The Old Lion
Story Summary
In the short story "The Old Lion," a once-mighty lion, now frail and ill, faces attacks from various animals seeking revenge or asserting dominance, culminating in humiliation from an ass. His lamentation that enduring insults from such a lowly creature feels like a second death underscores the poignant moral of the tale: true dignity is often tested in moments of vulnerability. This concise moral story is a powerful addition to short story collections with moral teachings, reminding readers of the challenges faced in the twilight of power.
Click to reveal the moral of the story
The moral of the story is that even the mighty can be humiliated in their weakness, and it is particularly degrading to suffer indignities from those who are lesser.
Historical Context
This story is reminiscent of Aesop's fables, which often feature animals that embody human traits and convey moral lessons. Originating in ancient Greece, these tales have been retold across cultures and eras, emphasizing themes of power dynamics and the vulnerabilities that come with age. The lion, a symbol of strength and nobility, facing indignities from lesser creatures, underscores the universal truth about respect and the consequences of hubris.
Our Editors Opinion
This fable highlights the idea that when someone in a position of power becomes vulnerable, it often invites not only justified retaliation from their equals but also unprovoked attacks from those who have long been oppressed. In modern life, this can be seen in scenarios where a powerful leader or organization faces downfall; while critics may emerge to hold them accountable, they can also attract the scorn of those who have previously suffered under their rule, often leading to the final downfall of the once-mighty. For example, consider a CEO of a major corporation who, after years of unethical practices, faces legal troubles and public scrutiny. As rivals seek to capitalize on their weakened state and expose past wrongdoings, lesser-known employees or stakeholders also come forward with grievances,
You May Also Like
The Lion and the Statue
In "The Lion and the Statue," a Man and a Lion engage in a humorous debate over their strengths, with the Man claiming superiority due to human intelligence. To support his argument, he points to a statue of Hercules defeating a Lion; however, the Lion cleverly counters that the statue is biased, created by a man to reflect his perspective. This inspirational short story with moral highlights how representations can be manipulated, reminding us that truth can be subjective in small moral stories.
The Man and the Lion
A man and a lion boast about their superiority while traveling together, leading to a dispute that reflects the themes found in famous moral stories. When they encounter a statue depicting a lion being strangled by a man, the man claims it showcases human strength, but the lion counters that it represents a biased perspective, suggesting that if lions could create statues, the roles would be reversed. This very short moral story illustrates that the lessons learned from stories can vary greatly depending on the storyteller's viewpoint.
The Lion and the Three Bulls
In this famous moral story, three bulls who have always pastured together fall prey to a cunning lion that fears attacking them as a group. By deceitfully separating them, the lion is able to feast on each bull individually, demonstrating the unique moral that unity provides strength and protection. This life-changing story serves as a reminder of the power of togetherness in overcoming adversity.
Other names for this story
The Dying King, Last Roar of the Lion, The Fallen Monarch, Wounded Pride, Age of the Lion, A Lion's Lament, The Lion's Last Stand, When Kings Fall
Did You Know?
This fable illustrates the theme of vulnerability and the loss of respect that comes with decline; even the once-mighty lion, a symbol of strength and nobility, becomes a target for those who would never have dared to challenge him in his prime, highlighting how power dynamics shift in the face of mortality.
Subscribe to Daily Stories
Get a new moral story in your inbox every day.
Explore More Stories
Story Details
- Age Group
- adultkidschildrenstory for class 2story for class 3story for class 4story for class 5story for class 6story for class 7story for class 8
- Theme
- the inevitability of declinethe cruelty of the strong towards the weakthe loss of dignity
- Characters
- LionBoarBullAss
- Setting
- forestgroundwilderness