• The Lion and the Bull

    Aesop's Fables
    In a wide, grassy field, where the sun always seemed to shine a little brighter, lived a magnificent bull named Bruno. Bruno was big, with strong muscles and impressive horns. He loved munching on sweet grass and feeling the warm sun on his back.

    Not too far away, in a shady part of the woods, lived Leo the Lion. Leo often watched Bruno from a distance. "My, what a tasty-looking dinner he would make!" Leo would think, licking his lips. But Bruno was so big and strong, Leo knew a straight fight would be very difficult. Leo wasn't just strong; he was also quite clever.

    So, Leo decided to use his brain instead of just his brawn. He put on his friendliest smile (which wasn't easy for a hungry lion) and strolled over to where Bruno was grazing.

    "Hello, Bruno, my dear friend!" Leo called out in his most charming voice. "I'm having a special dinner party tonight, and I'd be honored if you'd join me. I've even prepared a special dish!"

    Bruno was surprised. Leo wasn't usually so friendly. "A dinner party?" Bruno asked, chewing thoughtfully on a blade of grass. "That's... kind of you, Leo. What's the occasion?"

    "Oh, just a little get-together! I've slaughtered a fine sheep, and there will be plenty to eat," Leo purred, trying to sound as sweet as honey. "You'll be my guest of honor!"

    Bruno, feeling a bit curious and a tiny bit hungry for something other than grass, decided to go. When he arrived at Leo's den later that evening, he saw a very large fire roaring. Next to the fire, he saw huge cooking pots and some very, very big, sharp knives and cleavers. But... he didn't see any sign of a sheep, cooked or uncooked.

    Bruno looked at the big fire. He looked at the big pots. He looked at the big, sharp knives. Then he looked at Leo, who was smiling a little too widely and rubbing his paws together.

    "Hmm," Bruno thought to himself. "Those tools look much too big for cooking a little sheep. They look just right for... a big bull!"

    Suddenly, Bruno wasn't hungry for Leo's dinner anymore.

    "You know, Leo," Bruno said, backing away slowly, "I just remembered I have a very important appointment. Something about... counting all the daisies in the meadow. Yes, very important! I really must dash! Thank you for the invitation, though!"

    And before Leo could say a word or pounce, Bruno turned and galloped away as fast as his strong legs could carry him, back to his sunny, grassy field. Leo the Lion was left standing by his big fire with his big pots, his big knives, and a very empty stomach. He learned that day that a clever bull could be just as tricky as a clever lion.

    1909 Views