Section 254
The Fox Who Served a Lion explained simply
Aesop's Fables by Aesop
Original excerpt
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A Lion had a Fox to attend on him, and whenever they went hunting the Fox found the prey and the Lion fell upon it and killed it, and then they divided it between them in certain proportions. But the Lion always got a very large share, and the Fox a very small one, which didn'...
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Public-domain original
A Lion had a Fox to attend on him, and whenever they went hunting the
Fox found the prey and the Lion fell upon it and killed it, and then
they divided it between them in certain proportions. But the Lion
always got a very large share, and the Fox a very small one, which
didn't please the latter at all; so he determined to set up on his own
account. He began by trying to steal a lamb from a flock of sheep: but
the shepherd saw him and set his dogs on him. The hunter was now the
hunted, and was very soon caught and despatched by the dogs.
Better servitude with safety than freedom with danger.
Public-domain original text shown for study context.
What happens here
A short fable about The Fox Who Served a Lion shows how choices, assumptions, or desires can lead to consequences.
Why this scene matters
This fable matters because it turns the lesson “Better servitude with safety than freedom with danger.” into a compact story about everyday judgment.
Characters in this scene
- The Fox Who Served a Lion: A figure in the fable whose choice helps reveal the lesson.
Simple story version
A Lion had a Fox to attend on him, and whenever they went hunting the Fox found the prey and the Lion fell upon it and killed it, and then they divided it between them in certain proportions. But the Lion always got a very large share, and the Fox a very small one, which didn't please the latter at all; so he determined to set up on his own account.