Character Index | Proverb Index
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| Character Index | Proverb Index |
Townsend version
A wild ass and a Lion entered into an alliance so that they might capture the beasts of the forest with greater ease. The Lion agreed to assist the Wild Ass with his strength, while the Wild Ass gave the Lion the benefit of his greater speed. When they had taken as many beasts as their necessities required, the Lion undertook to distribute the prey, and for this purpose divided it into three shares. "I will take the first share," he said, "because I am King: and the second share, as a partner with you in the chase: and the third share (believe me) will be a source of great evil to you, unless you willingly resign it to me, and set off as fast as you can."
Moral
Might makes right.
L'Estrange version (A Lion, An Ass, &c., a Hunting)
A lion, an ass, and some other of their fellow-forresters, went a hunting one day; and every one to go share and share-like in what they took. They pluck'd down a stag, and cut him up into so many parts; but as they were entering upon the dividend, Hands-off says the lion: this part is mine by the privilege of my quality: this, because I'll have it in spite of your teeth: this again, because I took most pains for't; and if you dispute the fourth, we must e'en pluck a crow about it. So the confederates mouths were all stopt, and they went away as mute as fishes.
Moral
There's no entring into leagues or partnerships, with those that are either too powerful, or too crafty for us. He that has the staff in his hand will be his own carver. Bought wit is best.
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Tom Simondi, All Rights Reserved