Aesop
|
Greece

The Lion and The Bull

Cunning lion tricks bull with a promise of a tasty sheep, but the bull senses a trap and escapes.
Deception
Courage
Wisdom
Aesop's Fables - The Lion and The Bull
Audio available for B1 version

Once upon a time, in a vast jungle, a cunning Lion lived. He thought of a plan to lure a strong Bull into his home. "Join me," he said with a sly smile, "I have a tasty sheep we can share." Tempted, the Bull agreed and followed the Lion.

As they neared the Lion's home, the Bull noticed something odd. There were sharp teeth-like tools scattered around, but no sight of a sheep anywhere. "Where's the sheep?" he asked, eyeing the Lion warily.

"Oh, it's just around the corner," the Lion replied, trying to hide his disappointment.

But the Bull was not fooled. Sensing a trap, he decided to leave. "I'll come back some other time," he said, turning around and heading back to the safety of the grasslands. And so, the Lion's cunning plan failed, and the wise Bull lived to graze another day.

Once upon a time, deep in the jungle—like, the ultimate playground jungle—a Lion was hanging out, thinking of funny pranks. "Hmm," he thought, "I wonder if I can get someone to share a yummy sheep meal with me, even though I don't actually have one!"

"Hey buddy!" the Lion yelled over to a Bull, who was busy lifting pretend weights made of grass. "Wanna come over? I’ve got a really yummy sheep we can eat!"

The Bull thought about it. "A yummy sheep, you say? Alright, let's do this!" And off they went, walking toward the Lion's house.

As they got close, the Bull started to notice some strange things—like a bunch of sharp, pointy objects that looked like giant teeth. "Um, where's the sheep?" he asked. "I don't see it anywhere!"

The Lion, trying not to look sad that his plan wasn't working, said, "Oh, the sheep's just getting ready. It'll be out in a minute!"

But the Bull was too smart for that. "You know what," he said, "I just remembered, I have to go home and water my, um, grass. Maybe some other time!"

The Lion sighed. "Alright, alright," he said, watching the Bull leave.

So, the Bull turned around, flexing his pretend grass weights as he strutted back to his own turf. "Dodged that one," he thought, all smiles as he returned to the safety of his meadow.

As for the Lion? Well, his plan fizzled out like a balloon with a slow leak. "Guess I'll have to rethink the menu," he muttered.

And so, the Bull kept on munching on his grass, fitter and wiser than ever. The Lion? He went back to the drawing board, thinking maybe next time he'd try stand-up comedy instead of pranks. In a jungle where everyone's a character, life moved on—one laugh, one lesson, one day at a time.

Sly Lion with a scheme so grand,
Invited Bull to his jungle land.
"A tasty sheep we'll share," said he,
While hiding plans Bull couldn't see.

As Bull approached this shady place,
Suspicion dawned upon his face.
Sharp tools lay round, no sheep in sight,
Something about this wasn't right.

"Just round the corner," Lion lied,
His grin now impossible to hide.
But Bull sensed danger in the air,
And chose that moment to take care.

"I'll visit later," Bull declared,
And back to grasslands safely fared.
Lion's plot was foiled, it's true,
And wise Bull grazed 'neath skies so blue.

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Understanding Questions

Reflection Questions

  1. Why do you think the Lion invited the Bull to his home?
  2. How did the Bull figure out that the Lion was trying to trick him?
  3. Can you remember a time when you felt something was not right, like the Bull did, and what did you do?
  4. What does this story teach us about being observant and listening to our instincts?
  5. How can we apply the lesson from this fable in our own lives when we encounter situations that don't seem right?

Fable Quotes

A smile can hide a thousand lies, but keen eyes see through the deceit.
Courage is found in questioning temptation and trusting one's instincts, even in the face of deceptive allure.
Wisdom is recognizing the teeth of deception, and choosing to walk away towards a safer path.
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