The Lion the Fox and the Ass

The lion, the fox and the donkey shook on it. "We will hunt as one," they said, "and we will share what we catch." By sunset they had a great heap of food to carry home. "Donkey," said the lion, "share it out."

The donkey took great care. He made three piles, all the same size. He moved a bit from this one to that one and stepped back to check. Then he gave a shy little bow. "Please," he said, "you two choose first."

The lion's eyes narrowed. He let out a roar that shook the leaves from the trees, and with one bound he fell on the donkey and ate him up. Then he wiped his whiskers and turned to the fox. "Now you," he said. "Be so kind as to share it out."

The fox did not stop to measure. He pushed every last bit into one huge heap for the lion. For himself he kept one tiny scrap, and he sat down beside it.

"My dear fellow!" said the lion. "Who showed you how to divide things so well? You are perfect to the last crumb!"

"I learned it from the donkey," said the fox, "by watching what happened to him."