The Ass, the Fox, and the Lion
A Donkey and a Fox had become good friends and were always together. While the Donkey ate fresh greens, the Fox would enjoy a chicken from the nearby farm or a bit of cheese from the dairy.
One day, the duo unexpectedly encountered a Lion. The Donkey was very scared, but the Fox reassured him.
“I will talk to him,” he said.
So the Fox confidently approached the Lion.
“Your Highness,” he whispered so the Donkey couldn’t hear him, “I’ve got a great plan. If you promise not to hurt me,
I will guide that foolish creature into a hole where he can’t escape, and you can feast as you like.”
The Lion agreed, and the Fox went back to the Donkey.
“I made him promise not to hurt us,” said the Fox. “But come, I know a good place to hide until he is gone.”
So the Fox led the Donkey into a deep hole. But when the Lion saw that the Donkey was easy to catch, he struck down the traitor Fox.
Moral of the story
Choose your friends wisely: Not everyone who seems friendly has good intentions.
Beware of deceit: Be careful of those who might betray your trust.
Questions for the children
- Why do you think the Fox betrayed the Donkey even though they were friends?
- Can you recall a time when someone broke a promise to you, and how did it make you feel?
Post Note: This story is based on Aesop’s fable, written around 600 BC. In this retelling, we’ve used simpler words to make the story easier for young readers to understand.
