Section 144
The Lion and the Bull explained simply
Aesop's Fables by Aesop
Original excerpt
Excerpt preview
A Lion saw a fine fat Bull pasturing among a herd of cattle and cast about for some means of getting him into his clutches; so he sent him word that he was sacrificing a sheep, and asked if he would do him the honour of dining with him. The Bull accepted the invitation, but, on arriving at...
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Public-domain original
A Lion saw a fine fat Bull pasturing among a herd of cattle and cast
about for some means of getting him into his clutches; so he sent him
word that he was sacrificing a sheep, and asked if he would do him the
honour of dining with him. The Bull accepted the invitation, but, on
arriving at the Lion's den, he saw a great array of saucepans and
spits, but no sign of a sheep; so he turned on his heel and walked
quietly away. The Lion called after him in an injured tone to ask the
reason, and the Bull turned round and said, "I have reason enough.
When I saw all your preparations it struck me at once that the victim
was to be a Bull and not a sheep."
The net is spread in vain in sight of the bird.
Public-domain original text shown for study context.
What happens here
A lion tries to lure a bull close with a false invitation.
Why this scene matters
This fable warns against invitations that serve the inviter’s hidden interest.
Characters in this scene
- Lion: A central figure in the fable’s conflict and lesson.
- the Bull: A central figure in the fable’s conflict and lesson.
Simple story version
The lion pretends to host a feast. The bull sees signs of danger and wisely stays away.