The Lion and the Ass

"The Lion and the Ass" is a collection of classic fables by Jean de La Fontaine. The stories provide moral lessons about life and human nature, told through the adventures and misfortunes of animal characters. The title story, "The Lion and the Ass," is a tale of an unlikely friendship where both characters learn valuable lessons about humility, strength, and understanding. Like all La Fontaine's fables, these stories are filled with wit, charm, and insight into the human condition.

• Fable

								
The King of Animals a battue made
    Upon his birthday, bent to fill his bags.
The Lion's game is not with sparrows played;
But boars of bulk, and good-sized portly stags.
    For an ally in this affair,
    He had an able minister.
The Ass, with Stentor's voice, served as his hunting-horn;
The Lion hid deep 'mid the thickest wood,
And ordered him to bray loud as he could;
So that the clamour shrilly borne,
Might drive from every nook and lair
Those not initiated to the sound.
The hideous tempest came; the air
Shook with the dreadful discord; round
It flew, and scared the fiercest forest creatures;
They fled with terror-stricken features.
And fell into the ready snare,
Where the King Lion stood to meet his prey.
"Have I not served thee brave and true?"
The Ass said, taking to himself the palm.
"Yes," quoth the Lion, grave and calm,
"'Twas nobly brayed;  I own to you,
Had I not known your name and race,
I had been almost frightened too!"
Had he been rash, the Ass, his rage
Would not have hidden, I'll engage.
Just was the rallying, though severe;
For who can bear a bragging Ass?
It does not fit their rank or class,
And very ill becomes their business here.
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