with wedges. You seem to be a man, says he; therefore, you will fight with me. Certainly, says he; but first, please split this tree. The lion immediately slips his claws into the crack in the tree and as he moves it apart, the wedge falls out and so he is caught. Using every bit of his strength, he got his paws free from the log and went back to his father, his paws all bloodied, and he says, Father, if I had obeyed your commands, I would not have lost my claws.

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M0009. Leaena et Sus

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M0008 - M0009  + English - M0010

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9. Leaena et Sus. Sus et leaena litigabant ad invicem. Sus autem dixit leaenae, “Et tu, in quo te iactas, pro qua re tantam elevaris in superbiam? Labor tuus inanis est, et cum per annum unum labores, non potes habere nisi catulum unum. Ego fecunda et grata sum hominibus, et per duos quosque menses porto quattuordecim porcellos.” Respondit, “Verum est, sed tu paris porcellos, ego leonem.” Exemplum est verbosi, qui multa loquitur inutilia. Sapiens autem paucis contentus est verbis.

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Image Source: Lioness and cub.

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M0009 = Perry257. Source: Odo Appendix 3, Fable 25. This is Perry 257. Compare the debate between the dog and the sow about their litters, #343.

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9. The Lioness and the Sow. A sow and a lioness were disputing with one another, and the sow said to the lioness, "And you, what are you boasting about? Why are you so puffed up with pride? Your fertility is pathetic; all year long you go into labor just once, and you don't have more than one cub. I am fertile, which is pleasing to the humans, and every two months I give birth to fourteen piglets." The lioness replies, "It's true, but you give birth to piglets, and I give birth to a lion." This is a lesson about someone who talks too much: he uses many words, but his words are pointless. A wise man, on the other hand, is satisfied with just a few words.

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M0008. Leaena et Ursa

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M0007 - M0008 + English - M0009

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8. Leaena et Ursa. Erat leaena duos habens catulos. Exit autem ad venandum et venit quidam venator et catulos occidit et cum ipsorum pellibus discessit. Hoc videns, leaena contristata valde flebat. Ursa vero, tristitiam eius videns, venit ad eam dixitque ei, “Cur tristaris?” Illa respondit, “Quia venator catulos meos interfecit.” Ursa dixit, “Noli tristari; desine flere, quia passa es quod fecisti. Dic mihi, quid his annis comedisti?” Leaena respondit, “Carnes animalium.” Dixit ursa, “Quis tibi dabat?” Et ipsa, “Ego capiebam.” Et ursa, “Animalia quae capiebas parentes habebant?” Et illa, “Habebant.” Ursa ait, “Sic de filiis tristabantur ut tu nunc de tuis, et ipsa passa es sicut tu faciebas.” Haec audiens, leaena siluit et paenituit et, carnes comedere desinens, fructus manducare incepit.

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M0008 = Perry414. Source: Liber Kalilae et Dimnae 14.143 (shortened). This is Perry 414. In Greek versions of the fable, it is a wild boar who rebukes the lioness. For a fable about the bear’s own hypocrisy, see #130.

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8. The Lioness and the Bear. There was a lion who had two cubs. She went out hunting and a certain hunter came and killed the cubs and went off with their skins. When she saw this, the lioness was sad and wept bitterly. A bear, seeing her sadness, came to her and said, "Why are you sad?" She answered, "Because a hunter killed cubs." The bear said, "Don't be sad; stop weeping. The fact is that you have suffered what you have done to others. Tell me, what have you been eating all these years?" The lioness replied, "The flesh of animals." The bear said, "Who gave the food to you?" And she said, "I caught my own food." And the bear said, "And the animals that you caught, did they have parents?" And she said, "They did." The bear said, "They grieved for their children as you now do for yours, and you yourself have now suffered just as you did to others." Hearing these things, the lioness was silent, and she repented: she stopped eating meat, and began to munch on fruits instead.

(Grandville)

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M0007. Leo et Unicornis

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M0006 - M0007 + English - M0008

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7. Leo et Unicornis. Leo, fingens se infirmum, obviavit, claudicans, unicorni, adversario suo capitali et salutato eo dixit, “Qualitercumque actum fuerit inter nos hactenus, remittatur hinc inde, quod ego ulterius nulli nocere potero, prout vides, senio et variis incommodis debilitatus. Sed multum affectarem semel loqui cum coniuge mea, quae est in deserto, ante meam mortem et peterem a te ut accommodare mihi velis cornu tuum pro podio habendo in itinere, quia satis longum et forte est. Tibi remittam illud quam cito ad coniugem pervenero, et ad hoc tibi do fidem meam.” Unicornis vero, dictis eius omnibus credens et ipsius confictae miseriae compatiens, commodavit cornu suum et sic remansit inermis. Leo vero, modicum progrediens, fecit insultum in unicornem et, proprio cornu graviter vulnerans, devicit eum.

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Image Source: Wikipedia. This is the lion and the unicorn as shown on the royal coat of arms of the United Kingdom.

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M0007 = Perry645. Source: Sheppey 65 (shortened). This is Perry 645. Compare the lion’s attempt to get the bull to set aside his horns, #294. Read a Fabula Facilis version of this fable.

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The Lion and the Unicorn. The lion, pretending that he was ill, came limping up to the unicorn, his chief adversary, and after greeting him, he said, "Whatever may have transpired between us so far, let that be now set aside, because I cannot manage to do you any further harm, as you can see, being worn out by old age and various illnesses. But I deeply desire to speak one last time with my wife, who is away in the desert, before my death, and I'm asking you to loan me your horn to use to as something to lean on while I travel because it is quite long and strong. I will give it back to you as soon as I reach my wife, I pledge you my word." The unicorn, trusting in the lion's words and feeling sympathy for his feigned sorrow, loaned the lion his horn and was thus left defenseless. The lion walked a little ways, and then he leaped on the unicorn and seriously wounded him with his own horn, thus defeating him.

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