Aesop's Fables: Townsend (1867)
39. The Sick Lion (Perry 142)
A LION, unable from old age and infirmities to provide himself with food
by force, resolved to do so by artifice. He returned to his den, and lying
down there, pretended to be sick, taking care that his sickness should
be publicly known. The beasts expressed their sorrow, and came one by
one to his den, where the Lion devoured them. After many of the beasts
had thus disappeared, the Fox discovered the trick and presenting himself
to the Lion, stood on the outside of the cave, at a respectful distance,
and asked him how he was. 'I am very middling,' replied the Lion, 'but
why do you stand without? Pray enter within to talk with me.' 'No, thank
you,' said the Fox. 'I notice that there are many prints of feet entering
your cave, but I see no trace of any returning.'
He is wise who is warned by the misfortunes of others.
George Fyler Townsend's translation of the fables, first published in 1867, is
in the public domain and can be found at many websites, including Project
Gutenberg.
Illustrations come from: Aesop's Fables, by George Fyler Townsend, with
illustrations by Harrison Weir, 1867, at Google
Books. |