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Horace Elisha Scudder

The Lion, the Ass, and the Fox

The Lion, the Ass, and the Fox, made a bargain to go hunting together. Now when they had caught a good supply of game, they came to eat it; and the Lion charged the Ass to divide the spoil. So he divided it into three equal parts, and called on them to choose their portion, at which the Lion fell into a rage, and made his supper off the Ass. Afterward, he bade the Fox make the division; but the Fox put all the game into one great heap, saving only a little bit for himself. Then the Lion said, "My good fellow, who taught you to divide so well?" and the Fox said, "That dead Ass there."

The fable teaches that wise men learn their wisdom from the misfortunes of their neighbors.


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