The Ass in the Lion's Skin

The Ass in the Lion's Skin is a timeless fable by Aesop about an ass who dresses in a lion's skin in order to intimidate the other animals and to feel more powerful. His deception is successful until he is tricked into exposing his true identity, revealing that superficial appearances are not a true indication of one's inner strength or character.

• Children

								
An Ass found a Lion's skin left in the forest by a hunter. He
dressed himself in it, and amused himself by hiding in a thicket
and rushing out suddenly at the animals who passed that way. All
took to their heels the moment they saw him.

The Ass was so pleased to see the animals running away from him,
just as if he were King Lion himself, that he could not keep from
expressing his delight by a loud, harsh bray. A Fox, who ran with
the rest, stopped short as soon as he heard the voice. Approaching
the Ass, he said with a laugh:

"If you had kept your mouth shut you might have frightened me,
too. But you gave yourself away with that silly bray."

A fool may deceive by his dress and appearance, but his words
will soon show what he really is.


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