THE WILY LION
by Aesop · from Aesop's Fables; a new translation
Adapted Version
A hungry Lion saw a big Bull. The Bull ate green grass in a field. The grass was fresh and green. The Lion wanted to eat the Bull. He wanted a meal. The Bull had big horns. The horns were very sharp. The Lion was afraid. He did not go near the Bull. The Bull looked strong.
The Lion was very hungry. His stomach hurt. He needed food. He could not fight the Bull. The horns were too strong. The Bull was too big. So, the Lion thought of a plan. He would not use force. He would use a trick. This was his new idea. He thought for a long time.
The Lion walked to the Bull. He moved very slowly. He did not show his teeth. His eyes looked kind. He looked very friendly. The Lion smiled at the Bull. He acted like a good friend. He hid his bad plan. He wanted to trick the Bull. He was very clever.
The Lion spoke to the Bull. "You are so big!" he said. "Your body is very strong. I like your fine head. Your shoulders are big. Your legs are strong. You look good." The Lion said nice words. He spoke softly. He wanted the Bull to trust him. The Bull listened closely.
The Lion said more words. "But your horns," he said. "They are not nice to see. They look very ugly. They are hard for you. They get in the way. You do not need them. You are better without them. They make you look fierce. You are a kind Bull. You should not have them."
The Bull listened to the Lion's words. He liked the kind words. He believed the Lion. The Lion smiled inside. The Bull was very foolish. He let his horns be taken away. Now the Bull had no horns. He felt lighter. He thought he looked better. He trusted the wrong friend.
The Bull had no defense now. His strong horns were gone. He was very weak. The Lion did not act friendly. He showed his sharp teeth. His eyes were mean. The Lion was very strong. He easily took the Bull away. The Bull could not fight back. He was helpless. He felt great fear. The Lion got his big meal. The Lion ate well. The Bull was gone.
Do not listen to people who flatter. They may want something from you.
Original Story
THE WILY LION
A Lion watched a fat Bull feeding in a meadow, and his mouth watered when he thought of the royal feast he would make, but he did not dare to attack him, for he was afraid of his sharp horns. Hunger, however, presently compelled him to do something: and as the use of force did not promise success, he determined to resort to artifice. Going up to the Bull in friendly fashion, he said to him, "I cannot help saying how much I admire your magnificent figure. What a fine head! What powerful shoulders and thighs! But, my dear friend, what in the world makes you wear those ugly horns? You must find them as awkward as they are unsightly. Believe me, you would do much better without them." The Bull was foolish enough to be persuaded by this flattery to have his horns cut off; and, having now lost his only means of defence, fell an easy prey to the Lion.
Story DNA
Moral
Beware of those who flatter you, for they may seek to disarm you for their own gain.
Plot Summary
A hungry Lion desires to eat a strong Bull but fears his sharp horns. Deciding to use cunning, the Lion approaches the Bull and flatters him, then persuades him that his horns are ugly and should be removed. The foolish Bull agrees, and once disarmed, he becomes an easy victim for the wily Lion.
Themes
Emotional Arc
complacency to demise
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
Aesop's Fables are a collection of ancient Greek stories, many of which feature animals and convey moral lessons. They were orally transmitted for centuries before being written down.
Plot Beats (7)
- A Lion sees a fat Bull and desires to eat him but is deterred by his sharp horns.
- Compelled by hunger, the Lion decides to use cunning instead of force.
- The Lion approaches the Bull in a friendly way.
- The Lion flatters the Bull, praising his physique.
- The Lion then suggests that the Bull's horns are ugly and inconvenient, implying he'd be better off without them.
- The foolish Bull is persuaded by the flattery and has his horns cut off.
- Defenseless, the Bull is easily killed and eaten by the Lion.
Characters
⚔
The Lion
A large, muscular male lion, with a powerful build indicative of a predator. His body is covered in tawny, golden-brown fur, rippling with muscle. He moves with a predatory grace, though hunger makes him somewhat desperate.
Attire: N/A (animal)
Wants: To satisfy his hunger by preying on the fat Bull.
Flaw: His initial fear of the Bull's horns, which prevents a direct attack. His reliance on deception rather than brute force when faced with a challenge.
He begins as a hungry predator wary of his prey, then successfully employs cunning to overcome his obstacle, ending as a satisfied hunter.
Wily, cunning, manipulative, hungry, opportunistic, deceitful.
★
The Bull
A very large, robust male bull with a 'fat' or well-fed physique, indicating good health and ample muscle. His coat is likely a rich brown or black, typical of a strong farm animal, with powerful shoulders and thighs.
Attire: N/A (animal)
Wants: To graze peacefully and enjoy his life, and to be admired for his physique.
Flaw: His vanity and gullibility, which make him susceptible to flattery and lead him to discard his natural defenses.
He begins as a strong, well-defended animal, but through vanity and foolishness, he loses his means of defense and becomes a helpless victim.
Foolish, vain, easily flattered, trusting, complacent.
Locations
Meadow
A lush, open field where a fat Bull grazes, likely with abundant grass and possibly some surrounding foliage.
Mood: Initially peaceful and abundant, later becoming dangerous and deceptive.
The Lion observes the Bull and plans his deception; the Bull is ultimately tricked and attacked here.