The Lion Jupiter And The Elephant
The Lion wearied Jupiter with his frequent complaints. "It is true,
O Jupiter!" he said, "that I am gigantic in strength, handsome in
shape, and powerful in attack. I have jaws well provided with teeth,
and feet furnished with claws, and I lord it over all the beasts of
the forest, and what a disgrace it is, that being such as I am, I
should be frightened by the crowing of a cock." Jupiter replied, "Why
do you blame me without a cause? I have given you all the attributes
which I possess myself, and your courage never fails you except in
this one instance." On hearing this the Lion groaned and lamented
very much and, reproaching himself with his cowardice, wished that
he might die. As these thoughts passed through his mind, he met an
Elephant and came close to hold a conversation with him. After a time
he observed that the Elephant shook his ears very often, and he inquired
what was the matter and why his ears moved with such a tremor every
now and then. Just at that moment a Gnat settled on the head of the
Elephant, and he replied, "Do you see that little buzzing insect?
If it enters my ear, my fate is sealed. I should die presently." The
Lion said, "Well, since so huge a beast is afraid of a tiny gnat,
I will no more complain, nor wish myself dead. I find myself, even
as I am, better off than the Elephant."
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