The Lion the Fox and the Ass
Story Summary
In the short moral story "The Lion, the Fox and the Ass," three animals agree to share the spoils of a hunt. After the Ass is devoured by the Lion for dividing the loot equally, the Fox wisely learns from this misfortune and takes the largest portion for himself when asked to divide the spoils. This tale, part of folklore and moral stories, emphasizes the importance of learning from others' experiences, making it a fitting choice for bedtime moral stories.
Click to reveal the moral of the story
Learn from the mistakes of others to avoid suffering the same fate.
Historical Context
The fable of "The Lion, the Fox, and the Ass" is attributed to Aesop, an ancient Greek storyteller whose tales often feature anthropomorphic animals and convey moral lessons. This fable, like many of Aesop's works, serves as a commentary on the themes of power dynamics and survival, illustrating how wisdom can be gained through observing the consequences of others' actions. Its enduring legacy has led to numerous adaptations and retellings across cultures, emphasizing the importance of prudence and the dangers of naivety.
Our Editors Opinion
This fable highlights the importance of learning from the mistakes of others to navigate power dynamics and avoid detrimental outcomes in modern life. For instance, in a corporate setting, an employee may observe a colleague who was overly assertive and faced backlash from management; by choosing to adopt a more strategic and collaborative approach, they can secure their position and avoid similar pitfalls.
You May Also Like
The Owl and the Birds
In "The Owl and the Birds," a wise owl shares her knowledge through moral-based storytelling, warning the birds to uproot sprouting acorns and flax seeds that would bring danger from mistletoe and hunters. Dismissing her counsel as madness, the birds later regret their disbelief when her predictions come true, realizing the owl's wisdom echoes the lessons found in classic moral stories. Now, they revere her in silence, reflecting on their past folly and the importance of heeding wise advice.
The Hen and the Golden Eggs
In this wisdom-packed moral story, a cottager and his wife, driven by greed, decide to kill their Hen that laid a golden egg every day, believing it must contain a treasure inside. However, they learn a valuable lesson when they discover the Hen was just like their other hens, ultimately depriving themselves of their daily wealth. This unique moral story highlights the dangers of impatience and greed, offering impactful lessons learned from stories that entertain while teaching.
The Ass and the Wolf
In "The Ass and the Wolf," a classic fable from the realm of moral stories written for both entertainment and instruction, an Ass feigns lameness to deceive a predatory Wolf. When the Wolf offers to help by removing a thorn, the Ass kicks him and escapes, prompting the Wolf to reflect on the folly of trying to heal instead of embracing his nature as a predator. This long story with moral highlights the importance of understanding one’s true role in life, making it a fitting choice for bedtime moral stories.
Other names for this story
The Clever Fox's Lesson, The Lion's Ruthless Divide, A Fable of Survival, Wisdom from the Ass's Fate, The Fox's Smart Strategy, The Lion and the Art of Division, Lessons from the Jungle, The Ass's Mistake and the Fox's Wisdom
Did You Know?
This fable highlights the importance of learning from the mistakes of others, illustrating that wisdom often comes from observing the consequences of poor choices, as seen in the Fox's clever avoidance of the Ass's fate.
Subscribe to Daily Stories
Get a new moral story in your inbox every day.