THE ASS & THE SICK LION
by Aesop · from The Baby's Own Aesop
Adapted Version
A very strong Lion lived in a big jungle. He was the king of all animals. Every animal knew his roar. He was big and brave. One day, the mighty Lion got very sick. He felt very bad. His whole body ached. He had a fever. Lion could not leave his cool cave. He stayed inside. Lion was very weak now. He could barely move his big paws. He just lay there.
Other animals heard about the sick Lion. News spread quickly through the jungle. They came to see him. Many animals gathered near his cave. But they were still very scared. Lion was their king. He was usually very fierce. They stood far away from the cave. They did not go near the entrance. They just looked from afar. They whispered. Lion was very sick. He lay very still inside.
One day, a new Donkey came to the jungle. He had just arrived. He did not know the Lion well. He saw the sick Lion. Donkey saw that Lion was weak. He was not scared at all. Other animals watched him. Donkey walked closer to the cave. He went right up to the entrance. Lion lay inside. He did not stir or open his eyes.
Donkey was very, very naughty. He felt very brave. He walked right into the cool cave. Lion was too weak to move. He could not stand up. He could not even roar. Donkey lifted his back leg. He kicked the poor, sick Lion. It was a very hard kick. Lion felt a sharp pain in his side. He could not fight back. He just lay there, helpless.
Lion felt the sharp pain from the kick. His big body twitched. But his heart hurt even more than his body. He slowly opened his eyes. He looked at the mean Donkey. The Donkey just stood there, looking proud. Lion was very sad. He was also very angry inside. He thought, "This kick hurts my body. My sickness hurts my body too. But your meanness hurts my heart more. It was a very, very mean thing to do."
The Lion remembered the Donkey's mean kick. It is never good to be mean to someone who is weak. Bad things can happen when they get strong again.
Original Story
THE ASS & THE SICK LION
REASON FROM RESULTS
THE END
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Story DNA
Moral
Those who boast of their power when the strong are weak will face consequences when the strong recover.
Plot Summary
A once-mighty Lion falls ill and is confined to his den. Other animals, emboldened by his weakness, come to mock him, but only an Ass dares to approach and kick the ailing king. The Lion, in his final moments, declares that the Ass's insolence is a greater torment than death itself, implying a severe future consequence for the Ass's disrespect.
Themes
Emotional Arc
arrogance to fear
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
Aesop's Fables originated in ancient Greece and were used to teach moral lessons, often reflecting social dynamics and human nature through animal allegories.
Plot Beats (5)
- A powerful Lion falls gravely ill and is confined to his den.
- Other animals, hearing of his weakness, come to visit, but dare not approach too closely.
- An Ass, seeing the Lion's vulnerability, approaches the den.
- The Ass, in an act of extreme disrespect, kicks the sick Lion.
- The Lion, in great pain and near death, laments that the Ass's insult is the worst part of his suffering, even worse than death itself.
Characters
The Lion
A large, powerful African lion with a muscular build, though currently weakened by illness. His once formidable physique is now gaunt, and his movements are slow and labored.
Attire: None, as he is an animal.
Wants: To survive and satisfy his hunger, even when incapacitated by illness, by tricking others into his lair.
Flaw: His physical illness, which renders him unable to hunt directly.
He remains a cunning predator, using his wits to overcome his temporary physical weakness, showing no change in his fundamental nature.
Cunning, manipulative, predatory, proud, and ultimately opportunistic.
The Ass
A sturdy, grey donkey with a compact, muscular build, typical of a working animal. His fur is a uniform dusty grey.
Attire: None, as he is an animal.
Wants: To survive and avoid danger, using his intellect to assess situations.
Flaw: Potentially susceptible to flattery or pity, though in this story, his caution prevails.
He demonstrates his inherent wisdom by observing the tracks and avoiding the Lion's trap, reinforcing his cautious nature.
Cautious, observant, intelligent, and wise, learning from the misfortunes of others.
Locations
Lion's Den
The dark, confined space where the sick lion feigns illness, likely a cave or a rocky overhang.
Mood: Deceptive, dangerous, claustrophobic, with a sense of hidden menace.
The lion pretends to be sick here to lure other animals.
Forest Clearing
An open area in a forest where the animals gather and discuss the lion's supposed illness.
Mood: Initially concerned and communal, later turning to suspicion and fear.
The animals discuss the lion's sickness and the fox advises caution.