THE LION and THE BULL
by Aesop · from Aesop's Fables; a new translation
Adapted Version
The Lion was very hungry. He saw a big, fat Bull. The Bull was strong and healthy. The Lion wanted to eat him. He watched the Bull well. The Lion thought of a clever plan. He smiled a tricky smile.
The Lion made a plan. He sent a message to the Bull. "Come to my den," the Lion said. "I will cook a sheep. We will eat dinner." The Lion lied. He did not have a sheep. He wanted to trick the Bull. He hoped his trick would work.
The Bull got the message. The Bull said, "Yes." He walked to the home. He went to the Lion's dark den. The den was very dark.
The Bull arrived at the den. He looked inside well. He saw many big pots. He saw many shiny pans. They were ready for cooking. Big fires were ready too. But he saw no sheep. No sheep was there at all. This was very strange.
The Bull looked at the pots. He looked for the sheep. He knew quickly. The Lion wanted to eat him. The Bull was not a sheep. He was the planned meal. The Bull felt a little scared. He turned around slowly. He walked away softly.
The Lion saw the Bull leave. He called out loudly. "Why are you leaving?" the Lion asked. He acted very sad. "Why go away?" He acted hurt. He wanted the Bull to stay.
The Bull turned around. He looked at the Lion. "I see many pots," the Bull said. "I see many pans. They are ready for a big meal. But I see no sheep. You want to eat me. I am not a sheep. I am a Bull. You planned to eat me. I saw your trick clearly." The Bull was not fooled.
The Bull was very smart. He saw the Lion's trick. He walked away quickly and safe. The Bull was safe from harm. The Lion did not eat him. The Lion was left hungry. He was very clever indeed. It is good to be wise. Always look for signs.
Original Story
THE LION AND THE BULL
A Lion saw a fine fat Bull pasturing among a herd of cattle and cast about for some means of getting him into his clutches; so he sent him word that he was sacrificing a sheep, and asked if he would do him the honour of dining with him. The Bull accepted the invitation, but, on arriving at the Lion's den, he saw a great array of saucepans and spits, but no sign of a sheep; so he turned on his heel and walked quietly away. The Lion called after him in an injured tone to ask the reason, and the Bull turned round and said, "I have reason enough. When I saw all your preparations it struck me at once that the victim was to be a Bull and not a sheep."
The net is spread in vain in sight of the bird.
Story DNA
Moral
It is wise to be cautious and observant of warning signs, especially when dealing with those who might wish you harm.
Plot Summary
A hungry Lion invites a fat Bull to dinner, pretending to be sacrificing a sheep. The Bull accepts, but upon arriving at the Lion's den, he notices an abundance of cooking implements but no sheep, realizing he is the intended meal. The wise Bull quietly turns to leave, and when the Lion questions him, the Bull explains that the preparations revealed the true victim. The Bull thus escapes the Lion's trap through his keen observation and prudence.
Themes
Emotional Arc
naivety to realization
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
Aesop's Fables are ancient Greek stories, orally transmitted for centuries before being written down, often reflecting common sense and societal values.
Plot Beats (8)
- A Lion desires to eat a fat Bull.
- The Lion devises a plan to lure the Bull by inviting him to dinner, claiming he is sacrificing a sheep.
- The Bull accepts the invitation and goes to the Lion's den.
- Upon arrival, the Bull sees many cooking implements (saucepans and spits) but no sheep.
- The Bull, realizing he is the intended victim, quietly turns to leave.
- The Lion calls out, feigning injury and asking why the Bull is leaving.
- The Bull turns and explains that the preparations clearly indicated he was the intended meal, not a sheep.
- The Bull escapes, having seen through the deception.
Characters
⚔
The Lion
A large, powerfully built African lion, standing about 4 feet at the shoulder, with immense muscular strength visible in his broad chest and thick limbs. His paws are massive, tipped with sharp, retractable claws. His body is covered in tawny, golden-brown fur.
Attire: None, as he is an animal.
Wants: To satisfy his hunger and maintain his dominance as a predator.
Flaw: Overconfidence and underestimation of his prey's intelligence.
Does not change; his attempt at deception fails, reinforcing his predatory nature but highlighting his lack of success in this particular scheme.
Cunning, deceptive, proud, easily offended, predatory.
★
The Bull
A large, fine, and fat domestic bull, likely a European breed given the context of Aesop's fables, standing about 5 feet at the shoulder. His body is robust and well-fed, covered in short, thick, dark brown fur. He possesses powerful shoulders and a strong neck.
Attire: None, as he is an animal.
Wants: To survive and avoid becoming prey.
Flaw: Initially trusting of social invitations.
Learns to be wary of deceptive invitations, confirming his innate caution and intelligence.
Intelligent, cautious, observant, discerning, self-preserving.
Locations
Pasture
A lush, open field where a herd of cattle grazes, with a specific 'fine fat Bull' standing out among them.
Mood: Peaceful, abundant, unsuspecting.
The Lion first spots the Bull and devises his plan.
Lion's Den
The Lion's lair, described as a den, implying a natural cave or rocky shelter, prepared for a feast with cooking implements.
Mood: Initially welcoming but quickly turns ominous and predatory.
The Bull discovers the Lion's true intentions and escapes.