Section 219

The Lion in Love explained simply

Aesop's Fables by Aesop

Original excerpt

Excerpt preview

A Lion fell deeply in love with the daughter of a cottager and wanted to marry her; but her father was unwilling to give her to so fearsome a husband, and yet didn't want to offend the Lion; so he hit upon the following expedient. He went to the Lion and said, "I think you wil...
Read full original text in reading mode

Public-domain original

A Lion fell deeply in love with the daughter of a cottager and wanted to marry her; but her father was unwilling to give her to so fearsome a husband, and yet didn't want to offend the Lion; so he hit upon the following expedient. He went to the Lion and said, "I think you will make a very good husband for my daughter: but I cannot consent to your union unless you let me draw your teeth and pare your nails, for my daughter is terribly afraid of them." The Lion was so much in love that he readily agreed that this should be done. When once, however, he was thus disarmed, the Cottager was afraid of him no longer, but drove him away with his club.

Public-domain original text shown for study context.

What happens here

A short fable about The Lion in Love shows how choices, assumptions, or desires can lead to consequences.

Why this scene matters

This fable matters because it turns a common human habit into a short lesson about judgment and consequences.

Characters in this scene

  • The Lion in Love: A figure in the fable whose choice helps reveal the lesson.

Simple story version

In simple terms, The Lion in Love faces a small situation that reveals a larger lesson about behavior and consequences.