The Ass's Brains

The lion and the fox went hunting together, and the fox had an idea. "Send a message to the donkey," he said. "Tell him you wish to join his family with yours."

So the message went out. The donkey could hardly believe his luck. Joined with the family of the king! He brushed his coat. He trotted to the meeting place with his ears held high.

The lion did not say hello. He pounced. "There," he said to the fox, licking his paw. "That is our dinner. Now I am going for a nap. Stay here and watch it. And woe to you if you touch one bite!"

Away he went. The fox sat down to wait. The shadows grew long. He looked down the path. No lion. His stomach began to growl. He looked down the path again. No lion. So he crept up to the donkey, took out the brains and gobbled them up.

When the lion came back, he saw at once that something was missing. He turned to the fox, and his voice was terrible. "What have you done with the brains?"

"Brains, Your Majesty?" said the fox. "He had none. If he had, he would not have walked into your trap."