The Lion The Fox And The Ass
The Lion, the Fox and the Ass entered into an agreement to assist
each other in the chase. Having secured a large booty, the Lion on
their return from the forest asked the Ass to allot his due portion
to each of the three partners in the treaty. The Ass carefully divided
the spoil into three equal shares and modestly requested the two others
to make the first choice. The Lion, bursting out into a great rage,
devoured the Ass. Then he requested the Fox to do him the favor to
make a division. The Fox accumulated all that they had killed into
one large heap and left to himself the smallest possible morsel. The
Lion said, "Who has taught you, my very excellent fellow, the art
of division? You are perfect to a fraction." He replied, "I learned
it from the Ass, by witnessing his fate."
Happy is the man who learns from the misfortunes of others.
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