The Lion the Fox and the Beasts

Word ran through the forest. The lion was sick, close to death, and he wanted every animal to come to his cave and hear his last wishes.

The goat came first. She stood at the mouth of the cave and listened for a long time. Then in she went. The sheep came next, and in she went. Before the sheep had come out, the calf trotted up, and in he went to hear the last words of the Lord of the Beasts.

Soon the lion seemed to feel much better. He came to the mouth of his cave and blinked in the sun. There sat the fox, who had been waiting outside for some time.

"Why do you not come in and pay your respects to me?" said the lion.

"Forgive me, Your Majesty," said the fox. He nodded at the dusty ground. "I have been looking at these tracks. I see many hoofprints going in. I see none coming out. Until the animals in your cave come out again, I think I will stay here in the open air."