FABLE LII
by Unknown · from Favourite Fables in Prose and Verse
Adapted Version
Once upon a time, in a green field, four big bulls lived. They were best friends.
Brown Bull, Red Bull, Black Bull, Tan Bull. They were good friends. They always stayed very close. They ate green grass together. They were always happy. They were never apart.
A Clever Lion lived nearby. He watched the four bulls. He wanted to eat one bull. He watched them many times. He wanted them for his food. He was very hungry.
The Clever Lion saw the bulls. They were very big. They were very strong together. He could not catch them. He was scared to try. They would fight him.
The Clever Lion thought of a plan. It was a very clever plan. He wanted to break their friendship. He wanted them to be apart. He wanted them to be alone.
The Clever Lion spoke tricky words. He spoke to each bull alone. He told each bull bad things about the others. He said other bulls were not fair. He said other bulls were not kind. He made them think bad things. He whispered to each bull.
The Clever Lion's plan worked very well. The bulls felt angry inside. They felt sad inside. They were not close friends anymore. They did not talk much. They did not play.
The bulls got very upset. They did not like each other at all. They stopped being together. Each bull walked away. They went to different places. They were alone.
Now the bulls were alone. The Clever Lion saw this. It was easy to catch them. He could catch them one by one. He was happy.
The Clever Lion caught each bull. He caught them when they were alone. The bulls were not safe anymore. They were not together. They were not strong.
This is why friends must stay together. When friends are together, they are strong. They are safe. When they are apart, they are not safe.
Original Story
FABLE LII.
THE LION AND THE FOUR BULLS.
Four Bulls, which had entered into a very strict friendship, kept always near one another, and fed together. The Lion often saw them, and as often wished to make one of them his prey; but though he could easily have subdued any of them singly, yet he was afraid to attack the whole when together, knowing they would have been too hard for him; and, therefore, contented himself for the present with keeping at a distance. At last, perceiving no attempt was to be made upon them as long as their combination lasted, he took occasion, by whispers and hints, to foment jealousies and raise divisions among them.
This stratagem succeeded so well, that the Bulls grew cold and reserved towards one another, which soon after ripened into a downright hatred and aversion, and, at last, ended in a total separation. The Lion had now obtained his ends; and, as impossible as it was for him to hurt them while they were united, he found no difficulty, now they were parted, to seize and devour every Bull of them, one after another.
MORAL.
Union is strength. Jealousy and envy, especially when fomented by whisperers, will destroy gradually the ties that make us safe against enemies.
Story DNA
Moral
Union is strength, and jealousy and envy, especially when fomented by whisperers, will gradually destroy the ties that protect us from enemies.
Plot Summary
Four bulls maintain a strong friendship, making them invulnerable to a predatory lion. Realizing he cannot attack them united, the lion subtly sows seeds of jealousy and division among them. His stratagem succeeds, leading to the bulls' complete separation. Once parted, the lion easily preys on and devours each bull individually, demonstrating the power of unity and the danger of internal discord.
Themes
Emotional Arc
security to destruction
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
Fables often served as didactic tools in various cultures, conveying moral lessons through simple narratives.
Plot Beats (9)
- Four bulls share a strong friendship and always stay together, feeding near one another.
- A lion frequently observes the bulls, wishing to make one his prey.
- The lion realizes he cannot attack the bulls while they are united, as they are too strong together.
- The lion decides to use stratagem to break their unity.
- The lion subtly foments jealousies and divisions among the bulls through whispers and hints.
- The lion's plan succeeds, causing the bulls to become cold and reserved towards each other.
- The coldness ripens into hatred and aversion, leading to a total separation of the bulls.
- With the bulls now parted, the lion finds it easy to attack them individually.
- The lion seizes and devours each bull, one after another.
Characters
The Lion
A large, powerful African lion, with a muscular build and tawny fur. His movements are stealthy and deliberate, reflecting his predatory nature. He is of average height for a lion, but his presence is imposing.
Attire: None, as he is an animal. His natural coat of tawny fur is his only covering.
Wants: To satisfy his hunger and secure an easy meal by preying on the Bulls.
Flaw: His inability to confront a united front; he relies on division rather than direct strength against multiple opponents.
He successfully employs his cunning to achieve his goal, demonstrating the effectiveness of psychological warfare over brute force when facing a stronger, united foe.
Cunning, patient, manipulative, predatory, opportunistic.
The First Bull
A robust, powerful adult bull, with a broad chest and strong legs. His coat is a deep, earthy brown, and his muscles are well-defined from grazing and moving across the plains. He stands tall and sturdy.
Attire: None, as he is an animal. His natural coat of deep brown fur is his only covering.
Wants: Initially, to maintain the safety and companionship of the group. Later, to assert his individual space and perceived independence.
Flaw: His susceptibility to jealousy and suspicion, leading to the breakdown of unity.
Transforms from a member of a strong, united front into an isolated, vulnerable individual due to manipulation, ultimately leading to his demise.
Loyal (initially), strong-willed, susceptible to manipulation, easily angered when provoked.
The Second Bull
A large, muscular adult bull, slightly lighter in color than the first, with a reddish-brown coat. He is well-built and sturdy, with a powerful neck and shoulders.
Attire: None, as he is an animal. His natural coat of reddish-brown fur is his only covering.
Wants: Initially, to maintain the safety of the group. Later, to protect his own interests as perceived through the Lion's manipulation.
Flaw: His vulnerability to divisive rumors and his inability to see through the Lion's deception.
His initial trust in his companions erodes under external influence, leading to isolation and eventual predation.
Initially friendly, easily swayed by whispers, prone to suspicion, independent.
The Third Bull
A sturdy adult bull with a dark, almost black coat, giving him a formidable appearance. He is slightly stockier than the others, with a powerful neck and shoulders.
Attire: None, as he is an animal. His natural coat of dark black fur is his only covering.
Wants: Initially, to maintain the collective security. Later, to avoid perceived slights and maintain his own dignity.
Flaw: His tendency to take offense and his inability to communicate openly with his friends when issues arise.
His initial solidarity with his friends dissolves due to external manipulation, leading to his isolation and eventual capture.
Initially dependable, prone to brooding, easily offended, stubborn.
The Fourth Bull
A lean but strong adult bull, with a light brown or tan coat. He is agile and quick, with a slightly more slender build than his companions.
Attire: None, as he is an animal. His natural coat of light brown fur is his only covering.
Wants: Initially, to contribute to the group's safety. Later, to avoid conflict and seek his own grazing grounds.
Flaw: His tendency to be easily swayed by external suggestions and his lack of steadfastness in the face of perceived discord.
His initial unity with his friends is broken by the Lion's manipulation, leading him to separate and become an easy target.
Initially alert, easily influenced, somewhat flighty, independent-minded.
Locations
The Open Pasture
A wide, sun-drenched pasture of lush green grass, stretching towards a distant treeline, where four strong bulls graze peacefully. The ground is firm earth, worn smooth in places by hooves, and dotted with various wild grasses and clover.
Mood: Initially peaceful and secure, later becoming tense and isolated
The bulls graze together in unity, and the lion observes them from a distance, unable to attack.
Secluded Thicket Edge
The shadowy edge of a dense thicket or small copse of trees, where the cunning lion lurks, observing the bulls in the open pasture. The ground here is covered with dry leaves and underbrush, providing excellent camouflage.
Mood: Cunning, predatory, watchful
The lion watches the united bulls, unable to attack, and later uses this vantage point to sow discord among them through whispers.