The Lion's Share

One day Leo the Lion was roaming the forest and pursued by three animals, the Wolf, the Fox, and the Jackal. Although they tried, he was too quick for them, and at last the three separated, in order to hide themselves in the best way they could. But the Lion came more quickly than they had expected to the place of their hiding, and made short work of them.

When the Lion had satisfied his hunger, he called the three animals together.

“Brothers,” he said, “come and divide the spoil gleaned from our hunting.”

“I shall take the first share, because it was I,” said the Lion, “who brought you all here.”

“I claim my share next,” said the Wolf, “because it was I who chased the game to their hiding place.”

“It was my cunning,” said the Fox, “that has given us the victory. Therefore I should take the second share.”

“But,” said Leo the Lion, “my friends will no doubt wonder why none of them has a share. Cannot you give me some reason why you should not all have a share?”

Then all the beasts said together: “Look to your arms, and see how they will prevail against teeth and claws. Good advice is no recommendation in some quarters.”

The recipients of this answer then went on their way, leaving Leo lord of the whole carcass of the beasts they had slain.

“Where there’s a will there’s a way.”

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