The Aesop for Children by Milo Winter
The Old Lion and the Fox
An old Lion, whose teeth and
claws were so worn that it was
not so easy for him to get food as
in his younger days, pretended
that he was sick. He took care
to let all his neighbors know
about it, and then lay down in
his cave to wait for visitors. And
when they came to offer him
their sympathy, he ate them up
one by one.
The Fox came too, but he was
very cautious about it. Standing
at a safe distance from the cave,
he inquired politely after the
Lion's health. The Lion replied
that he was very ill indeed, and
asked the Fox to step in for a
moment. But Master Fox very
wisely stayed outside, thanking
the Lion very kindly for the
invitation.
"I should be glad to do as
you ask," he added, "but I have
noticed that there are many foot
prints leading into your cave and
none coming out. Pray tell me,
how do your visitors find their
way out again?"
Take warning from the misfortunes of others.
![[Illustration]](http://www.gatewaytotheclassics.com/gold/books/winter/aesop/winter_aesop_zpage078.gif)
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