FABLE XCVI
by Unknown · from Favourite Fables in Prose and Verse
Adapted Version
Long ago, a big Lion lived. He was very old and tired. The Lion was king. He did not want to be king. He wanted to rest. He stopped his work.
The Lion told all folk. He said he was too old. He needed a long rest. He would leave his job. He called all the folk. They came to a big meeting. They chose a new leader.
The Fox became the new leader. He looked very smart. He spoke with a smooth voice. Many liked his clever ways. All the folk bowed to him. They were happy for him.
Many folk liked the Fox. They said nice things about him. They liked his smart words. They praised his new power. They wanted to please him.
A new Fox came forward. He gave a long speech. He said good things. The new Fox leader was kind. He was very good. He was very smart.
The Fox speaker said this. Bad things will stop now. All folk will be safe. This new leader is good. He will make things good. He will bring peace. He will make life easy for all.
A Goose stood far away. She heard the nice words. She did not believe them. She shook her head. She felt a deep worry. She talked to her friends. The other Geese listened.
The Goose said to her friends. "A tricky creature speaks well. I worry about that person. I do not trust them. We must be watchful."
The Goose said, "A Fox spoke. He praised the new Fox. He wants good things for himself. He does not care for us. He thinks only of his kind. He does not think of us."
The Goose said, "Foxes will like this. They will be happy. But we Geese will have hard times. This leader is not good for us."
The Goose said, "We will be in danger. They will use us badly. They will show their power. This is bad for us Geese. Our safety will be gone. Our peace will be lost."
So, the Goose knew praise can hide trouble.
Original Story
FABLE XCVI.
THE LION, THE FOX, AND THE GEESE.
A Lion, tired with state affairs,
Quite sick of pomp, and worn with cares,
Resolved (remote from noise and strife)
In peace to pass his latter life.
It was proclaimed: the day was set:
Behold the general council met:
The Fox was viceroy named. The crowd
To the new regent humbly bowed!
Wolves, bears, and mighty tigers bend,
And strive who most shall condescend.
The crowd admire his wit, his sense:
Each word hath weight and consequence.
The flatterer all his art displays;
He who hath power, is sure of praise.
A Fox stepped forth before the rest,
And thus the servile throng addressed:—
"How vast his talents, born to rule,
And train'd in virtue's honest school!
What clemency his temper sways!
How uncorrupt are all his ways!
Beneath his conduct and command
Rapine shall cease to waste the land;
What blessings must attend the nation
Under this good administration!"
He said. A Goose, who distant stood,
Harangu'd apart the cackling brood:
"Whene'er I hear a knave commend,
He bids me shun his worthy friend.
What praise! what mighty commendation!
But 'twas a Fox who spoke th' oration.
Foxes this government may prize,
As gentle, plentiful, and wise;
If they enjoy the sweets, 'tis plain
We Geese must feel a tyrant reign.
What havoc now shall thin our race!
When every petty clerk in place,
To prove his taste, and seem polite,
Will feed on Geese both noon and night."
MORAL.
Those flatter the plunderer who share in the spoil.
Story DNA
Moral
Those who flatter a plunderer often do so because they share in the spoils or benefit from the plunderer's power.
Plot Summary
A weary Lion retires and appoints a cunning Fox as his viceroy. The other animals, especially a flattering Fox, shower the new regent with praise, predicting an era of peace and good governance. However, a wise Goose, observing from a distance, sees through the flattery, recognizing that the new administration will only benefit the powerful Foxes and lead to the exploitation and demise of the vulnerable Geese.
Themes
Emotional Arc
naivety to cynical realization
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
Fables often reflect social hierarchies and political dynamics, using animals to critique human behavior without direct confrontation.
Plot Beats (11)
- A Lion, tired of governing, decides to retire from his duties.
- He proclaims his retirement and convenes a general council to appoint a successor.
- The Fox is named viceroy, and the other animals, including powerful predators, humbly accept him.
- The crowd admires the Fox's wit and sense, with flatterers praising his power.
- Another Fox steps forward and delivers a grand speech, extolling the new viceroy's virtues, clemency, and administrative skills.
- The Fox speaker predicts an end to rapine and great blessings for the nation under this new, good administration.
- A Goose, standing apart, overhears the praise and expresses skepticism to its fellow Geese.
- The Goose states that when a 'knave' commends someone, it makes her wary of the praised individual.
- The Goose points out that it was a Fox who spoke the oration, implying self-interest.
- The Goose explains that while Foxes may find the new government gentle and wise, Geese will suffer under a tyrannical reign.
- The Goose predicts that Geese will be hunted and eaten by the new officials to demonstrate their status and refinement.
Characters
The Lion
A large, powerful African lion, past his prime but still possessing a formidable build. His once golden mane is now streaked with grey, and his movements are slower, indicative of weariness rather prolonged illness. His paws are broad and heavy, showing signs of a life of command.
Attire: None, as he is an animal. His natural fur is his 'attire'.
Wants: To retire from the burdens of leadership and live a peaceful, quiet life.
Flaw: Naivety and poor judgment in delegating power; he trusts those who flatter him.
He attempts to transition from a life of power to one of peace, but his actions set the stage for potential conflict for others, though he himself doesn't change much within the fable.
World-weary, seeking peace, tired of responsibility, somewhat naive in his choice of successor.
The Fox
A sleek, agile red fox, lean and quick-witted in appearance. His fur is well-groomed, and his movements are fluid and confident, reflecting his cunning nature.
Attire: None, as he is an animal. His natural fur is his 'attire'.
Wants: To gain power and exploit his position for personal gain, specifically to 'share in the spoil'.
Flaw: His greed and self-interest, which are transparent to the wise.
He rises to power through flattery and immediately begins to set the stage for his tyrannical rule, showing no change in his cunning nature.
Cunning, manipulative, eloquent, self-serving, a flatterer.
The Goose
A plump, white domestic goose, with a sturdy build and a long, graceful neck. Her feathers are pristine, and she carries herself with a watchful, cautious demeanor.
Attire: None, as she is an animal. Her natural feathers are her 'attire'.
Wants: To warn her fellow geese of impending danger and protect their kind from exploitation.
Flaw: Her inability to directly influence the powerful, leaving her to only warn her peers.
She serves as the voice of reason and caution, recognizing the danger posed by the Fox's appointment, but her role is to highlight the moral rather than undergo a personal transformation.
Observant, skeptical, wise, cautious, outspoken (among her own kind).
Locations
The Lion's Council Ground
An open, perhaps slightly elevated, area where the general council of animals gathers. It is a place of formal assembly and public proclamation.
Mood: Formal, expectant, subtly tense with underlying power dynamics, and ultimately sycophantic.
The Lion proclaims his retirement, the Fox is named viceroy, and the Fox delivers a flattering speech.
The Geese's Gathering Spot
A more secluded, perhaps marshy or grassy area, slightly apart from the main council, where the geese congregate and discuss amongst themselves.
Mood: Apprehensive, gossipy, concerned, and realistic.
A Goose voices her concerns and dire predictions about the Fox's new rule to her fellow geese.