The Shepherd and the Lion

The Shepherd and the Lion is a fable by Aesop that conveys the message of not trusting flattering words or appearances easily. The story revolves around a shepherd who saves a lion trapped in a pit. The grateful lion promises never to harm him. Later, however, when the lion becomes the king of beasts, his flatterers criticize the shepherd, leading the lion to almost kill the shepherd. This teaches the reader an important lesson about discerning true friendship and the dangers of false flattery.

• Children

								
A Shepherd, counting his Sheep one day, discovered that a number
of them were missing.

Much irritated, he very loudly and boastfully declared that he
would catch the thief and punish him as he deserved. The Shepherd
suspected a Wolf of the deed and so set out toward a rocky region
among the hills, where there were caves infested by Wolves. But
before starting out he made a vow to Jupiter that if he would
help him find the thief he would offer a fat Calf as a sacrifice.


The Shepherd searched a long time without finding any Wolves, but
just as he was passing near a large cave on the mountain side, a
huge Lion stalked out, carrying a Sheep. In great terror the
Shepherd fell on his knees.

"Alas, O Jupiter, man does not know what he asks! To find the
thief I offered to sacrifice a fat Calf. Now I promise you a
full-grown Bull, if you but make the thief go away!"

We are often not so eager for what we seek, after we have found
it.

Do not foolishly ask for things that would bring ruin if they
were granted.
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